DHA Pharmacy & Medication Management 2

Question 1

Under DHA medication management standards, which category of medications requires an independent double-check before administration?

Accepted Answer

High-alert medications including concentrated electrolytes, insulin, heparin, and neuromuscular blocking agents

Answer

High-alert medications (ISMP/DHA list) require an independent double-check — two separate nurses independently verify drug, dose, concentration, rate, and patient identity before administration. This significantly reduces errors with medications that have the highest potential for serious harm.

Question 2

A pharmacy receives a prescription for methotrexate 2.5mg daily (written as 'QD') for a cancer patient. What is the pharmacist's primary safety concern?

Accepted Answer

Methotrexate for non-cancer indications (RA, psoriasis) is typically weekly — daily dosing is a common fatal prescribing error; the indication must be verified before dispensing

Answer

Methotrexate is one of the most common causes of fatal medication errors. For RA and psoriasis, it is given WEEKLY — patients or prescribers mistakenly prescribe it daily, causing fatal bone marrow suppression. The pharmacist must verify the indication. For cancer, daily dosing may be appropriate — but this must be explicitly confirmed.

Question 3

In the context of medication reconciliation, when is it most critical to perform this process to prevent adverse drug events?

Accepted Answer

At all care transitions: admission, transfer between units, and discharge

Answer

Medication reconciliation must be performed at ALL care transitions — hospital admission (compare home medications with admission orders), transfers between units (especially ICU to ward), and discharge (ensure medications are appropriately continued, stopped, or changed with patient counseling). Discrepancies at transitions are a leading cause of adverse drug events.

Question 4

A patient is prescribed gentamicin 5mg/kg/day once daily. The patient weighs 80kg and has a normal eGFR of 75 mL/min. What dose should the patient receive?

Accepted Answer

400 mg once daily

Answer

Gentamicin dose = 5 mg/kg × 80 kg = 400 mg once daily. For once-daily (extended interval) dosing in patients with near-normal renal function, the full weight-based dose is given as a single daily dose, which maximizes the concentration-dependent killing and allows adequate time for renal clearance.

Question 5

Which of the following correctly describes the mechanism of action of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)?

Accepted Answer

They irreversibly inhibit the H+/K+ ATPase (proton pump) on the luminal surface of gastric parietal cells

Answer

PPIs (omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, etc.) irreversibly inhibit the H+/K+ ATPase enzyme (proton pump) on the canalicular membrane of gastric parietal cells. This is the final common pathway for acid secretion, making PPIs the most effective acid suppressants. Acid suppression lasts until new proton pumps are synthesized (~18–24 hours).

DHA - Dubai Health Authority Practice Test

DHA - Dubai Health Authority Practice Test

DHA Pharmacy & Medication Management 2