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
Which pharmacokinetic parameter describes the fraction of an administered dose that reaches systemic circulation unchanged?
Answer: Bioavailability
Bioavailability (F) represents the proportion of administered drug that reaches systemic circulation in active form.
A patient taking phenytoin develops nausea, diplopia, and ataxia. These symptoms are most consistent with:
Answer: Phenytoin toxicity due to elevated serum levels
Nausea, diplopia, and ataxia are classic signs of phenytoin toxicity, typically occurring at serum levels above 20 mcg/mL.
Which medication requires a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program due to risks of severe birth defects?
Answer: Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin (iPLEDGE REMS) requires strict pregnancy prevention measures due to its extreme teratogenicity.
What is the primary reason insulin glargine should NOT be mixed with other insulins in the same syringe?
Answer: Mixing alters its pH and destroys its prolonged-action formulation
Glargine's extended action depends on its acidic pH (4.0), which is disrupted by mixing, eliminating its long-acting profile.
A pharmacy technician accepts a faxed prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance. What is the pharmacist's appropriate response?
Answer: Inform the technician that Schedule II drugs require an original written or electronic prescription, with limited emergency exceptions
Federal law requires Schedule II controlled substances to be dispensed only with an original written or valid electronic prescription; faxes serve only as a record with limited emergency exceptions.
Which antibiotic class is associated with QT interval prolongation and is used with caution in patients on antiarrhythmic drugs?
Answer: Macrolides — specifically azithromycin
Macrolides, particularly azithromycin, are associated with QT prolongation and risk of torsades de pointes, especially combined with antiarrhythmics.
According to standard medication reconciliation practice, which setting is MOST critical for performing medication reconciliation?
Answer: Hospital admission and discharge transitions of care
Hospital admission and discharge are highest-risk transitions where medication discrepancies most commonly cause preventable harm.