- Which of the following medication forms is administered using a transdermal patch?
Answer: Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a potent opioid available as a transdermal patch (e.g., Duragesic) that delivers medication slowly through the skin over several days. Lisinopril, metformin, and atorvastatin are oral tablets and are not administered via a patch.
- A patient is prescribed the Lantus SoloStar pen for diabetes management. In addition to the pen itself, which disposable item must be dispensed for the medication to be administered?
Answer: Pen needles
Insulin pens, such as the Lantus SoloStar, require a disposable pen needle to be attached to the tip for each injection. Insulin syringes are used to draw medication from vials. Lancets and test strips are used for blood glucose monitoring, not for administering insulin from a pen.
- A prescription for Advair Diskus is presented. Which of the following is an important counseling point regarding the device used for this medication?
Answer: It is a breath-actuated dry powder inhaler.
Advair Diskus is a dry powder inhaler (DPI). DPIs are breath-actuated, meaning the medication is released when the patient takes a deep, fast breath. Unlike MDIs, DPIs should not be shaken, and spacers are not used with them. A nebulizer is a completely different device.
- A medication order for Solu-Cortef Act-O-Vial is received. This vial system is specifically designed for:
Answer: simplified reconstitution of a sterile powder.
The Act-O-Vial is a dual-compartment vial where the diluent is in the top chamber and the powder is in the bottom. Pushing down on the stopper forces the diluent into the lower chamber, mixing with the powder for easy reconstitution prior to parenteral administration. It is a device designed to simplify the mixing process.
- What is the primary purpose of a 'filter needle' or 'filter straw' when preparing an injection?
Answer: To remove particulate matter, such as glass shards from an ampule
When drawing medication from a glass ampule, there is a risk of microscopic glass particles entering the solution. A filter needle is a specialized device used to draw the liquid into the syringe while filtering out these particulates. It must be replaced with a regular needle before injection.
- A technician is preparing to dispense a Glucagon Emergency Kit. This kit contains a vial of powder and a syringe prefilled with a diluent. What is the function of the syringe in this kit?
Answer: To reconstitute the powder and then administer the injection
The Glucagon Emergency Kit requires reconstitution. The prefilled syringe contains a sterile diluent that is injected into the vial of glucagon powder to create a solution, which is then drawn back into the same syringe for intramuscular injection.
- A patient is prescribed albuterol sulfate HFA (ProAir HFA). Which of the following devices is most commonly recommended to improve the coordination of breathing and medication delivery, especially in pediatric or elderly patients?
Answer: Spacer or valved holding chamber
ProAir HFA is a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). A spacer or valved holding chamber is an accessory device that attaches to the MDI to trap the aerosolized medication, making it easier for the patient to inhale the full dose without perfect timing. A nebulizer is used for solutions/suspensions, not MDIs. A peak flow meter measures airflow out of the lungs. A dry powder inhaler is a different type of inhalation device altogether.
- Which device is designed for the administration of sumatriptan in a formulation intended for rapid relief of a migraine via the nasal route?
Answer: A nasal spray pump
Sumatriptan for nasal administration (e.g., Imitrex Nasal Spray) is supplied in a device with a nasal spray pump or actuator that delivers a metered dose into the nostril. The other options represent different routes of administration (inhalation, transdermal, sublingual) that use different delivery systems.
- A prescription for AndroGel 1.62% is being dispensed. The medication is packaged in a pump bottle. This device is designed to:
Answer: deliver a metered dose for topical application.
AndroGel is a testosterone gel applied topically to the skin. The pump is calibrated to dispense a specific, metered amount of gel with each depression, ensuring the patient applies the correct dose. It is not for injection, inhalation, or reconstitution.
- A prescription for Nystatin oral suspension includes the sig 'swish and swallow'. Besides a medication cup, what other device is commonly used for accurate dosing and administration of this liquid?
Answer: Oral syringe
For medications like Nystatin suspension, an oral syringe is an excellent device for accurately measuring the dose and applying it directly into the mouth to coat the oral surfaces before swallowing. A hypodermic syringe is for injection. Otic and nasal devices are for the ear and nose, respectively.
- A patient is picking up a prescription for Humulin R U-100 from a vial. Which type of syringe must be dispensed along with the vial for proper administration?
Answer: A U-100 insulin syringe marked in units
U-100 insulin has a concentration of 100 units/mL. It must be measured and administered with a U-100 insulin syringe, which is calibrated in units to prevent dosing errors. Using any other type of syringe (e.g., tuberculin or general-purpose syringes marked in mL) can lead to dangerous over- or under-dosing.
- A patient is prescribed Tobramycin for inhalation, which comes in ampules. This medication is specifically formulated for use with which device?
Answer: A specialized nebulizer system, such as the PARI LC PLUS
Tobramycin inhalation solution (e.g., Tobi) is a liquid supplied in ampules that must be administered using a compatible nebulizer system, such as the PARI LC PLUS, as specified by the manufacturer. It is not a powder, MDI, or soft mist formulation.
- A patient is prescribed an EpiPen Jr Auto-Injector. This device is designed for which type of administration during an emergency?
Answer: Intramuscular injection into the outer thigh
The EpiPen is an auto-injector prefilled with epinephrine for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis. The device is designed to be pressed firmly against the anterolateral aspect (outer side) of the thigh, where it will automatically deliver the dose intramuscularly.
- Which device would be appropriate to dispense for the administration of a glycerin suppository?
Answer: None; it is inserted rectally by hand
A suppository is a solid dosage form that is inserted into the rectum (or vagina or urethra). It does not require an administration device like a syringe or applicator; it is inserted manually.
- A pharmacy technician is handling a prescription for enoxaparin (Lovenox) prefilled syringes. What is a key feature of this administration device?
Answer: It has a safety shield that activates to cover the needle after injection.
Lovenox prefilled syringes are designed for subcutaneous injection and come with a pre-attached needle and an integrated safety system. After the injection is complete, the plunger is fully depressed to activate a shield that covers the needle, preventing needlestick injuries.
- A patient requires an intravenous infusion of vancomycin. The medication is prepared in a 250 mL IV bag. Which of the following supplies is essential to connect the IV bag to the patient's IV catheter?
Answer: An IV administration set (tubing)
An IV administration set, which consists of sterile tubing, a drip chamber, and connectors, is required to deliver the medication from the IV bag to the patient's venous access line. The other items are used for different purposes and are not compatible with an IV bag infusion.
- To ensure accurate measurement and administration of a 5 mL dose of amoxicillin oral suspension for a child, which device should be provided to the caregiver?
Answer: An oral syringe
An oral syringe is the most accurate device for measuring and administering liquid oral medications, especially for pediatric patients. Household spoons are not standardized and lead to inaccurate dosing. A 1 mL syringe is too small for a 5 mL dose, requiring multiple draws. A medication dropper is typically used for smaller volumes and may be less accurate for a 5 mL dose.
- A pharmacy receives a prescription for Pulmicort Respules (budesonide inhalation suspension). Which piece of equipment is essential for the patient to administer this medication?
Answer: Jet nebulizer
Pulmicort Respules are single-dose vials containing a liquid suspension that must be aerosolized for inhalation. This is accomplished using a jet nebulizer connected to an air compressor. The other devices are incompatible with this formulation.
- A patient has a prescription for ciprofloxacin 0.3% ophthalmic solution. Which administration device is an integral part of this product's packaging?
Answer: A built-in eye dropper tip
Ophthalmic (eye) solutions are packaged in bottles with a built-in dropper tip designed for sterile administration directly into the eye. An otic dropper is for the ear. An oral syringe or nasal atomizer would be incorrect routes of administration and are not part of the packaging.
- Spiriva is available as a HandiHaler or a Respimat device. The HandiHaler device is used to administer:
Answer: a dry powder from a capsule.
The Spiriva HandiHaler is a dry powder inhaler (DPI). The patient places a capsule containing tiotropium powder into the device, pierces it, and then inhales the powder. The Respimat device, in contrast, is a soft mist inhaler that uses a liquid cartridge.
