Pharmacy Automation and Technology Flashcards
7 cards from real PTCE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Pharmacy Automation and Technology flashcards as text
Which term describes the unique 10- or 11-digit number on a drug package that identifies the labeler, product, and package size?
Answer: NDC (National Drug Code)
The NDC is a unique 10- or 11-digit number (in 3 segments) that identifies the manufacturer, specific drug formulation, and package size.
In a pharmacy information system, what does a 'drug interaction alert' require the pharmacist or technician to do?
Answer: Review and respond to the alert before dispensing can proceed
Drug interaction alerts are hard or soft stops that require a clinician review and documented override or action before the medication is dispensed.
What is a 'soft stop' in the context of clinical decision support within a pharmacy information system?
Answer: A warning that can be overridden with documentation by an authorized user
A soft stop is an advisory alert that the pharmacist can override with documentation, unlike a hard stop which completely blocks the action.
Which pharmacy automation technology is commonly used to repackage bulk medications into unit-dose blister packs?
Answer: Strip packager or blister pack machine
Strip packagers and blister pack machines repackage medications from bulk containers into individual unit-dose packages, often with barcodes for scanning.
A hospital pharmacy uses a pneumatic tube system. What is its primary function?
Answer: To rapidly transport medications and specimens between departments
Pneumatic tube systems use pressurized air to transport small packages (medications, lab specimens) quickly between locations within a facility.
Which of the following is a key safety feature built into most automated dispensing cabinets to prevent unauthorized access?
Answer: Biometric fingerprint or unique user ID and password login
ADCs require unique user authentication (fingerprint, ID/password) to create an audit trail and limit access to authorized personnel only.
When a pharmacy technician loads medications into an automated dispensing cabinet, which step is essential to prevent a wrong-drug error?
Answer: Scan the medication barcode and verify it matches the ADC pocket contents before loading
Scanning the barcode before loading verifies that the correct drug and dose are placed in the correct pocket, preventing stocking errors.