ISMP MCQ 5

Question 1

ISMP warns that the abbreviation 'U' for 'units' should never be used because it can be misread as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The number '0' or '4', potentially causing a tenfold overdose

Answer

ISMP's 'Do Not Use' list includes 'U' for units because it is frequently misread as '0' or '4', resulting in tenfold or fourfold overdoses, particularly with insulin.

Question 2

Which of the following is the correct ISMP-recommended way to express a morphine dose of half a milligram?

Accepted Answer

0.5 mg

Answer

ISMP requires a leading zero before the decimal point (0.5 mg) to prevent misreading '.5 mg' as '5 mg' if the decimal point is not seen.

Question 3

A patient receives chemotherapy in the outpatient oncology clinic. ISMP recommends which of the following as a critical safety check unique to chemotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Requiring a pharmacist, nurse, and physician triple-check with protocol comparison before administration

Answer

ISMP mandates multi-disciplinary triple-checks comparing each chemotherapy order against the approved protocol because dosing errors are frequently fatal.

Question 4

Which patient population does ISMP specifically call out as being at highest risk for medication errors due to polypharmacy?

Accepted Answer

Older adults (65 years and older)

Answer

ISMP highlights older adults as especially vulnerable to medication errors due to polypharmacy, altered pharmacokinetics, and multiple prescribers.

Question 5

According to ISMP, which is the safest way to communicate a medication dose change during patient handoff?

Accepted Answer

Documentation in the electronic health record with verbal read-back confirmation

Answer

ISMP recommends structured written documentation in the EHR combined with verbal read-back to ensure accurate communication of medication changes during handoff.

ISMP - Institute for Safe Medication Practices Practice Test

ISMP - Institute for Safe Medication Practices Practice Test

ISMP MCQ 5