4. Order Entry and Processing     21.25% of PTCE Exam

The process of entering and processing a medication order in a pharmacy involves several steps, including:

1. Patient profile : Review the patient's profile, which includes medical history, allergies, and adverse drug reactions

2. Prescription verification : Ensure the prescription is valid by reviewing the patient's name, the medication, the quantity, and the date

3. Data entry : Enter the prescription information into the computer using metric units

4. Medication selection : Select the appropriate product and check that it matches the prescription

5. Special handling : Apply special handling requirements for certain drugs, such as penicillin, sulfa, and chemotherapy drugs

6. Labeling : Apply labels with drug information, instructions, and expiration date

7. Packaging : Select the appropriate packaging, such as bags, syringes, glass, PVC, child resistant, or light resistant

8. Dispensing : Validate, document, and distribute the medication to the patient

9. Insurance : Check the patient's insurance details and process through insurance

Medication errors are a leading cause of death in the United States, and pharmacists are the last line of defense to prevent mistakes

The Following are the Subject Areas that will be tested in the "Order Entry & Processing" Section of the PTCE Exam.

4.5  Procedures for identifying and returning dispensable, non-dispensable, and expired medications and supplies (e.g., credit return, return to stock, reverse distribution)