NAPLEX Flashcards: Errors Omissions And Duplication

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Errors Omissions And Duplication, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for NAPLEX.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Identify the error type: A label states "take 1 tablet daily" but the prescription says "take 2 tablets daily."

Answer: Dispensing error (incorrect directions on label). Leads to patient confusion or incorrect self-administration due to labeling discrepancies from the original order.

Flashcard 2: What is the most appropriate pharmacist action when the route is omitted on a prescription?

Answer: Clarify route with prescriber before dispensing. Ensures the medication is administered correctly by confirming the appropriate delivery method prior to release.

Flashcard 3: What is the most appropriate pharmacist action when an order has a missing dose?

Answer: Hold dispensing and clarify the dose with the prescriber. Prevents potential under- or overdosing by verifying the intended dosage to ensure safe and effective therapy.

Flashcard 4: Identify the error type: Metoprolol succinate is dispensed instead of metoprolol tartrate.

Answer: Dispensing error (wrong dosage form/release type). Results from substituting incorrect formulations, altering drug release and therapeutic efficacy.

Flashcard 5: Identify the error type: A patient receives cefazolin despite an order to discontinue it yesterday.

Answer: Duplication/continuation error (failure to discontinue). Results from ineffective communication of discontinuation, leading to unwarranted medication exposure.

Flashcard 6: What is the most appropriate action when two active prescriptions appear to be therapeutic duplicates?

Answer: Assess indication and clarify intended regimen with prescriber/patient. Promotes safety by evaluating necessity and confirming the intended therapy to avoid adverse effects.

Flashcard 7: Identify the error type: A dose was due at 08:00 but was never given and no hold was documented.

Answer: Omission error. Indicates a breakdown in administration without documented rationale, potentially leading to treatment gaps.

Flashcard 8: Identify the error type: Warfarin is prescribed for a patient with a documented severe warfarin allergy.

Answer: Prescribing error (contraindication/allergy). Happens when medication is ordered despite known patient risks, such as documented allergies or contraindications.

Flashcard 9: Identify the error type: A patient is prescribed lisinopril and starts losartan without stopping lisinopril.

Answer: Duplication error (therapeutic duplication of RAAS blockade). Involves concurrent use of similar-class agents, elevating risks like hyperkalemia without therapeutic advantage.

Flashcard 10: Identify the error type: A technician selects hydralazine instead of hydroxyzine due to name similarity.

Answer: Dispensing error (wrong drug; look-alike/sound-alike). Common with look-alike/sound-alike drugs, preventable by enhanced verification and storage practices.

Flashcard 11: What is a prescribing error in the medication-use process?

Answer: Incorrect drug, dose, route, frequency, or directions in the prescription. Occurs during the prescribing phase when the prescriber specifies inappropriate medication details, leading to potential harm if not intercepted.

Flashcard 12: What is the most appropriate pharmacist action when the frequency is omitted on a prescription?

Answer: Clarify frequency with prescriber before dispensing. Avoids risks of toxicity or subtherapeutic effects by confirming proper dosing intervals with the prescriber.

Flashcard 13: Identify the error type: A refill is processed for a medication that was previously discontinued.

Answer: Duplication/continuation error (inappropriate continuation). Stems from failure to update records, resulting in unnecessary or potentially harmful continued therapy.

Flashcard 14: What is the best definition of a near miss in pharmacy practice?

Answer: An error detected and corrected before reaching the patient. Highlights opportunities for system improvements by identifying errors intercepted before patient exposure.

Flashcard 15: What is a dispensing error in the medication-use process?

Answer: Medication dispensed differs from what was prescribed. Involves pharmacy staff selecting, preparing, or labeling medication incorrectly, deviating from the prescriber's order.

Flashcard 16: What is the most appropriate pharmacist action when an order is illegible or ambiguous?

Answer: Do not guess; clarify with prescriber before dispensing/verification. Prevents misinterpretation risks by requiring clarification to ensure accurate medication delivery.

Flashcard 17: What is the most appropriate pharmacist action when a prescriber signature is missing where required?

Answer: Do not dispense; obtain a valid prescriber authorization. Maintains legal and safety standards by requiring authentication to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent prescriptions.

Flashcard 18: What is a duplication error in medication therapy?

Answer: Unnecessary duplicate therapy with same or similar pharmacologic effect. Involves prescribing multiple agents with overlapping effects unnecessarily, increasing risk of adverse reactions without benefit.

Flashcard 19: What is the best definition of an adverse drug event (ADE)?

Answer: Patient harm resulting from medication use, including medication errors. Encompasses harm from both preventable errors and inherent drug risks, informing safety protocols.

Flashcard 20: What is an omission error in medication administration?

Answer: A scheduled dose is not given and is not clinically justified. Represents a failure in the administration process without valid justification, potentially disrupting therapeutic outcomes.

Flashcard 21: What is the best definition of an adverse drug reaction (ADR)?

Answer: Noxious, unintended response at normal doses (not necessarily an error). Refers to inherent drug responses not tied to errors, distinguishing from preventable medication mishaps.

Flashcard 22: What is the most appropriate action when a medication history suggests an omission of a chronic medication on admission?

Answer: Reconcile medications and request an order if clinically appropriate. Facilitates continuity of care through reconciliation, addressing potential oversights in admission orders.

Flashcard 23: Identify the error type: A patient receives two doses because the medication was administered twice.

Answer: Duplication error (double administration). Arises from redundant administration due to communication or system failures, risking overdose.

Flashcard 24: What is the most appropriate pharmacist action when the quantity is omitted on an outpatient prescription?

Answer: Clarify intended quantity or days supply with the prescriber. Ensures compliance with regulations and matches the dispensed amount to the therapeutic need for outpatient care.

Flashcard 25: Identify the error type: A patient receives insulin glargine twice daily because the order was entered twice.

Answer: Duplication error (duplicate order entry). Occurs due to redundant order entry in systems, leading to excessive dosing and potential hypoglycemia.