ExCPT Test Medication Safety 1

Question 1

Which of the following medications is considered a 'high-alert' drug that requires special safeguards due to its high risk of causing significant patient harm?

Accepted Answer

Insulin glargine 100 units/mL

Answer

Insulin is classified as a high-alert medication by ISMP because dosing errors can cause severe hypoglycemia or hyperosmolar states. High-alert drugs require extra verification steps, independent double-checks, and special storage protocols.

Question 2

A pharmacy technician is filling a prescription and notices the drug name on the stock bottle looks very similar to the drug ordered but is spelled differently. This is an example of which type of drug safety concern?

Accepted Answer

Look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) drug risk

Answer

Look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) drugs share similar names or packaging and are a leading cause of dispensing errors. Recognizing LASA pairs and using Tallman lettering or physical separation in storage helps mitigate the risk.

Question 3

What does the abbreviation 'NCC MERP' stand for in the context of medication safety?

Accepted Answer

National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention

Answer

NCC MERP (National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention) is the organization that developed the widely used index for categorizing medication errors by severity, from Category A (no error) through Category I (patient death).

Question 4

A technician is preparing a compounded IV solution and realizes the beyond-use date (BUD) on a sterile ingredient has passed. What is the MOST appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Discard the ingredient and obtain an unexpired one before proceeding

Answer

Expired ingredients must never be used in compounding because potency, sterility, and safety can no longer be guaranteed. The correct action is to discard the expired ingredient and use a product within its valid BUD to ensure patient safety.

Question 5

Which of the following is the BEST example of using a 'forcing function' to prevent medication errors?

Accepted Answer

Designing an IV pump that physically cannot accept a syringe larger than the maximum safe dose

Answer

A forcing function is a design constraint that physically prevents an error from occurring, making the wrong action impossible. Pump design that limits syringe size is a classic example — it eliminates the possibility of administering an overdose through that route.

ExCPT Practice Test

ExCPT Practice Test

ExCPT Test Medication Safety 1