ISMP Look-Alike Sound-Alike Drug Names 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The ISMP LASA pair vinCRIStine and vinBLAStine is particularly dangerous because:
- They are the same price
- Confusing them can cause lethal toxicity since dosing and indications differ significantly (Correct answer)
- They are both vitamins
- They have identical side effect profiles
Correct answer: Confusing them can cause lethal toxicity since dosing and indications differ significantly
VinCRIStine and vinBLAStine are both chemotherapy agents but have different dosing, toxicity profiles, and indications; confusion has caused patient deaths.
Question 2: ISMP recommends which action when a new LASA drug is added to a hospital formulary?
- No action needed if the drug is approved by the FDA
- Assess for LASA conflicts and implement safeguards before use (Correct answer)
- Wait for an error to occur before acting
- Notify insurance companies only
Correct answer: Assess for LASA conflicts and implement safeguards before use
ISMP recommends proactively assessing new formulary additions for LASA conflicts and implementing safeguards such as tall man lettering and storage separation before errors occur.
Question 3: Which ISMP guidance addresses the specific risk of sound-alike drug name confusion during telephone or verbal orders?
- Use of abbreviations
- Spelling out the drug name letter by letter and stating its indication (Correct answer)
- Giving all orders in writing only
- Using Latin pharmaceutical names
Correct answer: Spelling out the drug name letter by letter and stating its indication
ISMP recommends spelling drug names letter by letter and stating the indication when giving verbal orders to prevent sound-alike confusion over the phone.
Question 4: Metformin and metronidazole are considered a LASA pair primarily because:
- They have identical dosing schedules
- Their names look and sound alike, potentially causing accidental substitution (Correct answer)
- They treat the same condition
- They are stored in the same bottle
Correct answer: Their names look and sound alike, potentially causing accidental substitution
Metformin (diabetes) and metronidazole (antibiotic/antiparasitic) begin with 'metr' and sound similar, creating substitution risk in verbal or handwritten orders.
Question 5: ISMP's approach to LASA errors includes reporting to which national database for wider learning?
- Social media platforms
- ISMP's National Medication Errors Reporting Program (ISMP MERP) (Correct answer)
- Local newspaper
- State motor vehicle department
Correct answer: ISMP's National Medication Errors Reporting Program (ISMP MERP)
ISMP MERP (Medication Errors Reporting Program) is a national voluntary reporting program that collects LASA and other medication errors for analysis and prevention guidance.
Question 6: Which ISMP publication specifically alerts healthcare practitioners to newly identified LASA drug hazards?
- ISMP Medication Safety Alert newsletter (Correct answer)
- FDA drug approval press releases
- Medicare billing guides
- Hospital formulary catalogs
Correct answer: ISMP Medication Safety Alert newsletter
The ISMP Medication Safety Alert newsletter regularly highlights new LASA drug hazards and recommends error-prevention strategies for practitioners.
ISMP Look-Alike Sound-Alike Drug Names 2
The ISMP LASA pair vinCRIStine and vinBLAStine is particularly dangerous because: