Data Accuracy and Detail Flashcards

During a year-end inventory reconciliation, you find that shrinkage for a high-value OTC item is 15% above the expected rate. What does accurate data analysis suggest as the next step?

Answer: Investigate the root cause — including potential theft, miscounts, or receiving errors — before adjusting inventory records

A 15% excess shrinkage rate is a signal that requires root-cause investigation; adjusting records without investigating perpetuates the underlying problem.

A prescription printout shows 'Qty: 90' but the sig reads 'Take 1 tablet daily.' The days supply field was entered as 30. Which value is incorrect?

Answer: The days supply of 30 — it should be 90 days for 90 tablets at 1 per day

90 tablets at 1 per day equals a 90-day supply; entering 30 days is incorrect and could trigger early refill rejection by the insurer.

A pharmacy technician enters a prescriber's DEA number as BM3456789. The first letter 'B' indicates the prescriber type, and the second letter should match the prescriber's last name. The prescriber's last name is 'Martin.' Is this DEA number consistent?

Answer: Yes — 'M' is the correct second letter for a prescriber named Martin

The second letter of a DEA number corresponds to the first letter of the registrant's last name; 'M' correctly corresponds to 'Martin.'

You are spot-checking price labels and notice the unit price on a shelf tag is $0.45/oz but the package price is $3.99 for a 10-oz product. Is there a discrepancy?

Answer: Yes — $0.45 × 10 = $4.50, but the package price is $3.99, so the unit price is higher than what the package implies; flag it

The unit price of $0.45/oz implies $4.50 for 10 oz, but the package rings at $3.99; this discrepancy should be flagged and corrected to ensure accurate pricing communication.

When a controlled substance is returned from a patient, which detail is most critical to record accurately in the log?

Answer: The drug name, strength, quantity returned, and date of return

Controlled substance logs require precise documentation of drug identity, strength, quantity, and date to comply with DEA regulations and ensure accountability.

A customer says their prescription was filled for 'Atorvastatin 20 mg' but their doctor ordered 'Atorvastatin 40 mg.' What is the immediate priority?

Answer: Pull the original prescription and dispensing record immediately to verify the correct strength

A strength discrepancy is a potential dispensing error; the original records must be checked immediately to determine what occurred and ensure patient safety.

Which of the following best describes the purpose of a 'five-rights' check (right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time) in a pharmacy accuracy workflow?

Answer: It is a structured verification framework that ensures every dispensed medication matches the prescriber's exact intent

The five-rights framework is a systematic accuracy tool used across pharmacy and healthcare to catch errors before medication reaches the patient.