DHA Pharmacist Patient Counselling

Question 1

What is the most effective technique a pharmacist can use to confirm a patient understands medication instructions?

Accepted Answer

Teach-back method: asking the patient to repeat the instructions in their own words

Answer

Providing a written leaflet only

Answer

Asking 'Do you understand?'

Answer

Referring the patient to the prescribing doctor

Question 2

A patient is prescribed metronidazole. What is the most important counselling point?

Accepted Answer

Avoid all alcohol during and for 48 hours after the course to prevent a disulfiram-like reaction

Answer

Take with milk to reduce side effects

Answer

No dietary restrictions are needed

Answer

It is safe to drink alcohol moderately while on this medication

Question 3

When counselling a patient on a new inhaler technique for asthma, what should be the pharmacist's approach?

Accepted Answer

Demonstrate the technique, have the patient practise it, and observe and correct their technique

Answer

Only describe the steps verbally

Answer

Give the patient a video link and send them home

Answer

Write the steps on paper without demonstration

Question 4

A patient on warfarin asks if they can take aspirin for a headache. What is the pharmacist's advice?

Accepted Answer

Avoid aspirin; use paracetamol instead as it has fewer interactions with warfarin and does not increase bleeding risk when used short-term at standard doses

Answer

Aspirin is safe with warfarin in any dose

Answer

Take double the warfarin dose if taking aspirin

Answer

Stop warfarin before taking aspirin

Question 5

Which information is essential to include when counselling a patient on a new antibiotic prescription?

Accepted Answer

Complete the full course even if symptoms improve, take at the correct times, and watch for allergic reactions

Answer

Stop when you feel better to avoid antibiotic resistance

Answer

Take double doses if you miss a dose

Answer

Store the antibiotic in the freezer

Question 6

What is the pharmacist's role in medication therapy management (MTM) for a patient with multiple chronic conditions?

Accepted Answer

Review all medications for appropriateness, efficacy, safety, and adherence; identify and resolve drug therapy problems

Answer

Only fill prescriptions as written without additional review

Answer

Advise patients to reduce their medication count without consulting the prescriber

Answer

Focus only on cost reduction without assessing clinical suitability