review Flashcards
Q: What is Schedule I?
A: Prescription-only drugs. Must be prescribed by a licensed practitioner and dispensed by a pharmacist.
Examples: Antibiotics, insulin, antidepressants.
Q: What is Schedule II?
A: Non-prescription drugs kept behind the pharmacy counter. Pharmacist consultation required.
Examples: Emergency contraception.
Q: What is Schedule III?
A: Non-prescription drugs available for self-selection in a pharmacy where a pharmacist is available for consultation.
Examples: Loratadine (Claritin).
Q: What is an Unscheduled product?
A: Can be sold anywhere, including grocery stores or gas stations. No pharmacist required.
Examples: Acetaminophen, ibuprofen.
Q: When can a pharmacist prescribe for self-recognized conditions?
A: If a patient has recurring, previously diagnosed symptoms like migraines or skin flare-ups, the pharmacist may offer a short course without delay.
Q: How can a pharmacist manage ongoing therapy?
A: They can adjust treatment for stable, chronic conditions—e.g., changing inhaler dosage for COPD when symptoms shift slightly.
Q: What can a pharmacist do after hospital discharge?
A: They can provide a temporary supply if the patient’s prescription is incomplete, ensuring no gap in treatment.
Q: What if a patient loses their medication while traveling?
A: The pharmacist can prescribe a short-term replacement to maintain treatment and avoid complications.
Q: What is the #1 priority when filling a prescription?
A: Accuracy in medication, strength, dosage form, and quantity.
Q: Why is patient safety a major priority?
A: To avoid allergic reactions, drug interactions, or duplicate therapies.
Q: What role does labeling play in filling prescriptions?
A: Clear instructions ensure patients understand how and when to take their medication.
Q: Why is timeliness important in pharmacy work?
A: Patients may be in discomfort or distress—delays could worsen their condition. Efficiency matters.
Q: What does “No Sub” mean on a prescription?
A: The prescriber wants no substitution—the exact brand written must be dispensed, even if generics exist.
Q: Why might a doctor write “No Sub”?
A: The patient may have had a poor reaction to the generic, or the doctor believes only the brand is suitable.
Q: What are key components of a medication container label?
A:
Patient’s full name
Prescription number
Fill date
Drug name (brand/generic)
Strength & dosage form
Directions for use (Sig)
Quantity dispensed
Prescriber’s name
Pharmacy name/address/phone
Pharmacist’s initials or ID
Refill info
Auxiliary labels
Expiry date
Storage instructions
Q: What are 4 signs of a forged prescription?
A:
Unusual quantities/dosages
Messy handwriting or multiple ink colors
Doctor’s info doesn’t match clinic
Patient shows urgency or pressure behavior
Q: Translate: ii cap stat, then i cap qd x 4 days
A: Take 2 capsules immediately, then 1 capsule once a day for 4 days.
Q: Translate: i tab 1 hour ac qam x 30 days
A: Take 1 tablet one hour before meals in the morning for 30 days.
Q: Translate: ii tab SL prn chest pain
A: Take 2 tablets sublingually (under tongue) as needed for chest pain.
Q: Translate: ii puffs q4–6h prn ud
A: Inhale 2 puffs every 4–6 hours as needed, as directed.
Q: Translate: i gtt ou qid ud
A: Instill 1 drop into both eyes four times daily, as directed.
Q: Translate: app sparingly to aa tid ud
A: Apply sparingly to affected area three times daily, as directed.
Q: Translate: 1 ml IM qw ud
A: Inject 1 mL intramuscularly once a week, as directed.
Q: Translate: i supp pr qhs x 14 days
A: Insert 1 suppository rectally every night for 14 days.
Q: What are Standards of Practice?
A: Official guidelines that describe how pharmacy professionals should act—ethically, responsibly, and with patient safety in mind.
They guide decision-making, communication, medication handling, and overall consistency in pharmacy care.
Q: What are two examples of provincial government-funded drug plans?
A:
Manitoba Pharmacare – helps cover drug costs for residents who can’t afford them.
EIA (Employment and Income Assistance) – helps people facing financial hardship access medications.
Q: What are two examples of federal government-funded drug plans?
A:
NIHB (Non-Insured Health Benefits) – for eligible First Nations and Inuit individuals.
VAC (Veterans Affairs Canada) – for veterans with service-related health needs.
Q: Name 3 privately funded third-party insurance plans.
A:
Manulife
Blue Cross
Sun Life Financial
Q: What is the best way to ensure you select the correct medication from the shelf?
A: Match the DIN (Drug Identification Number) on the prescription with the one on the medication bottle.
It’s more reliable than just checking the name or packaging.
Q: What 3 pieces of information are needed when creating a new patient profile?
Full name and date of birth – to accurately identify the patient
Allergies and medical conditions – to prevent reactions or contraindications
Current medications – to avoid interactions or duplications (includes OTC and supplements)
Q: What are the Five Rights of medication safety?
A:
Right patient – Confirm full name & DOB
Right drug – Ensure it matches prescription
Right dose – Confirm strength & quantity
Right route – Oral, topical, injection, etc.
Right time – Match timing instructions (e.g. qd, ac, hs)
Q: Can a pharmacy assistant fill a prescription that was written more than 1 year ago?
A: No.
Prescriptions typically expire 1 year after the written date (unless otherwise specified).
Q: Can a benzodiazepine prescription be refilled after 12 months from the date written?
A: No.
Controlled substances like benzodiazepines expire after 1 year, regardless of remaining refills.
Q: What are 5 common problems in handling prescriptions?
A:
Illegible handwriting – Risk of misreading drug/instructions
Incomplete info – Missing name, dose, or route
Look-alike/sound-alike drugs – Easy to confuse
Drug interactions/contraindications – May clash with current therapy
Fraudulent or forged prescriptions – Illegal or altered scripts
Q: What is an inventory in a pharmacy?
A: A detailed list of all medications and supplies in stock.
Used to track what’s available, what needs restocking, and what’s nearing expiry.
Q: Why is inventory important?
A:
Ensures patients get what they need
Prevents expired product use
Keeps the pharmacy organized and efficient
Q: What are the 8 main parts of a prescription?
Patient’s full name and address
Date written
Drug name
Strength of medication
Dosage instructions (Sig)
Quantity to be dispensed
Prescriber’s signature and license number
Refill information
Q: What are short-dated products?
A: Medications close to expiration, usually within 3 to 6 months.
They need to be used soon or monitored to avoid waste or unsafe dispensing.
Q: Why is it important to monitor expiry dates?
A:
Expired meds may lose effectiveness or become harmful
Protects patient safety
Keeps pharmacy operations responsible and clean
Q: What is a benefit in a drug plan?
A: A health service or medication covered by the insurance plan (e.g., prescriptions, dental, vision).
Q: What is a claim?
A: A request sent to the insurance company asking for payment on a covered item, like a filled prescription.
Q: What is a co-payment?
A: The out-of-pocket amount a patient pays for a prescription. The insurance covers the rest.
Q: Who is the plan sponsor?
A: The employer, organization, or government that funds the insurance plan.
Q: What is adjudication?
A: The process where the insurance reviews a claim, decides what it will pay, and calculates the patient’s share.
Q: What is a deductible?
A: The annual amount a patient must pay out-of-pocket before the plan begins covering costs.
Q: What is capitation?
A: A payment model where providers are paid a fixed amount per patient, regardless of how many services are used.
Q: Can pharmacy assistants counsel patients on medication?
A: No. Only pharmacists can legally provide counselling or give medication advice.
Q: What are typical tasks of a pharmacy assistant?
A:
Inventory management
Refilling prescriptions
Ordering medications
Data entry and prescription prep (under pharmacist supervision)
Q: What auxiliary label should be used for anxiolytics, antidepressants, or anticonvulsants?
A: “May cause drowsiness”
These affect the CNS and can impair alertness.
Q: What auxiliary label should be used for i gtt os bid?
A: “For the ear”
“gtt” = drop
“os” = left ear
“bid” = twice a day
Q: How many mL is 8 oz?
A: 240 mL
(1 oz ≈ 30 mL → 8 oz × 30 = 240 mL)
Q: What should a pharmacy assistant do if a contraindication alert appears during processing?
A: Inform the pharmacist immediately.
Do not bypass or attempt to solve it—this is a clinical decision.
Q: Can a pharmacy assistant override a contraindication message?
A: No. Only the pharmacist can assess and take action.
Q: What is the maximum days’ supply typically allowed for maintenance medications (e.g., for blood pressure)?
A: 100 days
Q: Can a pharmacy give a 6-month supply if the patient requests it?
A: No. Dispensing limits are generally capped at 100 days unless otherwise authorized.
Q: What happens when a patient reaches their drug plan cap?
A: The insurance stops covering costs.
The patient must pay out-of-pocket for any further medication expenses.
Q: True or False: If a drug is essential, the insurance plan will continue paying even after the cap is reached.
A: False
Coverage caps are strict limits, no matter the type of medication.
Q: What are valid ways for a new prescription to be received at a pharmacy?
A:
Fax from prescriber
Phone call from prescriber
Written script brought in by patient
Q: Can a patient call in their own prescription?
A: No.
Only a prescriber (doctor, nurse practitioner, etc.) can phone in a new prescription.
Q: How many days will 60 tablets last with the SIG: i–ii tabs po q4–6h?
A: 5 days
💡 Max dose: 2 tabs every 4 hours = 6 doses/day → 12 tabs/day → 60 ÷ 12 = 5 days
Q: What does i–ii tabs po q4–6h mean?
A: Take 1 to 2 tablets by mouth every 4 to 6 hours.
Q: How many days will 40 capsules last with: i cap qid ac and hs?
A: 10 days
💡 1 capsule before each meal (ac) and at bedtime (hs) = 4 caps/day → 40 ÷ 4 = 10 days
Q: What does qid ac and hs mean?
A: Take 1 capsule four times daily: before meals (ac) and at bedtime (hs).
Q: Why calculate using maximum dose frequency?
A: To avoid underestimating how quickly the medication will run out—ensures safety and continuity.
Q: True or False: Once a plan member reaches their drug plan cap, the insurance will still cover essential medications.
A: False
🟡 The cap is a firm limit—after it’s reached, patients pay out-of-pocket.
Q: What does it mean when a patient has reached their coverage cap?
A: The maximum amount covered by the insurance has been used. The patient must now pay for further drug costs themselves.
Q: Which of the following is not a valid way to present a new prescription?
a) Fax from doctor
b) Phone call from prescriber
c) Presented in person by patient
d) Called in by the patient ✅
Q: Who is legally allowed to phone in a new prescription to a pharmacy?
A: Only an authorized prescriber—such as a doctor or nurse practitioner.
