Medical Ethics and Law Flashcards
7 cards from real PEBC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Medical Ethics and Law flashcards as text
A prescriber instructs a pharmacist via phone to dispense a controlled substance. Under most provincial regulations, the pharmacist must:
Answer: Obtain a written or faxed prescription within the regulated timeframe
Most provinces permit emergency verbal orders for controlled substances but require written confirmation within a specified period.
The ethical principle of non-maleficence in pharmacy practice is best illustrated by:
Answer: Screening for drug interactions before dispensing
Non-maleficence — 'do no harm' — is demonstrated by proactively identifying and preventing harm such as drug interactions.
A pharmacy student on rotation witnesses a preceptor pharmacist dispensing without completing a required counselling step. The student's best course of action is to:
Answer: Raise the concern with the preceptor privately, then escalate if needed
Professional responsibility requires addressing observed safety issues directly and respectfully before escalating through formal channels.
Under Canadian privacy law, which of the following is a valid reason to disclose patient information without consent?
Answer: A law enforcement officer presents a valid court order
A valid court order or subpoena is a legally recognized basis for disclosing patient information without prior consent.
A patient wants to purchase a large quantity of pseudoephedrine. The pharmacist's obligation under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) is to:
Answer: Follow sale limits, record the transaction, and refuse if diversion is suspected
The CDSA and provincial regulations limit pseudoephedrine sales, require records, and allow pharmacists to refuse sales suspected for illicit manufacture.
Which of the following actions by a pharmacist would constitute a breach of confidentiality?
Answer: Discussing a patient's medications with their employer without consent
Disclosing a patient's medication information to their employer without consent violates privacy legislation and professional ethics.
A terminally ill patient asks a pharmacist about obtaining medications to end their life under Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) legislation. The pharmacist should:
Answer: Provide accurate information about MAID eligibility and direct the patient to appropriate resources
MAID is legal in Canada under federal and provincial frameworks, and pharmacists have a duty to provide accurate information and refer appropriately.