Washington Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence MPJE Practice Exam

The FDA clarifies 'contraindication' to mean:

1. The drug must be available over the counter

2. A drug should only be used in clinical situations where the benefit outweighs the risk

3. A drug should be contraindicated only in clinical situations where the risk clearly outweighs any possible therapeutic benefit

4. The drug is safe for all ages

The correct answer is: A drug should be contraindicated only in clinical situations where the risk clearly outweighs any possible therapeutic benefit

A 'contraindication' means that a drug should not be used in certain situations where the risks of using it outweigh the potential benefits. It does not mean that the drug is completely off limits and should never be used. Option A is incorrect because the availability of a drug over the counter does not have anything to do with whether it should be contraindicated or not. Option D is also incorrect because a drug can still be contraindicated for certain age groups, even if it is generally safe for all ages. Option B is incorrect because it implies that the benefit must always outweigh the risk for a drug to be prescribed, when in reality, the decision is based on the specific situation and individual patient. Option C is the correct interpretation of what the FDA means by 'contraindication' and is the best answer choice.