Pharmacology & Prescribing Flashcards

Under the New Zealand Medicines Act 1981, which of the following is correctly classified as a Prescription Medicine requiring a valid prescription?

Answer: Metoprolol 50mg tablets

Metoprolol is a prescription-only medicine in New Zealand, classified as a Schedule 1 prescription medicine under the Medicines Act 1981, requiring authorisation from a registered prescriber.

A nurse practitioner in NZ wishes to use a standing order to supply a medicine to patients without an individual prescription. Which legislation primarily governs the use of standing orders?

Answer: Medicines Act 1981 and the Medicines (Standing Order) Regulations 2002

Standing orders in New Zealand are governed by the Medicines Act 1981 and the Medicines (Standing Order) Regulations 2002, which specify who can issue them, their scope, and required documentation.

When adjusting medication doses for a patient with chronic kidney disease in NZ clinical practice, which parameter is most routinely used as it is automatically reported in NZ laboratory results?

Answer: Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)

eGFR is automatically reported by New Zealand laboratories alongside every creatinine result and is the standard parameter used for assessing renal function and guiding drug dose adjustments in NZ practice.

Which prescribing principle is most critical when initiating new medications in a 78-year-old patient with multiple comorbidities and polypharmacy in New Zealand?

Answer: Apply 'start low, go slow' and conduct regular medication reviews to minimise polypharmacy risk

The 'start low, go slow' principle in elderly prescribing accounts for altered pharmacokinetics (reduced renal and hepatic clearance, increased receptor sensitivity) and polypharmacy risk, reducing adverse drug events.

According to the New Zealand National Immunisation Schedule, which combination vaccine is administered to all infants at 6 weeks of age?

Answer: DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB (Infanrix-hexa)

The NZ immunisation schedule administers Infanrix-hexa (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, inactivated polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and hepatitis B) at 6 weeks as the first dose of the primary series.

When initiating strong opioids for a patient with chronic non-cancer pain in New Zealand, which action is most consistent with current national opioid prescribing guidelines?

Answer: A documented opioid treatment agreement outlining goals, risks, and monitoring should be established

NZ opioid prescribing guidelines recommend establishing a documented treatment agreement with the patient before initiating opioids for chronic non-cancer pain, covering treatment goals, risks, expectations, and a monitoring plan.

Which of the following best reflects a culturally responsive approach to prescribing for Māori patients in New Zealand, consistent with Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles?

Answer: Addressing potential barriers to adherence including cost, access, health literacy, and cultural beliefs

Culturally responsive prescribing for Māori acknowledges systemic barriers to access and adherence, incorporates patient values and whānau context, and is aligned with Te Tiriti principles of equity, partnership, and active protection.