GPhC OTC & Self-Care

Question 1

A mother asks for something to treat her 4-year-old child's fever. Which product is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Paracetamol suspension (120 mg/5 mL) or ibuprofen suspension

Answer

Adult aspirin tablets

Answer

Codeine-containing liquid

Answer

Adult paracetamol 500 mg tablets

Question 2

A customer asks about using ibuprofen for their cold symptoms. Which patient should NOT receive ibuprofen without medical advice?

Accepted Answer

A patient with a history of peptic ulcer disease

Answer

A 25-year-old with no medical history

Answer

A healthy adult with mild headache

Answer

A patient with mild seasonal allergies

Question 3

What is the recommended first-line OTC treatment for head lice in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Dimeticone (Hedrin) — physical insecticide coating

Answer

Malathion (Derbac-M) — organophosphate insecticide

Answer

Permethrin shampoo

Answer

Wet combing alone as per NICE

Question 4

A customer requests emergency hormonal contraception. They had unprotected sex 60 hours ago. Which product is appropriate?

Accepted Answer

EllaOne (ulipristal acetate 30 mg) — effective up to 120 hours

Answer

Levonelle (levonorgestrel) — effective up to 72 hours

Answer

Combined oral contraceptive pill

Answer

No OTC product effective after 48 hours

Question 5

A patient taking ibuprofen OTC also takes warfarin. What advice should the pharmacist give?

Accepted Answer

Avoid ibuprofen — recommend paracetamol instead; ibuprofen increases bleeding risk

Answer

Ibuprofen is safe with warfarin

Answer

Use a reduced dose of ibuprofen

Answer

Take ibuprofen at a different time to warfarin

Question 6

Which symptom would prompt a pharmacist to refer a patient with a cough to their GP rather than recommend OTC treatment?

Accepted Answer

Coughing up blood (haemoptysis)

Answer

A cough present for 5 days

Answer

A cough with clear sputum

Answer

A cough worsened by cold air