CAOP - Competency Assessment of Overseas Pharmacist Adverse Drug Reaction Management Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 72-year-old patient, who was started on allopurinol 100mg daily two weeks ago for gout, presents to the pharmacy complaining of a new, non-itchy rash on his torso.
What is the most appropriate initial action for the pharmacist to take?

Accepted Answer

Advise the patient to immediately stop taking the allopurinol and to see their GP for an urgent assessment.

Answer

Sell the patient an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream and advise them to monitor the rash.

Answer

Reassure the patient that a mild rash is a common and harmless side effect of allopurinol.

Answer

Document the reaction and advise the patient to continue the medication unless the rash worsens or spreads.

Question 2

A patient experiences a sudden, severe, and life-threatening anaphylactic reaction immediately after receiving a dose of penicillin. According to the classification of adverse drug reactions, how is this event best categorised?

Accepted Answer

A Type B (Bizarre) reaction

Answer

A Type A (Augmented) reaction

Answer

A Type C (Chronic) reaction

Answer

A Type D (Delayed) reaction

Question 3

Which of the following is the primary purpose of pharmacists and other health professionals reporting suspected adverse drug reactions to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia?

Accepted Answer

To contribute to national post-market surveillance and the identification of new drug safety signals.

Answer

To provide a legal basis for patient compensation claims.

Answer

To discipline prescribers who have made medication errors.

Answer

To ensure the product information is immediately updated for every drug that receives a report.

Question 4

The Naranjo algorithm is a validated tool used by clinicians and researchers in the management of adverse drug reactions. What is its primary function?

Accepted Answer

To assess the causality and probability that an adverse event is related to a specific drug.

Answer

To classify the severity of a reported adverse drug reaction.

Answer

To calculate the necessary dose reduction for a drug causing a Type A reaction.

Answer

To determine the financial cost associated with a specific adverse drug event.

Question 5

A 68-year-old patient who was started on lisinopril four weeks ago for hypertension complains of a persistent, non-productive, dry cough that often wakes him at night. He has no other symptoms of a respiratory infection. What is the most likely cause of this cough?

Accepted Answer

A predictable, class-specific effect of the ACE inhibitor.

Answer

A common viral infection unrelated to his medications.

Answer

A rare allergic reaction to an excipient in the lisinopril tablet.

Answer

A symptom of declining cardiac function.

Question 6

Which of the following statements best describes the comprehensive role of a community pharmacist in managing a patient-reported adverse drug reaction (ADR)?

Accepted Answer

To assess the reaction, provide appropriate initial advice, document the event in the patient's record, and report it to the TGA when warranted.

Answer

To only advise the patient to immediately stop the medication and consult their doctor.

Answer

To solely document the event in the dispensing software for future reference and allergy flagging.

Answer

To confirm the reaction with the prescriber before taking any other action with the patient.

A 72-year-old patient, who was started on allopurinol 100mg daily two weeks ago for gout, presents to the pharmacy complaining of a new, non-itchy rash on his torso.What is the most appropriate initial action for the pharmacist to take?

A 72-year-old patient, who was started on allopurinol 100mg daily two weeks ago for gout, presents to the pharmacy complaining of a new, non-itchy rash on his torso.
What is the most appropriate initial action for the pharmacist to take?