Qualifying Exam Review and Guide
ISBN 978-0-9783529-8-1
Qualifying Pharmacy Review
National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA). Competencies are summarized into 9 modules:
Competency 1: Professional Ethics, Regulations and professional responsibilities
Chapter 01 Healthcare system in Canada
- Federal and provincial healthcare agencies
- Canadian Health Act principles
- Federal and provincial drug benefit program
- Healthcare funding
- Drug Approval process
- Canadian Agency of Drug and Technology in Health
- Exam type of cases
Chapter 02 Federal Regulations
- Narcotics, narcotic prep, exempted narcotics
- Benzodiazepine regulations
- Control drugs Part 1, 2, and 3
- NAPRA schedules
- Exam type of cases
Chapter 03 Ethical principles
- Exam type ethical cases
- Cases on confidentiality
Chapter 04 Pharmacoeconomics
- Definition, Types of costs
- Cost-benefit analysis (CBA),
- Cost-effective analysis (CEA),
- Cost minimization analysis (CMA),
- Cost-utility analysis (CUA)
- Exam-type cases
Competency 2: Patient Care
Chapter 05 Patient Care and Drug Therapy Problems
- DRPs/DTPs/MTM
- SOAP format
PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
Chapter 06 Depression and related disorders
- First-line antidepressants for major depression
- Serotonin syndrome and management
- Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms and management
- Switching antidepressants
- High and lows of antidepressants.
- First-line therapies for bipolar disorder
- Therapies for special populations
- Exam style cases
Chapter 07 Anxiety disorders
- Generalized anxiety disorder Exam style cases
- Social anxiety disorder exam style cases
- Panic-traumatic disorder exam style cases
- Post-traumatic disorders exam style cases
Chapter 08 Psychosis
- Pathophysiology of psychosis
- Highs and lows of antipsychotic drugs
- Antipsychotic side effects management
- EMS and NMS management
- Switching antipsychotics
Chapter 09 Dementia Disorders
Chapter 11 Sleep Disorders and Insomnia
- Sleep hygiene and OTCs for insomnia
- Exam style case
NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
Chapter 12 Epilepsy
- Pathophysiology of seizures
- First-line therapies for partial and generalized seizures
- Antiepileptic drugs doses, side effects and management
- Antiepileptic drug interactions
Chapter 13 Parkinson's disease
- Treatment algorithm
- Anti-Parkinson’s DRP
- Wearing off and on-off management
- Exam style case
Chapter 14 Pain Management
- NSAIDs DRPs
- Opioids DRPs
- Switching opioids
- Muscle relaxants
- Exam style cases
Chapter 15 Chronic Pain
- Trigeminal neuralgia, diabetic neuralgia post-herpetic neuralgia
- Muscle and nerve pain
- Exam style cases
OPHTHALMIC DISORDERS
Chapter 16 Minor Ailment, Eye Disorders
- Age-related macular disorder
- Post cataract management
- Exam style cases
Chapter 17 Glaucoma
- Treatment algorithm
- Exam style cases
ENDOCRINE DISORDERS
Chapter 18 Diabetes
- HbA1C and fasting blood glucose targets
- Long-acting insulins, dose management.
- Insulin site of administration.
- Canadian diabetic guidelines
- If first-line therapy for type 2 DM, is not controlled.
- Antidiabetic drugs
- Diabetic complications microvascular and macrovascular management
- Exam type case questions.
Chapter 19 Thyroid Disorders
- Thyroid tests
- Levothyroxine drug interactions
- Levothyroxine dose in pregnancy
- Hyperthyroidism treatment
Chapter 20 Contraception
- Combined hormonal contraceptive absolute contraindication
- Progesterone-only contraception
- Emergency contraception
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
Chapter 21 Hypertension
- Blood pressure threshold and treatment targets
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Antihypertensive drugs
- Hypertension clinical guidelines
- Resistant type of hypertension
- Drug of choice in pregnancy, and elderly
Chapter 22 Dyslipidemia
- High intensity statins
- Statins side effects myopathy management
- Statins drug interactions
Chapter 24 Acute coronary Syndrome and Post MI
- Examples of ASCVD and risk factors
- Acute and chronic treatment of angina
- Alteplase tPA absolute contraindication
- Post MI treatment antiplatelet therapy
Chapter 25 Primary prevention of vascular disease and Stroke
- Primary prevention of vascular diseases
- Blood pressure, LDL and blood glucose targets and treatment
- Stroke symptoms: vision changes, headache, jaw drop, incoherent speech.
- Secondary prevention of TIA
- Alteplase absolute contraindications.
Chapter 26 Congestive Heart Failure
- Severity of CHF NYHA (New York Heart Association)
- Treatment algorithm of HFrEF, HFpEF,
- Exam style case
Chapter 27 Dysrhythmias
- Atrial fibrillation treatment guidelines
- CHADS2 assessment
- HAS BLED criteria
- QT prolongation of antiarrhythmic drugs
- Amiodarone adverse drug reactions and monitoring.
Chapter 28 Peripheral Vascular Diseases
- Prophylaxis for VTE major surgeries
- Prophylaxis for VTE in pregnancy
- Prophylaxis for VTE in malignancies
- Treatment of VTE/PE
Chapter 29 Anticoagulants
- DOACs dose for prophylaxis AFib, VTE
- DOACs drug interactions
- Warfarin drug interactions
- LMWH and Heparin dosing administration
- Anticoagulants overdose management
Chapter 30 Anemia and Supplements
- Iron supplement and dosing
- Vitamin B12 supplements
RESPIRATORY DISORDERS
Chapter 31 Asthma
- GINA guidelines
- Asthma Treatment algorithm
- Asthma Emergency management
- Exam style cases
Chapter 32 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- GOLD guidelines
- COPD Treatment algorithm
- COPD exacerbation management
Chapter 33 Minor Ailment Respiratory Conditions
Chapter 34 Allergic Rhinitis and Drug Allergies
- Assessment
- Treatment algorithm
- Antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids
GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS
Chapter 35 Minor Ailments Gastrointestinal Conditions
- Assessment and OTC drugs
- Exam style questions
Chapter 36 Peptic Ulcer
- H. pylori ulcers treatment
- NSAIDs-induced ulcers management
- De-prescribing proton pump inhibitors
Chapter 37 Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Pathophysiology of inflammatory diseases
- Crohn's disease treatment and maintenance therapies
- Ulcerative colitis treatment and maintenance therapies
- Biologics for inflammatory bowel disease
Chapter 38 Irritable bowel syndrome
- Bristol Stool form chart
- Treatments for IBD
Chapter 39 Minor Ailments Constipation Hemorrhoids and Diarrhea
- Assessment gastrointestinal symptoms
- Constipation, hemorrhoids and diarrhea management
- C. diff treatment guidelines
- Recurrent C. diff
Chapter 40 Nausea and vomiting
- Antiemetic mechanisms
- Pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting management
- Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting management
DRUGS IN LIVER AND RENAL DISORDERS
Chapter 41 Liver Diseases and Hepatitis Infections
- Chronic liver diseases
- Hepatitis B and C treatments
Chapter 42 Chronic Kidney Disease and Drugs in Renal Diseases
- CKD pathophysiology, risk factors
- Nephrotoxic drugs
- CKD and hypertension
- CKD and DM2
REPRODUCTIVE, GYNECOLOGICAL AND GENITOURINARY DISORDERS
Chapter 43 Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation
Chapter 44 Endometriosis
- Endometriosis pain management
- Infertility management
Chapter 45 Impotence and Erectile dysfunction
- Sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil
Chapter 46 Menopause
- Menopause symptoms
- Minor ailments
- Vasomotor symptoms treatment
Chapter 47 Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Alpha-adrenergic blockers
- 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors
- Exam style cases
Chapter 48 Urinary incontinence
- Pathophysiology of incontinence
- Types of incontinence and treatment
- Exam style cases
MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
Chapter 49 Osteoarthritis
- Self-care, assistive devices for osteoarthritis
- Osteoarthritis treatment guidelines
- NSAIDs plus PPIs
- Exam style cases
MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
Chapter 50 Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Treatment algorithms
- csDMARDs, biologic DMARDs
- Methotrexate drug therapy problems
- Biologics and biosimilar
Chapter 51 Gout Arthritis
- Risk factors
- Colchicine toxicity and drug interactions
- Allopurinol hypersensitive reactions
Chapter 52 Osteoporosis
- Prevention of osteoporosis
- Clinical guidelines
- Risk factors
- Bisphosphonates oral and injection dosing
DERMATOLOGICAL DISORDERS
Chapter 53 Acne
- Pathophysiology of acne
- Topical and oral treatment options
Chapter 54 Dermatitis
- Atopic dermatitis
- Diaper dermatitis
Chapter 56 Minor Ailment Foot conditions
- Foot assessment
- Athlete Foot treatment and duration
- Exam style cases
Chapter 57 Minor Ailment, Skin Conditions
INFECTIONS DISEASES
Chapter 58 Spectrum of Antibiotics used in Infectious Diseases
Chapter 59 Endocarditis
- Prophylaxis criteria and recommended antibiotics
Chapter 60 Acute Otitis Media in Childhood
- First-line treatment, dose and duration
- Treatment failure
Chapter 61 Upper respiratory tract infections
- Group A Strep pharyngitis
- Sinusitis
Chapter 62 Community-Acquired pneumonia
- CAP clinical guidelines
- Antibiotics for specific agents
Chapter 63 Influenza
- Antiviral Prophylaxis and treatment in long-term care and community.
Chapter 64 Tuberculosis
- Diagnostic tests
- Inactive and active tuberculosis treatment
- Anti-tubercular drug side effects
Chapter 65 Bacterial Meningitis
- Diagnosis
- First-line antibiotics
Chapter 66 Skin, soft tissue and Bone & Joints Infections
- Pathophysiology of skin infections
- Treatment of bolus and non-bolus Impetigo
- Treatment of non-purulent and purulent cellulitis
- Treatment of diabetic foot infections
- Treatment of osteomyelitis
Chapter 67 Urinary Tract Infection
- Pathophysiology of urinary tract system
- Treatment guidelines
- Reoccurrence and prophylaxis
- Antibiotics in pregnancy
- Asymptomatic bacteriuria treatment
Chapter 68 Sexually Transmitted Disease
- Characteristic symptoms of sexually transmitted infections
- Treatment of vaginal candidiasis, bacterial and trichomonas infections
- Treatment of gonorrhea and chlamydia
- Treatment of syphilis
- Treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease
Chapter 69 Herpes virus Infection
- Cold sores
- Genital herpes treatment
- Chickenpox treatment
- Shingles treatment
Chapter 70 HIV Infection
- Single daily dose regimen antivirals
- Opportunistic infections
- Prophylaxis PEP and PrEP
- Exam type of cases
Chapter 71 Travelers' Diarrhea
- Prophylaxis and self care
- Treatment
- Exam style cases
Chapter 72 Malaria Prevention
Chapter 73 Lyme Disease
- Self-care & ticks repellents
- Prophylaxis guidelines
Chapter 74 Fluid and Electrolyte Disorders
- Edema
- Hypovolemia
- Potassium disturbances
- Hypercalcemia
Chapter 75 Chemotherapy Side effects Management
- Cardiovascular side effects and management
- Febrile Neutropenia guidelines
- Nephrotoxic drugs
Competency 3: Product Distribution
Chapter 76 Medication Orders and Dosage Forms
- Weekly dosing
- PRN prescriptions
- Dose titration
- Dose tapering
Chapter 77 Basic Calculations
- Memorize all formulas
- Units conversion
- Ratios
- Proportions
- Concentrations (w/v; w/w)
- Exam type calculations
Chapter 78 Pharmacy Dosage Calculations
- Dose tapering
- IV dosing, rate of infusion
- Dose based on body surface area
- Exam type calculations
Chapter 79 Dilutions and Concentrations
- Stock dilutions
- Alligation calculations
- Exam type calculations
Chapter 80 Electrolyte Solutions
- Milliequivalent
- Millimoles
- Milliosmoles
- Isotonic solutions calculations
Chapter 81 Compounding and Reconstitution
Chapter 82 Clinical Pharmacokinetics
- Bioavailability and bioequivalence calculations
- Aminoglycosides, vancomycin pharmacokinetic calculations
Chapter 83 Drug Distribution Systems
Chapter 84 Sterile Preparations
Competency 4: Practice Setting
Chapter 85 Chapter Pharmacy Management
- Types of pharmacy business
- Financial statement
- Human resources: Job description/ employee schedule
- Daily pharmacy workflow management: contingency plan
- Inventory: Turnover rate
- Business math formula
- Business terminology
- Marketing
- Exam style Question Alerts and tips
Competency 5: Health Promotion
Chapter 86 Health Promotion and Education
Chapter 87 Withdrawal Symptoms and Management
- Alcohol, benzodiazepine and barbiturates withdrawal symptoms and management
- CNS stimulants withdrawal management
- Opioid related disorders
Chapter 88 Smoking Cessation
- Trans-theoretical model
- Nicotine replacement therapy
- Bupropion
- Varenicline
Chapter 89 Drugs in Elderly Populations
Chapter 90 Clinical Toxicity
Chapter 91 Immunization and Vaccines
- Adult immunization
- Children immunizations
Competency 6: Knowledge and Research Application
Chapter 92 Pharmaceutical Literature
- Types of literature: Primary, secondary and tertiary
- Pharmacy practice references
- Exam type Q&A
Chapter 93 Pharmacoepidemiology
- Prevalence, and incidence
- Cross sectional survey
- Case control: odds ratio
- Cohort: risk reduction
- Clinical trials: primary end points, surrogate end point
- randomization, types bias
- Meta-analysis
- Exam type statistical calculations and cases
Chapter 94 Biostatistics
- Data variables
- Standard deviation
- Parametric & non-parametric test
- Hypothesis testing: Type 1 and type 2 error
- Statistical significance: Level of significance
- Confidence intervals
- Absolute risk reduction and number needed to treat
- Relative risk reduction
- Exam style cases
Chapter 95 Screening for Diseases
- Sensitivity and specificity
- Predictability (sensitivity + specificity)
- Exam style cases
Competency 7: Communication and Education
Chapter 96 Verbal and Non-verbal communication skills
Chapter 97 Drug Interactions
- Category X and D drug interactions
- Pharmacist intervention
- Exam style cases
Chapter 98 Perioperative Therapeutic Management
- Antiplatelet and anticoagulants
- Pharmacist intervention
- Exam style cases
Chapter 99 Complimentary and alternate therapies
Chapter 100 Nutrition Supplements and Herbal Products
Competency 8: Intra and Inter-Professional Collaboration
Chapter 101 Inter-professional collaboration
Chapter 102 Drug Therapy Monitoring Part 1
Chapter 103 Drug Therapy Monitoring Part 2
Chapter 104 Switching Drug Therapies
Competency 9: Quality and Patient Safety
Chapter 105 Quality and Patient safety
Chapter 106 Drug Recalls and Warnings
Chapter 107 Substance Abuse and Management