Medical Errors and Pharmacy Practices

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What percentage of the U.S. adult population experiences a diagnostic error in the outpatient setting every year?

1%

10%

5% (correct)

2%

What is the primary reason pharmacists are not typically authorized to prescribe medications?

Physician opposition

It is outside of their responsibilities (correct)

Lack of training

State laws prohibit it

What is the typical last step in the prescribing process?

Screen for drug interactions and allergies

Choose the therapeutic approach

Prescribe the medication (correct)

Choose the drug and its formulation

Which of the following medications can be prescribed by pharmacists in some states?

Naloxone Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the study of principles of drug selection?

Rational prescribing Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential consequence of about half of diagnostic errors?

Harm Signup and view all the answers

What is a common safety risk in the administering stage in both inpatient and outpatient settings?

Long work hours Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of monitoring clinical lab values?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is a unique aspect of administering medications in the outpatient setting?

Special circumstances such as IV infusion therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of pharmacists in long-term care settings?

Conducting drug-regimen review to optimize therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of interprofessional teamwork in patient safety?

To highlight the importance of nurses' responsibilities in the administering stage Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of pharmacists when reviewing medication orders or prescriptions?

Interpreting, clarifying, and then processing the prescription or order Signup and view all the answers

What type of error can occur during the transcribing stage of medication orders?

Both A and B Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of e-prescribing in reducing transcribing errors?

It reduces the risk of mishearing Signup and view all the answers

What is a common safety risk associated with electronic transmission of prescriptions?

Technical errors or system failures Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between monitoring in inpatient and outpatient settings?

Level of direct observation Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of diagnostic errors in medical practices?

Harm to patients Signup and view all the answers

What is a problem associated with the use of 'as directed' on prescriptions?

Confusion for patients and practitioners Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to include the patient's age and weight on prescriptions?

To calculate the accurate dosage of the medication Signup and view all the answers

What is a safety problem associated with oral transmission of prescriptions?

Mishearing of verbal instructions Signup and view all the answers

What should clinicians consider when making a diagnosis to prevent errors?

Reviewing data from old records, family members, and other clinicians Signup and view all the answers

Why is it recommended to eliminate drug abbreviations on prescriptions?

To prevent misinterpretation of drug abbreviations Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential problem associated with written transmission of prescriptions?

Misinterpretation of written instructions Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of external pressure that can contribute to diagnostic errors?

Clinician fatigue Signup and view all the answers

Why is it recommended to specify the therapeutic duration of the medication on prescriptions?

To specify the length of treatment Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of using metric measures for dosages on prescriptions?

It reduces the risk of medication errors Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor that can be influenced to reduce dispensing errors?

Workload and staffing Signup and view all the answers

At what stage of the medication use process do pharmacists typically perform checks?

Before medication distribution Signup and view all the answers

In which setting do nurses play a significant role in intercepting medication errors?

Inpatient setting Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of patient counseling?

To educate the patient and confirm understanding Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of inadequate patient counseling?

Medication errors Signup and view all the answers

How do Iowa and Nebraska differ in their patient counseling requirements?

Iowa requires counseling on all new prescriptions, while Nebraska requires a verbal offer to counsel the patient on all prescriptions Signup and view all the answers

What is a situation that may require a medication to be compounded?

When a patient has difficulty swallowing Signup and view all the answers

What is a patient safety risk associated with compounded medications?

Lack of FDA approval Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of the 2012 fungal infection outbreak related to compounded medications?

Over 100 patients died Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical step in the medication preparation process?

Performing checks before medication preparation Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge of performing checks in the community setting?

It can be time-consuming and resource-intensive Signup and view all the answers

What is a requirement for compounded medications?

They must meet requirements in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act Signup and view all the answers

What is the concern with compound semaglutide products from compounding pharmacies?

They may be altered during the compounding process Signup and view all the answers