Interpretation of Prescriptions

Question 1

including the quantity of a prescribed dose, total number of doses prescribed and the number of days the prescribed medication will last

Answer 1

DOSES

Question 2

the patient’s or caregiver’s compliance in meeting the prescribed directions for dosing

Answer 2

COMPLIANCE

Question 3

the quantity of an active therapeutic ingredient to use to achieve the desired drug concentration

Answer 3

DRUG CONCENTRATION

Question 4

the quantity of drug administered per unit of time to meet prescribed dosing schedule

Answer 4

RATE OF DRUG ADMINISTRATION

Question 5

the quantities of active and inactive components to use in the extemporaneous preparation of a pharmaceutical product, including the use of stock solutions and/or prefabricated dosage units in the process

Answer 5

COMPOUNDING

Question 6

including calculations to make solutions isotonic, iso-osmotic, equimolar or buffered

Answer 6

CHEMICAL-PHYSICAL FACTORS

Question 7

including medication costs, cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, alternative treatment plans and medication pricing

Answer 7

PHARMACOECONOMICS

Question 8

Defined as the frequency and duration of a drug’s prescribed or recommended use

Answer 8

MEDICATION SCHEDULING

Question 9

Defined as patient understanding and adherence to the directions for use

Answer 9

MEDICATION ADHERENCE

Question 10

the failure to comply with a practitioner’s or labelled direction in the self-administration of any medication

Answer 10

NONADHERENCE

Question 11

Causes of Medication Non-adherence

Answer 11

•Unclear or misunderstood directions
•Undesired side effects
•Lack of patient confidence in the drug or prescriber
•Discontinued use because the patient feels better or worse
•Economic reasons based on the cost of the medication
•Absence of patient counselling and understanding the need for compliance
•Confusion over taking multiple medications