ExCPT Prescription Dispensing Process Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient presents a new prescription for a controlled substance. Which of the following is a critical first step for the pharmacy technician in the dispensing process?
- Counting the medication and placing it in a vial.
- Verifying the patient's insurance coverage.
- Confirming the validity of the prescriber's DEA number. (Correct answer)
- Immediately filling the prescription to reduce patient wait time.
Correct answer: Confirming the validity of the prescriber's DEA number.
Before dispensing a controlled substance, it is crucial to verify that the prescriber has a valid DEA number, which authorizes them to prescribe controlled substances. This is a key step in preventing prescription fraud and ensuring compliance with federal law.
Question 2: When preparing a prescription label, which of the following pieces of information is NOT federally required to be included?
- The patient's name.
- The name and address of the pharmacy.
- The patient's date of birth. (Correct answer)
- The prescription number.
Correct answer: The patient's date of birth.
While many pharmacy systems include the patient's date of birth on the label as a second identifier for safety, federal law does not mandate its presence on the prescription label. Essential required elements include the patient's name, pharmacy details, prescription number, date of filling, prescriber's name, and directions for use.
Question 3: A pharmacist has completed the final check of a prescription filled by a technician. What is the next appropriate step in the dispensing process before handing the medication to the patient?
- Asking the patient if they have any questions for the pharmacist. (Correct answer)
- Collecting payment for the prescription.
- Placing the medication in a bag with the patient information leaflet.
- Verifying the patient's address.
Correct answer: Asking the patient if they have any questions for the pharmacist.
It is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions and a standard of practice for the pharmacy staff (often initiated by the technician) to offer patient counseling from the pharmacist with every new prescription. This ensures the patient understands how to take their medication safely and effectively.
Question 4: A prescription for an oral medication is presented for a 3-year-old child. According to the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) of 1970, how must this prescription be dispensed?
- In a standard vial with an easy-open cap.
- In a container with child-resistant packaging. (Correct answer)
- In the original manufacturer's stock bottle.
- In any container the parent requests.
Correct answer: In a container with child-resistant packaging.
The Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) mandates that most oral prescription drugs be dispensed in child-resistant packaging to protect children under five from accidental poisoning. A patient or prescriber can request non-child-resistant packaging, but it is not the default for pediatric patients.
Question 5: During the prescription filling process, the pharmacy technician compares the National Drug Code (NDC) on the printed label to the NDC on the manufacturer's bottle. What is the primary purpose of this check?
- To ensure the correct medication, strength, and dosage form are selected. (Correct answer)
- To verify the expiration date of the medication.
- To check for drug interactions with the patient's other medications.
- To confirm the prescription is covered by the patient's insurance.
Correct answer: To ensure the correct medication, strength, and dosage form are selected.
The NDC number is a unique, three-segment number that identifies the manufacturer, the specific drug product (including strength and dosage form), and the package size. Matching the NDC is a critical safety check to prevent medication errors by ensuring the correct product is being dispensed.
Question 6: Which of the following tasks in the dispensing process must be performed by a licensed pharmacist and cannot be legally completed by a pharmacy technician?
- Entering prescription information into the computer system.
- Counting and pouring the medication into a vial.
- Conducting the final verification of the prescription before it is given to the patient. (Correct answer)
- Affixing the prescription and auxiliary labels to the container.
Correct answer: Conducting the final verification of the prescription before it is given to the patient.
The final verification, or final check, of a prescription is a professional responsibility that legally must be performed by a licensed pharmacist. This step ensures the accuracy and appropriateness of the dispensed medication and is a critical control point for patient safety.
ExCPT Prescription Dispensing Process Questions and Answers
A patient presents a new prescription for a controlled substance.
Which of the following is a critical first step for the pharmacy technician in the dispensing process?