PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (PTCE)MedicationsMedium
A pharmacy technician is asked to retrieve a medication from the automated dispensing cabinet. The order is for 'furosemide 40 mg tablet'. Upon retrieval, the technician notices the medication is labeled 'furosemide 20 mg tablet.' What is the most appropriate action for the technician?
- ADispense two 20 mg tablets to meet the 40 mg dose.
- BNotify the pharmacist of the discrepancy and await instructions.
- CAdjust the dose in the system to 20 mg and dispense one tablet.
- DReturn the 20 mg tablets and retrieve the correct 40 mg tablets.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Notify the pharmacist of the discrepancy and await instructions.
Any discrepancy between the ordered medication and what is available or retrieved must be immediately brought to the attention of the pharmacist. While dispensing two 20 mg tablets might seem like a simple solution, it requires a professional judgment call and a potential change to the original order, which is outside the scope of a technician's role. The pharmacist must assess the situation and provide guidance.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is a clinical decision that requires pharmacist approval, as it changes the dosage form/number of units.
- C. A technician cannot unilaterally change a prescribed dose in the system.
- D. This is a good step if the correct strength is available, but the primary action is to notify the pharmacist of the discrepancy first.
Medication Error Prevention
Strategies and procedures implemented to reduce the occurrence of mistakes in the medication use process, from prescribing to administration.
- Involves multiple checks and balances.
- Technicians play a critical role in identifying potential errors.
- Always escalate discrepancies to a pharmacist.
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