PTCE Patient Counseling 4

Question 1

Under HIPAA, a pharmacy technician may share a patient's prescription information with:

Accepted Answer

The patient's caregiver who presents written authorization from the patient

Answer

Any family member who asks about the patient

Answer

A coworker who is simply curious about the patient's medications

Answer

The patient's employer upon request

Question 2

A patient receives a prescription for an opioid and asks how to safely dispose of unused medication. The technician should:

Accepted Answer

Direct the patient to an FDA-approved drug take-back location and mention that some can be flushed per FDA flush list

Answer

Tell the patient to throw leftover opioids in the household trash without precautions

Answer

Advise the patient to save unused opioids for future pain episodes

Answer

Tell the patient disposal information is not available at the pharmacy

Question 3

Which auxiliary label is most important to include on a prescription for metronidazole (Flagyl)?

Accepted Answer

Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking this medication

Answer

Take on an empty stomach only

Answer

May cause drowsiness—use caution driving

Answer

Refrigerate—do not freeze

Question 4

A patient's new prescription requires prior authorization (PA). What should the pharmacy technician do?

Accepted Answer

Inform the patient, contact the prescriber's office to initiate the PA process, and provide an estimated timeline

Answer

Dispense the medication and bill the insurance for the PA later

Answer

Tell the patient the pharmacy cannot help with insurance issues

Answer

Substitute the medication with an OTC alternative while waiting for PA approval

Question 5

A hearing-impaired patient arrives at the pharmacy. Which accommodation should a technician prioritize?

Accepted Answer

Offer written communication, face the patient directly, and ensure the pharmacist is available for counseling in the patient's preferred format

Answer

Speak louder and faster to help the patient understand

Answer

Refer the patient to a different pharmacy better equipped for their needs

Answer

Use complex medical terminology in writing to save time

Question 6

Which of the following medications requires an FDA-approved Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program before dispensing?

Accepted Answer

Isotretinoin (iPLEDGE)

Answer

Amoxicillin

Answer

Lisinopril

Answer

Metformin

Question 7

A patient asks the technician why their antibiotic prescription says 'take until gone' even though they feel better after 3 days. The technician should:

Accepted Answer

Reinforce that completing the full antibiotic course is important and refer the patient to the pharmacist for a full explanation

Answer

Tell the patient it is fine to stop once symptoms resolve

Answer

Advise the patient to call the prescriber and ask for a shorter course

Answer

Tell the patient to take the remaining doses only if symptoms return