Mixed Deck — All Pharmacy Topics Flashcards

When documenting vaccine administration, which information is required under federal law (NCVIA)?

Answer: The vaccine manufacturer, lot number, site/route, date, and the VIS edition date given

NCVIA requires documentation of: vaccine name/manufacturer, lot number, date given, name/address of administering provider, and the edition date of the VIS provided — all in the patient's permanent medical record.

A pharmacy technician notices a medication has an expiration date of '08/2026.' When does this product expire?

Answer: August 31, 2026

A medication expiring '08/2026' is considered usable through the last day of August 2026, which is August 31, 2026.

Which drug suffix indicates a "-statin" belongs to the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor class?

Answer: -vastatin

All HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors end in "-vastatin" (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin, pitavastatin).

Ophthalmic solutions must be sterile AND typically buffered to a pH of approximately:

Answer: 7.4

Ophthalmic formulations are buffered near physiologic tear pH of 7.4 to minimize irritation and maintain drug stability.

Sulfonamide antibiotics act by competitively inhibiting the bacterial enzyme that uses which substrate?

Answer: Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)

Sulfonamides structurally mimic PABA and competitively inhibit dihydropteroate synthase, blocking bacterial folate synthesis.

What is the PH of the solution if the ratio of ionized to unionized drug species is 103 and PKa = 2.2?

Answer: 5.2

The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation for a weak acid is pH = pKa + log([ionized]/[unionized]). Given pKa = 2.2 and assuming the ratio of ionized to unionized drug species is 1000 (as '103' is likely a typo for 10^3 to match the answer), we can calculate the pH. Substituting the values, pH = 2.2 + log(1000) = 2.2 + 3, which results in a pH of 5.2.

Which of the following drug classes are typically used as "rescue" medications for acute asthma attacks?

Answer: Short-acting beta-agonists (SABA)

Short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) like albuterol are quick-relief/rescue medications for acute asthma. Inhaled corticosteroids are controller/maintenance therapy; LABAs are never used as monotherapy or rescue.

A patient will receive 100 mg/kg of ampicillin per day. What is the total daily dose for a 40-pound patient?

Answer: 1.8 g

First, convert the patient's weight from pounds to kilograms: 40 lbs / 2.2 lbs/kg = 18.18 kg. Next, calculate the total daily dose in milligrams: 100 mg/kg * 18.18 kg = 1818 mg. Finally, convert milligrams to grams: 1818 mg / 1000 mg/g = 1.818 g, which rounds to 1.8 g. This calculation ensures accurate dosing based on body weight.

Which of the following is not a potential cause of medication error?

Answer: Wrong physician

Medication errors typically involve issues related to the patient, drug, dose, route, time, or technique of administration. While a physician prescribes medication, a 'wrong physician' is not considered a direct cause of a medication error in the same way that administering the wrong drug or to the wrong patient would be. The physician's role is in prescribing, not the error in dispensing or administration itself.

Quetiapine (Seroquel) is primarily used to treat which conditions?

Answer: Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Quetiapine (Seroquel) is an atypical antipsychotic approved for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (mania and depression), and as adjunct therapy for major depressive disorder.

Which of the following documentation form requires that patient profile be maintained for every patient regardless of the pharmacy setting?

Answer: Patient profile

A patient profile is a comprehensive record that includes a patient's medication history, known allergies, medical conditions, and other relevant health information. Maintaining an accurate and up-to-date patient profile is a regulatory requirement and a fundamental practice in all pharmacy settings. This ensures safe and effective medication management by providing pharmacists with essential patient data.

Which document most comprehensively outlines the ethical obligations of US pharmacists?

Answer: APhA Code of Ethics for Pharmacists

The APhA Code of Ethics for Pharmacists is the primary professional document outlining the moral obligations of pharmacists in the United States.

Which OTC product should be recommended for a patient describing symptoms of vaginal yeast infection (itching, thick white discharge, no fever)?

Answer: Clotrimazole or miconazole vaginal antifungal cream/suppository

OTC azole antifungals (clotrimazole, miconazole) in 1, 3, and 7-day formulations effectively treat uncomplicated vaginal candidiasis. Metronidazole treats bacterial vaginosis, not yeast infections.

Prednisone is best described as which type of drug?

Answer: Corticosteroid

Prednisone is a corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation and suppress immunity.

What is Levemir's active ingredient?

Answer: Insulin detemir

Levemir is a long-acting insulin analog used to control high blood sugar in people with diabetes. Its active ingredient is insulin detemir, which provides a steady, prolonged release of insulin over 24 hours. Insulin aspart is rapid-acting, isophane insulin is intermediate-acting, and insulin glargine is another long-acting insulin (Lantus, Toujeo).

Clinical Decision Support (CDS) tools embedded in pharmacy software are designed to:

Answer: Alert pharmacists to drug interactions, allergies, and dosing issues at the point of dispensing

CDS tools provide real-time alerts and recommendations (drug interaction warnings, allergy flags, dose-range checks) to assist pharmacists in making safer clinical decisions during prescription verification.

A laminar flow hood must be operated for how long before use to ensure a clean environment?

Answer: 30 minutes

According to USP 797 guidelines, laminar airflow workbenches (LAFWs) must be operated for at least 30 minutes before being used for sterile compounding to ensure adequate air purging.

Beta-1 selective adrenergic blockers are preferred in asthmatic patients because they:

Answer: Avoid bronchoconstriction caused by beta-2 blockade

Cardioselective (beta-1 selective) blockers like metoprolol minimize bronchospasm risk by avoiding beta-2 receptor blockade in the lungs.

A patient needs 0.4 mg of clonidine. The available tablets are 0.2 mg each. How many tablets should be given?

Answer: 2 tablets

0.4 mg ÷ 0.2 mg/tablet = 2 tablets.

Which antibiotic is a member of the penicillin family?

Answer: Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotic.