Effectively communicating with prescribers is the critical step that turns a pharmacist’s clinical assessment into a tangible patient outcome. Using structured formats like SBAR and providing concise, evidence-based recommendations are key to successful interprofessional collaboration. This quiz, designed for PharmD students, focuses on the practical strategies and essential components of crafting professional and impactful communications to physicians and other providers, ensuring your valuable recommendations are heard and acted upon.
1. When communicating a recommendation to a busy prescriber, which principle is most important?
- Be lengthy and exhaustive to show your work.
- Be concise, clear, and provide an actionable recommendation.
- Use as much medical jargon as possible to demonstrate knowledge.
- Wait for the prescriber to call you first.
Answer: Be concise, clear, and provide an actionable recommendation.
2. The SBAR format is a structured communication tool. What does the “S” stand for?
- Suggestion
- Subjective
- Situation
- Summary
Answer: Situation
3. In an SBAR communication, which section includes the pharmacist’s specific request or recommendation?
- Situation
- Background
- Assessment
- Recommendation
Answer: Recommendation
4. A pharmacist calls a physician’s office and says, “This is pharmacist Smith calling about patient Jane Doe. I am concerned about her potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L, which is elevated. She was recently started on lisinopril and spironolactone.” Which part of SBAR does this statement represent?
- Situation and Background
- Assessment and Recommendation
- Recommendation only
- Background only
Answer: Situation and Background
5. Which of the following is the MOST effective recommendation a pharmacist could make?
- “Please review Jane Doe’s medications.”
- “The patient’s lisinopril dose is too high.”
- “I recommend discontinuing the spironolactone at this time due to hyperkalemia, and rechecking her potassium level in one week.”
- “Something needs to be done about the patient’s hyperkalemia.”
Answer: “I recommend discontinuing the spironolactone at this time due to hyperkalemia, and rechecking her potassium level in one week.”
6. The primary purpose of using a structured communication format like SBAR or SOAP is to:
- Make the communication process longer.
- Ensure information is conveyed clearly, concisely, and completely, reducing the risk of errors.
- Fulfill a legal requirement for every phone call.
- Replace the need for clinical judgment.
Answer: Ensure information is conveyed clearly, concisely, and completely, reducing the risk of errors.
7. When documenting a clinical encounter and recommendation in a patient’s chart, which format is most commonly used?
- SBAR
- SWOT
- ECHO
- SOAP
Answer: SOAP
8. The pharmacist’s analysis of the patient’s drug therapy problems belongs in which section of a SOAP note?
- S (Subjective)
- O (Objective)
- A (Assessment)
- P (Plan)
Answer: A (Assessment)
9. To build a collaborative relationship with a prescriber, it is best to frame your communication as:
- A correction of their mistake.
- A shared effort to improve patient safety and outcomes.
- A mandatory directive they must follow.
- An optional suggestion they can ignore.
Answer: A shared effort to improve patient safety and outcomes.
10. Before contacting a prescriber with a recommendation, a pharmacist should always:
- Have the patient’s chart or relevant information readily available.
- Ask the patient to make the phone call.
- Ensure the recommendation will increase pharmacy profits.
- Wait at least three days after identifying the problem.
Answer: Have the patient’s chart or relevant information readily available.
11. Supporting your clinical recommendation with a citation from a major clinical guideline is a key component of:
- Providing an opinion-based recommendation.
- Providing an evidence-based recommendation.
- Providing a cost-based recommendation.
- Providing a patient-preference-based recommendation.
Answer: Providing an evidence-based recommendation.
12. When a pharmacist and prescriber disagree on a therapeutic plan, the most professional next step is to:
- Argue with the prescriber until they change their mind.
- Document the conversation, the differing opinions, and the final plan, while ensuring the prescriber understands your patient safety concerns.
- Change the prescription without the prescriber’s approval.
- Tell the patient their doctor is wrong.
Answer: Document the conversation, the differing opinions, and the final plan, while ensuring the prescriber understands your patient safety concerns.
13. The “difficult conversations” training pharmacists may receive is intended to help manage communication in what type of situations?
- Routine prescription transfers.
- Counseling on common side effects.
- Addressing potential prescribing errors or disagreements with providers.
- Taking a patient’s blood pressure.
Answer: Addressing potential prescribing errors or disagreements with providers.
14. An effective fax communication to a prescriber should always include:
- A clear headline identifying the patient and purpose of the fax.
- The patient’s entire medical history.
- At least three pages of supporting literature.
- A coupon for the recommended medication.
Answer: A clear headline identifying the patient and purpose of the fax.
15. Choosing between a phone call and a secure electronic message to communicate with a prescriber often depends on:
- The urgency of the situation.
- The pharmacist’s personal preference.
- The time of day.
- The cost of the medication involved.
Answer: The urgency of the situation.
16. The “Background” portion of an SBAR communication should include:
- The pharmacist’s specific recommendation.
- A brief summary of pertinent clinical information, such as the patient’s diagnosis and current medications.
- The patient’s social security number.
- A statement of the immediate problem.
Answer: A brief summary of pertinent clinical information, such as the patient’s diagnosis and current medications.
17. What is the primary risk of providing a vague recommendation like “Please adjust dose”?
- It may be misinterpreted or ignored by the prescriber.
- It is too direct and may offend the prescriber.
- It requires too much supporting evidence.
- It is not a billable activity.
Answer: It may be misinterpreted or ignored by the prescriber.
18. Documenting all communication with prescribers is essential for:
- Legal protection and continuity of care.
- Increasing the amount of paperwork in the pharmacy.
- Showing other pharmacists how much work you do.
- Meeting a daily quota for notes.
Answer: Legal protection and continuity of care.
19. When leaving a voicemail for a prescriber, the pharmacist should:
- Leave a long, detailed message with all patient information.
- Speak quickly and mumble their name.
- State their name, pharmacy, patient’s name, a brief reason for the call, and a call-back number clearly.
- Not leave a message and just keep calling back.
Answer: State their name, pharmacy, patient’s name, a brief reason for the call, and a call-back number clearly.
20. The “Plan” section of a SOAP note written by a pharmacist would include:
- The patient’s vital signs.
- A list of the patient’s current drug therapy problems.
- The specific actions taken or recommended, including patient education and follow-up.
- The patient’s subjective complaints.
Answer: The specific actions taken or recommended, including patient education and follow-up.
21. A “collaborative practice agreement” enhances prescriber communication by:
- Allowing a pharmacist to perform specific patient care functions under a defined protocol, often reducing the need for individual communications for routine actions.
- Requiring a physician to co-sign every prescription a pharmacist dispenses.
- Preventing pharmacists from speaking to physicians.
- Creating a formal process for disagreements.
Answer: Allowing a pharmacist to perform specific patient care functions under a defined protocol, often reducing the need for individual communications for routine actions.
22. If a pharmacist’s recommendation is accepted, what is the crucial “closing the loop” step?
- Updating the patient’s profile and PMR to reflect the change.
- Informing the patient of the change in their therapy.
- Documenting the accepted recommendation.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
23. Which communication method is most appropriate for a life-threatening drug interaction that requires immediate action?
- A non-urgent electronic message.
- A fax sent at the end of the day.
- A direct phone call to the prescriber.
- Waiting for the patient’s next scheduled appointment.
Answer: A direct phone call to the prescriber.
24. The main goal of effective prescriber communication is to:
- Prove the pharmacist is smarter than the prescriber.
- Influence the patient’s care in a positive, safe, and evidence-based manner.
- Increase the use of brand-name medications.
- Fulfill a task on a checklist.
Answer: Influence the patient’s care in a positive, safe, and evidence-based manner.
25. In the SBAR format, the “Assessment” component involves the pharmacist stating:
- The patient’s lab results.
- The patient’s list of medications.
- Their professional conclusion about the situation.
- Their specific recommendation for action.
Answer: Their professional conclusion about the situation.
26. Why is it important to state your name and place of practice at the beginning of a call to a prescriber?
- To establish credibility and context for the call immediately.
- It is a legal requirement.
- To allow the prescriber to look up your personal information.
- It is not important.
Answer: To establish credibility and context for the call immediately.
27. Providing both brand and generic names in a written recommendation can help to:
- Confuse the prescriber.
- Make the recommendation longer.
- Avoid communication errors due to look-alike/sound-alike drugs.
- Increase the cost of the medication.
Answer: Avoid communication errors due to look-alike/sound-alike drugs.
28. An “in-service” presentation to a group of prescribers or nurses is a form of communication designed to:
- Address a drug-related issue for a single patient.
- Educate a group of healthcare professionals on a new drug, guideline, or safety concern.
- Fulfill a marketing requirement for a drug company.
- Discipline a provider for a medication error.
Answer: Educate a group of healthcare professionals on a new drug, guideline, or safety concern.
29. The most professional way to begin a difficult conversation about a potential error is:
- “You made a serious mistake with this prescription.”
- “I am calling to verify a prescription for patient Jane Doe…”
- “I can’t believe you prescribed this.”
- “The patient is refusing to take what you prescribed.”
Answer: “I am calling to verify a prescription for patient Jane Doe…”
30. Before suggesting a therapeutic alternative, the pharmacist must ensure the new drug:
- Is more expensive.
- Has a better side effect profile, is more effective, or is more appropriate for the specific patient based on their comorbidities.
- Is the newest drug on the market.
- Is made by a specific manufacturer.
Answer: Has a better side effect profile, is more effective, or is more appropriate for the specific patient based on their comorbidities.
31. The information conveyed to a prescriber should be focused and relevant, omitting extraneous details to:
- Respect the prescriber’s time and focus their attention on the critical issue.
- Make the situation seem less important than it is.
- Hide important clinical information.
- Make the pharmacist’s job easier.
Answer: Respect the prescriber’s time and focus their attention on the critical issue.
32. What is the pharmacist’s role after a recommendation has been communicated and accepted?
- Their responsibility for the patient ends.
- They must implement the change and monitor the patient for outcomes.
- They should ask the physician to call the patient with the update.
- They should wait for the patient to report a problem.
Answer: They must implement the change and monitor the patient for outcomes.
33. In team-based care models, communication between pharmacists and prescribers is often:
- More frequent and collaborative.
- Less necessary.
- More formal and structured.
- Limited to written faxes.
Answer: More frequent and collaborative.
34. The “R” in SBAR stands for Recommendation. A good recommendation should be:
- Vague
- Actionable
- Opinion-based
- Optional
Answer: Actionable
35. A pharmacist says to a prescriber, “Per the 2023 GOLD guidelines for COPD, a LAMA/LABA combination is recommended for this patient group.” This is an example of:
- Stating a personal preference.
- Providing evidence-based rationale.
- Guessing at the best therapy.
- Following the patient’s request.
Answer: Providing evidence-based rationale.
36. A key difference between verbal and written communication is that written communication:
- Is always faster.
- Does not require a patient’s name.
- Provides a formal, lasting record of the interaction.
- Is less professional.
Answer: Provides a formal, lasting record of the interaction.
37. If a pharmacist is communicating about a non-formulary medication request, they should be prepared to discuss:
- Why the non-formulary drug is a poor choice.
- The patient’s copayment for the requested drug.
- The clinical reason for the request and suggest formulary alternatives if appropriate.
- The pharmacy’s profit margin on the drug.
Answer: The clinical reason for the request and suggest formulary alternatives if appropriate.
38. Effective interprofessional communication is a core competency for preventing:
- Pharmacy audits.
- Medication errors.
- Stock shortages.
- Low profits.
Answer: Medication errors.
39. When discussing a patient case, using patient identifiers like a medical record number in written communication is important for:
- Violating HIPAA.
- Ensuring accuracy and avoiding patient mix-ups.
- Making the note longer.
- It is not important.
Answer: Ensuring accuracy and avoiding patient mix-ups.
40. A pharmacist’s ability to communicate effectively with prescribers directly impacts:
- Their ability to positively affect patient care.
- Their daily dispensing count.
- The pharmacy’s utility bills.
- The pharmaceutical supply chain.
Answer: Their ability to positively affect patient care.
41. The tone of a professional communication should always be:
- Accusatory
- Sarcastic
- Respectful
- Casual
Answer: Respectful
42. When a pharmacist takes a verbal order from a prescriber, what is a critical safety step?
- Write it down on a scrap of paper.
- Ask the prescriber to spell out the drug name and dose.
- Read the complete order back to the prescriber for verification.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
43. A pharmacist’s confidence in communicating with prescribers grows with:
- Experience and strong clinical knowledge.
- Avoiding all communication.
- Speaking loudly.
- Having a large desk.
Answer: Experience and strong clinical knowledge.
44. If a pharmacist’s recommendation leads to a positive patient outcome, it is good practice to:
- Keep the success to yourself.
- Share the positive feedback with the collaborating prescriber to strengthen the professional relationship.
- Take all the credit for the outcome.
- Assume the prescriber already knows.
Answer: Share the positive feedback with the collaborating prescriber to strengthen the professional relationship.
45. The “assessment” in a communication should link the background data to:
- The pharmacist’s recommendation.
- The patient’s insurance information.
- The pharmacy’s hours.
- A random clinical fact.
Answer: The pharmacist’s recommendation.
46. Which of the following is an example of poor prescriber communication?
- “This is pharmacist Jones at Community Pharmacy. I’m calling about Jane Doe. I recommend changing her amlodipine to 10mg daily due to her BP running 150/95. Please let me know if you agree.”
- A fax with “Check BP med” written on it.
- A secure EHR message detailing a potential DDI with a suggested alternative and supporting evidence.
- A documented SOAP note in the patient’s chart.
Answer: A fax with “Check BP med” written on it.
47. A pharmacist can build rapport with a medical office by:
- Calling only when there is a problem.
- Being consistently professional, reliable, and clear in all communications.
- Sending gifts to the office staff.
- Complaining about their workload.
Answer: Being consistently professional, reliable, and clear in all communications.
48. Why is it important to provide your contact information when communicating with a prescriber?
- So they can send you marketing materials.
- To make it easy for them to respond or ask clarifying questions.
- It is not necessary.
- For social purposes only.
Answer: To make it easy for them to respond or ask clarifying questions.
49. An understanding of pathophysiology helps a pharmacist communicate with a prescriber by:
- Allowing them to explain the “why” behind their recommendation.
- Making them a better dispenser.
- Helping them manage pharmacy technicians.
- Allowing them to diagnose new conditions.
Answer: Allowing them to explain the “why” behind their recommendation.
50. Ultimately, all prescriber communication should be focused on the goal of:
- Saving the most money.
- Enhancing patient safety and achieving therapeutic goals.
- Promoting a specific brand-name drug.
- Establishing the pharmacist’s authority.
Answer: Enhancing patient safety and achieving therapeutic goals.
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