Clinical issues

Question 1

Incorrect dose:

Answer 1

For every prescription, check the BNF and make sure the prescription is appropriate.
If you suspect that the dose for the prescription is incorrect, this would need amending by the prescriber
OVERDOSE- tell the prescriber that the dose is inappropriate, recommend a more suitable dose and ask for this to be done in person.
Failure to spot an overdose will lead to a FAIL in the prescription as it could lead to the death of a patient and could compromise patient safety
Same for an underdose

Question 2

Allergy status

Answer 2

Always check this especially for antibiotics
Failure to spot will lead to a fail on that prescription

Question 3

Label Optimisation:

Answer 3

Can the directions on the prescription be optimised? If a diuretic is prescribed ONE daily, it is better to take it ONE in the MORNING.

Question 4

Age appropriate prescribing:

Answer 4

Can this drug be used in this patient? Is the dose correct for a patient of this age?

Question 5

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding?

Answer 5

You would check this again to make sure the drug is suitable for a woman who may be pregnant or breastfeeding

Question 6

Legal issues

Answer 6

can only be dealt with by the prescriber in person

Question 7

Clinical issues

Answer 7

– depends on the issue- Mainly in person by the doctor- sometimes you can confirm with the patient
Review all aspects of the prescription before seeing the prescriber – try and see the prescriber as few times as possible. Penalties occur in the OSCE for time wasting!!

Question 8

Endorsing the prescription

Answer 8

Must write in the endorsement column on prescriptions (not tokens!) what you have supplied – Drug, form, strength, quantity

Will lose 2 marks in the OSCE for missing endorsements