Pharmacy PEBC Practice Exam

What is polypharmacy?

1. The use of a single medication to treat multiple conditions

2. Concurrent use of multiple medications by a patient

3. The process of switching medications

4. The study of drug interactions

The correct answer is: Concurrent use of multiple medications by a patient

Polypharmacy refers to the concurrent use of multiple medications by a patient. This situation often arises in individuals, particularly the elderly, who may have multiple chronic conditions requiring various treatments. The management of these patients can become complex, as each additional medication increases the risk of drug interactions, side effects, and non-adherence to therapy. Understanding polypharmacy is essential for pharmacists and healthcare providers, as they must carefully assess the appropriateness of each medication a patient is taking, consider potential alternatives, and evaluate the overall medication regimen for safety and effectiveness. By addressing polypharmacy, healthcare professionals can optimize medication therapy and improve patient outcomes. In terms of the other options: using a single medication to treat multiple conditions, while relevant to certain treatment scenarios, does not encompass the essence of polypharmacy. The process of switching medications is more about medication management than the concurrent use of multiple drugs. Additionally, the study of drug interactions is a specific aspect of pharmacology that can be related to polypharmacy, but it does not define what polypharmacy itself is.