Pharmacotherapy Specialty Review Course and Practice Exam (No Recert Credit) (Cert # L259011)

These activities are intended for pharmacists who are seeking to update their knowledge and skills commensurate with a board certification examination in the areas listed below.

This course consists of 26 activities (see table below) and provides up to 32 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit. The Review Course includes case-based presentations for application to real-life scenarios, a practice exam along with correct answers, and links to the reference sources, and domains, tasks, and knowledge statements. To help you further prepare, this package includes a compilation of practice questions in the same format and rigor to help you prepare for the BPS Specialty Examination.       

After participating in this CPE activity, learners should be able to: 

ACPE Number: 0204-0000-24-946-H04-P

Research Methods, Data Analysis, and Evidence-based Practice

• Identify sources of information to use to answer questions in one’s practice, or from patients and healthcare professionals.
• Explain how to provide education regarding evidence-based practice to current and future health care professionals.

Providing Safe and Effective Pharmacotherapy: Key Regulatory and Quality Approaches

• Explain the regulatory and accreditation requirements of a comprehensive medication use program.
• Describe methods to develop and maintain a medication use system.
• Discuss technology used to promote safe and effective medication use.
• Apply national regulations and evidence-based practices for medication safety and quality.
• Interpret results from pharmacotherapy-related quality improvement activities.

ACPE Number: 0204-0000-24-947-H01-P

Cardiovascular Disease: Primary Prevention Case

• Select the appropriate treatment and monitoring for a complex patient-case with multiple conditions, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity.
• State the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations for adult immunizations.
• Determine how to advise a patient on point-of-care testing to measure response to drug therapy.
• Discuss national benchmarking standards and implications to patient care.

Cardiovascular Disease: Secondary Prevention Case

• Select the appropriate treatment and monitoring for a complex patient-case with multiple conditions, including atrial fibrillation (AF), acute coronary syndromes (ACS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Develop a plan to address continuity of care issues.
• Formulate a medication therapy plan for smoking cessation.
• Determine how to manage drug – drug and drug-induced disease interactions in a patient with ischemic heart disease.
• Discuss quality of life in this population.
• Discuss national benchmarking standards and implications to patient care.

Complex Heart Failure Case

• Select optimal treatment and monitoring for a complex patient-case with multiple conditions, including heart failure, electrolyte disturbances in acute decompensated heart failure, diabetes, and a thyroid disorder.
• Discuss the medications that should be avoided in heart failure.
• Identify safety issues in this population.

ACPE Number: 0204-0000-24-948-H01-P

Complex Pediatric Asthma Case

• Select optimal treatment and monitoring for a complex patient-case with acute asthma exacerbation, acute otitis media, and seasonal allergies.
• Apply methods for counseling a patient and/or caregiver in asthma self-management with comprehensive documentation of the patient counseling.
• Develop a plan for childhood vaccinations in a child who has been delayed in receiving them.
• Implement principles of shared-decision making and culturally effective care when using complementary/alternative medicine in a pediatric patient.

Complex Pneumonia Case

• Select the appropriate treatment and monitoring for a complex patient-case with multiple conditions, including pneumonia, acute renal insufficiency, sepsis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and dehydration.
• Interpret clinical data, including lab, physical examination and vital signs.
• Determine and prioritize pneumonia-related treatment goals.
• Determine approaches to manage drug allergies and select next best drug therapy when primary drugs are precluded.
• Discuss approaches to limiting antimicrobial over use by stewarding antibiotic usage appropriately.
• Discuss safety issues in patients receiving treatment for pneumonia.

ACPE Number: 0204-0000-24-949-H01-P

Complex Nursing Home Patient Case

• Select the appropriate treatment for a complex patient-case with multiple conditions, including stroke, depression/anxiety, dementia, and pain.
• Discuss complementary/alternative medicine and safety issues in older adults.
• Discuss quality improvement initiatives and regulations in the nursing home setting.

Oncology and Supportive Care Case

• Select the appropriate treatment and monitoring of a complex patient-case with multiple conditions, including breast cancer, febrile neutropenia, and cancer-associated thromboembolism.
• Compare and contrast current cancer screening recommendations.
• Develop a plan to manage pain and nausea/vomiting in a patient with cancer.
• Discuss safety issues in this population.
• Discuss adherence issues with oral chemotherapy regimens.

Gastrointestinal Disorders

• Recommend appropriate treatment and monitoring, based on drug-specific variables, patient-specific information and clinical practice guidelines.
• Evaluate drug-related problems and response to therapy.
• Recommend modifications of patient-specific treatment plans based on follow up assessment.

ACPE Number: 0204-0000-25-900-H01-P

Cardiac Arrhythmias and Advanced Cardiac Life Support

• Interpret signs, symptoms and diagnostic tests for cardiac arrhythmias.
• Identify drug-related problems, including drug interactions and adverse effects, associated with pharmacotherapy of cardiac arrhythmias.
• Identify strategies to prevent drug-induced arrhythmias.
• Recommend therapy and monitor for cardiac arrhythmias based on patient-specific information, current guidelines and Advanced Cardiac Life Support recommendations.

Heart Failure

• Interpret diagnostic and/or laboratory tests, vital signs and clinical presentation in patients with heart failure.
• Formulate the most appropriate treatment and monitoring plans, based on patient-specific information and current guidelines for patients with heart failure.
• Recommend appropriate modifications of patient-specific treatment plans based on follow up assessment in patients with heart failure.

Selected Topics in Critical Care

• Interpret diagnostic and/or laboratory tests, vital signs, and clinical presentation in order to differentiate types of shock (hypovolemic, distributive, cardiogenic)
• Compare and contrast the pharmacologic agents utilized in shock
• Recommend the most appropriate therapy and monitoring based on patient-specific information and current guidelines for the treatment of shock, prevention of stress ulcers, and prevention of venous thromboembolism.

Selected Topics in Acute Care Part I

• Interpret diagnostic and/or laboratory tests, vital signs, and clinical presentation in acutely ill patients.
• Recommend the most appropriate therapy and monitoring based on patient-specific information and current guidelines for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE).
• Recommend the most appropriate therapy and monitoring based on patient-specific information and current guidelines for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Selected Topics in Acute Care Part II

• Interpret diagnostic and/or laboratory tests, vital signs, and clinical presentation in acutely ill patients.
• Recommend the most appropriate therapy and monitoring based on patient-specific information and current guidelines for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke, anticoagulation reversal, and toxicologic emergencies.
• Recommend the most appropriate therapy and monitoring based on patient-specific information and current guidelines for the treatment of toxicologic emergencies.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

ACPE Number: 0204-0000-25-901-H01-P

Diabetes

• Interpret diagnostic and/or laboratory tests in patients with diabetes.
• Formulate the most appropriate treatment, monitoring, and follow-up plans based on patient-specific information and current guidelines.
• Evaluate drug-related problems.

Infectious Diseases I

• For the following infectious diseases: C. difficile infection, skin and soft tissue infections, upper respiratory tract infections, community acquired pneumonia:
  • Interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests
  • Formulate the most appropriate treatment, monitoring, and follow-up plans based on patient-specific information and current guidelines.
  • Evaluate drug-related problems.

Infectious Diseases II

• For the following infectious diseases: sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract infections, endocarditis, meningitis:
  • Interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests
  • Formulate the most appropriate treatment, monitoring, and follow-up plans based on patient-specific information and current guidelines.
  • Manage drug-related problems.

Musculoskeletal and Rheumatic Disorders

• For patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and gout:
  • Formulate the most appropriate treatment and monitoring, based on drug-specific variables, patient-specific information and clinical practice guidelines.
  • Evaluate drug-related problems and response to therapy.
  • Recommend appropriate modifications of patient-specific treatment plans based on follow up assessment.

Neurologic Disorders

• For patients with seizure disorders, Parkinson’s disease, headache and sleep disorders:
  • Evaluate the risks and benefits of drug therapy considering other medication and patient specific factors.
  • Formulate the most appropriate treatment, monitoring and follow-up plans based on patient-specific information and current guidelines.
  • Evaluate drug-related problems.

ACPE Number: 0204-0000-25-902-H01-P

Women’s Health

• Describe pertinent sex-based differences in pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics that affect exposure and response to medications.
• Recommend appropriate treatment, monitoring and follow-up plans based on patient-specific information and current guidelines for osteoporosis and menopausal symptoms.
• Select appropriate contraceptive options, including emergency contraception, based on patient-specific information.
• Evaluate the safety and efficacy of common therapies used during pregnancy and lactation.
• Develop recommendations for common complications that occur during labor and delivery.

Patient Education and Health Literacy

• Assess considerations for communicating pharmacotherapy plans to various patient populations including pediatrics, geriatrics, using universal health literacy precautions.
• Evaluate methods for educating patients and caregivers on safe and appropriate use of medications and devices.

Fluid, Electrolytes and Nutrition

• Interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests for fluid, electrolyte, and nutrition status.
• Recommend the most appropriate therapy and monitoring in patients with fluid, electrolyte, and nutritional disorders based on patient-specific information and current guidelines.
• Apply strategies to manage drug-related electrolyte interactions and nutrient interactions.

Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders

• For patients with bipolar, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and/or substance use disorder:
  • Interpret basic diagnostic factors, clinical presentation, and target symptoms of selected psychiatric disorders.
  • Formulate the most appropriate treatment, monitoring, and follow-up plans based on patient-specific information and current guidelines.
  • Evaluate drug-related problems and response to therapy.

Kidney Disorders

• For patients with acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease determine the most appropriate treatment and monitoring based on drug characteristics, patient-specific factors, and current clinical practice guidelines:
  • Manage drug dosing and drug-related complications in patients receiving kidney replacement therapy.
  • Identify appropriate modifications to the treatment plans based on follow-up assessment to optimize outcomes.

ACPE Number: 0204-0000-25-903-H01-P

Complex HIV/AIDS Case

• Select the appropriate treatment and monitoring of a complex patient-case with multiple conditions, including HIV infection, dyslipidemia, and hepatitis B.
• Identify and manage common drug interactions experienced by HIV-treated patients.
• Identify and manage common adverse drug reactions experienced by HIV-treated patients.
• Determine appropriate medication choices for the treatment and prevention of common opportunistic infections.
• Discuss recommendations for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Full Faculty Bios

Tina Beck, PharmD, MSCR, BCPS
Associate Professor
University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, Texas 

Christopher Betz, PharmD, BCPS, FASHP, FKSHP, Professor*
Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner – Cardiology/Pharmacogenomics
Louisville Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Professor
Sullivan University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Louisville, Kentucky 

Snehal H. Bhatt, PharmD, AACC, BCPS-AQ Cardiology, FASHP*
Professor of Pharmacy Practice Massachusetts
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Framingham, Massachusetts 

Mark Cinquegrani, PharmD, BCACP, AAHIVP
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice
Temple University School of Pharmacy
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

Kalin Clifford, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Division of Geriatrics and Pediatrics
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy
Dallas, Texas 

Lourdes Cross, PharmD, BCACP, CDCEs
Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice
Sullivan University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Internal Medicine and Endocrinology
University of Louisville Hospital
Louisville, Kentucky 

Heather Draper, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Emergency Medicine
TrinityHealth Saint Mary's
Grand Rapids, Michigan 

Stuart T. Haines, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, FASHP
Professor and Director, Professional Development
University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy
Jackson, Mississippi 

Kazuhiko Kido, PharmD, BCPS, BCCP
Clinical Assistant Professor
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia 

Patricia C. Kienle, MPA, BCSCP, FASHP
Director, Accreditation and Medication Safety
Cardinal Health Innovative Delivery Systems
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 

Morgan King, PharmD, BCPPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Cleveland Clinic Health System
Cleveland, Ohio 

Mei Liu, PharmD, BCPP
Clinical Assistant Professor
Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Piscataway, New Jersey 

Katherine Lusardi, PharmD, BCIDP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Infectious Diseases
Baptist Health System
Little Rock, Arkansas 

Krutika Mediwala Hornback, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Infectious Diseases/Antimicrobial Stewardship
MUSC Health
Charleston, South Carolina 

Jill Morgan, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS
Professor and Chair
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
Baltimore, Maryland 

Victoria Nachar, PharmD, BCOP
Clinical Pharmacist Specialist - Ambulatory Hematology
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
Ann Arbor, Michigan 

Brooklyn Olumba, PharmD, BCPS*
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Ambulatory Care
Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital
Houston, Texas 

Nicholas Owens, PharmD, BCACP, BCPS
Clinical Associate Professor
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy at University of the Sciences
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

Thuyvan Phan, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacists Practitioner
UNC Rheumatology Specialty Clinic
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 

Nathan Pinner, PharmD, BCPS, FASHP
Associate Clinical Professor
Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy
Internal Medicine Pharmacy Specialist
Princeton Baptist Medical Center
Mountain Brook, Alabama 

Diana Solomon, PharmD, BCCCP
Critical Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Cooper University HealthCare
Camde, New Jersey 

Paul Szumita, PharmD, FCCM, FASHP, BCCCP, BCPS
Director, Clinical Pharmacy
Brigham & Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts 

Laura H. Waite, PharmD, BCPS, CLS
Assistant Dean of PCP Student Affairs and Admissions
Director of PCP Student Recruitment and Engagement
Clinical Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, St. Joseph's University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

Kristin Watson, PharmD, BCCP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Abingdon, Maryland 

Jon Wietholter, PharmD, BCPS, FCCP
Clinical Professor
West Virginia University School of Pharmacy
Internal Medicine Clinical Pharmacist
WVU Medicine Ruby Memorial Hospital
Morgantown, West Virginia

*Content Matter Experts

Amy P. Holmes, PharmD, BCPPS
Anna M. Jackson, PharmD, BCPS

In accordance with our accreditor’s Standards of Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, ASHP requires that all individuals in control of content disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies. An individual has a relevant financial relationship if they have had a financial relationship with an ineligible company in any dollar amount in the past 24 months and the educational content that the individual controls is related to the business lines or products of the ineligible company. 

An ineligible company is any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients. The presence or absence of relevant financial relationships will be disclosed to the activity audience. 

The following persons in control of this activity’s content have relevant financial relationships:

• Snehal Bhatt: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Speaker's bureau; Astra Zeneca, Inc: advisory board
• Krutika Mediwala-Hornback: Cepheid Diagnostics: Speaker's Bureau; Merck: subcontractor
• All other persons in control of content do not have any relevant financial relationships with an ineligible company. 

As required by the Standards of Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, all relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the CPE activity.

Activities can be completed in any order. Each activity consists of audio, video, and/or PDFs and evaluations. Learners must review all content and complete the evaluations to receive continuing pharmacy education credit for each activity. 

Follow the prompts to claim, view, or print the statement of credit within 60 days after completing the activity. 

These activities were developed by ASHP.

To maintain its strict, independent standards for certification, BPS does NOT endorse or provide review information, preparatory courses, or study guides for Board Certification Examinations.