NURS 251 Module 9 Pharmacology Exam | Latest Update
2026/2027 | 200 Questions & Verified Answers | Portage
Learning Complete Q&A Guide | A+ Graded
1. Select the characteristic below that is consistent with a specialty medication.
A) Not covered by insurance
B) Treat a complex disease state
C) Any injectable medication
D) Needs to be refrigerated
Answer: B) Treat a complex disease state
Explanation: Specialty medications are defined by their use in treating complex, chronic, or rare disease
states. They are highcost medications that often require special handling, administration, and
monitoring.
2. Select the characteristic below that is NOT consistent with a specialty medication.
A) High cost
B) Treats rare diseases
C) Any injectable medication
D) Complex treatment regimen
Answer: C) Any injectable medication
Explanation: While many specialty medications are injectable or infused, not all injectable medications
are considered specialty medications. The designation depends on multiple factors including cost,
disease state treated, and complexity of administration.
,3. True or False: Patients must go through a specialty pharmacy to obtain a medication that is
considered a specialty medication; retail pharmacies do not stock them.
A) True
B) False
Answer: A) True
Explanation: Specialty medications are generally not available at typical community pharmacies. Patients
must obtain them through specialty pharmacies due to high costs, complex handling requirements, and
the need for ongoing patient education and monitoring.
4. True or False: Specialty pharmacies represent one option for patients to obtain specialty medications;
however, they are still able to access them through standard retail pharmacies if they prefer.
A) True
B) False
Answer: B) False
Explanation: Specialty pharmacies are typically the only option for obtaining specialty medications.
Retail pharmacies generally do not stock these medications due to cost and complexity.
5. List three characteristics of specialty medications.
A) Low cost, treats common diseases, simple regimen
B) High cost, treats rare diseases, complex treatment regimen
,C) Overthecounter availability, generic formulations, oral only
D) Low cost, treats rare diseases, complex regimen
Answer: B) High cost, treats rare diseases, complex treatment regimen
Explanation: Specialty medications are characterized by high cost, treatment of rare or complex
diseases, and complex treatment regimens requiring ongoing monitoring and patient education.
6. Which of the following is an example of a specialty medication class?
A) Antivirals for Hepatitis C
B) Antacids
C) Antihistamines
D) Multivitamins
Answer: A) Antivirals for Hepatitis C
Explanation: Antivirals for Hepatitis C are considered specialty medications due to their high cost,
complex treatment regimens, and the need for specialty pharmacy management.
7. What is the primary reason specialty pharmacies were established?
A) To reduce medication costs
B) To manage complex, highcost medications and provide patient support
C) To replace retail pharmacies
D) To manufacture specialty medications
, Answer: B) To manage complex, highcost medications and provide patient support
Explanation: Specialty pharmacies were established to handle the unique challenges of specialty
medications, including high costs, complex administration, and the need for comprehensive patient
education and monitoring.
8. Which of the following is a service provided by specialty pharmacies?
A) Coordinating care and facilitating drug access
B) Only dispensing medications
C) Manufacturing medications
D) Providing primary care services
Answer: A) Coordinating care and facilitating drug access
Explanation: Specialty pharmacies provide comprehensive services including care coordination, case
management, mail order delivery logistics, and working with insurance companies to determine
coverage.
9. What type of followup is typically provided by specialty pharmacies?
A) Monthly patient calls to check for issues and monitoring
B) Annual checkins
C) No followup is provided
D) Only when the patient requests it
Answer: A) Monthly patient calls to check for issues and monitoring
2026/2027 | 200 Questions & Verified Answers | Portage
Learning Complete Q&A Guide | A+ Graded
1. Select the characteristic below that is consistent with a specialty medication.
A) Not covered by insurance
B) Treat a complex disease state
C) Any injectable medication
D) Needs to be refrigerated
Answer: B) Treat a complex disease state
Explanation: Specialty medications are defined by their use in treating complex, chronic, or rare disease
states. They are highcost medications that often require special handling, administration, and
monitoring.
2. Select the characteristic below that is NOT consistent with a specialty medication.
A) High cost
B) Treats rare diseases
C) Any injectable medication
D) Complex treatment regimen
Answer: C) Any injectable medication
Explanation: While many specialty medications are injectable or infused, not all injectable medications
are considered specialty medications. The designation depends on multiple factors including cost,
disease state treated, and complexity of administration.
,3. True or False: Patients must go through a specialty pharmacy to obtain a medication that is
considered a specialty medication; retail pharmacies do not stock them.
A) True
B) False
Answer: A) True
Explanation: Specialty medications are generally not available at typical community pharmacies. Patients
must obtain them through specialty pharmacies due to high costs, complex handling requirements, and
the need for ongoing patient education and monitoring.
4. True or False: Specialty pharmacies represent one option for patients to obtain specialty medications;
however, they are still able to access them through standard retail pharmacies if they prefer.
A) True
B) False
Answer: B) False
Explanation: Specialty pharmacies are typically the only option for obtaining specialty medications.
Retail pharmacies generally do not stock these medications due to cost and complexity.
5. List three characteristics of specialty medications.
A) Low cost, treats common diseases, simple regimen
B) High cost, treats rare diseases, complex treatment regimen
,C) Overthecounter availability, generic formulations, oral only
D) Low cost, treats rare diseases, complex regimen
Answer: B) High cost, treats rare diseases, complex treatment regimen
Explanation: Specialty medications are characterized by high cost, treatment of rare or complex
diseases, and complex treatment regimens requiring ongoing monitoring and patient education.
6. Which of the following is an example of a specialty medication class?
A) Antivirals for Hepatitis C
B) Antacids
C) Antihistamines
D) Multivitamins
Answer: A) Antivirals for Hepatitis C
Explanation: Antivirals for Hepatitis C are considered specialty medications due to their high cost,
complex treatment regimens, and the need for specialty pharmacy management.
7. What is the primary reason specialty pharmacies were established?
A) To reduce medication costs
B) To manage complex, highcost medications and provide patient support
C) To replace retail pharmacies
D) To manufacture specialty medications
, Answer: B) To manage complex, highcost medications and provide patient support
Explanation: Specialty pharmacies were established to handle the unique challenges of specialty
medications, including high costs, complex administration, and the need for comprehensive patient
education and monitoring.
8. Which of the following is a service provided by specialty pharmacies?
A) Coordinating care and facilitating drug access
B) Only dispensing medications
C) Manufacturing medications
D) Providing primary care services
Answer: A) Coordinating care and facilitating drug access
Explanation: Specialty pharmacies provide comprehensive services including care coordination, case
management, mail order delivery logistics, and working with insurance companies to determine
coverage.
9. What type of followup is typically provided by specialty pharmacies?
A) Monthly patient calls to check for issues and monitoring
B) Annual checkins
C) No followup is provided
D) Only when the patient requests it
Answer: A) Monthly patient calls to check for issues and monitoring
