MCQ on Drug Dispensing and Patient Counseling

🟢 Easy (1–20)

1. What is the primary goal of patient counseling?
   a) Increase pharmacy sales
   b) Promote drug resistance
   c) Improve medication adherence ✅
   d) Reduce consultation time
   Explanation: Counseling helps patients understand and follow their treatment regimen.
2. Which of the following is a key responsibility in drug dispensing?
   a) Only collecting payment
   b) Prescribing medications
   c) Labeling and providing correct medication ✅
   d) Monitoring blood pressure
   Explanation: Dispensing involves accurate preparation and delivery of medications.
3. Which unit is commonly used to measure liquid medication?
   a) Grams
   b) Liters
   c) Milliliters ✅
   d) Ounces
   Explanation: Liquid doses are most often measured in milliliters (mL).
4. Which of the following should be included in a prescription label?
   a) Patient’s favorite color
   b) Directions for use ✅
   c) Doctor’s age
   d) Brand of the printer
   Explanation: Directions ensure proper administration by the patient.
5. Patient counseling is typically provided by:
   a) Receptionist
   b) Nurse aide
   c) Pharmacist ✅
   d) Lab technician
   Explanation: Pharmacists are trained to counsel patients on medications.
6. Which of these is a common route of drug administration?
   a) Intravenous ✅
   b) Optical
   c) Skeletal
   d) Digital
   Explanation: Intravenous is a standard route for systemic drug delivery.
7. The abbreviation ‘b.i.d’ means:
   a) Once a day
   b) Twice a day ✅
   c) Every hour
   d) Before bedtime
   Explanation: “b.i.d” stands for “bis in die” (Latin), meaning twice a day.
8. Which of the following is an OTC drug?
   a) Morphine
   b) Amoxicillin
   c) Paracetamol ✅
   d) Insulin
   Explanation: Paracetamol is available without prescription.
9. Which term describes a substance used to treat or prevent disease?
   a) Nutrient
   b) Vitamin
   c) Drug ✅
   d) Hormone
   Explanation: A drug modifies physiological functions to treat or prevent disease.
10. What should a pharmacist check before dispensing a prescription?
    a) Patient’s birthday
    b) Availability of insurance
    c) Drug interactions ✅
    d) Doctor’s mood
    Explanation: Preventing harmful interactions is critical for patient safety.
11. Which is a proper counseling point for antibiotics?
    a) Stop when symptoms improve
    b) Take only on an empty stomach
    c) Finish the full course ✅
    d) Store in the freezer
    Explanation: Incomplete courses can lead to resistance.
12. Which of these is a common side effect of antihistamines?
    a) Diarrhea
    b) Drowsiness ✅
    c) Fever
    d) Rash
    Explanation: Sedation is a well-known side effect of many antihistamines.
13. Which instruction should be given for sublingual tablets?
    a) Swallow with water
    b) Chew before swallowing
    c) Place under the tongue ✅
    d) Crush and mix with food
    Explanation: Sublingual tablets dissolve under the tongue for quick absorption.
14. Which is the best container for light-sensitive medications?
    a) Clear plastic bottle
    b) Paper wrap
    c) Amber-colored bottle ✅
    d) Metal box
    Explanation: Amber bottles block UV light.
15. A pharmacist must verify the prescription for:
    a) Signature only
    b) Date and time only
    c) Drug name, dose, and frequency ✅
    d) Color of pen used
    Explanation: Ensures correct drug and dosage is dispensed.
16. Which action is inappropriate during patient counseling?
    a) Using simple language
    b) Maintaining privacy
    c) Providing written instructions
    d) Using medical jargon only ✅
    Explanation: Layman’s terms improve patient understanding.
17. What is the meaning of ‘PRN’ in a prescription?
    a) At bedtime
    b) As needed ✅
    c) Every morning
    d) After meals
    Explanation: “PRN” stands for “pro re nata” meaning “as needed.”
18. Which dosage form is designed for insertion into the rectum?
    a) Tablet
    b) Suppository ✅
    c) Capsule
    d) Syrup
    Explanation: Suppositories are rectally administered.
19. Why is patient medication history important?
    a) To identify hobbies
    b) To plan future holidays
    c) To prevent drug interactions ✅
    d) To know financial status
    Explanation: A history helps avoid adverse effects from current medications.
20. Which professional is authorized to write prescriptions?
    a) Pharmacist
    b) Physician ✅
    c) Nurse
    d) Lab technician
    Explanation: Only licensed prescribers like physicians can write prescriptions.

🟡 Moderate (21–40)

21. What is the role of the pharmacist when a patient refuses counseling?
    a) Ignore the refusal
    b) Force counseling
    c) Document refusal and respect decision ✅
    d) Call police
    Explanation: Patients have the right to refuse counseling; documentation is necessary.
22. Which of the following affects drug absorption?
    a) Eye color
    b) Stomach pH ✅
    c) Pulse rate
    d) Height
    Explanation: Acidic or alkaline pH can influence drug solubility and absorption.
23. Which of the following requires refrigeration?
    a) Tablet Paracetamol
    b) Insulin ✅
    c) Oral rehydration salts
    d) Calcium tablets
    Explanation: Insulin must be stored at 2–8°C.
24. Which factor affects patient compliance?
    a) Drug cost ✅
    b) Packaging color
    c) Doctor’s handwriting
    d) Location of pharmacy
    Explanation: High cost is a barrier to adherence.
25. What is a common barrier to effective counseling?
    a) Open communication
    b) Language differences ✅
    c) Simple instructions
    d) Visual aids
    Explanation: Language barriers reduce understanding.
26. Which part of counseling involves assessing patient knowledge?
    a) Initiation
    b) Conclusion
    c) Feedback ✅
    d) None
    Explanation: Feedback reveals how much the patient understood.
27. Which term describes modification of dosage for pediatric use?
    a) Personalization
    b) Titration ✅
    c) Overdosing
    d) Sterilization
    Explanation: Pediatric doses are adjusted by titration based on age/weight.
28. The term ‘compliance’ refers to:
    a) Discontinuing treatment
    b) Following prescribed regimen ✅
    c) Refusing medication
    d) Hospital admission
    Explanation: Compliance means taking medication as prescribed.
29. Who should counsel a patient on potential side effects of chemotherapy?
    a) Pharmacist ✅
    b) Nurse aide
    c) Radiologist
    d) X-ray technician
    Explanation: Pharmacists are trained in drug side effects.
30. What should a pharmacist do if a drug appears misbranded?
    a) Dispense immediately
    b) Sell at a discount
    c) Report and quarantine ✅
    d) Destroy privately
    Explanation: Misbranded drugs are unsafe; they should be reported.
31. Which of the following is important during verbal counseling?
    a) Avoid eye contact
    b) Use monotone
    c) Use active listening ✅
    d) Interrupt frequently
    Explanation: Active listening encourages open dialogue.
32. Which form of patient education is most helpful for elderly patients?
    a) SMS
    b) Verbal and written instructions ✅
    c) Posters
    d) Online forms
    Explanation: Elderly patients may need verbal reinforcement and written reference.
33. Which patient group needs special counseling on teratogenic drugs?
    a) Children
    b) Elderly
    c) Pregnant women ✅
    d) Male athletes
    Explanation: Teratogenic drugs harm the fetus.
34. Which technique is used to confirm patient understanding?
    a) Assumption
    b) Repetition
    c) Teach-back ✅
    d) Memorization
    Explanation: Teach-back helps verify that the patient understood instructions.
35. A patient asks about a drug’s side effects. You should:
    a) Ignore it
    b) Tell them to Google it
    c) Provide accurate and balanced information ✅
    d) Scare them
    Explanation: Ethical counseling includes informing about side effects.
36. Which patient behavior indicates poor adherence?
    a) Following dosage strictly
    b) Missing doses frequently ✅
    c) Asking questions
    d) Keeping track of medications
    Explanation: Missed doses show poor adherence.
37. What does ‘labeling’ include during dispensing?
    a) Just drug name
    b) Name, dose, frequency, and precautions ✅
    c) Batch number only
    d) Patient height
    Explanation: Complete labels ensure safe usage.
38. A patient taking warfarin should avoid:
    a) Leafy greens
    b) Alcohol
    c) Aspirin ✅
    d) Water
    Explanation: Aspirin increases bleeding risk with warfarin.
39. Which action should a pharmacist take during an ADR (Adverse Drug Reaction)?
    a) Ignore it
    b) Document and report it ✅
    c) Blame the patient
    d) Hide the incident
    Explanation: ADRs should be recorded and reported to authorities.
40. Which tool helps improve medication adherence?
    a) Reminder apps ✅
    b) TV shows
    c) Lottery
    d) Sugar pills
    Explanation: Apps and reminders aid in timely medication intake.

🔴 Hard (41–50)

41. Which system is used globally to report ADRs?
    a) Yellow Card Scheme ✅
    b) Blue Book
    c) Red Tag System
    d) White Sheet
    Explanation: UK’s Yellow Card Scheme is widely followed for ADR reporting.
42. Which drug class requires REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies)?
    a) NSAIDs
    b) Opioids ✅
    c) Antacids
    d) Antihistamines
    Explanation: REMS ensures safe use of high-risk medications like opioids.
43. Which cognitive barrier may hinder elderly patient counseling?
    a) Hearing loss
    b) Forgetfulness ✅
    c) Aggression
    d) Tiredness
    Explanation: Age-related memory loss impacts understanding.
44. What is the minimum counseling requirement under OBRA-90?
    a) Counseling is optional
    b) Required for all prescriptions
    c) Mandatory for Medicaid patients ✅
    d) No legal requirement
    Explanation: OBRA-90 mandates pharmacist counseling for Medicaid patients in the US.
45. Which dosage form bypasses the first-pass metabolism?
    a) Oral tablets
    b) Sublingual tablets ✅
    c) Capsules
    d) Enteric-coated pills
    Explanation: Sublingual avoids liver metabolism for faster effect.
46. Which principle supports shared decision-making in counseling?
    a) Beneficence
    b) Autonomy ✅
    c) Non-maleficence
    d) Justice
    Explanation: Autonomy emphasizes respecting the patient’s choices.
47. Which is most important in counseling patients with low health literacy?
    a) Complex brochures
    b) Reading tests
    c) Use of visual aids and simple language ✅
    d) Technical terms
    Explanation: Simplified materials improve comprehension.
48. What does the term “polypharmacy” refer to?
    a) Single drug use
    b) Multiple drug use ✅
    c) Herbal medicine
    d) IV therapy
    Explanation: Taking multiple drugs increases risk of interactions.
49. Which software helps track drug interactions during dispensing?
    a) Photoshop
    b) Lexicomp ✅
    c) AutoCAD
    d) Excel
    Explanation: Lexicomp provides real-time alerts for interactions.
50. Which organization sets standards for drug counseling in India?
    a) NMC
    b) FSSAI
    c) Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) ✅
    d) AICTE
    Explanation: PCI governs pharmacy education and practice in India.