If you are interested in becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) you will need to pass the PTCE, which is more commonly called the PTCB Exam. This exam will test your competence to perform the work of a pharmacy technician. Becoming a certified pharmacy technician is a great step to advance your career. Start your test prep now with our free PTCB practice exam.
PTCB Practice Questions
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Question 1 |
The process of reducing the particle size of a substance by grinding is:
Tumbling | |
Spatulation | |
Geometric dilution | |
Trituration |
Question 1 Explanation:
This compounding technique involves rubbing, crushing, or grinding into fine particles.
Question 2 |
What is DEA Form 41 used for?
To report the theft of controlled substances. | |
To report the inventory levels of controlled substances. | |
To document the destruction of controlled substances. | |
To order schedule II drugs. |
Question 2 Explanation:
The purpose of DEA Form 41 is to document the surrender of controlled substances that have been forwarded to the DEA for disposal.
Question 3 |
What does the abbreviation NPO mean?
Nothing by mouth | |
Every other day | |
New patient only | |
Nebulizer |
Question 3 Explanation:
PO is "by mouth" and NPO is "nothing by mouth".
Question 4 |
The condition in which the blood supply to a part of the heart is interrupted, causing heart cells to die is:
Stroke | |
Cardiomyopathy | |
Myocardial Infarction | |
Congestive Heart Failure |
Question 4 Explanation:
Myocardial infarction is more commonly known as a heart attack. It is usually caused by the blockage of a coronary artery.
Question 5 |
A drug is recalled by the FDA due to a container defect. Which type of recall would this be?
Class I | |
Class II | |
Class III | |
None of the above |
Question 5 Explanation:
Class III recalls are for products that are unlikely to cause adverse health effects.
Question 6 |
Twenty-two degrees Celsius is equal to what temperature in Fahrenheit?
22.0 | |
90.2 | |
68.2 | |
71.6 |
Question 6 Explanation:
The conversion formula is: F = (C × 1.8) + 32
Question 7 |
What is the brand name for bisoprolol-hydrochlorothizide?
Bumex | |
Ziac | |
Brevibloc | |
Avapro |
Question 7 Explanation:
Ziac is used to treat hypertension.
Question 8 |
A patient comes to the pharmacy counter with a prescription for Amoxicillin 250mg/5mL and the directions indicate 1¼ tsp po bid × 10d. What is the total quantity needed for dispensing?
125 mL | |
150 mL | |
187.5 mL | |
200 mL |
Question 8 Explanation:
1¼ teaspoons equals 6.25 mL. Since it is twice a day for 10 days you must calculate: 6.25 × 2 × 10 = 125 mL
Question 9 |
Which of the following is a non-prescription medication used to treat insomnia?
Glucosamine | |
Melatonin | |
Zolpidem | |
Temazepam |
Question 9 Explanation:
Glucosamine is a non-prescription medication used to treat arthritis symptoms. Zolpidem and temazepam are prescription medications used to treat insomnia.
Question 10 |
What is the generic name for Ranexa?
Raloxifene | |
Nicardipine | |
Ranolazine | |
Guanfacine |
Question 10 Explanation:
Ranexa is used to treat adults with chronic angina.
Question 11 |
Patients should avoid grapefruit juice if they are taking:
Simvastatin | |
Paroxetine | |
Tramadol | |
Lisinopril |
Question 11 Explanation:
Patients on Simvastatin should avoid grapefruit-containing products due to a risk of toxicity.
Question 12 |
What type of drug is omeprazole?
A beta-blocker | |
A diuretic | |
A proton pump inhibitor | |
An ACE inhibitor |
Question 12 Explanation:
The brand name for omeprazole is Prilosec. It is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Question 13 |
You need 800 mL of 10% dextrose solution. How much of your 50% and 5% dextrose solution will you need to mix?
122 mL of the 50% and 678 mL of the 5% | |
111 mL of the 50% and 889 mL of the 5% | |
100 mL of the 50% and 700 mL of the 5% | |
89 mL of the 50% and 711 mL of the 5% |
Question 13 Explanation:
This is an alligation problem, so you will put 50 in the upper left of your tic-tac-toe table, 5 in the lower left, and 10 in the middle. Subtracting across the middle you will put 5 in the upper right and 40 in the lower right.
So you need 5 parts of the 50% and 40 parts of the 5%, for a total of 45 parts.
Amount of 50% needed will be (5/45) × 800 = 89
Amount of 5% needed will be (40/45) × 800 = 711
So you need 5 parts of the 50% and 40 parts of the 5%, for a total of 45 parts.
Amount of 50% needed will be (5/45) × 800 = 89
Amount of 5% needed will be (40/45) × 800 = 711
Question 14 |
Which act addresses the privacy and security of health data?
Ominibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 | |
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 | |
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 | |
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 |
Question 14 Explanation:
The HIPAA Privacy Rule provides federal protections for personal health information and gives patients an array of rights with respect to that information.
Question 15 |
If a patient drops off a prescription to the pharmacy and the doctor has indicated "dispense as written", "medically necessary", or "brand name only" how does this prescription need to be billed through insurance?
DAW 1 | |
DAW 2 | |
DAW 7 | |
DAW 8 |
Question 15 Explanation:
DAW 1=Brand is medically necessary. DAW 2=Patient requests brand name only. DAW 7=Brand mandated by state law. DAW 8=Brand product not available.
Question 16 |
What classification of drug would be used for a patient suffering from acid reflux?
Calcium Channel Blocker | |
ACE Inhibitor | |
H2 Blocker | |
Beta Blocker |
Question 16 Explanation:
H2 blockers, which are also called H2 receptor antagonists, are used to treat GERD.
Question 17 |
Which of these medications is a Schedule III drug?
Ambien | |
Vicodin | |
Ativan | |
Ritalin |
Question 17 Explanation:
Ambien is Schedule IV, Vicodin is Schedule III, Ativan is Schedule IV, and Ritalin is Schedule II.
Question 18 |
What is the generic drug suffix for an ACE inhibitor?
STATIN | |
ARTAN | |
OLOL | |
PRIL |
Question 18 Explanation:
Generic ACE inhibitors usually have the suffix "pril".
Question 19 |
If a drug has no accepted medical use and extremely high potential for abuse, which DEA schedule would it be categorized in?
Schedule I | |
Schedule II | |
Schedule III | |
Schedule IV |
Question 19 Explanation:
Schedule I includes drugs such as Marijuana, Opium, and Heroin.
Question 20 |
Which of the following is NOT a smoking cessation agent?
Nicoderm | |
Zyban | |
Chantix | |
Nizoral |
Question 20 Explanation:
Nizoral is an antifungal agent.
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More PTCB Resources
- PTCB Study Guide – An overview of the best pharmacy tech study guides.
- PTCB Exam Preparation
PTCB Exam
When you take the Pharmacy Technician Exam, you will have 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete 90 multiple choice questions. The scores are calculating using a statistical method to adjust for the exam’s relative difficulty, so there is no way to know exactly how many correct answers are needed to pass. However, scores are provided immediately after completing the test and feedback is provided which indicates your stronger and weaker areas of performance.
This exam is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the PTCB certification is valid nationwide. After passing the PTCB Exam you may use the CPhT designation after your name. The certification is valid for 2 years and you can re-certify after completing 20 hours of continuing education or by retaking the exam.
The pharmacy tech exam is challenging, so make sure you do plenty of test prep. Be sure to take our PTCB practice test, but also work through as many additional PTCB practice questions as possible.