Final answer:
The pharmacist must verify the dosage and calculate the body surface area of the patient to dispense the correct amount of Etoposide. They should also evaluate drug interactions, patient's liver and kidney function, and confirm the dose is within the therapeutic range.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to how a hospital pharmacist should handle a new medication order. For the medication order that reads: Etoposide 750 mg (base) per m² of body surface area IV per day on days 1, 3, and 5, the pharmacist must carefully verify the dosage and calculate the body surface area(BSA) of the patient before dispensing the drug. This is crucial to ensure that the patient receives the correct amount of medication, as dosages for chemotherapy agents like etoposide are often based on the patient's BSA rather than a one-size-fits-all amount.
The pharmacist would also need to check for drug interactions and consider the patient’s liver and kidney function, which could affect the metabolism and clearance of the drug from the body, potentially leading to toxicity if not properly accounted for. As the medication is ordered on specific days, the pharmacist must schedule the preparation and delivery accordingly to maintain the integrity of the regimen. This typically involves the use of aseptic techniques in a clean room environment when preparing IV chemotherapy.
Furthermore, the pharmacist should also be prepared to counsel the patient on potential side effects and ensure the availability of supportive care medications should they be needed. Finally, the dosage should be checked against established references to confirm that it is within the reasonable range for therapeutic use.