Pharmacy Ethics in Pharmacy 2

Question 1

A pharmacist suspects a prescriber is writing fraudulent prescriptions for controlled substances. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Report suspicions to the state board of pharmacy and relevant authorities

Answer

Fill the prescriptions as written since the pharmacist cannot verify intent

Answer

Confront the prescriber directly and demand an explanation

Answer

Refuse all future prescriptions from that prescriber without investigation

Question 2

Which ethical principle is most directly violated when a pharmacist dispenses a medication knowing the patient cannot afford follow-up care needed to use it safely?

Accepted Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Answer

Beneficence

Question 3

A pharmacy technician tells you they overheard a coworker sharing a patient's HIV status with an unauthorized staff member. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Document the incident and report it per your facility's HIPAA breach protocol

Answer

Ignore it as secondhand information

Answer

Counsel the coworker privately and take no further action

Answer

Ask the patient if they mind that their information was shared

Question 4

The principle of veracity in pharmacy ethics primarily means:

Accepted Answer

Providing accurate drug information and being truthful with patients

Answer

Keeping patient information confidential

Answer

Distributing medications fairly across the population

Answer

Respecting the patient's right to make their own decisions

Question 5

A patient requests that their methadone maintenance therapy information not be shared with their primary care physician. How should the pharmacist respond?

Accepted Answer

Inform the patient that substance use treatment records have special protections under 42 CFR Part 2

Answer

Honor the request completely under all circumstances

Answer

Share the information anyway since the PCP needs it for safe care

Answer

Discharge the patient from the pharmacy for being uncooperative

Question 6

A terminally ill patient asks if they can take a higher dose of their pain medication to 'end things sooner.' What is the pharmacist's ethical obligation?

Accepted Answer

Decline to assist and refer the patient to appropriate palliative care and counseling resources

Answer

Provide the information since the patient has autonomy

Answer

Call the police immediately

Answer

Dispense extra medication compassionately

Question 7

A pharmacy student on rotation witnesses their preceptor committing what appears to be a billing fraud. The student's most appropriate action is to:

Accepted Answer

Report the concern through appropriate channels such as the school's compliance office

Answer

Remain silent to protect the preceptor-student relationship

Answer

Immediately confront the preceptor in front of patients

Answer

Wait until graduation before reporting to avoid academic consequences