Pharmacy informatics is the crucial field that integrates data, information, and knowledge to improve patient care and safety in the medication use process. From managing Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and building clinical decision support to ensuring data security, informatics is a core competency for the modern pharmacist. This quiz, designed for PharmD students, will test your understanding of the foundational principles, technologies, and applications of pharmacy informatics.
1. Pharmacy informatics is best defined as the application of:
- Financial management to the practice of pharmacy.
- Information, data, and technology to the medication use process to improve patient outcomes.
- Marketing principles to increase prescription volume.
- Human resources management to the pharmacy workforce.
Answer: Information, data, and technology to the medication use process to improve patient outcomes.
2. In the informatics pyramid, which of the following represents raw, unorganized facts?
- Knowledge
- Wisdom
- Information
- Data
Answer: Data
3. “Information” is created when:
- Data is organized and given context.
- Knowledge is applied to solve a problem.
- A decision is made based on wisdom.
- A new technology is invented.
Answer: Data is organized and given context.
4. The primary function of an Electronic Health Record (EHR) is to:
- Serve as a billing system for the hospital.
- Be a digital, longitudinal record of a patient’s health information.
- Act as a communication tool for patients to chat with each other.
- Manage the pharmacy’s inventory.
Answer: Be a digital, longitudinal record of a patient’s health information.
5. A key advantage of an EHR over a paper-based record is its ability to:
- Be accessed by only one person at a time.
- Provide real-time clinical decision support at the point of care.
- Be easily lost or damaged.
- Prevent any type of data entry error.
Answer: Provide real-time clinical decision support at the point of care.
6. An alert that appears on the screen when a physician tries to prescribe a drug to which a patient has a documented allergy is an example of:
- A medication error.
- A system failure.
- Clinical Decision Support (CDS).
- An electronic prescription.
Answer: Clinical Decision Support (CDS).
7. “Alert fatigue” is a major challenge in clinical informatics. It occurs when:
- The EHR system runs too slowly.
- Users are exposed to a high number of alerts, many of which are not clinically significant, leading them to ignore future warnings.
- The system runs out of memory to store new alerts.
- Patients get tired of receiving notifications on their patient portal.
Answer: Users are exposed to a high number of alerts, many of which are not clinically significant, leading them to ignore future warnings.
8. The ability for two different computer systems (e.g., a pharmacy system and a lab system) to exchange and use data is known as:
- Interoperability.
- Data encryption.
- User interface.
- System backup.
Answer: Interoperability.
9. Standardized terminologies like SNOMED CT for clinical terms and LOINC for lab tests are crucial for achieving:
- Lower healthcare costs.
- Interoperability.
- Better marketing for the hospital.
- Faster computer processing speeds.
Answer: Interoperability.
10. E-prescribing is a technology that has been shown to reduce medication errors primarily by:
- Eliminating issues with illegible handwriting.
- Making prescriptions more expensive.
- Increasing the time it takes for a pharmacy to receive a prescription.
- Preventing all drug-drug interactions.
Answer: Eliminating issues with illegible handwriting.
11. Barcode Medication Administration (BCMA) is a technology used in hospitals to improve safety by:
- Verifying the “five rights” of medication administration at the patient’s bedside.
- Tracking pharmacist productivity.
- Ordering medications from the wholesaler.
- Printing prescription labels.
Answer: Verifying the “five rights” of medication administration at the patient’s bedside.
12. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law whose Security Rule sets the standard for:
- The price of health insurance.
- The protection of electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI).
- The hours a pharmacy must be open.
- The ratio of pharmacists to technicians.
Answer: The protection of electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI).
13. A “smart pump” used for IV infusions is a piece of technology that helps prevent errors by:
- Using a drug library with pre-set dosing limits and guardrails.
- Automatically ordering a new IV bag from the pharmacy.
- Communicating directly with the patient’s family.
- Administering the medication faster than a traditional pump.
Answer: Using a drug library with pre-set dosing limits and guardrails.
14. The “medication use process” is a cycle that includes which five major stages?
- Prescribing, Transcribing, Dispensing, Administering, and Monitoring.
- Ordering, Billing, Compounding, Counseling, and Disposing.
- Discovery, Manufacturing, Marketing, Prescribing, and Reporting.
- Collecting, Assessing, Planning, Implementing, and Following-up.
Answer: Prescribing, Transcribing, Dispensing, Administering, and Monitoring.
15. A patient portal is a secure online website that gives patients access to their health information. This is an example of:
- A technology that decreases patient engagement.
- A patient-facing health information technology.
- A system used only by physicians.
- A violation of HIPAA.
Answer: A patient-facing health information technology.
16. Which of the following is a potential benefit of using mobile health (mHealth) apps?
- Promoting patient self-management of chronic diseases.
- Increasing medication adherence through reminders.
- Providing accessible health education.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
17. The pharmacist’s role as an “information master” means they should be proficient at:
- Writing computer code.
- Repairing computer hardware.
- Evaluating and using evidence-based information and informatics tools to improve patient care.
- Memorizing every piece of data in a patient’s chart.
Answer: Evaluating and using evidence-based information and informatics tools to improve patient care.
18. Using data from an EHR to identify a group of patients with uncontrolled diabetes who might benefit from a pharmacist-led management program is an application of:
- Data analytics for population health management.
- Basic dispensing.
- Inventory control.
- Financial accounting.
Answer: Data analytics for population health management.
19. A major challenge in implementing a new informatics system in a pharmacy is:
- The fact that all staff members readily accept change.
- The need for effective leadership and change management to overcome resistance and ensure proper training.
- The low cost of all EHR systems.
- The simplicity of the implementation process.
Answer: The need for effective leadership and change management to overcome resistance and ensure proper training.
20. The “digital divide” is a barrier in health informatics that refers to the gap between:
- Different EHR vendors.
- Those who have access to and can use digital technologies and those who cannot.
- The pharmacy and the data center.
- A hospital’s inpatient and outpatient records.
Answer: Those who have access to and can use digital technologies and those who cannot.
21. A Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) system is designed to:
- Allow patients to order their own medications.
- Allow providers to enter medical orders directly into a computer system, reducing transcription errors.
- Automatically generate a bill for every order.
- Order supplies for the hospital cafeteria.
Answer: Allow providers to enter medical orders directly into a computer system, reducing transcription errors.
22. “Structured data” (e.g., from a dropdown list) is more useful for clinical decision support and analytics than “unstructured data” (e.g., a free-text note) because it is:
- More detailed and descriptive.
- Easier for a computer to process and apply rules to.
- Less accurate.
- Preferred by all clinicians for charting.
Answer: Easier for a computer to process and apply rules to.
23. The pharmacist’s role in the “prescribing” stage of the medication use process can be supported by informatics through:
- A CPOE system with integrated clinical decision support.
- An automated dispensing cabinet.
- A barcode administration system.
- A smart pump.
Answer: A CPOE system with integrated clinical decision support.
24. Which of the following is a primary security measure to protect patient data in an EHR?
- Sharing your password with coworkers.
- Using role-based access control, which limits a user’s access to only the information they need to do their job.
- Leaving a computer logged in and unattended.
- Writing down all passwords on a sticky note attached to the monitor.
Answer: Using role-based access control, which limits a user’s access to only the information they need to do their job.
25. A key leadership skill when implementing a new pharmacy technology is the ability to:
- Ignore the concerns of the staff.
- Create a compelling vision and communicate how the change will improve patient care and workflow.
- Make the decision in secret.
- Assume the implementation will be flawless.
Answer: Create a compelling vision and communicate how the change will improve patient care and workflow.
26. The use of a drug information database like Lexicomp or Micromedex is a form of:
- Pharmacy informatics.
- Patient counseling.
- Sterile compounding.
- Billing.
Answer: Pharmacy informatics.
27. What is a major concern with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare?
- The potential for biased algorithms to perpetuate health disparities.
- The fact that AI is always 100% accurate.
- The slow speed of AI-driven analysis.
- The lack of any potential benefit.
Answer: The potential for biased algorithms to perpetuate health disparities.
28. An automated dispensing cabinet (ADC) like a Pyxis or Omnicell supports which stage of the medication use process?
- Prescribing
- Transcribing
- Dispensing
- Monitoring
Answer: Dispensing
29. A key goal of pharmacy informatics is to:
- Make the medication use process more complex.
- Create more data entry work for pharmacists.
- Improve the safety, efficiency, and quality of the medication use process.
- Replace all human pharmacists with robots.
Answer: Improve the safety, efficiency, and quality of the medication use process.
30. The “five rights” of clinical decision support emphasize providing the right information to the right person, in the right format, through the right channel, and at the:
- Right time in the workflow.
- End of the day.
- Beginning of the week.
- Patient’s home.
Answer: Right time in the workflow.
31. The field of “telehealth” or “telepharmacy” uses informatics tools to:
- Provide pharmacy services remotely.
- Require patients to come to the pharmacy for all services.
- Limit patient access to pharmacists.
- Increase the cost of medications.
Answer: Provide pharmacy services remotely.
32. A pharmacist uses the EHR to identify all patients taking a medication that has just been recalled. This is an example of using informatics for:
- Patient safety and population health.
- Billing purposes.
- Inventory management.
- Staff scheduling.
Answer: Patient safety and population health.
33. The use of a “Dashboard Presentation” is an informatics tool for:
- Displaying key performance indicators and data in a visual, easy-to-understand format.
- Writing a long, narrative report.
- Documenting a single patient encounter.
- Storing patient demographic information.
Answer: Displaying key performance indicators and data in a visual, easy-to-understand format.
34. A major benefit of using a CPOE system with standardized order sets is:
- A reduction in prescribing variation and an increase in adherence to evidence-based practices.
- An increase in the number of prescribing errors.
- The ability for any staff member to place orders.
- A slower ordering process.
Answer: A reduction in prescribing variation and an increase in adherence to evidence-based practices.
35. A “downtime procedure” is a critical informatics-related policy that outlines:
- How the pharmacy will operate when computer systems are unavailable.
- The schedule for routine system maintenance.
- The process for requesting new hardware.
- The pharmacy’s hours of operation.
Answer: How the pharmacy will operate when computer systems are unavailable.
36. A pharmacist who helps design and build the rules for a clinical decision support system is working in what type of role?
- A traditional dispensing role.
- A pharmacy informatics role.
- A management role only.
- A research role only.
Answer: A pharmacy informatics role.
37. The “monitoring” stage of the medication use process is enhanced by informatics tools that can:
- Track lab results and alert clinicians to potential adverse drug events.
- Automatically reorder medications.
- Print patient education leaflets.
- Process insurance claims.
Answer: Track lab results and alert clinicians to potential adverse drug events.
38. Which of the following is a key consideration when evaluating a new mobile health app for patient use?
- The app’s data privacy and security policies.
- The app’s visual design.
- The number of times the app has been downloaded.
- The cost of the in-app purchases.
Answer: The app’s data privacy and security policies.
39. The “ARRA/HITECH Act” was a key piece of legislation that promoted:
- The adoption and meaningful use of Electronic Health Records.
- The regulation of controlled substances.
- The development of new generic drugs.
- The expansion of pharmacy technician duties.
Answer: The adoption and meaningful use of Electronic Health Records.
40. The pharmacist’s knowledge of _________ is essential for building effective clinical decision support rules.
- Computer programming languages.
- Evidence-based therapeutics and clinical guidelines.
- Hardware engineering.
- Financial accounting.
Answer: Evidence-based therapeutics and clinical guidelines.
41. The use of informatics to support Medication Therapy Management (MTM) can involve:
- Identifying eligible patients from dispensing data.
- Documenting encounters in a structured format.
- Providing the pharmacist with a comprehensive view of the patient’s medication history.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
42. Which of the following is an ethical consideration in pharmacy informatics?
- Ensuring that algorithms and CDS tools do not perpetuate health disparities.
- The color of the EHR’s user interface.
- The brand of the computers used in the pharmacy.
- The speed of the printer.
Answer: Ensuring that algorithms and CDS tools do not perpetuate health disparities.
43. A pharmacist uses an online tool to convert a patient from an IV to an oral formulation of an antibiotic. This is an application of:
- Clinical informatics.
- Sterile compounding.
- Patient counseling.
- Inventory management.
Answer: Clinical informatics.
44. The ultimate goal of pharmacy informatics is to:
- Implement as much new technology as possible.
- Use data and technology to help pharmacists provide optimal patient care.
- Reduce the need for pharmacists to talk to patients.
- Increase the profitability of technology vendors.
Answer: Use data and technology to help pharmacists provide optimal patient care.
45. A “medication reconciliation” performed at hospital admission is an informatics-heavy process that involves:
- Creating the most accurate possible medication list by comparing multiple data sources (patient interview, pharmacy records, etc.).
- Ordering the patient’s lunch.
- Assigning the patient a bed.
- Verifying the patient’s insurance information.
Answer: Creating the most accurate possible medication list by comparing multiple data sources (patient interview, pharmacy records, etc.).
46. What is a key reason for having a “read-only” version of the EHR available during a planned downtime?
- To allow clinicians to continue viewing patient information to provide safe care.
- To allow providers to enter new orders.
- To prevent any access to patient data.
- To test the system’s backup power.
Answer: To allow clinicians to continue viewing patient information to provide safe care.
47. The “pharmacist eCare Plan” is an initiative designed to:
- Allow for the standardized, electronic exchange of clinical information from pharmacists to other providers.
- Replace the need for verbal communication.
- Be used for billing only.
- Be a social media platform for pharmacists.
Answer: Allow for the standardized, electronic exchange of clinical information from pharmacists to other providers.
48. Why is it important for pharmacists to be involved in the design and selection of new informatics systems?
- To ensure the system supports safe and efficient pharmacy workflows.
- It is not important; this is a job for the IT department only.
- To make sure the system is as complex as possible.
- To get a discount on the software.
Answer: To ensure the system supports safe and efficient pharmacy workflows.
49. The use of informatics to analyze dispensing data can help a pharmacy manager:
- Identify trends in medication use.
- Optimize inventory levels.
- Predict future staffing needs.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
50. The future of pharmacy practice is inextricably linked with informatics because:
- Healthcare is becoming increasingly data-driven and technology-enabled.
- The role of the pharmacist is becoming less clinical.
- All medications will be available over-the-counter.
- Paper-based systems are making a comeback.
Answer: Healthcare is becoming increasingly data-driven and technology-enabled.
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