MCQ Quiz-Medication Action Plan (MAP)

MCQ Quiz: Crafting the Medication Action Plan (MAP)

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The Medication Action Plan (MAP) is the patient’s personalized “to-do list,” translating the clinical findings of a medication review into simple, manageable steps. For PharmD students, learning to create a collaborative and actionable MAP is a critical skill, as it is the primary tool used to empower patients and drive positive health behaviors. This quiz will test your understanding of the purpose, components, and best practices for creating this essential MTM document.

1. What is the primary purpose of a Medication Action Plan (MAP)?

  • To document the pharmacist’s clinical interventions for billing purposes.
  • To provide the patient with a simple, actionable list of steps to help them manage their health.
  • To communicate recommendations directly to the patient’s physician.
  • To serve as a comprehensive list of all the patient’s medications.

Answer: To provide the patient with a simple, actionable list of steps to help them manage their health.

2. The intended primary audience for the MAP is the:

  • Patient and/or their caregiver.
  • Prescriber.
  • Insurance company.
  • Pharmacy staff.

Answer: Patient and/or their caregiver.

3. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate action step to include on a patient’s MAP?

  • “Discontinue lisinopril 10 mg and initiate losartan 50 mg daily.”
  • “The patient has a potential drug-drug interaction between warfarin and amiodarone.”
  • “Check your blood sugar before breakfast each morning and write it in your log.”
  • “Assess patient for adherence barriers related to medication cost.”

Answer: “Check your blood sugar before breakfast each morning and write it in your log.”

4. The MAP should be written in language that is:

  • Highly technical to demonstrate clinical expertise.
  • Vague to allow for patient interpretation.
  • Patient-friendly, clear, and free of medical jargon.
  • Identical to the language used in a medical chart.

Answer: Patient-friendly, clear, and free of medical jargon.

5. The action steps included in a MAP should be developed:

  • Solely by the pharmacist based on clinical guidelines.
  • Collaboratively with the patient to ensure they are agreeable and able to perform the actions.
  • By the patient’s physician during a separate visit.
  • Based on what the patient’s insurance plan will cover.

Answer: Collaboratively with the patient to ensure they are agreeable and able to perform the actions.

6. A well-constructed MAP is a direct outcome of which phase of the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process (PPCP)?

  • Collect
  • Assess
  • Plan
  • Implement

Answer: Plan

7. How does a MAP differ from a Personal Medication Record (PMR)?

  • A MAP lists what the patient needs to do, while a PMR lists what the patient takes.
  • A MAP is for the doctor, and a PMR is for the patient.
  • A MAP includes only prescription medications, while a PMR includes all medications.
  • There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable.

Answer: A MAP lists what the patient needs to do, while a PMR lists what the patient takes.

8. The “SMART” acronym is often used to create effective goals for a MAP. What does the “A” in SMART stand for?

  • Acknowledged
  • Assessed
  • Achievable
  • Absolute

Answer: Achievable

9. Which of the following is NOT an appropriate item for a MAP?

  • A space for the patient to write down questions for their next doctor’s visit.
  • A detailed clinical justification for a change in therapy, intended for the prescriber.
  • A reminder for the patient to schedule a lab appointment.
  • A section to track self-monitoring results like blood pressure readings.

Answer: A detailed clinical justification for a change in therapy, intended for the prescriber.

10. After creating the MAP with the patient, what is the most critical implementation step?

  • Immediately file the document in the patient’s chart.
  • Mail a copy to the patient without further discussion.
  • Review each action step with the patient and confirm their understanding using the teach-back method.
  • Ask the patient to sign a legal waiver.

Answer: Review each action step with the patient and confirm their understanding using the teach-back method.

11. The MAP is sometimes referred to as the patient’s:

  • Prescription list.
  • Medical history.
  • To-Do List.
  • Invoice.

Answer: To-Do List.

12. If a pharmacist identifies a need for a prescription change, where is that recommendation primarily directed?

  • In the patient’s MAP.
  • In a direct communication (e.g., fax, phone call, EHR note) to the prescriber.
  • On the prescription label.
  • In the pharmacy’s daily log.

Answer: In a direct communication (e.g., fax, phone call, EHR note) to the prescriber.

13. The purpose of having the patient help prioritize the action steps on the MAP is to:

  • Ensure the plan addresses what is most important and manageable for the patient first.
  • Make the appointment take longer.
  • Shift responsibility for clinical decisions to the patient.
  • Fulfill a documentation requirement.

Answer: Ensure the plan addresses what is most important and manageable for the patient first.

14. An action step on a MAP reads: “Get more exercise.” How could this step be improved to be more effective?

  • Make it more specific, such as “Walk for 15 minutes, three times this week.”
  • Make it more vague, such as “Improve your health.”
  • Remove it from the MAP, as exercise is not related to medication.
  • Tell the patient to join a gym.

Answer: Make it more specific, such as “Walk for 15 minutes, three times this week.”

15. A MAP should ideally be limited to a few key action steps to avoid:

  • Saving paper.
  • Overwhelming the patient.
  • Confusing the physician.
  • Wasting the pharmacist’s time.

Answer: Overwhelming the patient.

16. The success of a patient’s MAP is evaluated during which MTM core element?

  • Medication Therapy Review
  • Personal Medication Record
  • Documentation and Follow-up
  • Intervention/Referral

Answer: Documentation and Follow-up

17. The visual design of the MAP should be:

  • Full of dense paragraphs and small font.
  • Clear, with plenty of white space and an easy-to-read font.
  • Printed in black and white only.
  • Identical for every patient, regardless of their needs.

Answer: Clear, with plenty of white space and an easy-to-read font.

18. Including a section on the MAP for “What I did” next to “What I need to do” helps the patient to:

  • Feel accountable and track their own progress.
  • Create more work for themselves.
  • Practice their handwriting.
  • Forget about their goals.

Answer: Feel accountable and track their own progress.

19. Which of the following patient-focused tasks is appropriate for a MAP?

  • “Monitor for signs of hypoglycemia, like shakiness or sweating.”
  • “Assess for need to de-escalate proton-pump inhibitor therapy.”
  • “Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of brand vs. generic.”
  • “Re-evaluate renal function in 6 months.”

Answer: “Monitor for signs of hypoglycemia, like shakiness or sweating.”

20. The MAP directly empowers patients in the self-management of their chronic conditions. This is an example of which type of outcome?

  • Economic
  • Clinical
  • Humanistic
  • Formulary

Answer: Humanistic

21. If a patient has low health literacy, an effective MAP might include:

  • More medical jargon.
  • A referral to a medical textbook.
  • Pictures and visual icons next to action steps.
  • A smaller font size.

Answer: Pictures and visual icons next to action steps.

22. An Asthma Action Plan is a classic real-world example of a:

  • Personal Medication Record (PMR)
  • Medication Action Plan (MAP)
  • Drug Utilization Review (DUR)
  • SOAP Note

Answer: Medication Action Plan (MAP)

23. The creation of a MAP should be guided by:

  • The pharmacist’s desire to recommend a new drug.
  • The specific drug therapy problems identified during the CMR.
  • The pharmacy’s sales goals for the month.
  • The patient’s insurance coverage exclusively.

Answer: The specific drug therapy problems identified during the CMR.

24. A patient action step on a MAP might be “Call the pharmacy to order a refill for your blood pressure pill on Monday.” This primarily addresses which potential DRP?

  • Adverse drug reaction
  • Non-adherence
  • Dosage too high
  • Unnecessary therapy

Answer: Non-adherence

25. A note on the MAP says, “Here are the questions we decided to ask Dr. Smith at your visit next week.” This demonstrates that the MAP is a tool for:

  • Replacing the need to see a doctor.
  • Facilitating better communication between the patient and other providers.
  • Documenting the patient’s complaints.
  • Tracking the pharmacist’s interventions.

Answer: Facilitating better communication between the patient and other providers.

26. If a patient seems hesitant about an action step, the pharmacist should use which technique to explore their feelings?

  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Didactic Lecturing
  • Therapeutic Substitution
  • Aseptic Technique

Answer: Motivational Interviewing

27. The information contained in the MAP should be consistent with the information in the:

  • Patient’s PMR and the prescriber communication.
  • Pharmacy’s annual report.
  • Local newspaper’s health section.
  • Latest drug advertisement.

Answer: Patient’s PMR and the prescriber communication.

28. An action step for a patient starting warfarin could be:

  • “Check your INR as scheduled and avoid sudden changes in your intake of leafy green vegetables.”
  • “Understand the pharmacodynamics of Vitamin K antagonism.”
  • “Perform a genetic test for CYP2C9 and VKORC1 variants.”
  • “Increase your dose by 50% if you miss a reading.”

Answer: “Check your INR as scheduled and avoid sudden changes in your intake of leafy green vegetables.”

29. The MAP helps translate the pharmacist’s clinical assessment into:

  • A billable invoice.
  • A legal document.
  • A patient-understandable behavioral guide.
  • A research paper.

Answer: A patient-understandable behavioral guide.

30. The “T” in SMART goals for a MAP stands for:

  • Technical
  • Therapeutic
  • Time-bound
  • Trustworthy

Answer: Time-bound

31. A pharmacist suggests a patient use a weekly pill organizer. Where would this suggestion be captured for the patient?

  • On the Personal Medication Record (PMR).
  • In the pharmacist’s private notes.
  • On the Medication Action Plan (MAP) as a step for the patient to take.
  • In the letter to the doctor.

Answer: On the Medication Action Plan (MAP) as a step for the patient to take.

32. For a MAP to be effective, the patient must:

  • Memorize it immediately.
  • Agree with the plan and be motivated to follow it.
  • Have a college-level reading ability.
  • Pay for the printing costs.

Answer: Agree with the plan and be motivated to follow it.

33. The complexity of the action steps in a MAP should be tailored to the patient’s:

  • Age and gender.
  • Health literacy, cognitive ability, and readiness to change.
  • Insurance plan.
  • Personal preference for brand vs. generic drugs.

Answer: Health literacy, cognitive ability, and readiness to change.

34. The MAP is a key deliverable that demonstrates the _____ of an MTM service to the patient.

  • Cost
  • Value
  • Complexity
  • Exclusivity

Answer: Value

35. An appropriate follow-up question after reviewing the MAP with a patient is:

  • “Do you understand?”
  • “Can you tell me in your own words what we’ve decided you will do this week?”
  • “Are we done now?”
  • “You won’t forget to do this, right?”

Answer: “Can you tell me in your own words what we’ve decided you will do this week?”

36. A patient is newly diagnosed with diabetes. A good initial action step for their first MAP would be:

  • “Achieve an A1c of less than 7% in the next 3 months.”
  • “Learn how to perform carbohydrate counting for all meals.”
  • “Check blood sugar once a day and call the pharmacy if it is below 70 or above 250.”
  • “Reverse your diabetes through diet alone.”

Answer: “Check blood sugar once a day and call the pharmacy if it is below 70 or above 250.”

37. When a caregiver is heavily involved, the MAP should be:

  • Only given to the patient.
  • Reviewed with both the patient and the caregiver.
  • Made more complex.
  • Emailed to the doctor’s office.

Answer: Reviewed with both the patient and the caregiver.

38. The tone of the language used in a MAP should be:

  • Authoritative and demanding.
  • Encouraging and supportive.
  • Clinical and detached.
  • Sarcastic and humorous.

Answer: Encouraging and supportive.

39. The MAP bridges the gap between:

  • The pharmacist and the technician.
  • The problem identification during the CMR and the patient’s self-care activities.
  • The pharmacy and the wholesaler.
  • The patient’s copay and the actual drug cost.

Answer: The problem identification during the CMR and the patient’s self-care activities.

40. The number of action items on a MAP should be based on:

  • A mandatory requirement of five items.
  • What the pharmacist can think of in five minutes.
  • The patient’s capacity and the priority of the problems.
  • The length of the paper.

Answer: The patient’s capacity and the priority of the problems.

41. Which of the following is an example of a “Relevant” goal for a patient with hypertension?

  • Learning to play the piano.
  • Lowering their blood pressure to reduce their risk of a heart attack or stroke.
  • Reading a book about the history of medicine.
  • Getting a new job.

Answer: Lowering their blood pressure to reduce their risk of a heart attack or stroke.

42. The process of creating the MAP helps the patient take ______ of their care.

  • Notes
  • Pictures
  • Ownership
  • Time off

Answer: Ownership

43. A pharmacist writing “Patient to follow-up with PCP” on a MAP is not ideal because it lacks:

  • Specificity and a time frame.
  • A clinical justification.
  • The pharmacist’s signature.
  • The patient’s agreement.

Answer: Specificity and a time frame.

44. A better way to write “Patient to follow-up with PCP” on a MAP would be:

  • “See your doctor sometime soon.”
  • “Action: Call Dr. Welby’s office this week to schedule your 3-month follow-up appointment.”
  • “A follow-up is recommended.”
  • “The pharmacist will schedule an appointment for you.”

Answer: “Action: Call Dr. Welby’s office this week to schedule your 3-month follow-up appointment.”

45. The MAP should be physically given to the patient because:

  • It is a legal requirement.
  • It serves as a tangible reminder and guide for them to use at home.
  • The pharmacy needs to get rid of extra paper.
  • It looks professional.

Answer: It serves as a tangible reminder and guide for them to use at home.

46. If a patient is not successful in completing their MAP, the follow-up session should focus on:

  • Blaming the patient for their lack of effort.
  • Identifying the barriers and collaboratively adjusting the plan to be more achievable.
  • Discontinuing the MTM service.
  • Giving them the same MAP again.

Answer: Identifying the barriers and collaboratively adjusting the plan to be more achievable.

47. A MAP is considered a tool for ________, not just education.

  • Documentation
  • Behavior change
  • Billing
  • Research

Answer: Behavior change

48. An MTM session without a resulting MAP would likely leave the patient feeling:

  • Empowered and confident.
  • Unsure of what to do next.
  • Relieved and unburdened.
  • Highly satisfied with the service.

Answer: Unsure of what to do next.

49. The content of the MAP should directly reflect the:

  • Conversation and decisions made during the MTM appointment.
  • Pharmacist’s assumptions about the patient.
  • Information from a drug’s TV commercial.
  • Generic disease state information from a website.

Answer: Conversation and decisions made during the MTM appointment.

50. Ultimately, an effective MAP helps a patient answer the question:

  • “What medications am I taking?”
  • “What do I need to do now to take better care of myself?”
  • “Who is my pharmacist?”
  • “How much do my medications cost?”

Answer: “What do I need to do now to take better care of myself?”

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