Professionalism is the fundamental bedrock upon which the practice of pharmacy is built, encompassing a complex set of behaviors, values, and ethical principles. It is a “transcending concept” explored in depth throughout the PharmD curriculum, from the foundational Personal and Professional Development series to the Principles of Pharmacy Law and Ethics course. This quiz will test your knowledge on the core tenets of professionalism, including ethical decision-making, interprofessional collaboration, and the development of a strong professional identity essential for every future pharmacist.
1. Professionalism in pharmacy is best defined as:
- a. The act of dispensing medications correctly.
- b. A set of values, behaviors, and relationships that underpins the trust the public has in pharmacists.
- c. Wearing a white coat and a name badge.
- d. Having extensive knowledge of pharmacology.
Answer: b. A set of values, behaviors, and relationships that underpins the trust the public has in pharmacists.
2. The ethical principle of “beneficence” requires a pharmacist to:
- a. Act in the best interest of the patient.
- b. Do no harm to the patient.
- c. Respect the patient’s right to make their own decisions.
- d. Treat all patients fairly.
Answer: a. Act in the best interest of the patient.
3. Respecting a competent patient’s decision to refuse medication, even if you disagree, is an application of which ethical principle?
- a. Justice
- b. Beneficence
- c. Autonomy
- d. Fidelity
Answer: c. Autonomy
4. A pharmacist who takes responsibility for a dispensing error and follows proper disclosure procedures is demonstrating:
- a. Altruism
- b. Accountability
- c. Excellence
- d. Duty
Answer: b. Accountability
5. The concept of “professional identity formation,” as described in the curriculum, is:
- a. A one-time event that occurs at graduation.
- b. The process of internalizing the values and norms of the profession, so one thinks, acts, and feels like a pharmacist.
- c. The process of getting a professional license.
- d. Learning how to bill for services.
Answer: b. The process of internalizing the values and norms of the profession, so one thinks, acts, and feels like a pharmacist.
6. The “Professionalism” lecture is a key component of which course?
- a. PHA5021C Personal and Professional Development 1
- b. PHA5104 Sterile Compounding
- c. PHA5784C Patient Care 4
- d. PHA5176 Drug Delivery Systems
Answer: a. PHA5021C Personal and Professional Development 1
7. “Non-maleficence” is the ethical principle that obligates a provider to:
- a. Act for the patient’s good.
- b. Be truthful.
- c. Avoid causing harm.
- d. Maintain confidentiality.
Answer: c. Avoid causing harm.
8. Which of the following is a core competency of Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (IPE)?
- a. Independent Practice
- b. Roles and Responsibilities
- c. Hierarchical Decision Making
- d. Individualized Care Planning
Answer: b. Roles and Responsibilities
9. A pharmacist posts a photo on social media that includes patient information visible on a computer screen in the background. This is a violation of:
- a. The Oath of a Pharmacist
- b. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
- c. Both a and b
- d. Neither a nor b
Answer: c. Both a and b
10. “Displaying appropriate techniques when counseling patients” is a key objective that demonstrates professionalism.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
11. The ethical principle of “justice” in pharmacy practice refers to:
- a. Ensuring all patients receive the most expensive medication.
- b. The fair and equitable distribution of healthcare resources and services.
- c. The laws governing pharmacy practice.
- d. Punishing patients who are non-adherent.
Answer: b. The fair and equitable distribution of healthcare resources and services.
12. Exhibiting the professional behaviors of a pharmacist is a defined Entrustable Professional Activity (EPA).
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
13. A key aspect of interprofessional communication is:
- a. Using medical jargon to assert dominance.
- b. Communicating only with other pharmacists.
- c. Respectful, clear, and collaborative communication with all members of the healthcare team.
- d. Avoiding direct conversation whenever possible.
Answer: c. Respectful, clear, and collaborative communication with all members of the healthcare team.
14. A pharmacist who stays late to help a patient with a complex insurance issue, without any expectation of extra pay, is demonstrating:
- a. Altruism
- b. Justice
- c. Autonomy
- d. Non-maleficence
Answer: a. Altruism
15. According to the PPD course objectives, demonstrating empathy and cultural competency promotes what?
- a. Faster dispensing times.
- b. A professional therapeutic relationship.
- c. Higher profits for the pharmacy.
- d. Less work for the pharmacist.
Answer: b. A professional therapeutic relationship.
16. Which of the following would be considered unprofessional conduct?
- a. Being punctual for work shifts.
- b. Gossiping about patients or colleagues.
- c. Maintaining patient confidentiality.
- d. Dressing in professional attire.
Answer: b. Gossiping about patients or colleagues.
17. The primary purpose of the Hospital Pharmacy Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (HIPPE) includes facilitating students’ continuing professional development.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
18. A pharmacist realizes they dispensed the wrong strength of a medication. The most professional action is to:
- a. Ignore the error and hope the patient doesn’t notice.
- b. Contact the patient immediately to correct the error and follow disclosure procedures.
- c. Wait for the patient to call and complain.
- d. Blame the technician for the error.
Answer: b. Contact the patient immediately to correct the error and follow disclosure procedures.
19. “Veracity” is an ethical principle that refers to:
- a. The duty to do no harm.
- b. The duty to be fair.
- c. The duty to tell the truth.
- d. The duty to act for the patient’s good.
Answer: c. The duty to tell the truth.
20. The curriculum includes a course on the Principles of Pharmacy Law and Ethics.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
21. A pharmacist’s professional responsibility extends beyond the workplace.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
22. Which of the following is NOT one of the four core IPE competencies?
- a. Values/Ethics for Interprofessional Practice
- b. Roles/Responsibilities
- c. Financial Management
- d. Teams and Teamwork
Answer: c. Financial Management
23. When a pharmacist takes continuing education courses to maintain and enhance their knowledge, they are demonstrating which professional attribute?
- a. Accountability
- b. Compassion
- c. A commitment to excellence
- d. Justice
Answer: c. A commitment to excellence
24. The curriculum requires students to “demonstrate professional attributes and ethical reasoning”.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
25. A physician calls and asks for a patient’s medication list. The pharmacist provides it. This is an example of:
- a. A HIPAA violation.
- b. An appropriate communication for the purpose of treatment.
- c. Unprofessional conduct.
- d. A waste of time.
Answer: b. An appropriate communication for the purpose of treatment.
26. Which of the following best describes empathy?
- a. Feeling sorry for the patient.
- b. Understanding and sharing the feelings of another.
- c. Agreeing with everything the patient says.
- d. Being indifferent to the patient’s situation.
Answer: b. Understanding and sharing the feelings of another.
27. A conflict of interest occurs when:
- a. A pharmacist and a physician disagree on a therapeutic plan.
- a. A pharmacist’s personal interests could potentially compromise their professional judgment.
- c. A patient refuses a medication.
- d. A pharmacist has to work overtime.
Answer: b. A pharmacist’s personal interests could potentially compromise their professional judgment.
28. An active learning session on professionalism is part of which course?
- a. PHA5021C Personal and Professional Development 1
- b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
- c. PHA5784C Patient Care 4
- d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2
Answer: a. PHA5021C Personal and Professional Development 1
29. The concept of a “safety culture” is an important professional value in pharmacy.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
30. The “Oath of a Pharmacist” is:
- a. A legally binding contract.
- b. A set of ethical promises made by a pharmacist upon entering the profession.
- c. A historical document with no modern relevance.
- d. A list of all pharmacy laws.
Answer: b. A set of ethical promises made by a pharmacist upon entering the profession.
31. Interprofessional collaboration has been shown to:
- a. Increase medication errors.
- b. Improve patient safety and health outcomes.
- c. Slow down patient care.
- d. Increase healthcare costs.
Answer: b. Improve patient safety and health outcomes.
32. A pharmacist who shows respect for all patients, regardless of their background or beliefs, is demonstrating:
- a. Altruism
- b. Professionalism
- c. Cultural competency
- d. Both b and c
Answer: d. Both b and c
33. What is the difference between law and ethics?
- a. There is no difference.
- b. Law dictates the minimum standard of conduct, while ethics represents a higher standard of ideal behavior.
- c. Ethics are enforceable by the Board of Pharmacy, while laws are not.
- d. Laws are optional, while ethics are mandatory.
Answer: b. Law dictates the minimum standard of conduct, while ethics represents a higher standard of ideal behavior.
34. The HIPPE course aims to help students formulate a personal philosophy of professional practice.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
35. A pharmacist refuses to fill a prescription for a pain medication because they believe the patient is “drug-seeking,” without any objective evidence. This could be a violation of which ethical principle?
- a. Beneficence
- b. Justice
- c. Both a and b
- d. Autonomy
Answer: c. Both a and b
36. Maintaining a professional boundary with patients is important to:
- a. Ensure the therapeutic relationship remains objective and patient-centered.
- b. Show that you are unfriendly.
- c. Prevent the patient from asking too many questions.
- d. It is not important to maintain boundaries.
Answer: a. Ensure the therapeutic relationship remains objective and patient-centered.
37. A key component of professionalism is self-awareness, which includes understanding one’s own biases and limitations.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
38. The Personal and Professional Development course series is designed to help students develop their professional identity.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
39. When a pharmacist communicates with another provider, they should be:
- a. Vague and indirect.
- b. Prepared, organized, and clear in their communication.
- c. Apologetic for interrupting them.
- d. Only communicate via text message.
Answer: b. Prepared, organized, and clear in their communication.
40. The concept of “shared accountability for health care outcomes” is part of the HIPPE course purpose.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
41. Which of the following best represents the “Teams and Teamwork” IPE competency?
- a. Working in silos to complete tasks faster.
- b. Applying relationship-building values and principles of team dynamics to perform effectively.
- c. Designating a single team leader to make all decisions.
- d. Avoiding all team meetings.
Answer: b. Applying relationship-building values and principles of team dynamics to perform effectively.
42. A pharmacist’s commitment to lifelong learning is an example of the professional attribute of:
- a. Respect
- b. Integrity
- c. Excellence
- d. Duty
Answer: c. Excellence
43. A pharmacist providing care to an underserved community at a health fair is demonstrating:
- a. Duty and altruism.
- b. A conflict of interest.
- c. A violation of the law.
- d. A need for more training.
Answer: a. Duty and altruism.
44. What is the most professional way to handle a rude or difficult patient?
- a. To be rude in return.
- b. To refuse to serve them.
- c. To remain calm, be empathetic, and attempt to de-escalate the situation.
- d. To ignore them until they leave.
Answer: c. To remain calm, be empathetic, and attempt to de-escalate the situation.
45. “Fidelity” in the context of pharmacy ethics means:
- a. Being faithful to one’s duties and obligations.
- b. Being financially responsible.
- c. Being an expert in pharmacology.
- d. Being punctual.
Answer: a. Being faithful to one’s duties and obligations.
46. A professional pharmacist views their role as:
- a. A technical job focused only on dispensing.
- b. A covenantal relationship with patients and society.
- c. A retail sales position.
- d. A temporary step to another career.
Answer: b. A covenantal relationship with patients and society.
47. The curriculum emphasizes the development of “critical thinking and life-long learning skills” as part of professionalism.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
48. An active learning session on professionalism is part of which course?
- a. PHA5021C Personal and Professional Development 1
- b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
- c. PHA5784C Patient Care 4
- d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2
Answer: a. PHA5021C Personal and Professional Development 1
49. An ethical dilemma occurs when:
- a. A pharmacist must choose between two or more conflicting ethical principles or values.
- b. A patient disagrees with the pharmacist.
- c. A medication is out of stock.
- d. A pharmacist makes a dispensing error.
Answer: a. A pharmacist must choose between two or more conflicting ethical principles or values.
50. The ultimate reason to study and practice professionalism is to:
- a. Avoid getting in trouble with the Board of Pharmacy.
- b. Earn the trust and respect of patients and colleagues to provide the highest quality of care.
- c. Make more money.
- d. Pass the ethics portion of the law exam.
Answer: b. Earn the trust and respect of patients and colleagues to provide the highest quality of care.