SPEX Assessment Exam Flashcards
7 cards from real SPEX practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 SPEX Assessment Exam flashcards as text
A pharmacist receives a prescription for oxycodone 80 mg tablets with no diagnosis noted. The dose seems unusually high. What is the most appropriate first step?
Answer: Contact the prescriber to verify the prescription and clarify clinical intent
The pharmacist's professional responsibility includes verifying clinical appropriateness by contacting the prescriber when a prescription raises concern.
What is the mechanism of action of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)?
Answer: Irreversibly inhibiting the H+/K+-ATPase enzyme on parietal cells
PPIs irreversibly block the H+/K+-ATPase (proton pump) on gastric parietal cells, suppressing acid secretion.
Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with loop diuretic use?
Answer: Hypokalemia
Loop diuretics increase urinary excretion of potassium, sodium, and chloride, with hypokalemia being the most clinically significant electrolyte disturbance.
Under HIPAA, which situation allows a pharmacist to disclose patient health information without authorization?
Answer: A law enforcement officer presents a valid court order
HIPAA permits disclosure to law enforcement when a valid court order, warrant, or subpoena is presented.
Lithium toxicity is MOST likely to occur when a patient on stable lithium therapy begins taking which drug?
Answer: Ibuprofen
NSAIDs like ibuprofen reduce renal prostaglandin synthesis, decreasing lithium clearance and increasing lithium levels to potentially toxic concentrations.
A pharmacist notices a prescription for amoxicillin in a patient whose profile shows a documented allergy to penicillin. What is the most appropriate action?
Answer: Contact the prescriber to discuss the allergy and recommend an alternative antibiotic
Amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibiotic; a documented penicillin allergy requires the pharmacist to contact the prescriber for a safer alternative.
Which counseling point is most important for a patient newly prescribed methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis?
Answer: Take folic acid supplementation to reduce toxicity risk, and avoid alcohol
Folic acid supplementation reduces methotrexate-associated toxicities (mucositis, hepatotoxicity), and alcohol must be avoided due to additive hepatotoxicity.