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Nebuliser solution supply check — GPhC CRA MCQ

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HardRespiratory TherapeuticsNebuliser solution supply checkGPhC CRA

A care-home worker brings an unsigned handwritten request for salbutamol nebules for a resident not previously supplied by the pharmacy. By telephone, the resident is too breathless to complete sentences and is becoming drowsy. No valid prescription or prescriber-requested emergency supply exists. What should the pharmacist do first?

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Correct answer: A — Call 999, support the resident's own reliever, and resolve a lawful supply route

Inability to complete sentences and drowsiness indicate severe or life-threatening asthma and require immediate emergency assessment; a supply query must not delay a 999 call. An unsigned care-home note is not a lawful prescription or prescriber-requested emergency supply, and another resident's medicine must not be shared. Staff can support use of the resident's own prescribed reliever while following emergency instructions, with lawful supply resolved separately.

Reference: Human Medicines Regulations 2012: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/1916/contents; BTS/NICE/SIGN asthma pathway: Acute asthma in adults: https://www.rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/asthma-pathway-bts-nice-sign-sign-244/managing-acute-asthma/management-of-acute-asthma-in-adults/acute-asthma-in-adults/