Preparing Prescriptions

Question 1

List the different kinds of oral medication used in small animal medicine

Answer 1

Pills, Caplets, Capsules, Powders, Liquids, Creams, Ointments and transdermal patches.

Question 2

What is implied when a pill is scored?

Answer 2

That there is an equal amount of medication on either side of the score and that it can be safely split.

Question 3

What is a common reason for pills to be dispensed in blister packs or foil?

Answer 3

To protect the medication from light, moisture and or air.

Question 4

Name a hazard of mixing powdered medication into a pet’s regular diet

Answer 4

You may create an aversion for that food in the pet

Question 5

Name 2 ways that medication can be given to an entire herd or flock.

Answer 5

Through medicated feed and through the water supply

Question 6

What step should an owner or a farmer take before putting a needle into the stopper of a bottle to draw up medication for injection.

Answer 6

Wipe the stopper with alcohol and allow the alcohol to evaporate.

Question 7

True or False. It is a good idea to use large bore needles to draw up medications for injection

Answer 7

False. Large bore needles will rapidly damage the stopper.

Question 8

True of False. There are no licensed transdermal medication available to Veterinarians in Canada.

Answer 8

False. There is a transdermal appetite stimulant called Mirataz available in Canada.

Question 9

What are 2 important risks associated with the use of fentanyl patches in veterinary patients?

Answer 9

Overdose is a risk in small patients and there is a risk of human abuse.

Question 10

True or False. Prescriptions can be made up safely with the involvement of only one staff member?

Answer 10

False. Having another staff member check the accuracy of a prescription is an essential safety check.

Question 11

Where can you find the rules regarding the information that is legally required on a prescription label in Nova Scotia?

Answer 11

In the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association bylaws which are available on their website.

Question 12

What steps are involved in double checking a prescription?

Answer 12

Verify that the drug dispensed matches the drug on the original bottle and in the patient’s file. Count the pills and return them to the labelled bottle.

Question 13

When prescribing a drug from 2 different bottles, which expiry date should be used?

Answer 13

The shortest expiry date.

Question 14

What information regarding the drug is required on a prescription label?

Answer 14

Name of drug and strength​, date dispensed, quantity dispensed , DIN Number​ & expiry date, directions for use, ​warnings about product safety, handling and withdrawal times if necessary.

Question 15

What information regarding the client is required on a prescription label?

Answer 15

The client’s name

Question 16

What information about the patient/patients is required on a prescription label?

Answer 16

The name, for small animal patients and production unit for large animal patients.

Question 17

What information about the veterinarian and veterinary practice is required on a prescription label?

Answer 17

The name of the prescribing licensed veterinarian ​and the name, address and phone number of dispensing practice

Question 18

What statement is required on the label of all veterinary prescriptions?

Answer 18

Veterinary Use Only

Question 19

Which part of the meniscus should you measure to when measuring liquid medications?

Answer 19

The bottom of the meniscus.

Question 20

What types of fluids should not be used subcutaneously?

Answer 20

Plasmalyte products, half normal saline (0.45%), hypertonic saline (3%), sterile water and dextrose.