Patient Counseling Flashcards
7 cards from real PTCE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Counseling flashcards as text
A patient picking up metformin asks if they can crush the extended-release tablets to make them easier to swallow. The technician should:
Answer: Refer the patient to the pharmacist because crushing extended-release tablets can be dangerous
Crushing extended-release formulations destroys the controlled-release mechanism and can cause dose-dumping; pharmacist guidance is required.
Which auxiliary label is most appropriate for a prescription of tetracycline?
Answer: Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight
Tetracyclines cause photosensitivity, so patients should be warned to avoid prolonged sun exposure.
When a patient's address changes, updating it in the pharmacy system is important primarily because:
Answer: Correct address ensures medication deliveries reach the patient and emergency contacts can be verified
Accurate demographic data ensures deliveries succeed, enables emergency contact, and supports accurate billing.
A patient asks the technician about the difference between brand-name Synthroid and generic levothyroxine. The technician should:
Answer: Refer the patient to the pharmacist and note that substitution questions may involve clinical considerations for thyroid medications
Narrow therapeutic index drugs like levothyroxine have brand/generic nuances that require pharmacist counseling.
What information should always be verified when a patient picks up a prescription to ensure the right patient receives the right medication?
Answer: Full name and date of birth
Using two patient identifiers—typically name and date of birth—is standard practice to prevent dispensing errors.
A patient asks why their nitroglycerin tablets must be kept in the original amber glass bottle. The best technician response is:
Answer: Nitroglycerin is sensitive to light, heat, and moisture, so the original container protects potency—the pharmacist can explain more
Nitroglycerin degrades when exposed to light, heat, and moisture, making the original amber glass container essential for potency.
A patient mentions they have been self-medicating with St. John's Wort for depression. Why is this important information for the pharmacist to know?
Answer: St. John's Wort has significant drug interactions, including reducing the effectiveness of many prescription medications
St. John's Wort is a potent CYP450 inducer that can reduce plasma levels of many drugs, including oral contraceptives and antiretrovirals.