CVS Pharmacy Technician Certification Practice Test

Which of the following pieces of information is NOT required when adding a new patient to the pharmacy system?

1. Patient's DOB

2. Patient's preferred contact number

3. Patient's social security number

4. Patient's zip code

The correct answer is: Patient's social security number

In the context of adding a new patient to a pharmacy system, certain pieces of information are essential for ensuring accurate patient identification and management. The correct choice reflects that a patient's social security number is typically not required as part of the essential data for registration in a pharmacy system. While a date of birth is critical for identifying patients and ensuring correct medication dispensing, and both a preferred contact number and zip code are often necessary for communication and location purposes, the social security number is not a standard requirement for registration. This is primarily due to privacy concerns and the need to protect sensitive personal information. Many pharmacies have adopted practices that reduce the necessity of using social security numbers, focusing instead on less sensitive identifiers, thereby minimizing the risk of identity theft and maintaining patient privacy.