Free CPJE Formulary and Dispensing Medications Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: After filling the prescription bottle and putting away the stock bottle, what is the next thing you should do right away?
- Tell the patient it's ready
- Label the bottle
- Record your work (Correct answer)
- Check the expiration
Correct answer: Record your work
Explanation: <br> Recording your work involves documenting the dispensing process and any pertinent information related to the prescription. This documentation is essential for maintaining accurate records of dispensing activities, ensuring accountability, and facilitating communication among healthcare providers. It also serves as a legal and professional record of the pharmacy's activities. After recording your work, you can proceed with other tasks such as labeling the bottle and informing the patient.
Question 2: All of the following can be found in the directions section of a medication label, EXCEPT:
- The active ingredients. (Correct answer)
- How much medication is to be taken.
- For how long the medication is to be taken.
- Varying dosages depend on the age of the person taking the medication.
Correct answer: The active ingredients.
Explanation: <br> The directions section of a medication label typically includes information on how much medication to take, how often to take it, and for how long. It may also specify any special instructions, such as taking with food or avoiding certain activities. However, it generally does not list the active ingredients, as this information is typically provided elsewhere on the label, such as in the drug facts panel or the medication name. The active ingredients represent the chemical substances responsible for the medication's therapeutic effects.
Question 3: Which abbreviation means at bedtime?
- qhs (Correct answer)
- ab
- abt
- qbt
Correct answer: qhs
Explanation: <br> The abbreviation "qhs" stands for "quaque hora somni," which translates to "every hour of sleep." It is commonly used in medical prescriptions to indicate that the medication should be taken at bedtime or before sleep. Using "qhs" helps to ensure that the medication is administered at a specific time to optimize its effectiveness and minimize disruption to the patient's daily activities.
Question 4: What are two reasons why proper medication packaging is important?
- To correctly identify medication and to keep medication from being damaged (Correct answer)
- To maintain the quality of the medication and to reimburse insurance costs
- To provide individual doses of medication and to ensure the correct quantity of medication
- To provide easy access to medication and to protect medication from contamination
Correct answer: To correctly identify medication and to keep medication from being damaged
Explanation: <br> Proper medication packaging is important to ensure accurate identification of medications, reducing the risk of medication errors. It also helps protect medications from damage, such as exposure to light, moisture, or physical impact, which can affect their potency and safety. By maintaining the integrity of the packaging, pharmacies can uphold medication quality and safety standards, promoting optimal patient care.
Question 5: What is an open formulary system?
- A system where the organization will cover non-formulary medications if the patient cannot cover the cost
- A system where doctors only prescribe medications that the patient has been taking before so it is covered by the insurance company
- A system where the pharmacy accepts any medication to place in the formulary
- A system where the patient, organization, or insurance company will provide coverage for formulary and non-formulary medications (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A system where the patient, organization, or insurance company will provide coverage for formulary and non-formulary medications
Explanation: <br> An open formulary system allows coverage for both formulary (preferred) and non-formulary (non-preferred) medications. Patients, organizations, or insurance companies are not restricted to only covering medications listed on a formulary list. Instead, they provide coverage for a broader range of medications, giving patients access to a wider variety of treatment options. This system offers flexibility in medication choices and can accommodate individual patient needs more effectively.
Question 6: How should you determine whether to collect quantitative or qualitative data when making a medication use evaluation?
- You should make this determination based on what kind of medication you are evaluating.
- You should make this determination based on the question you are trying to answer. (Correct answer)
- You should make this determination based on what kind of data is most popular in your population.
- It does not matter whether you use quantitative or qualitative data in an MUE.
Correct answer: You should make this determination based on the question you are trying to answer.
Explanation: <br> The choice between quantitative and qualitative data collection methods in a medication use evaluation (MUE) depends on the specific question or objective of the evaluation. Quantitative data involves numerical measurements and is suitable for assessing numerical outcomes or variables. Qualitative data involves non-numerical observations and is useful for exploring complex phenomena, understanding attitudes, or gaining insights into patient experiences. Selecting the appropriate data collection method aligns with the intended purpose of the evaluation and ensures that relevant information is gathered effectively.
Question 7: What is a drug formulary?
- A list of generic medications and what they are used for
- A list of accepted diagnoses that are paired with medications
- A list of approved medications that can be prescribed by physicians (Correct answer)
- A list of medical conditions and what medications are used to treat them
Correct answer: A list of approved medications that can be prescribed by physicians
Explanation: <br> A drug formulary is a list of medications approved for use within a healthcare organization, insurance plan, or pharmacy. It includes both brand-name and generic drugs, along with information such as dosages, strengths, and any restrictions or guidelines for their use. Physicians refer to the formulary when prescribing medications to ensure that they are selecting drugs that are approved and available within the healthcare system. Formularies are regularly updated to reflect changes in medication availability, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
Question 8: One role of the pharmacist in the MUE is ________:
- prescribing medications.
- publishing articles about the outcome of the MUE in medical journals.
- asking patients to opt out of the evaluation.
- maintaining patient data. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: maintaining patient data.
Explanation: <br> One role of the pharmacist in a Medication Use Evaluation (MUE) is maintaining patient data. Pharmacists collect and analyze data related to medication use to evaluate the appropriateness, safety, and effectiveness of drug therapy. This includes maintaining accurate records of patient demographics, medication histories, treatment outcomes, and any relevant clinical information. By effectively managing patient data, pharmacists can assess medication-related issues, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement interventions to optimize patient care.
Question 9: When a pharmacist is conducting a final check for a new prescription of lithium Carbonate extended-release tablets, from among the list below, which auxiliary labels should the pharmacist affix to the container?
- "Do not put on contact lenses when using this medication”
- "May lead to urine discoloration” (Correct answer)
- "Take medication with either food or milk”
- "Avoid exposing to the sun”
Correct answer: "May lead to urine discoloration”
Explanation: <br> The appropriate auxiliary label to affix to the container of lithium Carbonate extended-release tablets is "May lead to urine discoloration.” This label is relevant because lithium carbonate can cause changes in urine color, often turning it a dark yellow or brown. Providing this information helps the patient understand the potential side effects of the medication and promotes safe use.
Question 10: A pharmacist receives a prescription of Propecia (Finasteride 1mg) from a patient. The prescription is handwritten by a known physician with all required information on a plain piece of paper-not a prescription blank. What should the pharmacist do?
- Fill in and file the prescription as written by the physician
- Refuse to fill in the prescription as it may be a case of forgery
- Tell the patient who came with the prescription that is a non-prescription medication
- Insist that the patient gets the prescription for a formal prescription blank (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Insist that the patient gets the prescription for a formal prescription blank
Explanation: <br> The pharmacist should insist that the patient obtains the prescription for Propecia (Finasteride 1mg) on a formal prescription blank. Handwritten prescriptions on plain paper may not meet legal requirements and could raise concerns about authenticity or accuracy. It's important for prescriptions to be on proper prescription blanks to ensure compliance with regulations and to maintain accurate records.
Question 11: After recently undergoing a hysterectomy, a 60-year-old woman comes to a pharmacist with a new prescription of Calcium Carbonate, ibuprofen, estradiol and medroxyprogesterone. Which of the following medicines should the pharmacist discuss with the prescriber?
- Calcium Carbonate
- Ibuprofen
- Estradiol
- Medroxyprogesterone (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Medroxyprogesterone
Explanation: <br> The pharmacist should discuss medroxyprogesterone with the prescriber. As a patient who has recently undergone a hysterectomy, the use of medroxyprogesterone, a hormone medication, may need adjustment or reconsideration depending on the patient's medical history and current condition. It's essential to ensure that all medications prescribed are appropriate and safe for the patient's specific health status.
After filling the prescription bottle and putting away the stock bottle, what is the next thing you should do right away?