Pharmacy automation is the engine driving the evolution of modern practice, enhancing safety, efficiency, and the role of the pharmacist. From robotic dispensing systems and smart IV pumps to the software that powers the Electronic Health Record, technology is integral to every step of the medication use process. This quiz for PharmD students will test your knowledge of the key automation technologies, informatics principles, and workflow solutions that define contemporary pharmacy.
1. A primary goal of implementing pharmacy automation is to:
- Increase the number of medication errors.
- Reduce medication errors and improve patient safety.
- Make the dispensing process slower and more deliberate.
- Eliminate the need for pharmacy technicians.
Answer: Reduce medication errors and improve patient safety.
2. An Automated Dispensing Cabinet (ADC), such as a Pyxis or Omnicell, is most commonly used in which setting?
- A patient’s home.
- A physician’s private office.
- An institutional or hospital setting to provide secure medication storage on patient care units.
- A pharmaceutical manufacturing plant.
Answer: An institutional or hospital setting to provide secure medication storage on patient care units.
3. Barcode Medication Administration (BCMA) is a technology designed to prevent errors at which stage of the medication use process?
- Prescribing
- Transcribing
- Dispensing
- Administration
Answer: Administration
4. A “smart pump” for intravenous infusions helps to prevent dosing errors by:
- Automatically calculating the patient’s weight.
- Using a drug library with pre-programmed concentration and rate limits (dose error reduction software).
- Communicating directly with the patient.
- Ordering a new IV bag from the pharmacy when it is running low.
Answer: Using a drug library with pre-programmed concentration and rate limits (dose error reduction software).
5. In a community pharmacy, a robotic dispensing system primarily improves:
- The pharmacist’s clinical assessment skills.
- The efficiency and accuracy of filling high-volume medications.
- The taste of the medications.
- The relationship with insurance companies.
Answer: The efficiency and accuracy of filling high-volume medications.
6. The use of electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) is a form of automation that directly impacts which stage of the medication use process?
- Prescribing and Transcribing
- Administration
- Monitoring
- Disposal
Answer: Prescribing and Transcribing
7. A major safety benefit of e-prescribing is the reduction of errors related to:
- Drug-drug interactions.
- Illegible handwriting.
- Wrong patient selection.
- Incorrect drug administration time.
Answer: Illegible handwriting.
8. Which of the following is a key function of a pharmacy’s computer system (pharmacy management system)?
- Processing prescriptions and insurance claims.
- Maintaining patient profiles.
- Performing drug utilization reviews (DUR).
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
9. A “central fill” or “centralized pharmacy” model uses a high degree of automation to:
- Fill prescriptions for a single, small independent pharmacy.
- Prepare complex sterile compounds at the patient’s bedside.
- Fill high-volume maintenance medications for a large number of stores from a single, off-site location.
- Manage a hospital’s formulary.
Answer: Fill high-volume maintenance medications for a large number of stores from a single, off-site location.
10. “Telepharmacy” is a model that uses automation and communication technology to:
- Allow a pharmacist to supervise a remote dispensing site.
- Provide clinical services to patients in underserved areas.
- Verify prescriptions from a different location.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
11. The use of barcode scanning during the filling process in a community pharmacy helps to verify:
- The correct drug product (NDC) was selected from the shelf.
- The patient’s insurance is active.
- The prescription is from a valid prescriber.
- The patient’s allergies.
Answer: The correct drug product (NDC) was selected from the shelf.
12. An Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system is a pharmacy automation tool used to:
- Compound intravenous medications.
- Handle incoming phone calls, allowing patients to request refills automatically.
- Count pills for a prescription.
- Communicate with physicians.
Answer: Handle incoming phone calls, allowing patients to request refills automatically.
13. The integration of a pharmacy system with an Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a key goal for improving:
- The pharmacy’s profit margins.
- Interoperability and continuity of care.
- The speed of the dispensing process only.
- The design of the prescription label.
Answer: Interoperability and continuity of care.
14. A major benefit of using automation, like dispensing robots, is that it frees up pharmacist time to:
- Perform more data entry.
- Focus on patient-centered clinical activities like counseling and MTM.
- Manage the pharmacy’s social media account.
- Take longer lunch breaks.
Answer: Focus on patient-centered clinical activities like counseling and MTM.
15. A medication synchronization program, which aligns a patient’s refills to a single monthly pickup date, relies on which type of automation?
- A robotic dispensing machine.
- Pharmacy management software to manage patient data and schedules.
- A smart pump.
- A barcode scanner.
Answer: Pharmacy management software to manage patient data and schedules.
16. The implementation of new pharmacy automation often requires a significant focus on:
- Leadership and change management to ensure staff adapt to new workflows.
- Maintaining the old, paper-based system as a backup.
- Reducing the number of technicians on staff.
- The personal preferences of the pharmacy manager.
Answer: Leadership and change management to ensure staff adapt to new workflows.
17. What is a potential challenge or risk of over-relying on pharmacy automation?
- A decrease in medication errors.
- The potential for a system-wide error if the technology is programmed incorrectly or malfunctions.
- An increase in pharmacist job satisfaction.
- A reduction in the pharmacy’s workload.
Answer: The potential for a system-wide error if the technology is programmed incorrectly or malfunctions.
18. IV workflow management systems use technology like barcode scanning and digital imaging to:
- Increase the risk of contamination in sterile compounding.
- Improve the accuracy and safety of the IV compounding process.
- Eliminate the need for a clean room.
- Prepare oral medications.
Answer: Improve the accuracy and safety of the IV compounding process.
19. The “five rights” of medication administration are a core principle that automation like BCMA is designed to support. The “five rights” include:
- Right Patient, Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Route, and Right Time.
- Right Price, Right Place, Right Pharmacy, Right Person, and Right Prescription.
- Right Doctor, Right Nurse, Right Pharmacist, Right Technician, and Right Patient.
- Right Time, Right Day, Right Week, Right Month, and Right Year.
Answer: Right Patient, Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Route, and Right Time.
20. A “fail-safe” or downtime procedure is a critical policy in an automated pharmacy that outlines:
- How to operate safely in the event of a power outage or system failure.
- The schedule for cleaning the automation equipment.
- The process for ordering new technology.
- The company’s social media policy.
Answer: How to operate safely in the event of a power outage or system failure.
21. A pharmacist informatics specialist is a role that involves:
- Managing and optimizing the use of pharmacy automation and technology.
- Counseling patients on over-the-counter products.
- Compounding sterile preparations.
- Stocking the pharmacy shelves.
Answer: Managing and optimizing the use of pharmacy automation and technology.
22. Which of the following is an example of automation that supports the “monitoring” stage of the medication use process?
- A robotic dispenser.
- A clinical decision support system that automatically screens lab results and alerts a pharmacist to a potential adverse drug event.
- An automated pill counter.
- A signature capture pad.
Answer: A clinical decision support system that automatically screens lab results and alerts a pharmacist to a potential adverse drug event.
23. The initial cost of implementing large-scale pharmacy automation is a significant:
- Benefit for all pharmacies.
- Barrier for some pharmacies.
- Reason to avoid technology.
- Factor that guarantees profitability.
Answer: Barrier for some pharmacies.
24. A key leadership practice when implementing a new automated system is to:
- Involve the frontline staff in the selection and design process to improve buy-in and workflow.
- Make the decision in secret and surprise the staff.
- Choose the most complex system available to challenge the staff.
- Assume the implementation will be free of any problems.
Answer: Involve the frontline staff in the selection and design process to improve buy-in and workflow.
25. The future of pharmacy automation is likely to include more:
- Manual, paper-based processes.
- Integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to personalize and predict patient care needs.
- Stand-alone systems that do not communicate with each other.
- Less reliance on the Electronic Health Record.
Answer: Integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to personalize and predict patient care needs.
26. In an automated dispensing cabinet, a “blind count” is a feature that requires a nurse to:
- See how many doses are in the drawer before removing one.
- Count the remaining quantity of a controlled substance without being shown the expected system count, to ensure accuracy.
- Remove a medication with their eyes closed.
- Get a second nurse to witness the removal.
Answer: Count the remaining quantity of a controlled substance without being shown the expected system count, to ensure accuracy.
27. What is a key benefit of using a robotic system for sterile compounding?
- It increases the pharmacist’s exposure to hazardous drugs.
- It can improve the accuracy of dose preparation and protect staff from hazardous drug exposure.
- It is less expensive than manual compounding.
- It eliminates the need for a pharmacist to verify the final product.
Answer: It can improve the accuracy of dose preparation and protect staff from hazardous drug exposure.
28. A “will-call” or prescription retrieval system that uses barcodes or lights to identify the correct bag is a form of automation designed to:
- Increase the chance of giving the wrong medication to a patient.
- Improve the efficiency and accuracy of the pickup process.
- Make the pharmacy look more futuristic.
- Be used only for a small number of prescriptions.
Answer: Improve the efficiency and accuracy of the pickup process.
29. The use of automation in a pharmacy requires a corresponding increase in:
- The number of medication errors.
- The technical skills and training of the pharmacy staff.
- The amount of time spent on manual dispensing tasks.
- The need for paper-based records.
Answer: The technical skills and training of the pharmacy staff.
30. The ultimate goal of pharmacy automation is to:
- Replace pharmacists.
- Improve the safety and efficiency of the medication use system to allow pharmacists to focus on patient care.
- Increase the cost of medications.
- Create a more complex workflow.
Answer: Improve the safety and efficiency of the medication use system to allow pharmacists to focus on patient care.
31. The use of “tall man” lettering (e.g., predniSONE vs. prednisoLONE) in an EHR or pharmacy system is a form of:
- A legal requirement.
- A “soft” automation or decision support tool to prevent look-alike/sound-alike errors.
- A marketing technique.
- A billing code.
Answer: A “soft” automation or decision support tool to prevent look-alike/sound-alike errors.
32. A major consideration when selecting an automated dispensing system is:
- How well it integrates with the existing pharmacy management system and EHR.
- The color of the machine.
- The personal preference of the newest technician.
- The number of moving parts it has.
Answer: How well it integrates with the existing pharmacy management system and EHR.
33. An automated system for managing a pharmacy’s inventory can help to:
- Increase the amount of expired medication on the shelves.
- Optimize stock levels, reduce carrying costs, and automate the reordering process.
- Make it more difficult to track controlled substances.
- Eliminate the need for an annual inventory.
Answer: Optimize stock levels, reduce carrying costs, and automate the reordering process.
34. The “pharmacist eCare Plan” is an informatics initiative that relies on automation and data standards to:
- Document and share a pharmacist’s clinical work with other providers in a standardized way.
- Create a social media page for the pharmacy.
- Order OTC products.
- Schedule staff vacations.
Answer: Document and share a pharmacist’s clinical work with other providers in a standardized way.
35. A key part of the “monitoring” phase in a highly automated pharmacy involves:
- Monitoring the performance and accuracy of the automation itself.
- Ignoring any alerts generated by the system.
- Manually checking every prescription filled by a robot.
- Assuming the technology is infallible.
Answer: Monitoring the performance and accuracy of the automation itself.
36. Forging ahead in pharmacy practice means that pharmacists must be prepared to:
- Resist all new forms of automation.
- Embrace and lead the implementation of new technologies that improve patient care.
- Defer all technology-related decisions to the IT department.
- View automation as a threat to their job security.
Answer: Embrace and lead the implementation of new technologies that improve patient care.
37. Which of the following is NOT an example of pharmacy automation?
- A pharmacist manually counting tablets on a counting tray.
- An automated pill counter.
- A robotic dispensing system.
- An interactive voice response (IVR) system.
Answer: A pharmacist manually counting tablets on a counting tray.
38. The use of a “Dashboard Presentation” is a way to use automation to:
- Visually display key performance and safety data from various systems.
- Write a long, narrative report.
- Communicate with a single patient.
- Dispense a medication.
Answer: Visually display key performance and safety data from various systems.
39. A potential negative consequence of poorly implemented automation is:
- A decrease in pharmacist stress.
- A new type of medication error unique to the automated process.
- A perfectly seamless workflow.
- 100% staff satisfaction.
Answer: A new type of medication error unique to the automated process.
40. The term “workflow” in a pharmacy refers to:
- The physical layout of the building.
- The sequence of tasks performed to complete a process, like filling a prescription.
- The schedule of the pharmacists.
- The pharmacy’s delivery route.
Answer: The sequence of tasks performed to complete a process, like filling a prescription.
41. Automation can improve workflow efficiency by:
- Adding more manual steps to the process.
- Performing repetitive tasks faster and more accurately than a human.
- Creating bottlenecks in the dispensing process.
- Requiring more staff to operate.
Answer: Performing repetitive tasks faster and more accurately than a human.
42. Which of the following is a key legal and regulatory consideration for pharmacy automation?
- Ensuring the technology is compliant with state board of pharmacy rules and HIPAA.
- The color of the machine must be approved by the DEA.
- The automation must be manufactured in the United States.
- The system must be able to operate for 10 years without maintenance.
Answer: Ensuring the technology is compliant with state board of pharmacy rules and HIPAA.
43. A pharmacist’s role changes in a highly automated pharmacy, shifting from a focus on technical product verification to:
- A focus on clinical management, patient counseling, and problem-solving.
- A focus on machine maintenance.
- A focus on data entry.
- A reduced role in patient care.
Answer: A focus on clinical management, patient counseling, and problem-solving.
44. The use of automation to support “Test and Treat” services could involve:
- A patient check-in kiosk.
- A point-of-care testing device that interfaces with the EHR.
- Software that guides the pharmacist through the clinical protocol.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
45. What is a key consideration for data security with pharmacy automation?
- Protecting the system from unauthorized access or cyberattacks.
- Sharing patient data freely on the internet.
- Using a simple, easy-to-guess password for all systems.
- Disabling all security features to make the system run faster.
Answer: Protecting the system from unauthorized access or cyberattacks.
46. The use of “e-prescribing for controlled substances” (EPCS) is a form of automation that requires:
- The prescriber to use a two-factor authentication method to ensure security.
- A handwritten signature on the electronic prescription.
- The patient to pick up a paper copy from the doctor’s office.
- A phone call to the DEA for every prescription.
Answer: The prescriber to use a two-factor authentication method to ensure security.
47. A “best practice” in community pharmacy workflow, often supported by automation, is:
- To have one person perform all tasks from start to finish.
- To create a linear, assembly-line process with clear roles and verification steps.
- To allow technicians to counsel patients on new medications.
- To prioritize speed over accuracy.
Answer: To create a linear, assembly-line process with clear roles and verification steps.
48. How can automation help address health disparities in rural populations?
- By making medications more expensive.
- Through the use of telepharmacy to provide pharmacist services to remote areas.
- It cannot help address these disparities.
- By requiring all patients to travel to an urban center for their prescriptions.
Answer: Through the use of telepharmacy to provide pharmacist services to remote areas.
49. An effective leader in an automated pharmacy must be:
- An expert in computer programming.
- Able to manage the intersection of people, processes, and technology.
- Resistant to any new updates or changes.
- Focused only on the technology and not the staff.
Answer: Able to manage the intersection of people, processes, and technology.
50. The ongoing advancement of pharmacy automation is a key driver of the profession’s ability to:
- Return to a pre-computer era of practice.
- Forge ahead and take on more advanced patient care roles.
- Reduce the educational requirements for pharmacists.
- Eliminate the need for pharmacy technicians.
Answer: Forge ahead and take on more advanced patient care roles.
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