| Symptom/Scenario | Reason | |------------------|--------| | Child under 3 months with fever | Risk of serious infection | | Symptoms >7 days (or longer than product label says) | Need reassessment | | Pregnant/breastfeeding | Medicine safety changes | | Taking prescription meds (especially warfarin, lithium, methotrexate, digoxin) | Risk of interactions | | First-time migraine with aura | Could be other cause | | Blood in urine/stool, unexplained weight loss | Possible serious condition | | Allergy to multiple drugs | Risk of cross-reactivity |
Customer on warfarin asks for an indigestion remedy. A: Refer – some antacids contain calcium or magnesium which can affect warfarin absorption. Pharmacist will check safe option (e.g. alginates often preferred). npa medicine counter assistant course answers
Parent wants infant paracetamol for a 2‑month‑old with fever. A: Refer immediately to pharmacist – under 3 months with fever = urgent medical assessment (possible serious infection). Do not sell without pharmacist. alginates often preferred)