ISMP Medication Reconciliation

Question 1

Medication reconciliation is defined as the process of:

Accepted Answer

Comparing a patient's medication orders to all medications the patient has been taking to avoid discrepancies

Answer

Medication reconciliation involves comparing a complete medication list against new orders at every transition of care to identify and resolve discrepancies.

Question 2

According to ISMP, medication reconciliation is most critical at which points in a patient's care?

Accepted Answer

At every transition of care: admission, transfer, and discharge

Answer

ISMP emphasizes that medication reconciliation must occur at every care transition—admission, transfer between units, and discharge—because each handoff creates error risk.

Question 3

A 'best possible medication history' (BPMH) used in medication reconciliation should ideally include information from:

Accepted Answer

Multiple sources: patient interview, caregiver, community pharmacy, and prior records

Answer

A BPMH requires gathering information from multiple sources to create the most accurate possible medication list, as no single source is always complete or accurate.

Question 4

Which type of discrepancy found during medication reconciliation is considered most dangerous by ISMP?

Accepted Answer

Omission of a critical chronic medication

Answer

Omitting a critical chronic medication (e.g., anticoagulant, antiseizure drug, insulin) during care transitions can cause acute withdrawal, thromboembolism, seizures, or other serious harm.

Question 5

ISMP recommends involving patients and families in medication reconciliation because:

Accepted Answer

They often know medications not captured in medical records, such as OTC drugs and supplements

Answer

Patients and families are valuable sources for medications not in records, including OTC drugs, herbal supplements, and medications from multiple prescribers.

ISMP - Institute for Safe Medication Practices Practice Test

ISMP - Institute for Safe Medication Practices Practice Test

ISMP Medication Reconciliation