Question 1

When discussing ophthalmic solutions, which of the following is false?
I. Ophthalmic solutions can be used with contact lenses in place.
II. Patients should pull out the lower eyelid to form a pocket to place ophthalmic drops.
III. Different ophthalmic preparations should be applied at least 10-20 minutes apart.
IV. Ophthalmic solutions have no systemic effects.

Accepted Answer

Statements I and IV and false-contact lenses should be removed before application of ophthalmic solutions and ophthalmic preparations can have systemic effects. Statements II and III are correct.

Question 2

Which of the following forms is atomoxetine available in?
I. IM injectable
II. IV injectable
III. Topical gel, cream, patch, or spray
IV. Capsule

Accepted Answer

Atomoxetine, an SNERI (Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor), is available only in capsule form. It is used in the treatment of ADD.

Question 3

A frantic mother calls and tells you her toddler has just ingested some pills. What are some reasonable recommendations for her?
I. Call a poison control center for information on the use of ipecac.
II. Have the toddler take some ipecac immediately-liberal amounts until emesis occurs.
III. Use activated charcoal-it is safer than ipecac, but call a poison control center first.
IV. Ipecac is associated with several contraindications including lack of a gag reflex and its use may lead to serious adverse effects with the ingestion of certain caustic agents. It should be used cautiously and after consultation with a poison control center.

Accepted Answer

Recent studies have indicated that ipecac should not be used liberally. A poison control center is the best resource for advice on ipecac use. Activated charcoal may be a better choice, but a poison control center should be consulted. The contraindications listed for ipecac are valid and include lethargy and seizures.

Question 4

Which of the following IV medications are photosensitive?

Accepted Answer

Nitroprusside is light-sensitive. The other agents listed are not.

Question 5

Which of the following forms is levalbuterol (Xopenex) available in?
I. IM injectable
II. IV injectable
III. Inhalation
IV. Capsule

Accepted Answer

Levalbuterol (Xopenex) is only available as a solution for inhalation or as a metered dose inhaler. It is used in the prophylaxis and treatment of bronchospasm.

Question 6

An adult comes into your pharmacy with a deep puncture wound in his foot from stepping on a rusty nail in his backyard. He has cleaned the wound and is looking for bandages. He also tells you he hasn't had a tetanus shot in 25 years. Which of the following would be a reasonable statement concerning a tetanus booster shot?

Accepted Answer

Statement A is the only factual statement. The recommended time frame for a tetanus booster in an adult is every ten years.

Question 7

Which of the following forms is methadone available in?
I. IM injectable
II. Oral solution
III. Tablets
IV. Subcutaneous injections

Accepted Answer

Methadone is available as IM and subQ injections (IV injection is not recommended). It is also available as an oral solution and in tablet form. Methadone is used to aid in opioid detoxification, maintaining opioid abstinence and for severe pain.

Question 8

Which of the following forms is drotrecogin alfa available in?
I. Oral suspension; 200 mg/5 mL and 400mg/5 mL
II. Lyophilized powder for injection; 5 and 20 mg
III. Tablet; 200, 250, and 500 mg
IV. Capsule; 250 and 500 mg

Accepted Answer

Drotrecogin alfa is an activated recombinant Protein C used in the treatment of severe sepsis. It is only available as a lyophilized powder for injection at 5 and 20 mg.

Question 9

How long is a patent on a drug product valid for?

Accepted Answer

A patent on a drug product in the United States is valid for 20 years from the initial date the patent was filed. The patent is applied for at the beginning of the drug development process. Once the patent expires, other companies may make generic alternatives to the initial product.

Question 10

Which of the following government agencies regulates advertising of prescription medications?

Accepted Answer

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for the oversight of prescription medication advertising. This is to make sure drug companies are promoting truthful information in their advertisements. They also ensure the advertisements are addressing the most appropriate groups of patients.

Question 11

Which of the following pieces of legislation was responsible for creating Medicare and Medicaid?

Accepted Answer

The Social Security Amendments were responsible for creating the programs Medicare and Medicaid. This legislation was signed into law in 1965 by President Johnson, and allowed for patients over age 65 to receive federally-funded health insurance. Certain people under age 65 with disabilities and those with end stage renal disease also qualify for Medicare.

Question 12

Which of the following sources of payment are billed for the highest percentage of healthcare spending in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Private insurance is responsible for paying for the highest percentage of healthcare spending in the United States. In 2006, private insurance was responsible for 34% of the national healthcare expenditures. This includes payment for all healthcare expenditures including hospital stays, doctor visits, and prescription drugs.

Question 13

Which of the following types of pharmacoeconomic analysis assesses the cost of treatment of an illness by calculating quality-adjusted life years to assess outcomes of treatment?

Accepted Answer

A cost-utility analysis assesses the cost of the treatment of an illness by calculating quality-adjusted life years to assess the outcomes of treatment. Cost of illness analysis only assesses the cost of the illness itself and not the overall outcomes of treatment. Cost effectiveness studies assess the cost involved in treating an illness and uses objective clinical measures to assess the outcomes of treatment. Cost-benefit is a ratio showing the relationship between cost of illness treatment and cost of treatment outcomes.

Question 14

Which of the following types of pharmacoeconomic analysis is considered to be the most typical type of analysis used for healthcare decision making?

Accepted Answer

A cost-effectiveness analysis is the most typical type of pharmacoeconomic analysis used for decision making in healthcare. This is because the cost-effectiveness analysis compares the cost of treatment of an illness with the effectiveness of the treatment measured by objective clinical outcomes. The use of objective clinical outcomes as a measurement for treatment effectiveness increases the ability to use this analysis as a basis for decisions about healthcare such as for purchasing and drug usage.

Question 15

Which of the following is not one of Mankiw's 10 Principles of Economics?

Accepted Answer

The statement "Governments cannot improve market outcomes" is not one of Mankiw's 10 Principles of Economics. Governments can sometimes improve market outcomes, and this is one of Mankiw's 10 Principles of Economics. Changes in public policy can change the way a market allocates resources, and this can improve market outcomes.

Question 16

Which of the following types of pharmacoeconomic analysis compares the price of treatments for an illness directly, assuming their outcomes are equivalent?

Accepted Answer

A cost-minimization analysis compares the price of treatments for an illness directly, assuming their outcomes are equivalent. Cost of illness analysis only assesses the cost of the illness itself and not the overall outcomes of treatment. Cost effectiveness studies assess the cost involved in treating an illness and uses objective clinical measures to assess the outcomes of treatment. Cost-benefit is a ratio showing the relationship between cost of illness treatment and cost of treatment outcomes.

Question 17

Which of the following terms describes the number of people affected by a disease during a specific period of time?

Accepted Answer

Prevalence is the number of people affected by a disease during a specific period of time. Incidence is a measurement of the risk of a specific population developing a new disease within a set time period. Mortality rate describes how many deaths occur in a set time period due to the cause in question. Epidemiology is the study of disease distribution in different populations of people and what factors affect the distribution of diseases.

Question 18

Which of the following terms refers to a study of one patient experiencing an illness?

Accepted Answer

A case report is a study of one patient experiencing an illness. A case control study compares patients with and without a specific disease with the patients' exposure rate to the risk factors of the disease. A cohort study looks at the rates of disease development in patients who are not exposed to a risk factor, and those patients who are. A randomized controlled trial is a trial designed to test a product in a way that both the patients in the study and researchers do not know which patients are taking the test product.

Question 19

Mrs. Smith comes to the pharmacy and reports that she is experiencing tinnitus. After some discussion with her, you discover that the tinnitus started when she started taking furosemide for her swollen ankles, and that it worsened when she had to increase the dose. Which of the following surveillance systems would it be most appropriate to report this to?

Accepted Answer

The FDA's Med Watch program would be the most appropriate surveillance system to report this adverse event to. The FDA Med Watch program is an example of a voluntary surveillance system. This program allows both the public and healthcare professionals to report issues with the safety of prescription drugs and medical devices. All contributors to this program do so on a voluntary basis.

Question 20

A study was designed to analyze the effects of sun and wind exposure on skin damage in base jumpers. One group of jumpers wore SPF 50 sunscreen, while another group did not wear sunscreen. After 2 years, the progression of skin damage was reassessed. Which of the study designs would describe this study?

Accepted Answer

A cohort study would best describe this study. A cohort study looks at the rates of disease development in patients who are not exposed to a risk factor, and those patients who are. A case report is a study of one patient experiencing an illness. A case control study compares patients with and without a specific disease with the patients' exposure rate to the risk factors of the disease. A randomized controlled trial is a trial designed to test a product in a way that both the patients in the study and researchers do not know which patients are taking the test product.

Quiz 4: Social Administrative

Which of the following forms is atomoxetine available in? I. IM injectable II. IV injectable III. Topical gel, cream, patch, or spray IV. Capsule