In the absence of institutional pharmacist, inpatient patient profile must be reviewed by the pharmacist within 72 hours.

• A. 24 hours
• B. 48 hours
• C. 72 hours
• D. 96 hours

Answer: (C)

When there is no on-site institutional pharmacist, the inpatient patient profile requires a pharmacist review within a set window to protect patient safety and ensure accurate medication use. The profile—tracking active orders, dosing, routes, allergies, and medication history—needs periodic verification to catch errors, reconcile therapies after admissions or changes, and spot potential drug interactions or contraindications. A 72-hour timeframe provides timely oversight without demanding constant coverage, balancing safety with feasible staffing. Shorter intervals would strain resources, while longer gaps could allow issues to go unnoticed, which is why the 72-hour limit is the appropriate standard.