ExCPT Medication Safety

Question 1

Which strategy best helps prevent errors with look-alike and sound-alike medications?

Accepted Answer

Use tall-man lettering and separate storage areas.

Answer

Using tall-man lettering (e.g., hydrOXYzine vs. hydrALAZINE) helps visually differentiate look-alike medications, making them less prone to confusion. Storing LASA drugs in separate, distinct locations further reduces the risk of selecting the wrong medication during the dispensing process. These strategies are recommended by safety organizations to enhance medication safety and prevent errors.

Question 2

What is the main purpose of bar-code verification in the medication dispensing process?

Accepted Answer

To verify the correct medication and strength.

Answer

Bar-code verification systems are a vital safety measure in the medication dispensing process. By scanning the bar code on the medication product and comparing it to the prescription information, the system confirms that the correct drug, strength, and dosage form are being prepared. This significantly reduces the risk of dispensing errors and enhances patient safety by ensuring accuracy.

Question 3

A pharmacy technician notices that a high-alert medication is stored on an open shelf with other routine drugs. What should they do?

Accepted Answer

Notify the pharmacist and segregate the medication.

Answer

High-alert medications carry a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm if used in error. Storing them on an open shelf with routine drugs increases the chance of a dispensing mistake. A technician should immediately notify the pharmacist so these medications can be properly segregated, labeled, and stored according to safety protocols, such as in a designated high-alert area, to prevent errors.

Question 4

Why is it important to use a second patient identifier in addition to the patient’s name?

Accepted Answer

To prevent confusion between patients with similar names.

Answer

Using a second patient identifier, such as date of birth or address, is a crucial safety measure to confirm the correct patient. This practice helps prevent medication errors that could arise from confusing patients with identical or similar names. It ensures the right medication is dispensed to the right person, which is a fundamental principle of patient safety.

Question 5

A technician receives a prescription with an unclear dose. What is the safest action to take?

Accepted Answer

Alert the pharmacist so the prescriber can be consulted.

Answer

An unclear dose on a prescription is a significant red flag for a potential medication error and must never be guessed or assumed. The safest and most appropriate action for a pharmacy technician is to immediately alert the pharmacist. The pharmacist is legally responsible for clarifying the prescription with the prescriber to ensure patient safety before dispensing any medication.

ExCPT Practice Test

ExCPT Practice Test

ExCPT Medication Safety