pre-reg exam hints and tips

7/27/2019 Pre-Reg Exam Hints and Tips

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The Registration Exam

Hints and Tips

Elizabeth Doran MRPharmS

How I Took the PreReg

Exam and Survived


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Some Facts...

The usual first-time pass rate is 95%

Only 28 candidates have failed to

pass after all three attempts (1993-2000)

The key is an organised approach andknowing what to expect


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Preparation is the Key

Check your books, the needed texts are notalways the most recent editions

Where is the exam being held? How long will it take to get there? Which exam hall are you supposed to in?

What will you do in the break betweenexams?

Dont take in any sheets of blank paper

Stationary The right type Spares


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What to Expect

Closed Book no reference materialat all

90 questions in 90 minutes = 1question a minute!

Calculations may also appear butthey wont form part of the 70%

calculation section You either know it/can work it out or

you dont


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What to Expect

Open Book 80 questions in 2.5hours

60 non-calculation questions(recommended 1.5hrs = 1.5min perquestion)

20 calculations (recommended 1hr =

3min per question) It will be the fastest 2.5hrs of your

life timing is all important


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What to Expect Type of Question 1

Which one of the following does not requirestorage in an approved Controlled Drugscabinet or safe, as specified under the

Misuse of Drugs Act 1971?A) Buprenorphine 200mcg tablets

B) Methadone mixture 1mg/ml

C) Temazepam 10mg tablets

D) Morphine sulphate oral solution 10mg/5mlE) Fentanyl 25 patches


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Which of the following is (are) prescribable on aNational Health Service dental prescription form(FP14/GP14)?

1) Aciclovir cream

2) Erythromycin capsules BP

3) Flucloxacillin capsules

Directions Summarised

A

1, 2, 3

B

1, 2 only

C

2, 3 only

D

1 only

E

3 only


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A TRUE TRUE 2nd statement is a correct explanation of the first

B TRUE TRUE 2nd statement is NOT a correct explanation of the first

C TRUE FALSE

D FALSE TRUE

E FALSE FALSE

Concerning a woman on progestogen-only oral contraceptivewho tells you that she forgot to take her pill the previous night.

Progestogen-only oralcontraceptives should be takenabout the same time each day.

It is important that blood levelsof the progestogen do notfluctuate as contraceptive covermay be lost.


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Key Areas to Cover

Clinical Pharmacy & Therapeutics

Responding to Symptoms

Pharmacy Law & Ethics

Calculations


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Major element of exam (and workinglife!)

For everything you dispense at work,

you should be able to answer 4questions:

What is it used for?

How does it work?Side effects?

Key issues/information


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Bendrofluazide in a

patient taking lithium?

When is the best time

of day to takethyroxine?

Contra-indications for ciprofloxacin?


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Responding to Symptoms

Knowing when to refer

Be aware of what medication you can

recommend to treat the symptoms Limits of product licence and duration

of OTC use

Interactions of OTC products

With conditions

With other medication


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Pharmacy Law & Ethics

Emergency Supply Controlled Drugs Poisons Sch 1 poisons, sale/supply of

strychnine Methylated Spirits Destruction of medicines SOPs and Service Specifications CPD and Clinical Governance Health & Safety Consumer Protection


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Calculations

At the back of the open book paper, but dothem first!

Practise

If you cant do it, move on and come backat the end

Practise

DO NOT PANIC

Practise


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Hints and Tips

Read the questions carefully dont miss out thenot

Dont be too flag-happy Be selective with the highlighter

Read at least the first 5 chapters of BNF Handy to be able to find:

Malaria guidelines Childhood vaccination schedule Iron equivalences

Antibiotic prophylaxis and treatment Flag the index and highlight the edge of pages

1-100, 201-300 etc.


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Hints and Tips

Guidance on prescribing at front of BNF

Elderly/children/palliative care

Know your CSM warnings

Have confidence in what you know

www.rpsgb.org

Sample papers be friends with newly qualifieds!

NHS Resource pack

NPA Guide to the Drug Tariff

Concentrated waters are 40 x stronger than singlestrength 1ml concentrate + 39ml water = 40ml single strength water
http://www.rpsgb.org/http://www.rpsgb.org/


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But most importantly

Stay Calm &

GOOD LUCK!

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