ISMP Look-Alike Sound-Alike Drug Names 2

Question 1

The ISMP LASA pair vinCRIStine and vinBLAStine is particularly dangerous because:

Accepted Answer

Confusing them can cause lethal toxicity since dosing and indications differ significantly

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Assess for LASA conflicts and implement safeguards before use

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Spelling out the drug name letter by letter and stating its indication

Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

Their names look and sound alike, potentially causing accidental substitution

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

ISMP's National Medication Errors Reporting Program (ISMP MERP)

Answer

ISMP MERP (Medication Errors Reporting Program) is a national voluntary reporting program that collects LASA and other medication errors for analysis and prevention guidance.

ISMP - Institute for Safe Medication Practices Practice Test

ISMP - Institute for Safe Medication Practices Practice Test

ISMP Look-Alike Sound-Alike Drug Names 2