ISMP High-Alert Medications 3

Question 1

ISMP categorizes opioids as high-alert medications because they can cause:

Accepted Answer

Respiratory depression and death

Answer

Opioids are high-alert because even small dosing errors can cause respiratory depression, apnea, and death, especially in opioid-naive patients.

Question 2

Which ISMP recommendation helps prevent errors with look-alike concentrated electrolyte vials?

Accepted Answer

Remove concentrated forms from floor stock and restrict to pharmacy

Answer

ISMP recommends removing concentrated electrolytes from floor stock so they must be prepared by pharmacy, reducing bedside confusion errors.

Question 3

Chemotherapy agents are classified as high-alert primarily due to their:

Accepted Answer

Narrow therapeutic index and potential for fatal overdose

Answer

Chemotherapy drugs have a narrow therapeutic index and can cause life-threatening toxicity with small dosing errors, making them inherently high-alert.

Question 4

ISMP recommends that independent double-checks for high-alert medications should be:

Accepted Answer

Performed by two different clinicians independently without sharing their findings first

Answer

A true independent double-check requires each clinician to perform the check independently before comparing results, to avoid confirmation bias.

Question 5

According to ISMP, which element should be included on the label of a high-alert medication prepared by pharmacy?

Accepted Answer

Clear route of administration warning

Answer

Labels for high-alert medications should include clear route of administration warnings to prevent accidental administration by the wrong route.

ISMP - Institute for Safe Medication Practices Practice Test

ISMP - Institute for Safe Medication Practices Practice Test

ISMP High-Alert Medications 3