FREE Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) Patient Counseling and Confidentiality Questions and Answers

Question 1

A caregiver picks up a new prescription for an elderly patient.
The pharmacy technician at the counter completes the sale and asks, "Do you have any questions for the pharmacist today?" The caregiver replies, "No, we're all set," and leaves.
Which statement best describes the pharmacy's fulfillment of its patient counseling obligations under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA '90)?

Accepted Answer

The pharmacy's obligation was met because an offer to counsel was made and subsequently refused by the patient's agent.

Answer

The pharmacy's obligation was not met because the pharmacist must personally make the offer to counsel.

Answer

The pharmacy's obligation was not met because counseling is mandatory for all new prescriptions and cannot be refused.

Answer

The pharmacy's obligation was met because the technician is a designated agent of the pharmacist for all non-clinical tasks.

Question 2

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which of the following disclosures of Protected Health Information (PHI) by a pharmacy requires prior written authorization from the patient?

Accepted Answer

Disclosing a patient's name and address to a pharmaceutical company for the purpose of marketing a new medication.

Answer

Providing a patient's prescription history to their primary care physician for continuity of care.

Answer

Submitting a claim to a patient's insurance company for reimbursement of a filled prescription.

Answer

Reporting a suspected case of child abuse discovered during a patient interaction to a public health authority as required by state law.

Question 3

A pharmacist is discussing a patient's sensitive diagnosis and complex medication history with a pharmacy technician in the breakroom. The technician was not involved in preparing this specific patient's prescription. Which HIPAA principle is most directly violated in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

The Minimum Necessary Standard.

Answer

The Patient's Right to Access.

Answer

The Notice of Privacy Practices.

Answer

The Breach Notification Rule.

Question 4

A 16-year-old patient, who is not emancipated, obtains a prescription for a contraceptive, which is a service minors can consent to under state law. Later that day, the patient's parent calls the pharmacy and requests to know what medication their child received. According to HIPAA and prevailing state law principles, what is the most appropriate action for the pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

Inform the parent that due to state and federal privacy laws, this information cannot be disclosed without the minor's consent.

Answer

Immediately provide the medication name to the parent, as they are the minor's legal guardian.

Answer

Refuse to confirm that the minor is a patient at the pharmacy.

Answer

Tell the parent they must obtain a court order to access the minor's records.

Question 5

According to the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA '90), which of the following is a required component of a pharmacist's prospective drug utilization review (DUR)?

Accepted Answer

Screening for therapeutic duplication.

Answer

Verifying the patient's insurance co-payment amount.

Answer

Confirming the patient's preferred method of contact.

Answer

Ensuring the dispensed drug is the most cost-effective generic available.

Question 6

A patient is visiting a pharmacy for the first time. Regarding the pharmacy's HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP), what is the pharmacy's primary legal obligation to this new patient?

Accepted Answer

The pharmacy must provide a copy of the NPP and make a good faith effort to obtain the patient's written acknowledgment of receipt.

Answer

The pharmacy must mail a copy of the NPP to the patient's home within 7 business days.

Answer

The pharmacy must post the NPP in a prominent location and provide a copy to the patient upon request.

Answer

The pharmacy must read the entire NPP aloud to the patient before dispensing the prescription.