PEBC Clinical Assessment Methods 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A pharmacist is assessing a patient's inhaler technique using the INHALER mnemonic. Which step is most critical to evaluate first?
- Exhalation before actuation
- Correct device priming (Correct answer)
- Breath-hold duration after inhalation
- Mouth rinsing after use
Correct answer: Correct device priming
Priming ensures the device delivers a full dose and must be confirmed before evaluating inhalation technique.
Question 2: When performing a structured medication history (Scholar MAC), what does the 'M' stand for?
- Medications currently taken
- Modifying factors (Correct answer)
- Medical history
- Mechanism of action
Correct answer: Modifying factors
In SCHOLAR MAC, 'M' refers to modifying factors — what makes the symptom better or worse.
Question 3: A patient presents with a peak expiratory flow (PEF) reading of 55% of their personal best. According to asthma action plans, this indicates:
- Green zone — continue usual therapy
- Yellow zone — increase reliever use
- Red zone — seek immediate medical attention (Correct answer)
- Borderline — recheck in 1 hour
Correct answer: Red zone — seek immediate medical attention
A PEF below 60% of personal best places the patient in the red zone, requiring immediate medical attention.
Question 4: Which validated tool is most appropriate for screening a patient for depression in a community pharmacy setting?
- GAD-7
- PHQ-9 (Correct answer)
- AUDIT-C
- CAGE questionnaire
Correct answer: PHQ-9
The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is a validated, widely used tool for screening and monitoring depression severity.
Question 5: A pharmacist measures a patient's blood pressure as 148/96 mmHg on two separate visits. According to current Canadian guidelines, this is classified as:
- Normal blood pressure
- High-normal blood pressure
- Grade 1 hypertension (Correct answer)
- Grade 2 hypertension
Correct answer: Grade 1 hypertension
Sustained readings ≥140/90 mmHg on multiple visits classify as Grade 1 (mild) hypertension per Hypertension Canada guidelines.
Question 6: During a clinical assessment, a pharmacist uses the ISBAR communication tool. What does the 'A' represent?
- Assessment (Correct answer)
- Allergy status
- Adherence history
- Authorization
Correct answer: Assessment
In ISBAR (Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation), 'A' stands for Assessment — the pharmacist's clinical interpretation.
Question 7: A patient's random blood glucose is 12.4 mmol/L and they report polyuria and polydipsia. The pharmacist's most appropriate next step is to:
- Recommend dietary changes and recheck in 3 months
- Provide a glucometer and diabetes education immediately
- Refer urgently to a physician for formal diagnosis and management (Correct answer)
- Initiate metformin therapy based on clinical presentation
Correct answer: Refer urgently to a physician for formal diagnosis and management
Diagnosis of diabetes requires physician confirmation, and urgent referral is warranted given the symptomatic hyperglycemia.
PEBC Clinical Assessment Methods 2
A pharmacist is assessing a patient's inhaler technique using the INHALER mnemonic.
Which step is most critical to evaluate first?