A patient receives a prescription written for a regular-release tablet when an extended-release form is needed. This example best illustrates which type of error?

A patient receives a prescription written for a regular-release tablet when an extended-release form is needed. This example best illustrates which type of error?

• A. Prescribing error
• B. Administration error
• C. Dispensing error
• D. Documentation error

Answer: (A)

This item tests recognizing where a medication error originates in the process. A prescription written for a regular-release tablet when an extended-release form is needed is a mismatch at the prescribing stage—the clinician selects the wrong dosage form. The release profile matters because extended-release is designed to maintain drug levels over a longer period, whereas a regular-release tablet releases the drug quickly. Prescribing the incorrect form can lead to inappropriate drug exposure from the outset, which is the essence of a prescribing error. If the wrong form were given during administration despite a correct prescription, that would be an administration error; if the pharmacist dispensed the wrong product despite a correct prescription, that would be a dispensing error; and incorrect charting would be a documentation error.

This item tests recognizing where a medication error originates in the process. A prescription written for a regular-release tablet when an extended-release form is needed is a mismatch at the prescribing stage—the clinician selects the wrong dosage form. The release profile matters because extended-release is designed to maintain drug levels over a longer period, whereas a regular-release tablet releases the drug quickly. Prescribing the incorrect form can lead to inappropriate drug exposure from the outset, which is the essence of a prescribing error. If the wrong form were given during administration despite a correct prescription, that would be an administration error; if the pharmacist dispensed the wrong product despite a correct prescription, that would be a dispensing error; and incorrect charting would be a documentation error.