Pharmacy & Medication Management Flashcards
6 cards from real DHA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Pharmacy & Medication Management flashcards as text
Under DHA medication management standards, which category of medications requires an independent double-check before administration?
Answer: High-alert medications including concentrated electrolytes, insulin, heparin, and neuromuscular blocking agents
High-alert medications (ISMP/DHA list) require an independent double-check — two separate nurses independently verify drug, dose, concentration, rate, and patient identity before administration. This significantly reduces errors with medications that have the highest potential for serious harm.
A pharmacy receives a prescription for methotrexate 2.5mg daily (written as 'QD') for a cancer patient. What is the pharmacist's primary safety concern?
Answer: Methotrexate for non-cancer indications (RA, psoriasis) is typically weekly — daily dosing is a common fatal prescribing error; the indication must be verified before dispensing
Methotrexate is one of the most common causes of fatal medication errors. For RA and psoriasis, it is given WEEKLY — patients or prescribers mistakenly prescribe it daily, causing fatal bone marrow suppression. The pharmacist must verify the indication. For cancer, daily dosing may be appropriate — but this must be explicitly confirmed.
In the context of medication reconciliation, when is it most critical to perform this process to prevent adverse drug events?
Answer: At all care transitions: admission, transfer between units, and discharge
Medication reconciliation must be performed at ALL care transitions — hospital admission (compare home medications with admission orders), transfers between units (especially ICU to ward), and discharge (ensure medications are appropriately continued, stopped, or changed with patient counseling). Discrepancies at transitions are a leading cause of adverse drug events.
A patient is prescribed gentamicin 5mg/kg/day once daily. The patient weighs 80kg and has a normal eGFR of 75 mL/min. What dose should the patient receive?
Answer: 400 mg once daily
Gentamicin dose = 5 mg/kg × 80 kg = 400 mg once daily. For once-daily (extended interval) dosing in patients with near-normal renal function, the full weight-based dose is given as a single daily dose, which maximizes the concentration-dependent killing and allows adequate time for renal clearance.
Which of the following correctly describes the mechanism of action of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)?
Answer: They irreversibly inhibit the H+/K+ ATPase (proton pump) on the luminal surface of gastric parietal cells
PPIs (omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, etc.) irreversibly inhibit the H+/K+ ATPase enzyme (proton pump) on the canalicular membrane of gastric parietal cells. This is the final common pathway for acid secretion, making PPIs the most effective acid suppressants. Acid suppression lasts until new proton pumps are synthesized (~18–24 hours).
What is the appropriate storage temperature for insulin that is currently in use (opened vial/pen)?
Answer: Room temperature (up to 25–30°C) for up to 28–30 days after opening
Opened insulin vials and pens can be stored at room temperature (up to 25–30°C depending on insulin type) for 28–30 days. Refrigeration of opened insulin is acceptable but cold insulin injected immediately can cause discomfort. Unopened insulin stock must be refrigerated (2–8°C) and not frozen.