Question

A patient with chronic pain calls the provider's office to request a refill on their oxycontin. Which action is most appropriate?

1) Fax an order to the pharmacy.
2) Schedule an appointment with the patient.
3) Verify the patient's adherence to drug regimen.
4) Determine the patient's current medication dosage.

Answer 1

The most appropriate action when a patient requests an oxycontin refill is to determine the patient's current medication dosage, verify their adherence to the drug regimen, and potentially schedule an appointment for evaluation before refilling the prescription due to the risk of addiction.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient requesting a refill on oxycontin, a medication used for chronic pain management, presents a complex decision for healthcare providers due to the risk of addiction associated with opioid medications. The most appropriate action would involve multiple steps, beginning with determining the patient's current medication dosage to ensure patient safety. It would also be important to verify the patient's adherence to the drug regimen, possibly by checking prescription drug monitoring program databases, and to determine if the opioid use is still medically appropriate. Additionally, scheduling an appointment with the patient may be necessary for a comprehensive evaluation, which could include discussing the patient's pain management plan and considering alternative therapies. If the provider deems it medically necessary to continue opioid therapy, the order could then be sent to the pharmacy using safe prescribing practices and following legal regulations.