Safe Medication Principles

1. Prescription errors can be minimized by observing all of the following practices, except for:

A. Specifying concentration.

B. Using abbreviations.

C. Noting the patient’s age and, when appropriate, weight.

D. Writing legibly.


2. Physicians should write the full names of drugs, both brand-name and generic.

A. True

B. False


3. Regarding prescription instructions, physicians should:

A. Leave it up to the pharmacist to discuss with the patient.

B. Tell the patient to read the detailed sheet that accompanies the medication.

C. Explain what the medication is and does, as well as its potential side effects.

D. Give the patient website addresses where he or she can learn more about the drug.


4. On the prescription form, physicians should NOT write the condition for which the medication is prescribed.

A. True

B. False


5. Illegible handwriting accounts for what percentage of medication errors?

A. 3%

B. 10%

C. 14%

D. 26%


6. The abbreviation Q.D. (daily) is often mistaken for Q.I.D. (four times daily).

A. True

B. False


7. Why is it recommended that physicians write out numbers/quantities for controlled substances?

A. To prevent alterations by patients.

B. To use up more space on the prescription form.

C. Numbers written out are more legible.

D. All of the above


8. Physicians should avoid asking patients about their alcohol or "recreational" drug use.

A. True

B. False


9. Look-alike/sound-alike drug names account for what percentage of medication errors?

A. 5%

B. 13%

C. 17%

D. 22%


10. Since the dosage amounts "5 mg" and "5.0 mg" mean the same thing, physicians can use them interchangeably.

A. True

B. False



***I'll just post the answers and rationales after two days or so..-Sweet



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