SMQT Pharmacy and Medication Services 5

Question 1

A surveyor observes that a facility has no written policy for disposing of unused or expired controlled substances. What is the most appropriate survey finding?

Accepted Answer

Deficiency, because DEA and state regulations require facilities to have documented procedures for controlled substance disposal

Answer

DEA regulations and state pharmacy laws require facilities to maintain written policies for the disposal of controlled substances, including return, destruction, or DEA Form 41 procedures.

Question 2

Which action by a surveyor best addresses a concern about residents' rights related to medications in a long-term care setting?

Accepted Answer

Interviewing residents about whether they were informed of their medications and possible side effects

Answer

Residents have a right to be informed about their medications; surveyor interviews can reveal whether staff are educating residents about drug names, purposes, and potential side effects.

Question 3

A facility pharmacist identifies that a resident has been on a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for three years without documented clinical indication. What survey concern does this raise?

Accepted Answer

Potentially unnecessary drug use requiring documented indication and ongoing clinical review

Answer

Long-term PPI use without documented indication or periodic review is flagged during surveys as potentially unnecessary drug use under 42 CFR §483.45.

Question 4

When a surveyor reviews a hospital's high-alert medication policy, which class of drugs would they most expect to see listed?

Accepted Answer

Anticoagulants, concentrated electrolytes, insulin, and opioids

Answer

ISMP's high-alert medication list includes anticoagulants, concentrated electrolytes, insulin, opioids, and other drugs with a high risk of causing significant patient harm if misused.

Question 5

A nursing facility uses a single shared medication cart key kept at the nurses' station accessible to all staff. What survey deficiency does this most likely represent?

Accepted Answer

Inadequate controlled substance security, as medications must be accessible only to authorized personnel

Answer

Federal regulations require that medications, especially controlled substances, be stored securely with access limited to authorized licensed personnel.

SMQT - Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test Practice Test

SMQT - Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test Practice Test

SMQT Pharmacy and Medication Services 5