MRCPsych Pharmacology Fundamentals 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the "Five Rights" of medication administration?
- Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time (Correct answer)
- Right patient, right drug, right cost, right route, right form
- Right patient, right color, right dose, right route, right time
- Right patient, right drug, right dose, right speed, right time
Correct answer: Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time
The Five Rights are a fundamental safety framework for medication administration to prevent errors.
Question 2: What does the term "half-life" refer to in pharmacology?
- The time it takes for the drug concentration to decrease by 50% (Correct answer)
- The time until the drug expires
- The point at which a drug reaches maximum effectiveness
- The time between two doses
Correct answer: The time it takes for the drug concentration to decrease by 50%
Half-life is the time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to decrease by one-half, affecting dosing schedules.
Question 3: What is a drug contraindication?
- A condition that makes a particular treatment inadvisable (Correct answer)
- A reason to increase the dosage
- A type of allergic reaction
- A drug interaction that enhances effectiveness
Correct answer: A condition that makes a particular treatment inadvisable
A contraindication is a specific situation where a drug should not be used because it may cause harm.
Question 4: What is the difference between a side effect and an adverse reaction?
- Side effects are expected; adverse reactions are harmful and unexpected (Correct answer)
- They are identical terms
- Side effects are more serious than adverse reactions
- Adverse reactions only occur with overdoses
Correct answer: Side effects are expected; adverse reactions are harmful and unexpected
Side effects are predictable secondary effects, while adverse reactions are unexpected harmful responses to medication.
Question 5: Why is it important to check for drug allergies before administration?
- To prevent potentially life-threatening allergic reactions (Correct answer)
- To determine the correct billing code
- To complete insurance paperwork
- To satisfy pharmacy inventory requirements
Correct answer: To prevent potentially life-threatening allergic reactions
Checking allergies prevents serious reactions including anaphylaxis, which can be fatal if not identified beforehand.
Question 6: What does "PRN" mean in medication orders?
- As needed (pro re nata) (Correct answer)
- Prescription renewal notice
- Patient requires notification
- Pre-registered narcotics
Correct answer: As needed (pro re nata)
PRN (pro re nata) means medication is given as needed based on patient symptoms rather than on a fixed schedule.
MRCPsych Pharmacology Fundamentals 1
What are the "Five Rights" of medication administration?