Table 2.
Summary of patient label comprehension/written examination scores by question.
| Written examination question | Patients, n (%) (overall n = 104) |
|---|---|
| Question 1: Identify all sites of the body where it is suitable to subcutaneously self-inject the prefilled pen of MTX. (Select all that apply) | |
| (a) arm | 4 (3.8) |
| (b) abdomena | 104 (100.0) |
| (c) upper thigha | 103 (99.0) |
| (d) chest | 0 |
| (e) hand | 0 |
| Question 2: How can it be determined that the medication was properly delivered from the prefilled pen? (Select only one) | |
| (a) listen for clicks | 10 (9.6) |
| (b) view the content of syringe through windowa | 92 (88.5) |
| (c) delivered automatically when button pushed | 8 (7.7) |
| (d) no way to determine delivery | 0 |
| (e) call physician | 0 |
| Question 3: About how long should you hold the prefilled pen in place after pushing the button for the MTX to be injected? (Select only one) | |
| (a) 1 s | 0 |
| (b) 2 s | 0 |
| (c) 5 sa | 103 (99.0) |
| (d) 8 s | 0 |
| (e) 10 s | 1 (1.0) |
| Question 4: When does the prefilled pen start the injection? (Select only one) | |
| (a) when pressed firmly against the skin | 8 (7.7) |
| (b) when placed in a perpendicular position | 0 |
| (c) after it is removed from the skin | 0 |
| (d) when the injection button is pushed and a click is hearda | 95 (91.3) |
| (e) when there is no liquid left | 1 (1.0) |
| Question 5: To avoid injury, never do the following: (Select only one) | |
| (a) insert fingers in the opening of the protective tubea | 103 (99.0) |
| (b) look at the plastic window to see liquid contents | 1 (1.0) |
| (c) press the injection button on the prefilled pen | 0 |
| (d) hold the needle against pinched skin until all of the medication is injected (5 s) | 1 (1.0) |
| (e) press the prefilled pen firmly against the skin | 0 |
| Question 6: Never do the following: (Select only one) | |
| (a) call your physician with a question | 0 |
| (b) wash your hands before using the prefilled pen | 0 |
| (c) use alcohol swab to clean the injection site | 0 |
| (d) use medication with expired datea | 104 (100.0) |
| (e) place prefilled pen on a flat surface | 0 |
| Question 7: Do not use the prefilled pen if the following is observed: (Select all that apply) | |
| (a) it appears to be damageda | 101 (97.1) |
| (b) the package has an expired datea | 102 (98.1) |
| (c) the device is ready for use | 7 (6.7) |
| (d) you did not receive a dose last week | 1 (1.0) |
| (e) your caregiver is unavailable | 1 (1.0) |
| Question 8: When is it acceptable to pinch the skin for subcutaneous injection? (Select only one) | |
| (a) it is always acceptable and helps to assure proper subcutaneous injectiona | 102 (98.1) |
| (b) it is never acceptable to pinch the skin for injection because it hurts | 0 |
| (c) only if there is no discomfort when the skin is pinched | 2 (1.9) |
| (d) it helps to remove the needle perpendicular to the skin | 0 |
| (e) only if this is the second attempt to use the prefilled pen today | 0 |
| Question 9: Each prefilled pen is designed to be used only once. (Select only one) | |
| (a) false, it is used with a new refillable syringe each time | 0 |
| (b) false, it can be used multiple times with the same syringe | 0 |
| (c) true, the prefilled pen is designed for single use onlya | 104 (100.0) |
| (d) true, this means it can only be used once per day | 0 |
| (e) false, the prefilled pen is recycled for reissue | 0 |
| Question 10: Who should I contact in case of an emergency? (Select only one) | |
| (a) my physician, pharmacist, or healthcare providera | 104 (100.0) |
| (b) the US FDA to report all emergencies | 0 |
| (c) the manufacturer, they accept toll calls | 0 |
| (d) my caregiver at home if he or she is not with me | 0 |
| (e) my insurance company if it is a question about medicine | 0 |
MTX: methotrexate; FDA: Food and Drug Administration.
a
Indicates correct or acceptable answers.