Arizona MPJE (Pharmacy Jurisprudence) Practice Exam

In the absence of RPh, how should patient-owned drugs be handled if not used?

1. Given to any healthcare professional

2. Returned to the patient immediately

3. Transferred to another pharmacy

4. Packaged, sealed and stored until discharge

The correct answer is: Given to any healthcare professional

In the context of handling patient-owned drugs when a registered pharmacist is not present, the most appropriate action is to package, seal, and store the drugs until the patient is discharged. This approach ensures that the medications remain secure and are not exposed to risks of contamination or misuse. It also respects the patient's ownership of the drugs, as they will remain kept for the patient's use upon discharge. Returning the drugs to the patient immediately could pose issues of accountability and proper storage until the patient leaves the facility. Transferring the drugs to another pharmacy is not typical since patient-owned drugs should remain with the patient unless there is a specific reason to return them or dispose of them through a designated process. Allowing any healthcare professional to take possession of the drugs without a pharmacist's oversight may lead to complications, including potential loss of accountability and safety in drug management.