Drug and poison information services are vital components of clinical and public health systems that provide accurate, evidence-based guidance on toxic exposures, antidotes, drug interactions, and emergency management. For B.Pharm students, understanding the organization and functioning of a poison control center, staffing models, documentation, 24/7 availability, call triage, toxicology databases, antidote stocking, quality assurance, and legal-ethical responsibilities is essential. Familiarity with clinical protocols, decontamination procedures, surveillance, and effective risk communication improves patient safety and supports rational therapy. This introduction focuses on practical operational aspects, key functions, and quality standards relevant to pharmacy practice. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. What is the primary objective of a drug and poison information service?
- To manufacture antidotes
- To provide accurate, timely information for prevention and management of poisoning
- To perform routine blood tests
- To issue hospital discharge summaries
Correct Answer: To provide accurate, timely information for prevention and management of poisoning
Q2. Which staffing mix is most appropriate for a functioning poison information center?
- Orthopedic surgeons and radiographers
- Pharmacists, clinical toxicologists, trained nurses, and information specialists
- Laboratory technicians only
- Administrative clerks and paramedics only
Correct Answer: Pharmacists, clinical toxicologists, trained nurses, and information specialists
Q3. Which resource is considered a primary rapid reference for clinical management in many poison centers?
- Local newspaper archives
- Poison information databases (e.g., TOXBASE, PoisonDex)
- Social media posts
- General search engine results
Correct Answer: Poison information databases (e.g., TOXBASE, PoisonDex)
Q4. What is the best immediate decontamination step for most acute oral poisonings presenting within the first hour?
- Activated charcoal administration
- Immediate hemodialysis
- Topical antidote application
- Cold compress to the abdomen
Correct Answer: Activated charcoal administration
Q5. Which is the most important initial question when taking a telephone poisoning call?
- What is your occupation?
- What substance was involved, amount, and time of exposure?
- What is the caller’s favorite food?
- Which hospital did you visit last?
Correct Answer: What substance was involved, amount, and time of exposure?
Q6. Which scoring system is commonly used to classify severity of poisoning in clinical settings?
- APGAR score
- Poison Severity Score (PSS)
- Child-Pugh score
- CHA2DS2-VASc score
Correct Answer: Poison Severity Score (PSS)
Q7. Which antidote is first-line for opioid overdose with respiratory depression?
- Naloxone
- Flumazenil
- Atropine
- Vitamin K
Correct Answer: Naloxone
Q8. For organophosphate poisoning, which combination represents standard immediate therapy?
- Insulin and glucose
- Atropine and pralidoxime
- Activated charcoal and naloxone
- Vitamin B12 and folate
Correct Answer: Atropine and pralidoxime
Q9. Which of the following is a contraindication to administering activated charcoal?
- Recent acetaminophen ingestion within 30 minutes
- Caustic ingestion of strong acids or alkalis
- Uncomplicated mild oral ingestion of a non-absorbable salt
- Superficial skin exposure only
Correct Answer: Caustic ingestion of strong acids or alkalis
Q10. What essential element must be documented in every poison center case record?
- Caller’s favorite color
- Time of exposure and details of substance
- Hospital cafeteria menu
- Caller’s birth certificate number
Correct Answer: Time of exposure and details of substance
Q11. Which activity is NOT typically a core function of a drug and poison information service?
- Providing immediate clinical management advice
- Public education and prevention programs
- Conducting routine clinical trials as a primary role
- Surveillance of poisoning trends
Correct Answer: Conducting routine clinical trials as a primary role
Q12. Which legal-ethical principle is crucial when handling caller information?
- Confidentiality and data protection
- Sharing information freely on social media
- Publishing identifying details without consent
- Refusing to document calls
Correct Answer: Confidentiality and data protection
Q13. What is the recommended action for serious or life-threatening exposures reported to a poison center?
- Provide reassurance only and close the call
- Advise immediate transfer to emergency medical services or nearest hospital
- Schedule outpatient follow-up in a week
- Refer to a pharmacist for non-urgent advice
Correct Answer: Advise immediate transfer to emergency medical services or nearest hospital
Q14. Which quality assurance activity helps maintain high standards in a poison information center?
- Randomly deleting old case records
- Regular case reviews, audits, and staff training
- Allowing untrained staff to answer calls unsupervised
- Never updating protocols
Correct Answer: Regular case reviews, audits, and staff training
Q15. Antidote stocking policies should be based primarily on which factor?
- Local poisoning patterns and facility level
- Global pharmaceutical advertising trends
- Most expensive antidotes only
- Random selection each year
Correct Answer: Local poisoning patterns and facility level
Q16. Which is the most common route of exposure reported to poison centers?
- Ingestion
- Puncture wound
- Radiation exposure
- Intraocular injection
Correct Answer: Ingestion
Q17. For suspected massive ingestion of a potentially life-threatening toxin within 1 hour, which procedure may be considered?
- Gastric lavage in selected situations
- Immediate peritoneal dialysis at home
- Topical ointment application only
- Waiting 48 hours to observe
Correct Answer: Gastric lavage in selected situations
Q18. Which documentation format ensures consistency across poison center records?
- Handwritten free-form notes only
- Standardized case record form or electronic case form
- Voice memos without transcription
- Anonymous sticky notes
Correct Answer: Standardized case record form or electronic case form
Q19. What is the appropriate first action for dermal chemical exposure?
- Remove contaminated clothing and wash skin with soap and water
- Apply oil-based creams immediately
- Cover the area with plastic wrap
- Delay washing until hospital arrival
Correct Answer: Remove contaminated clothing and wash skin with soap and water
Q20. Which professional qualification is commonly required for a poison information specialist?
- Degree in music therapy
- Pharmacist or clinician with training in clinical toxicology
- Only a high school diploma
- Certificate in unrelated retail management
Correct Answer: Pharmacist or clinician with training in clinical toxicology
Q21. How should poison centers communicate risk information to the public?
- Use clear, non-technical language and practical advice
- Present only complex scientific data
- Use alarmist headlines without context
- Provide no follow-up resources
Correct Answer: Use clear, non-technical language and practical advice
Q22. What role do poison center data play in public health?
- They are irrelevant to public health planning
- Surveillance of poisoning trends and early detection of outbreaks
- Replacing all clinical trials
- Only for billing purposes
Correct Answer: Surveillance of poisoning trends and early detection of outbreaks
Q23. Which antidote is indicated for benzodiazepine overdose with severe respiratory depression?
- Flumazenil
- Deferoxamine
- Acetylcysteine
- Hydroxyzine
Correct Answer: Flumazenil
Q24. Which action improves telephone triage accuracy in poison centers?
- Using structured triage algorithms and trained staff
- Allowing callers to self-diagnose without guidance
- Relying solely on internet search results
- Refusing to document the call details
Correct Answer: Using structured triage algorithms and trained staff
Q25. Which management is recommended for suspected iron tablet overdose in children?
- Immediate cathartic only
- Consult poison center and consider deferoxamine for systemic toxicity
- No action required ever
- Give milk and send home without instructions
Correct Answer: Consult poison center and consider deferoxamine for systemic toxicity
Q26. Which electronic tool enhances case follow-up and data analysis in poison centers?
- Electronic case management systems and databases
- Paper only filing cabinets
- Personal text messages on staff phones
- Unindexed photographic albums
Correct Answer: Electronic case management systems and databases
Q27. When should sentinel poisoning events be reported to public health authorities?
- Immediately or as soon as practicable
- Only after a year-end audit
- Never; keep all data internal
- Only if media requests it
Correct Answer: Immediately or as soon as practicable
Q28. Which decontamination is specifically NOT recommended for hydrocarbon ingestion with high aspiration risk?
- Activated charcoal
- Induced emesis or gastric lavage due to aspiration risk
- Supportive respiratory monitoring
- Observation in a healthcare facility if symptomatic
Correct Answer: Induced emesis or gastric lavage due to aspiration risk
Q29. What is an important public education role of poison information centers?
- Teaching safe storage, label reading, and emergency actions for households
- Promoting unregulated herbal supplements
- Discouraging use of emergency services altogether
- Providing individualized financial advice
Correct Answer: Teaching safe storage, label reading, and emergency actions for households
Q30. Which clinical finding should prompt urgent referral to hospital from a poison center?
- Mild, transient throat irritation with no other signs
- Respiratory distress, seizures, or decreased consciousness
- Uncomplicated localized rash with no systemic signs
- No symptoms and exposure to inert substance
Correct Answer: Respiratory distress, seizures, or decreased consciousness
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