Question

The physician writes the following prescription:

Patient: Mary Smith
Rx: Synthroid 0.3 mcg
Sig: 1 tablet by mouth once daily
#30
Refill: 60 (six)
Before explaining the prescription to the patient, the medical assistant should ask the physician to do which of the following?
A) Clarify the dosage
B) Confirm the diagnosis
C) Explain potential side effects
D) Verify the patient's identity

Answer 1

The medical assistant should ask the physician to clarify the Synthroid dosage of 0.3 mcg, as this is not a typical starting dose and verifying the correct dosage is crucial for patient safety.

Step-by-step explanation:

The medical assistant should ask the physician to clarify the dosage before explaining the prescription to the patient. The reason for clarification is to ensure patient safety, as the dosage written (0.3 mcg) is not a typical starting dose for Synthroid, which is usually dosed in micrograms, with a common starting dose being closer to 25 mcg or higher. An incorrect dosage could either be ineffective or potentially harmful to the patient, so verifying the correct dosage is critical. Explaining potential side effects, confirming the diagnosis, and verifying the patient's identity are also important steps before dispensing medication, but the priority is to confirm the appropriateness of the prescription itself.