Medication Reconciliation 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 Medication Reconciliation flashcards as text
ISMP recommends that over-the-counter (OTC) medications and herbal supplements be included in medication reconciliation because:
Answer: They can interact with prescription medications and cause adverse effects
OTC medications and supplements can interact with prescription drugs (e.g., St. John's Wort reducing anticoagulant effectiveness), making their inclusion in reconciliation essential.
The Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goal related to medication reconciliation requires hospitals to:
Answer: Maintain and communicate an accurate medication list across all care settings
The Joint Commission's NPSG requires that accurate medication information be maintained and communicated at all care transitions to prevent reconciliation errors.
ISMP has identified which setting as having a particularly high risk for medication reconciliation errors in the US?
Answer: Long-term care and skilled nursing facilities during transitions from hospital
Long-term care and skilled nursing facilities receiving patients from hospitals are high-risk for reconciliation errors due to communication gaps and complex medication regimens.
Which process does ISMP recommend to verify a patient's medication list before discharge counseling?
Answer: Review each medication with the patient, confirming name, dose, frequency, and indication
ISMP recommends a structured discharge counseling review that covers each medication's name, dose, frequency, and purpose with the patient or caregiver before leaving.
ISMP's medication reconciliation guidance specifically emphasizes documenting the reason for intentional medication changes because:
Answer: It distinguishes intentional clinical decisions from unintentional errors during subsequent reviews
Documenting the rationale for intentional changes (e.g., dose adjusted for renal function) prevents future clinicians from flagging them as errors during subsequent reconciliation.
Which ISMP strategy addresses medication reconciliation failures caused by care team communication breakdowns?
Answer: Structured handoff communication protocols that include a verified medication list
Structured handoff protocols that include a complete and verified medication list ensure that medication information is accurately communicated when care responsibility transfers.