BCPS case studies
BCPS · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) credential is a specialty certification for licensed pharmacists who manage medication therapy in hospital, ambulatory, and other acute and chronic care settings. It signals that a pharmacist has demonstrated advanced, evidence-based clinical judgment beyond entry-level licensure, and it is commonly expected or preferred for clinical pharmacist roles, residency-trained practitioners, and preceptors. The BCPS case studies are 5 cases and about 2,554 words.
1Apixaban Dosing and Bleeding Risk in Older Adult With Recent GI Bleed
An 81-year-old woman with atrial fibrillation (CHA2DS2-VASc 5), hypertension, and type 2 diabetes presents for follow-up. Eight months ago she had a lower GI bleed requiring transfusion; colonoscopy showed diverticular bleeding.
556 words, about 3 min2Vancomycin AUC Dosing in Severe Obesity With Persistent MRSA Bacteremia
is a 58-year-old man (weight 142 kg, height 178 cm, BMI 45) admitted with MRSA bacteremia from a diabetic foot infection. Serum creatinine 1.6 mg/dL, estimated CrCl 52 mL/min by Cockcroft-Gault using actual body weight.
515 words, about 3 min3Interpreting a Non-Inferiority Trial for Formulary Decision-Making
A pharmacy and therapeutics committee reviews a randomized, double-blind, non-inferiority trial of a new oral antibiotic (drug X) versus intravenous ertapenem for complicated urinary tract infection. The primary outcome was clinical cure at 10 days, with a non-inferiority margin of 10 percentage points.
484 words, about 2 min4Insulin Mix-Up, Barcode Overrides, and a Safety Corrective Action Plan
A 340-bed community hospital reports three incidents in six months in which a patient received insulin glargine instead of insulin lispro at mealtime. In each case, the nurse overrode a barcode scanning alert because the patient's armband would not scan and the unit was busy.
465 words, about 2 min5Leading a Mandated Antimicrobial Stewardship Rollout With Skeptical Staff
You are the newly appointed pharmacy manager of a 25-pharmacist department. The health system has mandated implementation of a pharmacist-driven antimicrobial stewardship audit and feedback program in 90 days.
534 words, about 3 min