Look-Alike Sound-Alike Drug Names Flashcards
6 cards from real ISMP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Look-Alike Sound-Alike Drug Names flashcards as text
The ISMP LASA pair vinCRIStine and vinBLAStine is particularly dangerous because:
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.
ISMP recommends which action when a new LASA drug is added to a hospital formulary?
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.
Which ISMP guidance addresses the specific risk of sound-alike drug name confusion during telephone or verbal orders?
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.
Metformin and metronidazole are considered a LASA pair primarily because:
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.
ISMP's approach to LASA errors includes reporting to which national database for wider learning?
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.
Which ISMP publication specifically alerts healthcare practitioners to newly identified LASA drug hazards?
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.