MCQ Quiz: Telehealth in Pharmacy Practice

Telehealth is the delivery of healthcare services using telecommunications technology, a field that has rapidly expanded the reach and capabilities of modern pharmacy practice. It represents a practical application of the health informatics, communication, and legal principles taught throughout the PharmD curriculum. This quiz will test your knowledge on the modalities, applications, and regulatory considerations of telehealth and telepharmacy.

1. “Telehealth” is a broad term that refers to:

• a. The use of telephones in a pharmacy.
• b. The delivery of health-related services and information via electronic information and telecommunication technologies.
• c. A specific brand of electronic health record.
• d. The process of prescribing medications online only.

Answer: b. The delivery of health-related services and information via electronic information and telecommunication technologies.

2. A pharmacist conducting a live video call with a patient to perform a Comprehensive Medication Review (CMR) is an example of what type of telehealth?

• a. Asynchronous telehealth
• b. Synchronous telehealth
• c. Remote patient monitoring
• d. Store-and-forward telehealth

Answer: b. Synchronous telehealth

3. The provision of pharmaceutical care by pharmacists through the use of telehealth is known as:

• a. Telemedicine
• b. E-prescribing
• c. Telepharmacy
• d. Health informatics

Answer: c. Telepharmacy

4. A patient uses a Bluetooth-enabled blood pressure cuff that transmits their readings to their pharmacist for monitoring. This is an example of:

• a. A face-to-face visit.
• b. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM).
• c. Asynchronous communication.
• d. A clinical trial.

Answer: b. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM).

5. A major legal and regulatory barrier for pharmacists providing telehealth services to patients in different states is:

• a. The cost of technology.
• b. State-specific licensure requirements.
• c. The patient’s preference.
• d. A lack of available medications.

Answer: b. State-specific licensure requirements.

6. Health information and informatics are key concepts that enable telehealth.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

7. “Store-and-forward” telehealth is a type of _____ communication.

• a. synchronous
• b. real-time
• c. asynchronous
• d. face-to-face

Answer: c. asynchronous

8. Which of the following is a key benefit of telehealth for patients?

• a. It guarantees a lower copay.
• b. It improves access to care, especially for patients in rural or underserved areas.
• c. It eliminates the need for all medications.
• d. It provides a definitive diagnosis for all conditions.

Answer: b. It improves access to care, especially for patients in rural or underserved areas.

9. A pharmacist conducting a telepharmacy visit must still adhere to the privacy and security requirements of which federal law?

• a. The Controlled Substances Act
• b. The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
• c. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• d. The Affordable Care Act

Answer: c. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

10. The term “digital divide” in the context of telehealth refers to:

• a. The difference between different software platforms.
• b. The gap between patients who have access to technology and reliable internet and those who do not.
• c. A physical barrier in a pharmacy.
• d. The separation of pharmacy and medicine.

Answer: b. The gap between patients who have access to technology and reliable internet and those who do not.

11. The principles of pharmacy law are foundational to understanding telehealth regulations.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

12. A pharmacist in Florida providing MTM services via video call to a patient who lives in Georgia must typically be licensed in:

• a. Only Florida.
• b. Only Georgia.
• c. Both Florida and Georgia.
• d. Neither state, as telehealth is unregulated.

Answer: c. Both Florida and Georgia.

13. Which of the following is an example of a telepharmacy service?

• a. A pharmacist remotely verifying orders for a rural hospital pharmacy.
• b. Providing discharge counseling to a patient via video call after they have returned home.
• c. Conducting MTM sessions over the phone.
• d. All of the above.

Answer: d. All of the above.

14. A key challenge for providing clinical services via telehealth is:

• a. The inability to perform a physical examination.
• b. The technology is not reliable.
• c. Patients do not like it.
• d. It takes more time than an in-person visit.

Answer: a. The inability to perform a physical examination.

15. Counseling patients on the appropriate use of medications and devices is a skill that can be applied in telehealth settings.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

16. A pharmacist is using a telehealth platform to counsel a patient. It is important to ensure the platform is:

• a. The cheapest one available.
• b. HIPAA-compliant and secure.
• c. A popular social media application.
• d. Accessible only on a desktop computer.

Answer: b. HIPAA-compliant and secure.

17. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly ____ the adoption and use of telehealth services.

• a. decreased
• b. had no impact on
• c. accelerated
• d. eliminated

Answer: c. accelerated

18. “Telemedicine” most accurately refers to clinical services provided by:

• a. Pharmacists
• b. Nurses
• c. Physicians and other prescribing practitioners
• d. All healthcare professionals

Answer: c. Physicians and other prescribing practitioners

19. What is a key communication skill for a video-based telehealth visit?

• a. Looking at your notes instead of the camera.
• b. Ensuring good lighting and a professional background.
• c. Speaking very quickly.
• d. Mumbling.

Answer: b. Ensuring good lighting and a professional background.

20. A pharmacist’s ability to demonstrate empathy is less important during a telehealth visit.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: b. False

21. A key consideration for reimbursement of telepharmacy services is:

• a. The services are always reimbursed at a higher rate than in-person visits.
• b. Payer policies on telehealth vary widely and are constantly evolving.
• c. Telehealth services are never reimbursed.
• d. Reimbursement is guaranteed for all services.

Answer: b. Payer policies on telehealth vary widely and are constantly evolving.

22. Which of the following is a barrier to widespread telehealth adoption for some elderly patients?

• a. Lack of technological literacy or access.
• b. Hearing or vision impairments.
• c. Preference for in-person communication.
• d. All of the above.

Answer: d. All of the above.

23. The principles of professionalism apply equally to telehealth and in-person encounters.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

24. An active learning session on health informatics would provide a foundation for understanding telehealth.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

25. A pharmacist using a secure messaging portal to answer a patient’s non-urgent question about a side effect is using what type of telehealth?

• a. Synchronous
• b. Asynchronous
• c. Real-time
• d. In-person

Answer: b. Asynchronous

26. The “Ryan Haight Act” is a federal law that addresses the prescribing of controlled substances via:

• a. The internet and telemedicine.
• b. In-person visits only.
• c. Hospital pharmacies only.
• d. A written prescription only.

Answer: a. The internet and telemedicine.

27. A key to a successful telepharmacy program is:

• a. Using outdated technology.
• b. A well-defined workflow and trained staff.
• c. Poor communication with patients.
• d. A lack of clear goals.

Answer: b. A well-defined workflow and trained staff.

28. A pharmacist’s role in a telehealth model for chronic disease management often involves:

• a. Reviewing patient-submitted data (e.g., blood glucose logs, BP readings).
• b. Providing regular counseling and education.
• c. Making recommendations for therapy adjustments to the prescriber.
• d. All of the above.

Answer: d. All of the above.

29. What is a potential disadvantage of telehealth?

• a. It can improve access to care.
• b. It can exacerbate health disparities for those without technology access.
• c. It is convenient for patients.
• d. It can improve medication adherence.

Answer: b. It can exacerbate health disparities for those without technology access.

30. The “Medication Safety” module in the curriculum would cover the risks and benefits of using technology in patient care.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

31. Telehealth can be used to provide what service to rural hospitals that do not have a 24/7 on-site pharmacist?

• a. Remote order verification.
• b. STAT medication compounding.
• c. Physical delivery of medications.
• d. In-person patient counseling.

Answer: a. Remote order verification.

32. For a successful video counseling session, the pharmacist should:

• a. Ensure they are in a private, quiet, and professional setting.
• b. Use a non-secure public Wi-Fi network.
• c. Wear casual, non-professional attire.
• d. Multitask by checking emails during the call.

Answer: a. Ensure they are in a private, quiet, and professional setting.

33. The use of the teach-back method is not possible during a telehealth visit.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: b. False

34. What is a key legal question surrounding telepharmacy?

• a. What defines the “practice of pharmacy” when the patient and pharmacist are in different states.
• b. Whether pharmacists should be paid.
• c. If pharmacists can use computers.
• d. If patients like telehealth.

Answer: a. What defines the “practice of pharmacy” when the patient and pharmacist are in different states.

35. A pharmacist providing MTM services via telehealth is still required to:

• a. Perform a Comprehensive Medication Review.
• b. Provide a Personal Medication Record and a Medication-related Action Plan.
• c. Document the encounter.
• d. All of the above.

Answer: d. All of the above.

36. A benefit of using telehealth for transitions of care is:

• a. It allows the pharmacist to connect with the patient after discharge to reduce readmission risk.
• b. It is more expensive than an in-person visit.
• c. It replaces the need for a hospital pharmacist.
• d. It is not effective.

Answer: a. It allows the pharmacist to connect with the patient after discharge to reduce readmission risk.

37. Which of the following is NOT a barrier to telehealth implementation?

• a. Reimbursement and payment parity issues.
• b. State licensure laws.
• c. The potential for improved patient convenience.
• d. The digital divide.

Answer: c. The potential for improved patient convenience.

38. The MTM module in the curriculum would provide the framework for services delivered via telehealth.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

39. A “digital pharmacy” typically uses telehealth and what other technology to serve patients?

• a. In-person counseling booths
• b. A mail-order or courier delivery system
• c. A team of physicians on-site
• d. A retail storefront

Answer: b. A mail-order or courier delivery system

40. The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency led to a ____ of many telehealth regulations.

• a. strengthening
• b. permanent elimination
• c. temporary waiver or relaxation
• d. complete rewriting

Answer: c. temporary waiver or relaxation

41. The future of pharmacy practice will likely include a hybrid model of both in-person and telehealth services.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

42. Which of the following is a synchronous form of communication?

• a. Email
• b. A secure text message
• c. A live phone call
• d. A recorded video message

Answer: c. A live phone call

43. A pharmacist’s communication skills are arguably more important in a telehealth encounter because:

• a. There is a lack of physical cues and potential for technological glitches.
• b. The patient cannot see the pharmacist.
• c. The encounters are always shorter.
• d. It is easier to build rapport.

Answer: a. There is a lack of physical cues and potential for technological glitches.

44. A key part of a telehealth visit is confirming:

• a. The patient’s identity.
• b. The patient’s location.
• c. That the patient can see and hear you clearly.
• d. All of the above.

Answer: d. All of the above.

45. Which of the following is an example of an asynchronous telepharmacy service?

• a. A pharmacist reviewing a patient’s uploaded blood sugar log and sending a secure message with recommendations.
• b. A live video conference with a patient.
• c. A telephone call to counsel on a new medication.
• d. An in-person MTM session.

Answer: a. A pharmacist reviewing a patient’s uploaded blood sugar log and sending a secure message with recommendations.

46. The legal and ethical principles of pharmacy practice do not apply to telehealth.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: b. False

47. A key benefit of telehealth from a health system perspective is:

• a. The potential to improve efficiency and manage large patient populations more effectively.
• b. It is more expensive than traditional care.
• c. It requires more physical clinic space.
• d. It increases patient travel time.

Answer: a. The potential to improve efficiency and manage large patient populations more effectively.

48. Health informatics is the field that deals with the data and technology that makes telehealth possible.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

49. The overall goal of incorporating telehealth into pharmacy is to:

• a. Replace all in-person pharmacist interaction.
• b. Use technology to expand patient access to pharmacist-led clinical services.
• c. Make pharmacy less personal.
• d. Reduce the need for medication.

Answer: b. Use technology to expand patient access to pharmacist-led clinical services.

50. The ultimate reason for a student pharmacist to learn about telehealth is to:

• a. Be prepared to practice in a modern, technologically-evolving healthcare system.
• b. Get a job in information technology.
• c. Only work from home.
• d. Avoid talking to patients face-to-face.

Answer: a. Be prepared to practice in a modern, technologically-evolving healthcare system.