Question

question 90

a pharmacy technician is filling a prescription for a new medication for a patient whose profile shows they are currently taking five other medications. which of the following actions should the technician take to ensure patient safety?

• fill the prescription without any additional review since the patient has been a customer for years.
• ask the patient to provide a list of the medications they are willing to discontinue.
• dispense the medication and instruct the patient to monitor for side effects.
• ensure the pharmacist reviews the prescription for potential drug interactions given the patients current medications.

Explanation:

Analyze the clinical scenario

A pharmacy technician is filling a new prescription for a patient who is already taking five other medications. This situation introduces a risk of therapeutic duplication, drug-drug interactions, or contraindications.

Evaluate professional scope of practice

Using the Scope of Practice and Pharmacy Workflow knowledge points

• Pharmacy technicians assist with technical, administrative, and dispensing tasks.
• Clinical evaluations, such as assessing drug-drug interactions, are strictly the responsibility of the pharmacist.

Assess the options

Using the Drug Utilization Review knowledge point

• Option 1: Filling without review bypasses critical safety checks.
• Option 2: Asking the patient to discontinue medications is a clinical recommendation outside the technician's scope.
• Option 3: Dispensing without clinical review risks patient harm.
• Option 4: Ensuring the pharmacist performs a clinical review for potential drug interactions is the correct, safe workflow.

Answer:

• Fill the prescription without any additional review since the patient has been a customer for years.
• Ask the patient to provide a list of the medications they are willing to discontinue.
• Dispense the medication and instruct the patient to monitor for side effects.
• Ensure the pharmacist reviews the prescription for potential drug interactions given the patient's current medications. (Correct answer)