PEBC Patient Safety Protocols 4

Question 1

Which statement best describes the concept of 'medication reconciliation' as a patient safety practice?

Accepted Answer

Comparing a patient's current medication orders to all prior medication lists to identify discrepancies

Answer

Medication reconciliation involves systematically comparing medication lists at care transitions to identify and resolve omissions, duplications, and errors.

Question 2

A patient on lithium therapy presents with tremors, nausea, and confusion. Serum lithium is 1.8 mmol/L. What is the pharmacist's role?

Accepted Answer

Recognize signs of lithium toxicity and urgently refer to the prescriber or emergency services

Answer

Lithium levels above 1.5 mmol/L with neurotoxic symptoms constitute toxicity requiring urgent medical evaluation.

Question 3

Which practice MOST reduces the risk of a wrong-drug error when filling a prescription manually?

Accepted Answer

Separating look-alike products and using auxiliary labels to highlight differences

Answer

Physically separating look-alike products and adding auxiliary labels disrupts the visual pattern that leads to wrong-drug selection.

Question 4

Under ISMP Canada guidelines, which abbreviation is on the 'Do Not Use' list because it has caused fatal errors?

Accepted Answer

U (for units)

Answer

The abbreviation 'U' for units has been misread as '0,' '4,' or '4u,' causing ten-fold dosing errors with insulin and other medications.

Question 5

A pharmacist is counselling a patient newly prescribed an ACE inhibitor. Which adverse effect requires immediate safety counselling regarding when to seek emergency care?

Accepted Answer

Angioedema of the lips, tongue, or throat

Answer

Angioedema is a rare but life-threatening ACE inhibitor adverse effect that can cause airway obstruction and requires immediate emergency care.

PEBC - Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada Practice Test

PEBC - Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada Practice Test

PEBC Patient Safety Protocols 4