KAPS Emergency Response Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient is experiencing anaphylaxis following vaccine administration. The FIRST-LINE treatment is:
- Diphenhydramine 50 mg IV
- Epinephrine 1:1000 IM injection (Correct answer)
- Hydrocortisone 100 mg IV
- Albuterol inhaler
Correct answer: Epinephrine 1:1000 IM injection
Epinephrine 1:1000 given intramuscularly into the anterolateral thigh is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis.
Question 2: A pharmacy employee is accidentally splashed in the eyes with a caustic chemical. The immediate action is to:
- Apply a neutralizing solution to the eye
- Flush the eye with water for at least 15 minutes (Correct answer)
- Apply antibiotic eye drops
- Cover the eye and transport to ER
Correct answer: Flush the eye with water for at least 15 minutes
Immediate copious water irrigation for at least 15 minutes dilutes and removes caustic chemicals from the eye.
Question 3: Which organization sets requirements for emergency medication kits in long-term care facilities?
- FDA
- DEA
- CMS (Correct answer)
- ASHP
Correct answer: CMS
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) regulates emergency medication kit contents and access in long-term care facilities.
Question 4: A patient on warfarin presents with INR of 9.8 and active bleeding. The MOST appropriate emergency reversal agent is:
- Vitamin K alone
- Fresh frozen plasma
- 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC) (Correct answer)
- Protamine sulfate
Correct answer: 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC)
4F-PCC provides rapid reversal of warfarin anticoagulation in life-threatening bleeding situations with faster onset than FFP.
Question 5: In the event of a medication error resulting in patient harm, the FIRST step under ISMP guidelines is:
- File an incident report
- Notify the prescriber and provide immediate patient care (Correct answer)
- Consult legal counsel
- Notify the state board of pharmacy
Correct answer: Notify the prescriber and provide immediate patient care
Patient safety is paramount; immediate care must be provided while simultaneously notifying the prescriber.
Question 6: Which reversal agent is used for direct thrombin inhibitor (dabigatran) overdose?
- Vitamin K
- Protamine sulfate
- Idarucizumab (Correct answer)
- Andexanet alfa
Correct answer: Idarucizumab
Idarucizumab (Praxbind) is a monoclonal antibody fragment specifically designed to reverse dabigatran anticoagulation.
Question 7: A pharmacy employee sustains a needlestick injury. The FIRST immediate action should be:
- Report to occupational health
- Apply antiseptic and notify supervisor
- Wash the wound with soap and water (Correct answer)
- Immediately begin post-exposure prophylaxis
Correct answer: Wash the wound with soap and water
Washing the wound thoroughly with soap and water is the first immediate action to reduce infection risk from needlestick injuries.
KAPS Emergency Response Procedures 3
A patient is experiencing anaphylaxis following vaccine administration.
The FIRST-LINE treatment is: