People with disabilities constitute one of the largest minority groups and face significant, often overlooked, health disparities. These inequities are frequently driven by structural barriers like physical inaccessibility, communication challenges, and provider bias, rather than the disability itself. For pharmacists, as key healthcare providers, understanding and addressing these barriers is fundamental to providing equitable and effective care. This quiz will test your knowledge on the specific challenges and health disparities faced by this diverse population.
1. A “health disparity” experienced by people with disabilities is best defined as a:
- Health difference that is a direct and unavoidable consequence of their impairment.
- Preventable difference in health outcomes linked to social or environmental disadvantages.
- Preference for alternative medicine over conventional care.
- Normal variation in health that is seen across the entire population.
Answer: Preventable difference in health outcomes linked to social or environmental disadvantages.
2. A primary structural barrier that can lead to health disparities for a person who uses a wheelchair is:
- A lack of personal motivation to be healthy.
- A genetic predisposition to chronic disease.
- The physical inaccessibility of a clinic or pharmacy, such as a lack of ramps or accessible exam tables.
- A dislike of healthcare providers.
Answer: The physical inaccessibility of a clinic or pharmacy, such as a lack of ramps or accessible exam tables.
3. The concept of “ableism” in healthcare refers to:
- The specialization of caring for people with disabilities.
- The belief that people with disabilities are healthier than the general population.
- Discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior.
- A type of physical therapy.
Answer: Discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior.
4. A patient who is Deaf and uses American Sign Language (ASL) faces a significant communication barrier if a pharmacy:
- Offers to provide a professional ASL interpreter for a complex consultation.
- Relies on writing notes back and forth, which may not convey complex medical information effectively.
- Has a pharmacist who is fluent in ASL.
- Uses a video remote interpreting service.
Answer: Relies on writing notes back and forth, which may not convey complex medical information effectively.
5. People with disabilities report higher rates of preventable chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. This is often due to:
- Their disability directly causing these conditions.
- Barriers to accessing preventive care and health promotion activities, such as accessible exercise facilities.
- A lack of interest in being healthy.
- The fact that they do not benefit from a healthy diet.
Answer: Barriers to accessing preventive care and health promotion activities, such as accessible exercise facilities.
6. “Diagnostic overshadowing” is a significant driver of disparities where a healthcare provider:
- Focuses too much on preventive care.
- Attributes a new symptom to a person’s existing disability without exploring other potential causes.
- Orders too many diagnostic tests.
- Spends extra time communicating with the patient.
Answer: Attributes a new symptom to a person’s existing disability without exploring other potential causes.
7. A pharmacist can advocate for a patient with a disability at the practice level by:
- Ensuring their pharmacy’s physical layout is accessible.
- Training staff on disability etiquette and communication.
- Ensuring counseling areas are private and can accommodate wheelchairs or service animals.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
8. For a patient with an intellectual disability, a key communication strategy for a pharmacist is to:
- Use complex medical terminology.
- Speak only to the patient’s caregiver.
- Use simple, concrete language and check for understanding frequently.
- Assume the patient cannot participate in their own healthcare decisions.
Answer: Use simple, concrete language and check for understanding frequently.
9. A patient with limited manual dexterity due to arthritis or a stroke may struggle with which aspect of their medication regimen?
- Understanding the purpose of the medication.
- Opening child-resistant prescription vials.
- Paying for the medication.
- Remembering to take the medication.
Answer: Opening child-resistant prescription vials.
10. A sensitive and practical solution a pharmacist can offer for a patient with poor manual dexterity is:
- To tell them to try harder.
- To provide easy-open (non-safety) caps, with the patient’s permission.
- To suggest they stop taking the medication.
- To ask a neighbor to open all their bottles once a week.
Answer: To provide easy-open (non-safety) caps, with the patient’s permission.
11. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal policy that:
- Guarantees free healthcare for all people with disabilities.
- Prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including at a pharmacy.
- Requires all people with disabilities to use specific doctors.
- Has no impact on healthcare settings.
Answer: Prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including at a pharmacy.
12. A pharmacist providing a “brown bag review” for a patient who is blind should:
- Simply read the name of each drug aloud.
- Use a patient-centered approach, perhaps helping the patient organize their medications with tactile markers or a large-print list.
- Assume the patient’s caregiver manages all medications.
- Conclude that an MTM session is not possible.
Answer: Use a patient-centered approach, perhaps helping the patient organize their medications with tactile markers or a large-print list.
13. The use of “Gerotechnology,” such as telehealth and remote monitoring, can improve access for people with disabilities by:
- Reducing the need to overcome transportation and physical accessibility barriers.
- Making healthcare more complicated.
- Requiring all users to be experts in technology.
- Being universally accessible to everyone regardless of income or digital literacy.
Answer: Reducing the need to overcome transportation and physical accessibility barriers.
14. A key part of the “Social and Community Context” domain of SDOH for a person with a disability is:
- The level of social integration and inclusion versus isolation.
- Their blood pressure reading.
- Their prescribed medication list.
- Their body mass index.
Answer: The level of social integration and inclusion versus isolation.
15. A pharmacist is counseling a patient who has a speech impairment after a stroke. An effective communication strategy is to:
- Finish their sentences for them to speed up the conversation.
- Be patient, allow them ample time to speak, and use simple yes/no questions if needed.
- Pretend to understand what they are saying.
- Talk only to their family member.
Answer: Be patient, allow them ample time to speak, and use simple yes/no questions if needed.
16. People with psychiatric disabilities may face a “double stigma” related to:
- Both their mental health condition and the societal stereotypes associated with it.
- Their physical health and their mental health.
- Their insurance status and their housing situation.
- Their age and their gender.
Answer: Both their mental health condition and the societal stereotypes associated with it.
17. A pharmacist can help address the economic barriers faced by many people with disabilities by:
- Recommending only the most expensive brand-name drugs.
- Assisting with applications for patient assistance programs or suggesting lower-cost therapeutic alternatives.
- Ignoring the cost of medications as it is not their concern.
- Requiring all patients to pay with cash.
Answer: Assisting with applications for patient assistance programs or suggesting lower-cost therapeutic alternatives.
18. When a provider assumes a person with a disability has a poor quality of life, this is an example of:
- A clinical diagnosis.
- An evidence-based assessment.
- A personal bias that can negatively affect care decisions.
- Empathy.
Answer: A personal bias that can negatively affect care decisions.
19. Providing prescription labels in large print or Braille is an accommodation for patients with:
- Hearing impairments.
- Mobility impairments.
- Vision impairments.
- Intellectual disabilities.
Answer: Vision impairments.
20. The concept of “universal design” in a pharmacy setting means:
- Designing the space to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation.
- Having a separate entrance for people with disabilities.
- Requiring all staff to have a disability.
- A one-size-fits-all approach that does not consider individual needs.
Answer: Designing the space to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation.
21. A patient with a disability is more likely to experience a “medication error” at home if:
- Their regimen is simple and they have strong family support.
- They have difficulty reading labels, opening bottles, or understanding complex instructions.
- They see the same pharmacist every month.
- Their pharmacist provides adherence packaging.
Answer: They have difficulty reading labels, opening bottles, or understanding complex instructions.
22. A pharmacist’s role in “transitional care” is especially important for patients with disabilities who are discharged from the hospital to ensure:
- They are discharged as quickly as possible.
- They can navigate any new medication-related challenges in their home environment.
- They do not receive any new prescriptions.
- Their insurance company is billed correctly.
Answer: They can navigate any new medication-related challenges in their home environment.
23. “Person-first language” is a best practice when communicating with or about people with disabilities. Which is the best example?
- “The disabled patient in room 3.”
- “The patient with a disability in room 3.”
- “The wheelchair-bound patient.”
- “The handicapped person.”
Answer: “The patient with a disability in room 3.”
24. Forging ahead to create a more equitable pharmacy practice requires:
- Recognizing that people with disabilities are a diverse group with individual needs and strengths.
- Treating every person with a disability exactly the same.
- Focusing only on the medical aspects of their disability.
- Assuming that disability is a purely biological issue.
Answer: Recognizing that people with disabilities are a diverse group with individual needs and strengths.
25. A pharmacist providing MTM for a patient with a disability should:
- Conduct a standard review without considering the disability.
- Adapt their communication and assessment to account for the patient’s specific needs and goals.
- Conclude that MTM is not beneficial for this population.
- Focus only on the cost of medications.
Answer: Adapt their communication and assessment to account for the patient’s specific needs and goals.
26. The high rate of unemployment and underemployment among people with disabilities is a structural driver of health disparities primarily in which SDOH domain?
- Health Care Access and Quality
- Social and Community Context
- Education Access and Quality
- Economic Stability
Answer: Economic Stability
27. A key advocacy role for pharmacists is:
- To support policies that improve physical and digital accessibility in healthcare.
- To lobby against the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- To suggest that people with disabilities do not need preventive care.
- To focus only on the business aspects of the pharmacy.
Answer: To support policies that improve physical and digital accessibility in healthcare.
28. A patient with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may have a disability that is not visible. A sensitive pharmacist should:
- Assume all patients have no hidden disabilities.
- Create a calm, predictable, and respectful environment for all patients.
- Question the validity of their condition.
- Treat them differently than other patients.
Answer: Create a calm, predictable, and respectful environment for all patients.
29. The use of a “talking” blood pressure monitor is an example of gerotechnology that would be particularly helpful for a patient with:
- A hearing impairment.
- A vision impairment.
- A mobility impairment.
- A medication allergy.
Answer: A vision impairment.
30. The ultimate goal when providing care to a person with a disability is to:
- Focus on what the person cannot do.
- Make all decisions for them.
- Support their health and independence in a way that respects their autonomy and dignity.
- Cure their disability.
Answer: Support their health and independence in a way that respects their autonomy and dignity.
31. A pharmacist can help address disparities by recognizing that a patient with a disability may also be part of another minority group, facing ________ disadvantages.
- Fewer
- No
- Intersecting and compounding
- Unrelated
Answer: Intersecting and compounding
32. A major cause of health disparities is the lack of ________ for healthcare providers on how to care for people with specific disabilities.
- Training and education
- Interest
- Time
- Financial incentive
Answer: Training and education
33. What is a key reason a person with a disability might be non-adherent to their medication?
- They are not interested in their health.
- The medication regimen may be difficult to manage due to physical or cognitive barriers.
- They enjoy being sick.
- They prefer to go to the hospital.
Answer: The medication regimen may be difficult to manage due to physical or cognitive barriers.
34. The “Medical Model of Disability” views disability as a problem of the individual that needs to be “fixed.” In contrast, the “Social Model of Disability” views disability as:
- A problem caused by a society that is not designed to accommodate people with impairments.
- A personal tragedy.
- A purely biological issue.
- A reason for institutionalization.
Answer: A problem caused by a society that is not designed to accommodate people with impairments.
35. A pharmacist who is a leader in their practice would address disability-related disparities by:
- Proactively assessing their pharmacy for accessibility barriers.
- Training their staff on inclusive communication.
- Advocating for the needs of their patients with disabilities.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
36. A patient who is non-verbal can communicate their level of pain through:
- Writing a detailed description.
- Facial expressions, body language, and behavioral changes.
- They are unable to communicate pain.
- Telepathy.
Answer: Facial expressions, body language, and behavioral changes.
37. How can the physical layout of a community pharmacy create a barrier for a person with a disability?
- Narrow aisles that cannot accommodate a wheelchair.
- High counters that are difficult to reach.
- A lack of seating for those who cannot stand for long periods.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
38. When considering a patient for a clinical trial, it is a driver of disparity to:
- Exclude them solely on the basis of their disability, even if it does not affect the safety or outcome of the trial.
- Ensure they can provide informed consent.
- Provide accommodations to allow them to participate.
- Include people with diverse abilities.
Answer: Exclude them solely on the basis of their disability, even if it does not affect the safety or outcome of the trial.
39. A pharmacist providing care to a patient with a newly acquired disability after a traumatic brain injury must be sensitive to:
- The physical challenges of the injury.
- The emotional and psychological adjustment to the disability.
- The social and family dynamic changes.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
40. A key part of forging ahead to build a more equitable pharmacy practice is to:
- Actively listen to and learn from the lived experiences of people with disabilities.
- Make assumptions about what people with disabilities need.
- Design services without input from the disability community.
- View disability as a niche issue that affects very few patients.
Answer: Actively listen to and learn from the lived experiences of people with disabilities.
41. The high rate of poverty among people with disabilities directly impacts their health by limiting their access to:
- Nutritious food.
- Safe housing.
- Health insurance and medications.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
42. Which communication technique is most appropriate for a patient who is hard of hearing?
- Shouting from across the pharmacy.
- Facing the patient, speaking clearly, and reducing background noise.
- Speaking with your back turned while you are working on the computer.
- Assuming they have understood everything you said.
Answer: Facing the patient, speaking clearly, and reducing background noise.
43. A pharmacist who proactively asks, “Is there anything I can do to make this easier for you?” demonstrates:
- A condescending attitude.
- A patient-centered and disability-sensitive approach.
- A lack of confidence.
- A standard greeting required by law.
Answer: A patient-centered and disability-sensitive approach.
44. The concept of “universal precautions” in infectious disease can be adapted to disability care by practicing “universal __________,” meaning we should communicate clearly and make our services accessible to everyone.
- Design
- Communication
- Precautions
- All of the above
Answer: All of the above
45. A patient with a disability is more likely to have their pain undertreated. This is a disparity often caused by:
- The provider’s belief that people with certain disabilities do not feel pain.
- The patient’s inability to communicate their pain effectively.
- The provider’s implicit bias.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
46. An important leadership role for a pharmacy manager is to ensure their staff:
- Understands their legal obligations under the ADA.
- Receives training on how to interact respectfully with customers with disabilities.
- Knows how to use accessibility features like tele-interpreter services.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
47. A pharmacist helping a patient in a wheelchair reach an OTC item from a high shelf is an example of:
- Providing a basic and necessary customer service accommodation.
- Creating a safety hazard.
- An activity that requires a physician’s order.
- Overstepping their professional role.
Answer: Providing a basic and necessary customer service accommodation.
48. Why is it important for a pharmacist to understand that not all disabilities are visible?
- To avoid making incorrect assumptions about a person’s health or abilities based on their appearance.
- It is not important; only visible disabilities affect health.
- To provide better care only to those with visible disabilities.
- To question the validity of a person’s reported disability.
Answer: To avoid making incorrect assumptions about a person’s health or abilities based on their appearance.
49. Forging ahead in pharmacy requires a commitment to ____________ for patients with disabilities.
- Segregation
- Advocacy and inclusion
- Pity
- A one-size-fits-all approach
Answer: Advocacy and inclusion
50. The ultimate goal of providing disability-sensitive care is to:
- Fulfill a legal requirement.
- Treat the patient’s disability.
- Ensure that people with disabilities receive the same quality of care and have the same opportunity for health as everyone else.
- Make the pharmacy look good to accreditors.
Answer: Ensure that people with disabilities receive the same quality of care and have the same opportunity for health as everyone else.
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com