Pharmacy Patient Counseling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When counseling a patient on a new antibiotic prescription, which point is MOST important to emphasize?
- The drug is very expensive so they must be careful
- They must complete the full course even if they feel better (Correct answer)
- They should share leftover medication with family members
- They can stop the medication if they experience mild diarrhea
Correct answer: They must complete the full course even if they feel better
Completing the full antibiotic course prevents antibiotic resistance and ensures the infection is fully eradicated, even when symptoms improve early.
Question 2: A patient picks up metronidazole and asks about dietary restrictions. What should you counsel them?
- Avoid grapefruit juice
- Avoid alcohol during treatment and for 48–72 hours after (Correct answer)
- Take with a full glass of milk
- Avoid vitamin K-containing foods
Correct answer: Avoid alcohol during treatment and for 48–72 hours after
Metronidazole inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase. Combining it with alcohol causes a disulfiram-like reaction: flushing, nausea, vomiting, and headache.
Question 3: Using the 'teach-back' method in patient counseling means:
- Teaching the patient a second time if they forget
- Asking the patient to repeat the instructions back in their own words (Correct answer)
- Providing written instructions to take home
- Having a family member present during counseling
Correct answer: Asking the patient to repeat the instructions back in their own words
Teach-back (show me method) confirms patient comprehension by asking them to explain or demonstrate the instructions, identifying and correcting misunderstandings.
Question 4: A patient on levothyroxine should be counseled to take it:
- With food to prevent nausea
- 30–60 minutes before breakfast on an empty stomach (Correct answer)
- At bedtime with a glass of milk
- With their morning multivitamin
Correct answer: 30–60 minutes before breakfast on an empty stomach
Levothyroxine absorption is significantly reduced by food, calcium, iron, and antacids. Taking it 30–60 minutes before breakfast on an empty stomach optimizes absorption.
Question 5: Which auxiliary label should be placed on a prescription for doxycycline?
- Take with antacids to prevent stomach upset
- Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight (Correct answer)
- May cause urine to turn orange
- Take with dairy products for best absorption
Correct answer: Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight
Tetracyclines including doxycycline cause photosensitivity. Patients should be advised to use sunscreen and avoid prolonged sun exposure while taking the medication.
Question 6: A patient asks when their nitroglycerin tablets should be replaced. The standard counseling is to replace them:
- Every 5 years or at expiration
- Every 6 months or when the tingling sensation is lost (Correct answer)
- After every use regardless of the date
- Only if the color changes from white to yellow
Correct answer: Every 6 months or when the tingling sensation is lost
Sublingual nitroglycerin is chemically unstable. Patients should replace their supply every 3–6 months or when tablets no longer cause a tingling sensation under the tongue.
Pharmacy Patient Counseling 2
When counseling a patient on a new antibiotic prescription, which point is MOST important to emphasize?