Final answer:
To identify an unknown medication, a pill identifier tool can be utilized, where one can input the physical characteristics of a drug to ascertain its identity. Pharmacists are invaluable in this process due to their scientific knowledge, especially in chemistry. Keeping medications in their original prescription vials prevents such issues and ensures proper usage.
Step-by-step explanation:
When patients do not know the name of the drug they're taking and have removed it from its original prescription vial, one widely used resource is the pill identifier tool. These online databases allow users to enter the physical characteristics of a tablet or capsule, such as shape, color, and imprint, to identify the medication. Pharmacists and healthcare professionals also have access to these tools and can assist. In a clinical setting, a pharmacist with a strong background in the sciences, including chemistry, is capable of providing valuable services in identifying medications and ensuring patient safety.
It is important to always keep medications in their original containers to avoid confusion and ensure proper dosage and efficacy. When dispensing unregistered and untested medications, ethical considerations must be taken into account, especially in situations with high mortality rates, such as the Ebola outbreak, where the potential benefits of such medications may outweigh the risks.