Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 52%

Which of the following medications should be pulled from inventory due to incorrect storage?

Rationale

Shingrix that was stored in a freezer should be pulled from inventory due to incorrect storage.

Shingrix is a shingles vaccine that must be stored in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) and should not be frozen, as freezing can damage the vaccine and render it ineffective.

A (Boostrix that was stored in a refrigerator) YOUR ANSWER

Boostrix is a diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine that is correctly stored in a refrigerator. Its recommended storage temperature is also between 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F), so this option does not indicate a storage issue.

B (Havrix that was stored in a refrigerator) YOUR ANSWER

Havrix, which is a hepatitis A vaccine, is also appropriately stored in a refrigerator. The proper storage conditions for Havrix are the same as for Boostrix, making this option compliant with storage guidelines.

C (Shingrix that was stored in a freezer) CORRECT

Shingrix must be stored in a refrigerator, and storing it in a freezer can lead to a loss of potency. Therefore, this option indicates a critical error in storage that necessitates pulling the vaccine from inventory.

D (Varivax that was stored in a freezer) YOUR ANSWER

Varivax is a varicella (chickenpox) vaccine that is also recommended to be stored in a freezer at -50°C to -15°C (-58°F to 5°F). Thus, while this choice represents a specific storage requirement, it is not incorrect according to its guidelines.

Conclusion

Correct medication storage is crucial for maintaining vaccine efficacy. Among the options, only Shingrix stored in a freezer represents a significant deviation from recommended practices, necessitating its removal from inventory. Ensuring that vaccines are stored according to their specific temperature requirements is vital for patient safety and effective immunization.

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