GPhC Medicines Optimisation

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the concept of medicines optimisation as defined by NICE?

Accepted Answer

A person-centred approach to safe and effective medicines use to achieve the best possible outcomes

Answer

Ensuring patients take all prescribed medications at the correct dose

Answer

Minimising the total number of medications a patient takes

Answer

Ensuring prescribers adhere strictly to national formulary guidelines

Question 2

Which NICE guideline specifically addresses medicines optimisation: the safe and effective use of medicines to enable the best possible outcomes?

Accepted Answer

NG5

Answer

NG15

Answer

NG28

Answer

NG76

Question 3

The STOPP/START criteria are primarily used to:

Accepted Answer

Identify potentially inappropriate medications and omissions in older patients

Answer

Calculate renal dose adjustments for commonly prescribed drugs

Answer

Screen for drug interactions in patients on polypharmacy

Answer

Assess patient adherence to long-term medication regimens

Question 4

A patient is found to be taking 12 different regular medications concurrently. This situation is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Polypharmacy

Answer

Hyperpharmacy

Answer

Complex prescribing syndrome

Answer

Multimorbidity pharmacotherapy

Question 5

A medication review that involves the patient in a detailed discussion of all their medicines and aims to optimise therapy through shared decision making is classified as which level of review?

Accepted Answer

Clinical medication review

Answer

Prescription review

Answer

Adherence review

Answer

Repeat dispensing review

Question 6

Which of the following is one of the four key principles of medicines optimisation as defined by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society?

Accepted Answer

Aim to understand and respect the patient's experience of taking medicines

Answer

Prescribe the fewest medicines possible to manage conditions

Answer

Prioritise adherence above individual patient preferences

Answer

Ensure all medicines are reviewed at least every 12 months

Question 7

During a home medicines review, a pharmacist notices an elderly patient is using a pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) without a spacer device. What is the most appropriate intervention?

Accepted Answer

Advise the patient that a spacer device is recommended to improve drug delivery and inhaler technique

Answer

Report this immediately to the GP as a drug safety incident

Answer

Arrange urgent substitution of the pMDI with a breath-actuated device

Answer

Document the finding but make no intervention as the patient appears to be managing