Question

question 17

a pharmacy technician is entering a new prescription and notices the patient has a documented penicillin allergy. the prescription is for amoxicillin. which of the following actions should the technician take?

• alert the pharmacist to the potential allergy conflict before proceeding.
• call the patient to ask if they want to fill the prescription anyway.
• substitute a different antibiotic based on the patients allergy history.
• dispense the medication because the allergy is not severe enough to be a concern.

Explanation:

Identify the clinical conflict

Using the Amoxicillin Classification and Drug Allergy Documentation knowledge points

• The patient has a documented penicillin allergy.
• Amoxicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic belonging to the penicillin class.
• Prescribing or dispensing amoxicillin to a patient with a penicillin allergy poses a severe risk of an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis.

Determine the scope of practice

Using the Pharmacy Technician Duties knowledge point

• A pharmacy technician cannot independently resolve clinical conflicts, contact patients to override clinical alerts, or substitute prescription medications.
• Clinical decision-making and allergy evaluation fall strictly under the pharmacist's professional responsibility.
• Therefore, the technician must immediately notify the pharmacist of the potential allergy conflict before continuing the dispensing process.

Answer:

• (A) Alert the pharmacist to the potential allergy conflict before proceeding. (Correct answer)
• (B) Call the patient to ask if they want to fill the prescription anyway.
• (C) Substitute a different antibiotic based on the patient's allergy history.
• (D) Dispense the medication because the allergy is not severe enough to be a concern.