Pharmacy Terminology and Regulations

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of HIPAA?

To protect health information privacy (correct)

To ensure customer satisfaction in pharmacies

To provide guidelines for drug compounding

To regulate drug production and distribution

Which statement accurately describes the DEA?

It sets the Average Wholesale Price of medications.

It is responsible for conducting pharmaceutical research.

It oversees the registration of pharmacists.

It regulates the production and distribution of drugs. (correct)

What defines pharmacokinetics?

The process of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. (correct)

The mixing of ingredients to create medication.

The study of medication errors and their prevention.

The assessment of customer satisfaction in pharmacies.

What does the abbreviation AWP stand for?

Average Wholesale Price Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best distinguishes between acute and chronic conditions?

Acute conditions are sudden and require immediate treatment. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a service provided by boards of pharmacy?

Providing pharmacological research funding Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of OBRA 90 in pharmacy practice?

It mandates patient counseling by pharmacists. Signup and view all the answers

Which method is recognized as the first line of defense against infection in healthcare settings?

Handwashing Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a technician regarding drug recommendations?

They cannot make drug recommendations. Signup and view all the answers

What is required for a patient to avoid tolerance when using medication?

Maintaining the same dose over time. Signup and view all the answers

How should a syringe be handled to ensure safety?

Touch the barrel only when necessary. Signup and view all the answers

What temperature range is recommended for drug storage?

36-46 degrees Fahrenheit. Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum percentage of dextrose allowed in peripheral veins during TPN?

10% Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding expiration dates of medications?

Expiration dates are valid until the last day of the month indicated. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about the IV route of administration?

It allows for the fastest absorption of drugs. Signup and view all the answers

What does DAW stand for in prescription terminology?

Dispense as Written. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if the port of IV tubing touches a finger?

It must be wiped with alcohol before use. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a characteristic of sublingual administration?

It is administered under the tongue. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Abbreviations and Acronyms

ADME: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion (pharmacokinetics)
AWP: Average Wholesale Price
HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (privacy rules for health info)
HEPA: High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter
IVPB: Intravenous Piggyback
NaCl: Normal Saline (0.9% Sodium Chloride)
OTC: Over the Counter
R.Ph.: Registered Pharmacist
Tsp vs. Tbsp: Teaspoon vs. Tablespoon
CQI, QA, TQM: Continuous Quality Improvement, Quality Assurance, Total Quality Management (measures business performance)

Agencies and Laws

DEA: Drug Enforcement Administration (regulates drug production, distribution, and sale)
Boards of Pharmacy: Responsible for pharmacist registration
OBRA 90: Requires pharmacist patient counseling

Customers

Customer satisfaction: Absence of complaint doesn't guarantee satisfaction

Medication Errors

Goal of studying medication errors: Identify causes and improve systems to prevent future errors

Definitions

Antineoplastic: Medications for cancer treatment
Compounding: Mixing ingredients to create a non-commercial drug
Handwashing: First line of defense against infection
Pharmacokinetics: ADME
Acute vs. Chronic: Acute = sudden, requires immediate treatment; Chronic = long-term condition
Enteral vs. Parenteral: Enteral = GI tract; Parenteral = outside the GI tract
Knowledge Deficit vs. Performance Deficit: Knowledge = insufficient training; Performance = knowing but doing wrong
Local vs. Systemic: Local = one area; Systemic = throughout the body
Otic vs. Optic: Otic = ear; Optic = eye
Tolerance vs. Dependence: Tolerance = higher doses needed for effect; Dependence = need for medication

Technician Roles and Responsibilities

Technician tasks: Counting tablets, preparing IV admixtures, filling unit dose carts, restocking automated dispensing machines, restocking emergency code carts, and telephone insurance companies.
Technician limitations: Cannot discuss allergic reactions, make drug recommendations, or recommend OTC meds, give nurses therapeutic alternatives, discuss therapy with doctors, or consult and educate patients.

Medications

Chemotherapy agents: Should not be handled by pregnant employees
Expiration Dates: Expire on the last day of the month (e.g., 05/21 = 05/31)
Storage: 36-46°F
Unit Dosing: Specific drug amount per dose; labeled with drug name, strength, and expiration date; liquid format gives dosage per mL (e.g., 125mg/5mL); carts contain 24-hour supply for each patient; sometimes filled by robot.

Dosage Formulations

Elixir: Contains alcohol

Routes of Administration

Sublingual: Under the tongue
Transdermal: Patch (e.g., nicotine, nitroglycerin, fentanyl)
Parenteral Routes: Fastest absorption route (e.g., IV)

Scheduled Drugs (Controlled Substances)

CII: Morphine (opioid analgesic)
CIII: Suboxone (opioid antagonist)
CIV: Xanax (anti-anxiety)
CV: Lomotil (anti-diarrheal)
DEA form 222: Required for ordering Class II medications

Prescriptions

Prescription Expiration: Most prescriptions last 12 months (controlled substances excluded)
DAW (Dispense as Written): Brand-name dispensing, no generic substitution

Sig Codes

BID, TID, QID, QD: (twice daily, three times daily, four times daily, once daily)
q _ h: Every _ hours
ac, pc: Before meals, after meals
hs: At bedtime
AD, AS, AU: Right, left, both eyes
OD, OS, OU: Right, left, both ears
PO: By mouth
prn: As needed
gtts: Drops

Calculations

Days supply (4 calculations)
Infusion Rate (total volume ÷ total time = mL/hr)
Conversions: Metric and household (various conversions)
Percentage Strengths: w/v, w/w, and v/v (various calculations)
Ratio and Proportion (6 calculations)
Roman Numerals (2 uppercase vs lowercase) conversions

Sterile Compounding

IV additive prep: Clean the port with alcohol before use
IV tubing priming: Prime the tubing before adding the medication
LVPs vs. SVPs: LVPs >100mL, continuous use; SVPs ≤100mL, intermittent use
Biological Safety Cabinets: Top-to-bottom airflow, inspections every 6 months
Horizontal Laminar Flow Hood: Airflow toward the operator, 30-minute initial run-up after being turned off.

Syringes and Needles

Syringe parts: Barrel, plunger, tip (handle only the barrel)
Needle parts: Hub, shaft, bevel
Needle gauge sizes: Smaller gauge = larger bore

Home Infusion Pharmacy

Services: IV antibiotic therapy, IV pain medication, total parenteral nutrition (TPN)

Long-Term Care Pharmacy

Responsibilities: Inspecting nursing units/stations (refrigerator temps, med dates, storage); consultant pharmacists perform monthly medication reviews.

TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition)

Substrates: Dextrose (4 cal/g), lipids (9 cal/g), amino acids (4 cal/g)
Additives: Electrolytes, avoid adding phosphate & calcium together (can precipitate)
Max dextrose concentration in peripheral veins: 10%

Exam Information

Exam Type: Final comprehensive exam (80 multiple-choice questions)
Time Limit: 2 hours
Point Value: 160 possible points
Importance: Covers national certification exam material
Code of Conduct: Adhere to the student code of conduct

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Description

Test your knowledge on essential abbreviations, acronyms, and important regulations in pharmacy. This quiz covers various topics including pharmacokinetics, medication errors, and the role of different regulatory bodies. Perfect for students or professionals in the healthcare field!