Question 1

Prohibited substances are substances that:

Accepted Answer

Prohibited substances are those that may be abused or misused, and their manufacture, possession, sale, or use should be prohibited by law except for specific purposes such as medical or scientific research.

Question 2

When the drug order is unclear the nurse should:

Accepted Answer

The nurse should question the prescriber about what was intended in case of unclear drug orders to avoid any possible harm or incorrect administration of medication. Asking a colleague or guessing is not a safe practice, and withholding the medication without clarification can result in potential harm to the patient.

Question 3

Passive euthanasia involves:

Accepted Answer

Passive euthanasia involves allowing the client to die by deliberately withholding or withdrawing life-supporting measures, such as turning off a ventilator or stopping artificial nutrition and hydration. It is not a deliberate action to cause the client's death, but rather a decision to let nature take its course. Active euthanasia, on the other hand, involves the intentional act of ending the client's life, which is illegal in most countries. Choices A and C describe active euthanasia, and choice D describes voluntary euthanasia, which may be either active or passive.

Question 4

Which of the following healthcare workers have some prescribing rights, are able to order context specific pathology and radiology tests, and are able to make limited referrals?

Accepted Answer

Nurse Practitioners have prescribing rights, can order certain tests, and make limited referrals. Assistant in Nursing, Registered Nurse, and Nurse Researcher do not have these abilities.

Question 5

Controlled drugs are substances that:

Accepted Answer

Controlled drugs are substances that have the potential to be abused, misused, or cause physical or psychological dependence. Therefore, their manufacture, supply, distribution, possession, and use must be restricted to reduce the risk of harm or abuse.

Answer: B, D 
 B describes drugs that have moderate potential for harm and can be made safer through packaging and labeling. D describes drugs that require professional advice and can be obtained from a licensed person or pharmacy. However, neither option fully encompasses the definition of controlled drugs, which is better described by A.

Question 6

The educational preparation for a nurse practitioner is:

Accepted Answer

The educational preparation for a nurse practitioner typically involves completing a Master's degree program. This provides advanced knowledge and skills in nursing practice, clinical decision-making, and patient care management. Some nurse practitioners may also pursue a professional doctorate, such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), for further education and training. However, a Bachelor's degree alone may not be sufficient for becoming a nurse practitioner. Clinical training and experience are also important components of nurse practitioner education, but these are typically included within the Master's degree program.

Question 7

The doctor tells the nurse to administer excessive doses of opioid analgesic and sedative drugs to relieve the client's intractable pain, but not to tell the client's family. Which ethical principle would be breached if the nurse gives the drugs but does not tell the family?

Accepted Answer

Veracity is the principle of honesty and truth-telling. If the nurse does not disclose the administration of excessive doses of opioids and sedatives to the client's family, he or she would be breaching this principle. The family has the right to know about the client's treatment plan, and keeping them in the dark would not be truthful. Although confidentiality is an important principle, it may be overridden by the principle of veracity in certain situations. Justice and beneficence are not relevant to this scenario.

Question 8

The target group for a medication review by pharmacists are:

Accepted Answer

The target group for a medication review by pharmacists are individuals who are at risk of medication misuse due to age, social circumstances, complexity of their medication regimen, their health care status, and knowledge about their medications. This group includes those who may be taking multiple medications, those who are elderly, those in poor health, those who have difficulty managing their medications, and those with limited access to health care services. These individuals are at a higher risk for adverse drug events and could benefit from a medication review by a pharmacist. Choice B only mentions individuals recommended by their general practitioner, which may not encompass all those who are at risk, and choices C and D are too specific and do not cover all those who may need a medication review.

Question 9

Which of the following is an instrument that is used to uphold the right of autonomy?

Accepted Answer

Informed and valid consent is the instrument used to uphold the right of autonomy. It allows patients to make informed decisions about their own healthcare, including whether or not to undergo medical treatments or procedures. Therapeutic privilege, non-voluntary euthanasia, and NFR orders may conflict with a patient's right to autonomy.

Question 10

Pharmacist only medicines are substances that:

Accepted Answer

Pharmacist only medicines are substances that require professional advice for safe use but can be made available to the public from a pharmacist without a prescription. They should not be available for self-diagnosis or self-treatment and must be dispensed only by a registered pharmacist.

Question 11

What is the meaning of the term 'not-for-resuscitation (NFR) order'?

Accepted Answer

A not-for-resuscitation (NFR) order is a medical directive stating that a client is not to be resuscitated by healthcare professionals if he or she experiences cardiac or respiratory arrest. This decision may be made by the client, healthcare proxy, or healthcare team based on the client's medical history and wishes. It is important for healthcare professionals to honor NFR orders and provide comfort care to the client in the event of an emergency rather than engaging in resuscitative efforts that would be contrary to the client's wishes.

Question 12

Paternalism occurs when:

Accepted Answer

Paternalism occurs when a health care professional carries out a particular treatment deemed to be of benefit to the client without the client’s informed consent or without informing the client about the treatment. This can be done with the intention of protecting the client's best interests, but it can also violate the patient's autonomy and right to self-determination. Neglecting to inform the client about the treatment is a clear example of paternalism.

Question 13

According to the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons in Australia, in which drug schedule is a controlled drug classified?

Accepted Answer

Controlled drugs are classified as Schedule 8 drugs in Australia under the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons. Schedule 8 drugs are substances that have a high potential for abuse, addiction, and dependence, and therefore require strict controls over their manufacture, distribution, and use. Examples of Schedule 8 drugs include opioids, benzodiazepines, and amphetamines.

Question 14

Active euthanasia involves:

Accepted Answer

Active euthanasia involves intentionally carrying out an act that leads to the client's death, such as administering a lethal dose of medication. This is different from passive euthanasia, which involves allowing a client to die by withholding or withdrawing life-supporting measures. It is important to note that active euthanasia is illegal in many countries and ethically controversial.

Question 15

Pharmacy medicines are substances that:

Accepted Answer

Pharmacy medicines are substances that require professional advice from a pharmacist and should be available from a pharmacy or, where a pharmacy service is not available, from a licensed person. These medicines are considered safe and effective for use without the need for a prescription but still require guidance from a healthcare professional. Examples of pharmacy medicines include cough and cold remedies, painkillers, and certain types of contraceptives.

Question 16

Voluntary euthanasia involves:

Accepted Answer

Voluntary euthanasia involves the client voluntarily and freely choosing to receive an intervention that leads to their death. It is important that the choice is made by the client themselves, and not influenced by anyone else, to ensure that it is truly voluntary.

Question 17

Naturopaths may:

Accepted Answer

Naturopaths may recommend and dispense doses of herbal, mineral and animal-based products, but they are not licensed to prescribe pharmaceutical medications, including Schedule 1-3 medications.

Question 18

Ms B has an operable brain tumour but refuses life-saving treatment after an acute bleeding episode. Her partner supports the decision. What ethical principle do the doctors apply to justify doing nothing?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy is the ethical principle that supports an individual's right to make their own decisions about their health and medical treatment. In this case, Ms B has the right to refuse life-saving treatment, and the doctors should respect her decision to do so, even if it may result in a negative outcome. The fact that her partner supports her decision reinforces her autonomy. Non-maleficence, or the principle of doing no harm, might suggest that doctors should intervene to save her life. However, in this case, respecting Ms B's autonomy takes precedence. Confidentiality and justice are not relevant to this situation.

Question 19

Prescription only medicines are substances that:

Accepted Answer

Prescription only medicines can only be obtained with a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional who is authorized to prescribe them. They are only available from a pharmacist who can ensure that they are provided safely and correctly.

Question 20

After giving a verbal order the doctor must:

Accepted Answer

According to Joint Commission standards, a verbal order must be authenticated by the prescribing practitioner, or another practitioner authorized to do so per facility policy, by countersigning or initialing the order within 24 hours.

Quiz 2: Pharmacology Within the Profesional Context