64. The pharmacy receives the following electronic prescription: Aripiprazole 20 mg 1 tab PO daily for heartburn #30 with 5 refills The prescriber should be contacted because there appears to be an error in the:
Answer: C
The prescriber should be contacted because there appears to be an error in the indication for use.
The prescription indicates Aripiprazole, which is primarily used for treating psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, rather than for heartburn. This discrepancy in the indication suggests a potential error that needs clarification from the prescriber.
A) number of refills.
The number of refills listed in the prescription is not inherently problematic. Having 5 refills for a medication is not unusual, particularly for ongoing treatment, so this option does not indicate an error that requires contacting the prescriber.
B) medication strength.
The strength of 20 mg for Aripiprazole is a valid dosage for certain conditions. Since the medication is prescribed at a common therapeutic dose, there is no error in the strength that necessitates further clarification with the prescriber.
C) indication for use.
The use of Aripiprazole for heartburn is inappropriate, as it is not indicated for this condition. This misalignment of the medication with its intended use clearly marks an error that warrants communication with the prescriber for clarification.
D) route of administration.
The route of administration specified as "PO" (by mouth) is appropriate for Aripiprazole, which is typically administered orally. Therefore, there is no error in the route that would justify contacting the prescriber.
Conclusion
The indication for use is the critical issue in this prescription, as Aripiprazole is not meant for treating heartburn. Other options regarding refills, medication strength, and route of administration do not present errors, reinforcing the necessity to address the incorrect indication directly with the prescriber.