GPhC Patient Safety

Question 1

A pharmacist identifies that a patient has been prescribed methotrexate 10mg daily instead of 10mg weekly. What is the most critical immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Contact the prescriber immediately to clarify the dosing frequency before dispensing

Answer

Dispense as written and advise the patient to take it weekly

Answer

Dispense a reduced quantity to limit potential harm

Answer

Refer the patient to A&E as a precaution

Question 2

The Yellow Card Scheme is used to report suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to which UK organisation?

Accepted Answer

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)

Answer

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

Answer

General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

Answer

NHS England

Question 3

A patient collecting a dispensed prescription notices that the tablets look different from their usual supply. What should the pharmacist do?

Accepted Answer

Check the dispensed item against the prescription, confirm it is correct, and explain any changes such as a different generic brand

Answer

Tell the patient all generic tablets look the same and not to worry

Answer

Ask the patient to try the tablets and come back if there are problems

Answer

Refuse to discuss the matter due to time constraints

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a high-risk medicine that requires additional safety checks in community pharmacy, as identified by NHS patient safety alerts?

Accepted Answer

Warfarin tablets

Answer

Paracetamol 500mg tablets

Answer

Ibuprofen 400mg tablets

Answer

Cetirizine 10mg tablets

Question 5

A dispensing error has occurred in the pharmacy. According to best practice, what should the pharmacy do after ensuring patient safety?

Accepted Answer

Conduct a root cause analysis and report the error through the local incident reporting system

Answer

Discipline the staff member responsible immediately

Answer

Keep the error confidential to protect staff morale

Answer

Only report if the patient was actually harmed

Question 6

A patient on atorvastatin is prescribed a course of fluconazole by their GP. What patient safety concern should the pharmacist raise?

Accepted Answer

Fluconazole inhibits CYP3A4, increasing atorvastatin levels and the risk of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis

Answer

Fluconazole reduces the effectiveness of atorvastatin

Answer

Atorvastatin reduces the antifungal effect of fluconazole

Answer

There is no significant interaction between these drugs