Hospital Pharmacy Operations Flashcards

A pharmacist is counseling a patient on proper storage of insulin. Which insulin requires refrigeration and must not be frozen?

Answer: All insulin types require refrigeration (2–8°C) until opened; opened vials/pens may be kept at room temperature (<25°C) for up to 28 days

Unopened insulin should be stored at 2–8°C (refrigerated). Once opened, most insulin preparations can be kept at room temperature (<25–30°C) for up to 28 days (30 days for some formulations). Freezing denatures insulin. Exposure to extreme heat, sunlight, or agitation also reduces potency.

A patient is receiving IV vancomycin and develops red flushing and itching over the face, neck, and upper torso during the infusion. This reaction is called:

Answer: 'Red man syndrome' — caused by non-immune histamine release from mast cells due to rapid vancomycin infusion; slow the rate

Red man syndrome is a rate-dependent, non-immune-mediated reaction to vancomycin caused by direct mast cell histamine release. It is not a true allergy. Prevention: infuse vancomycin over at least 60 minutes (1 g over 60 min, 2 g over 90–120 min), pretreat with antihistamines if history of reaction.

A pharmacist is performing medication reconciliation at hospital discharge. Which error is most commonly identified during discharge reconciliation?

Answer: Omission of pre-hospital medications (especially chronic medications stopped during hospitalization without plan for resumption)

Studies show that medication omissions — failure to resume or include pre-hospital medications (antihypertensives, statins, anticoagulants) in discharge prescriptions — are the most common reconciliation error, occurring in 14–60% of discharges. These omissions contribute significantly to post-discharge adverse events and readmission.

A clinical pharmacist is asked to recommend an antiemetic for a patient receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy. What is the standard regimen?

Answer: 5-HT3 antagonist + NK1 receptor antagonist + dexamethasone (triple antiemetic regimen for highly emetogenic chemotherapy)

Highly emetogenic chemotherapy (e.g., cisplatin) requires triple antiemetic prophylaxis: (1) 5-HT3 antagonist (ondansetron/granisetron), (2) NK1 receptor antagonist (aprepitant/netupitant), (3) dexamethasone. This combination prevents acute (0–24h) and delayed (24–96h) chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

A pharmacist reviews a patient's chart and notes they are receiving both heparin and warfarin. Why are both drugs used simultaneously in some situations?

Answer: Heparin provides immediate anticoagulation during the 3–5 day period before warfarin reaches therapeutic INR (bridging therapy)

Warfarin takes 3–5 days to reach therapeutic INR because it depletes existing clotting factors (half-lives vary from 6 hours for Factor VII to 72 hours for Factor II). During this 'gap,' heparin (immediate onset) provides anticoagulation protection. Heparin is discontinued once INR is therapeutic (2.0–3.0) on two consecutive measurements.

A pharmacist is asked about the advantages of once-weekly versus daily oral bisphosphonate dosing for osteoporosis. What is the clinical rationale?

Answer: Weekly dosing (alendronate 70 mg once weekly) reduces GI side effects and improves adherence while maintaining equivalent efficacy

Once-weekly alendronate (70 mg) delivers the same total dose as daily alendronate (10 mg × 7 = 70 mg/week) with equivalent efficacy. Weekly dosing dramatically reduces upper GI side effects (esophageal irritation, nausea) because the medication is taken less frequently, improving long-term adherence — which is the major challenge in osteoporosis therapy.