ISMP Look-Alike Sound-Alike Drug Names 3

Question 1

The ISMP LASA pair quiNINE and quiNIDine is hazardous because:

Accepted Answer

Quinidine is an antiarrhythmic with serious cardiac effects while quinine treats malaria; confusion can cause life-threatening arrhythmias

Answer

Quinine (antimalarial) and quinidine (antiarrhythmic) differ significantly in indication and toxicity; accidental substitution can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias.

Question 2

To prevent LASA errors with oral liquids, ISMP recommends which labeling strategy?

Accepted Answer

Placing auxiliary 'LASA warning' labels and using distinct bottle sizes or colors

Answer

Auxiliary LASA warning labels and distinct physical packaging help staff differentiate look-alike liquid medications at the point of dispensing and administration.

Question 3

ISMP has identified chlorproMAZINE and chlorproPAMIDE as a dangerous LASA pair because:

Accepted Answer

Chlorpromazine is an antipsychotic and chlorpropamide is an antidiabetic; confusion can cause serious harm from the wrong drug effect

Answer

Chlorpromazine (antipsychotic) and chlorpropamide (antidiabetic) are classic LASA examples where accidental substitution delivers a completely wrong drug class with harmful consequences.

Question 4

Which organizational strategy does ISMP recommend to reduce LASA errors at automated dispensing cabinets?

Accepted Answer

Require selection of drug by generic name with a separate confirmation screen for LASA pairs

Answer

ISMP recommends that automated dispensing cabinet software require explicit confirmation when a LASA drug is selected, interrupting automatic workflows to prompt awareness.

Question 5

Patient education is part of ISMP's LASA error prevention strategy because:

Accepted Answer

Informed patients can identify and question discrepancies in their medications

Answer

ISMP advocates for engaging patients as safety partners; patients who know their medications can flag when they receive something that looks or sounds different.

ISMP - Institute for Safe Medication Practices Practice Test

ISMP - Institute for Safe Medication Practices Practice Test

ISMP Look-Alike Sound-Alike Drug Names 3