ExCPT key terms

The fraction of an administered drug dose that reaches the bloodstream unchanged and is available to act at target tissues. It depends on route, formulation, and first-pass metabolism.

The time required for the amount of drug in the body to decrease by 50 percent through metabolism and elimination. It helps estimate dosing intervals and how long effects may last.

A ratio comparing the dose that causes harm with the dose that produces benefit. A narrow index means small dosing changes can cause toxicity, so monitoring is especially important.

A situation, condition, or patient factor that makes a particular drug or treatment inadvisable because the risk of harm likely outweighs the expected benefit. Examples include allergy or severe organ impairment.

A federal law that protects patients' protected health information and sets rules for how covered entities may use, disclose, and safeguard that information. Pharmacies must follow privacy and security requirements.

A federal classification system that groups controlled drugs by abuse potential and accepted medical use. Schedules range from I, with no accepted medical use, to V, with the lowest abuse potential.

The pharmacist's legal duty to judge whether a controlled-substance prescription is issued for a legitimate medical purpose by a prescriber acting in the usual course of professional practice.

The level and type of care that a reasonably prudent pharmacy professional with similar training would provide in similar circumstances. It is used to judge professional conduct and quality.

The part of a prescription that gives directions to the patient, such as dose, route, frequency, and special instructions. It is usually written in abbreviated form and must be clarified when unclear.

A unique numeric code that identifies a drug product by labeler, product, and package size. Pharmacies use it to verify products, process claims, and maintain accurate inventory records.

A code indicating that a prescriber wants a specific brand or product dispensed instead of a generic substitute. It affects substitution decisions and may change how a claim is paid.

The estimated number of days a dispensed quantity will last when the patient uses it exactly as directed. It is required on claims and helps insurers judge appropriate refill timing.

The electronic transmission of a prescription from a prescriber's system to a pharmacy. It can reduce handwriting errors and supports electronic checks for interactions, formulary, and controlled-substance rules.

The date after which a compounded preparation must not be used, based on its formulation, storage conditions, and container. It differs from the manufacturer's expiration date and must be assigned by the compounder.

Practices used to prevent contamination of sterile preparations and patients during compounding. They include hand hygiene, proper garbing, disinfection, and avoiding contact between sterile and nonsterile surfaces.

A document that provides the exact instructions and ingredients for preparing a specific compounded preparation. It helps ensure consistency, safety, and reproducibility across batches and compounding personnel.

Describing a solution whose solute concentration matches body fluids closely enough to avoid damaging cells. Intravenous and ophthalmic preparations often must have this property to reduce pain and tissue injury.

An enclosed workbench that uses directed airflow and filters to protect workers, products, and sometimes the environment from hazardous particles or vapors during compounding. It is commonly used for sterile and hazardous drug preparation.

A drug that carries a heightened risk of serious harm when used incorrectly. Examples include anticoagulants, insulin, and concentrated electrolytes; special storage, labeling, and checking procedures are used.

Drug names that look similar in print or sound similar when spoken, increasing the chance of selection or dispensing errors. Strategies include separate storage, warning labels, and reading back oral orders.

A labeling method that uses uppercase letters to highlight the differing parts of similar drug names, such as predniSONE and prednisoLONE. It helps staff notice differences and avoid wrong-drug errors.

A structured team review used after a serious adverse event or error to identify underlying system failures and contributing factors. The goal is to prevent recurrence by correcting processes rather than blaming individuals.

An error or unsafe situation that could have caused harm but was caught or did not reach the patient. Reporting near misses helps pharmacies find and fix weaknesses before real harm occurs.

A formal process of comparing a patient's current medication list with new orders or records to identify omissions, duplicates, interactions, and dose changes. It is especially important at care transitions.

A predetermined minimum quantity of a stock item that triggers reordering when inventory falls to or below it. Par levels help avoid stockouts while limiting excess inventory and tied-up cash.

A stock rotation method in which older inventory is used or sold before newer stock. It reduces waste from expiration and helps maintain product quality, especially for perishable or dated items.

A manufacturer-assigned identifier that identifies a specific batch of a drug product. It is used for tracking, quality investigations, and recalls so affected units can be located quickly.

An action to remove or correct a drug product from the market because it may be defective, contaminated, mislabeled, or otherwise unsafe. Pharmacies must check lot numbers and follow recall instructions promptly.

A fixed amount a patient pays for a prescription or service at the point of care, as set by the insurance plan. It is usually separate from deductible and coinsurance amounts.

The amount a patient must pay out of pocket for covered services before the insurance plan begins to pay its share. Prescription drug deductibles may apply separately from medical deductibles.

A list of drug products preferred or covered by an insurance plan or health system. It may include tiers, restrictions, and prior authorization requirements that affect coverage and patient cost.

An insurance approval process that must occur before certain drugs or services are covered. The prescriber submits clinical information, and the plan decides whether the request meets its criteria.

The electronic process by which a pharmacy claim is submitted and the insurer or payer determines coverage, patient cost, and payment. A claim may be paid, rejected, or require further information.

A communication method in which the patient explains in their own words how to take a medication or follow instructions. It helps the pharmacist confirm understanding and correct misunderstandings.

The ability to obtain, understand, and use health information to make informed decisions. Low health literacy requires simpler language, visual aids, and checking understanding without judgment.

A structured communication tool that organizes information into Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. It is used to give clear, concise handoffs or reports to other health professionals.

A communication skill in which the listener gives full attention, observes nonverbal cues, and reflects or summarizes what the speaker said. It helps build trust and confirm accurate understanding.

Limits that keep the pharmacist-patient relationship focused on care and prevent personal, financial, or romantic involvement that could exploit the patient or impair professional judgment.