PTCB Practice Test

A drug patent is in effect for how many years from the date of the drug's discovery?
a. 10 years
b. 13 years
c. 15 years
d. 17 years

d. 17 years

A product's NDC number is grouped into three sections. The first five digits identify:
a. the manufacturer of the drug product
b. the product name, strength and dosage form
c. the package size
d. the distributor of the drug product

a. the manufacturer of the drug product

All of the following are true about Cimetidine EXCEPT:
a. an OTC preparation is available
b. it reduces the acidity of the stomach by blocking H-2 receptors
c. using samples of this product is a good way to save money in the pharmacy
d. it interacts with many other drugs

c. using samples of this product is a good way to save money in the pharmacy

How many 1 oz. bottles of cough syrup can be made from a 3 liter container of an instock syrup.
a. 50 bottles
b. 100 bottles
c. 150 bottles
d. 200 bottles

b. 100 bottles

How many ml of a 4% stock solution is needed to compound an order for 100 ml of 0.04% solution is distilled water?
a. 1 ml
b. 2 ml
c. 4 ml
d. 8 ml

a. 1 ml

the medication, metoprolol, is used to treat which of the following?
a. high cholesterol
b. high blood sugar
c. high blood pressure
d. high potassium levels

c. high blood pressure

Two medications are therapeutically equivalent to each other if they:
a. have the same dosage form
b. have the same active ingredients
c. have the same route of administration
d. have the same overall effect in the body

d. have the same overall effect in the body

What is the brand name of Metronidazole?
a. flagyl
b. detrol
c. femstat
d. diflucan

a. flagyl

What is the genetic name for Compazine?
a. promethazine
b. prochlorperazine
c. procainamide
d. propranolol

b. prochlorperazine

Which of the following is the best definition for therapeutic equivalence?
a. two drugs are the same size, shape, and color
b. two drugs are categorized in the same therapeutic class and produce the same therapeutic effect
c. two drugs have the same amount of active ingredient
d. two drugs are equally effective at the same strength and dosage

b. two drugs are categorized in the same therapeutic class and produce the same therapeutic effect

Which of the following medications is NOT an antibiotic?
a. biaxin
b. cefzil
c. axid
zithromax

c. axid

1 grain is equal to:
a. 15 mg
b. 30 mg
c. 60 mg
d. 120 mg

c. 60 mg

A 250 ml IV bag of Ampicillin is administered at 8 am. It is to run 4 hours. What is the drops/minute if the set is calibrated at 20 drops/ml?
a. 16 gtts/min
b. 19 gtts/min
c. 21 gtts/min
d. 25 gtts/min

c. 21 gtt/min

A pharmacy receives an invoice reading "$6,000, net 30". Under these payment terms, the pharmacy will be:
a. given a discount of $30 if the invoice is paid upon receipt
b. charged no interest if the invoice is paid in full in 30 days
c. charged no interest if 30% of the $6,000 is paid upon receipt
d. charged $30 interest for each month the balance remains due

b. charged no interest if the invoice is paid in full in 30 days

An elixir is available in a 0.05 mg/ml concentration. How many ml are needed for a 0.125 mg dose?
a. 2.0 ml
b. 2.5 ml
c. 3.0 ml
d. 3.5 ml

b 2.5 ml

An IV has been ordered to run at 5 gtts/min. The IV contains 750 mg of drug in a total of 250 ml. How many mg of drug will be given to the patient per hour if the IV is set to deliver 15 drops/ml?
a. 20 mg/hr
b. 40 mg/hr
c. 60 mg/hr
d. 100 mg/hr

c. 60 mg/hr

How many days would a combivent MDI (200 metered doses) last if a patient was instructed to take 2 puffs bid prn?
a. 25 days
b. 30 days
c. 45 days
d. 50 days

d. 50 days

How many tablets need to be dispensed according to this sig: i po tid X 30 d?
a. 30
b. 60
c. 90
d. 120

c. 90

If a pharmacist asks a technician to repack bulk solid dosage forms into unit-dose packs, what expiration date should appear on the label?
a. use the original expiration date on the bulk package
b. 3 months
c. 6 months
d. 50% of the original labeled expiration date up to maximum of one year

d. 50% of the original labeled expiration date up to maximum of one year

If a prescription calls for 375 mg of penicillin per day for ten days, how much of a 250 mg/5 ml suspension should be dispensed?
a. 50 ml
b. 75 ml
c. 100 ml
d. 125 ml

b. 75 ml

If an injectable drug is available in a 0.1% mg/ml concentration, how many ml are needed for a 50 mcg dose?
a. 0.5 ml
b. 0.75 ml
c. 1.0 ml
d. 1.25 ml

a. 0.5 ml

If you pay $25. 72 for a drug and the selling price is $42.50, what is the percentage markup based on cost?
a. 40%
b. 55%
c. 65%
d. 75%

c. 65%

Using Clark's rules, calculate the number of mg per day needed of Labetolol 200 mg tid for a patient who is 3 years old and weighs 33 lbs.
a. 44 mg/day
b. 48 mg/day
c. 52 mg/day
d. 54 mg/day

a. 44 mg/day

What information is missing from the following prescription? Amoxicillin 500 caps. Sig: tk 1 c po tid tat.
a. route
b. duration
c. quantity
d. from

c. quantity

Which of the following statements regarding nitroglycerin is FALSE?
a. sublingual tablets need to be stored at room temperature
b. sublingual tablets must be dispensed in original glass containers
c. sublingual tablets must be replaced after 6 months of opening the container
d. all of the above statements are true

d. all of the above statements are true

You have a four-ounce bottle of medication. It is labeled a 7% solution. How much active ingredient is present?
a. 2.8 gm
b. 8.4 gm
c. 11.2 gm
d. 30 gm

b. 8.4 gm

You have heparin 25,000 units in 500 ml of dextrose 5% in water. The concentration is:
a. 50 units/ml
b. 75 units/ml
c. 100 units/ml
d. 125 units/ml

a. 50 units/ml

A compounded prescription requires using 10 tablets, which cost $25.00 per 50 tablets and 100 gm of an ointment, which costs $9.00 per pound. If there is a $4.00 dispensing fee, what would the total cost be for this prescription?
a. $6.98
b. $8.98
c. $10.88
d. $12.98

c. $10.98

A laminar flow hood is used to:
a. limit access to the IV room
b. properly filter sterile products
c. guarantee the sterilization of products made in the hood
d. provide an aseptic environment for safe manipulation of sterile products

d. provide an aseptic environment for safe manipulation of sterile products

If the laminar flow hood is turned off, it should NOT be used until it has been running for at least:
a. 15 minutes
b. 30 minutes
c. 1 hour
d. 2 hours

b. 30 minutes

The on-demand preparation of a drug product according to a physician's prescription, formula, or recipe, is known as:
a. anticipatory compounding
b. extemporaneous compounding
c. isotopic compounding
d. stat compounding

b extemporaneous compounding

The proper technique for cleaning a horizontal laminar flow hood is to wipe:
a. from back to front using circular motions
b. from front to back using circular motions
c. from back to front using up and down motions
d. from back to front using back-to-front motions

c. from back to front using up and down motions

This is the process of reducing solids into fine particles by rubbing them with a mortar and pestle. It is used to reduce the size of particles and to blend powders.
a. levigation
b. trituration
c. decantation
d. filtration

b. trituration

When preparing chemotherapy, what type of laminar flow hood should be used in order to prevent exposure to the worker?
a. vertical
b. horizontal
c. bench model
d. console model

a. vertical

Which method should be used when measuring liquid in a graduated cylinder?
a. place cylinder on level surface and read meniscus from above
b. place cylinder on level surface and read meniscus from below
c. hold cylinder at eye level and read the top of the meniscus
d. hold cylinder at eye level and read the bottom of the meniscus

d. hold cylinder at eye level and read the bottom of the meniscus

CPOE stands for:
a. central pharmacy operating engine
b. computerized prescription override entry
c. compounded prescription order entry
d. computerized physician order entry

d. computerized physician order entry

In order to ensure quick and accurate retrieval, a prescription order is added to a patient's computerized profile by means of a:
a. database program
b. spreadsheet program
c. word processing program
d. desktop publishing program

a. database program

Information entered and stored in a computer, such as patient's birth date is called:
a. log
b. prescription
c. inventory
d. data

d. data

The computer system doesn't provide:
a. consultation
b. pricing
c. education
d. product selection

a. consultation

This form tracks the medications administered to a patient.
a. MAR
b. PRN
c. EMR
d. POS

c. EMR

This system is used to compile medical records.
a. electronic medication documentations
b. electronic patient records
c. electronic prescription records
d. electronic medical records

d. electronic medical records

This type of system maintains a continuous record of every item in inventory so that it always shows the stock on hand.
a. par
b. perpetual
c. turnover
d. ordering

b. perpetual

What is the name of the system that nurses use to obtain medication when the pharmacy department is closed?
a. bar coding
b. code carts
c. automated pneumatic device
d. automated dispensing system

d. automated dispensing system

Which of these are not entered in the patient profile?
a. allergies
b. medication history
c. co-pay
d. insurance

c. co-pay

This is a federal and state program for eligible individuals and families with low incomes.
a. Medicaid
b. Medicare Part D
c. Medicare Part B
d. Medicare Part A

a. medicade

This program is offered by some pharmaceutical manufactures to help needy patients who require medication they cannot afford and do not have insurance coverage.
a. Medicare
b. Medicaid
c. Patient assistance
d. SDL

c. Patient assistance

This service is provided to review medication therapy for patients who are taking multiple medications for multiple disease states.
a. MTM
b. CMR
c. CMS
d. PDP

a. mtm

This type of healthcare reimbursement pays for prescribed expenses, such as prescriptions, when the patient is covered by a supplementary comprehensive major medical policy.
a. managed care
b. private health insurance
c. PBM
d. Medicaid

b. private health insurance

This type of healthcare reimbursement system provides care for people unable to care for themselves because of mental or physical impairment.
a. long-term care
b. home health
c. home infusion
d. mail order

a. long-term care

Which of the following is not a third-party rejection claim message?
a. NDC not covered
b. no refills
c. invalid person code
d. reject at switch or intermiary

b. no refills

Which one of these federal and state run programs includes benefits for prescription drug costs on an outpatient basis?
a. Medicare
b. Medicare Part B
c. Medicaid
d. Medicare supplement

c. Medicaid

You receive a rejected claim for a prescription a mother is filling for her 26 year old daughter. You checked the data entry against the hard copy of the prescription and patient information and everything is accurate. The insurance information was entered correctly and all prescriptions are adjudicating. Why may this have been rejected?
a. the birth date was invalid
b. there was a system timeout
c. the prescription plan has age limitations
d. the person code was entered incorrectly

c. the prescription plan has age limitation

A drug had to be recalled because the manufacturer did not put the right amount of medicine in each tablet. This is an example of:
a. toxicological drugs
b. misbranding
c. adulteration
d. irrigating

c. adulteration

All work done in a laminar flow hood must be at least:
a. 3 inches inside the hood
b. 6 inches inside the hood
c. 10 inches inside the hood
d. 12 inches inside the hood

b. 6 inches inside the hood

An example of a valid DEA # is:
a. ZZ2174567
b. AB2174566
c. AB9999999
d. RX2174564

b. AB2174566

Based on Federal Law, how long is a C-II prescription good for?
a. 5 days
b. 10 days
c. 20 days
d. 30 days

d. 30 days

Baycol was recalled due to rhabdomyolysis, a breakdown of muscle tissue. This was an example of what kind of recall?
a. Class I
b. Class II
c. Class III
d. Class IV

a. Class I

If a father calls the pharmacy and tells the pharmacy technician that his 18 month old baby ingested a small amount of poison, what should the technician NOT do?
a. recommend that the father speak with the pharmacist
b. recommend that the father call his pediatrician
c. recommend that the father induce vomiting with Ipecac syrup
d. recommend that the father take the baby to the emergency roon

c. recommend that the father induce vomiting with Ipecac syrup

The Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1990 requires all pharmacists to counsel what type of patients?
a. senior citizens
b. only new patients
c. medicaid patients
d. pediatric patients

c. medicade patients

The regulatory body responsible for surveying and accrediting healthcare organizations every 3 years is:
a. JCAHO
b. HCFA
c. DPH
d. BOP

a. JCAHO

This amendment requires drug manufacturers to provide proof of safety and effectiveness before marketing the drug.
a. Durham-Humphrey Amendment
b. Kefauver-Harris Amendment
c. Medical Device Amendment
d. Food and Drug Amendment

b kefauver-harris amendment

What form is required to return schedule II drugs?
a. DEA form 41
b. DEA form 106
c. DEA form 222
d. DEA form 224

a. DEA form 41

Where should Schedule II prescriptions be filed?
a. separate from all the other schedules
b. with the schedule I and III prescriptions
c. with schedule I, III, IV prescriptions
d. with the schedule I, III, IV, V, and VI prescriptions

a separate from all the other schedules

A customer brings in a prescription to the pharmacy. The receiving technician is having doubts about the authenticity of the prescription. What should the technician do?
a. give the prescription back to the customer
b. call the doctor right away
c. bring it to the attention of the pharmacist
d. fill it

c. bring it to the attention of the pharmacist

A patient calls the pharmacy asking why her heart medication is yellow instead of the usual white color. Upon investigation, you learn that the prescription was filled with 0.125 mg of digoxin instead of the 0.25 mg strength. Which of the following is the most appropriate action to take?
a. tell the patient to double up the tablets, thereby taking 2 tablets daily
b. ask the patient to bring the prescription back to the pharmacy so you can secretly exchange it for the correct dose
c. explain the situation to the pharmacist, correct the error, and document the error per Walgreens procedures
d. prepare a new prescription with the 0.25 mg strength and inform the patient that pharmacists are solely responsible for the accuracy of prescriptions

c. explain the situation to the pharmacist, correct the error, and document the error per Walgreens procedures

A patient is requesting a cough medicine for her 2 year old son. How should this request be handled.
a. recommend waiting the cough out since most cough medicines aren't approved for 2 year old
b. recommend using honey to soothe the cough
c. refer the patient to the pharmacist
d. refer the patient to the children's medications

c. refer the patient to the pharmacist

Highlighting sections of drug names using ____ can help distinguish similar drug names making them less prone to mix-ups.
a. trailing zeros
b. abbreviations
c. leading zeros
d. tall man lettering

d. tall man lettering

How should half a milligram be written to avoid confusion?
a. 5.0 mg
b. .05 mg
c. 0.5 mg
d. .5 mg

c. 0.5 mg

The abbreviation IU for international unit is commonly mistaken for:
a. twelve
b. intravenous
c. seven
d. intramuscular

b. intravenous

The risk of a dosage error is minimized by writing seven milligrams as:
a. 0.7 mg
b. 7 mg
c. 7.0 mcg
d. 7 gm

b. 7 mg

These are required by the FDA for some potentially dangerous drugs to provide patients with information for safe use of the medication.
a. auxiliary label
b. MSDS
c. legend
d. medication guide

d. medication guide

This category of medications is known to cause significant harm to the patient if an error is made.
a. herbal supplements
b. high alert
c. look-alike
d. schedule 1

b. high alert

To avoid confusion with prednisolone, how should prednisone be written on the medication packaging?
a. predniSOne
b. predniSONE
c. PREdnison
d. preNISone

b. predniSONE

What is HCI is commonly mistaken for?
a. hydrochloride
b. potassium chloride
c. hydrochloric acid
d. hydrocortisone

b. pottassium chloride

A customer is looking for an over the counter iron pill to help with her anemia. She asks you where she can find the medication. Knowing iron supplements can interfere with other medications, what should you do?
a. refer her to a retail manager
b. refer the question to the pharmacist on duty
c. direct her to the aisle where vitamins and supplements are
d. explain that a prescription is necessary

d. refer the question to the pharmacist on duty

A DUR warning appears when entering a prescription. What should you do?
a. re-enter the data correcting errors
b. call the insurance provider
c. call the patient
d. notify the pharmacist

d. notify the pharmacist

A patient brings in a prescription that has no sig codes or abbreviations and has unusually neat handwriting. This is a narcotic prescription. What should you do first to avoid a dispensing error?
a. call the prescriber
b. double check data entry
c. refuse the fill
d. notify the phramacist

d. notify the phramacist

A patient hands you a prescription to fill which the number of refills apparently altered. What should you do?
a. notify the pharmacist
b. notify the authorities
c. call the prescriber
d. verify the refills with insurance provider

a. notify the pharmacist

The widespread use of this has made the pharmacy filling and dispensing process more efficient.
a. central pharmacy
b. over the counter drugs
c. electronic medical records
d. computer system

d. computer system

There is a shortage of Tamiflu in your pharmacy. Who should the technician alert when patients are requesting prescriptions to be filled for it?
a. pharmacist on duty
b. prescirber
c. manufacturer
d. warehouse

a pharmacist on duty

You should match this item on the label with the medication bottle to assure the correct medication is chosen.
a. Signa
b. DEA
c. NDC
d. NPI

c. NDC

"Formulary medications" refers to:
a. generics only
b. 30 day supply of any prescribed medication
c. all drugs that are "MAC'd"
d. a list of drugs approved by the patient's insurance company

d. a list of drugs approved by the patient's insurance company

How would you store insulin?
a. at room temperature
b. in the freezer
c. in the refrigerator
d. away from natural light

c. in the refrigerator

If a product is labeled to expire 12/99, what is the last date it should be used by?
a. 12/1/1999
b. 1/1/2000
c. 11/31/99
d. 12/31/1999

d. 12/31/1999

Many hospitals, HMO's, insurers and other healthcare systems maintain a list of medications that are approved for use in the system called a/am:
a. inventory
b. formulary
c. stock
d. warehouse

b. formulary

The expiration date on a bottle of Vicodin is 5/99. When dose this drug expire?
a. midnight 4/30/99
b. midnight 5/1/99
c. midnight 5/31/99
d. midnight 6/1/99

c. midnight 5/31/99

What is the storage requirement for Cector 125 mg/5 after reconstitution?
a. 2-8 degrees C
b. 8-15 degrees C
c. 15-30 degrees C
d. 30-45 degrees C

a. 2-8 degrees C

Which of the following medications requires refrigeration?
a. ibuprofen liquid
b. accutane
c. tretinoin cream
d. xalatan

d. xalatan

Which of the following medications must be refrigerated?
a. albuterol liquid
b. zyrtec liquid
c. orapred
d. lovenox injection

c. orapred

A product's NDC number is grouped into three sections. the first five digits identify:
a. the manufacturer of the drug product
b. the product name, strength and dosage form
c. the package size
d. the distributor of the drug product

a. manufacturer of the drug product

An example of a major drug-drug interaction would be:
a. digoxin-diltiazem
b. hydrocodone-amoxicillin
c. penicillin-acetaminophen
d. warfarin-asprin

d. warfairn-asprin

Keto-Diastix is used to monitor which one of the following conditions?
a. tuberculosis
b. hepatitis
c. colon cancer
d. diabetes

d. diabetes

Refill limitations for Darvocet N 100 are:
a. maximum of 5 refills and not more than 1 year after the date of issuance
b. maximum of 5 refills and not more than 6 months after the date of issuance
c. maximum of 10 refills and not more than 6 months after the date issuance
d. maximum of 10 refills and not more than 1 year after the date of issuance

b. maximum of 5 refills and not more than 6 months after the date of issuance

The generic equivalent for Mevacor is:
a. cefixime
b. cefprozil
c. isradipine
d. lovastatin

d. lovastatin

What causes the intensely painful episode of gout?
a. high levels of calcium
b. it is an auto-immune response
c. joint inflammation caused by uric acid build up forming crystals
d. there is no known cause

c. joint inflammation caused by uric acid build up forming crystals

What does it mean when a vitamin is water soluble?
a. the vitamin will not accumulate and cause adverse effects
b. the vitamin will not accumulate in the body
c. the vitamin must be dissolved in water prior to absorption
d. the vitamin will not dissolve

b. the vitamin will not accumulate in the body

What is the term for the process by which substances are taken up and transported to the bloodstream?
a. absorption
b. distribution
c. metabolism
d. excretion

a. absorption

Which of the following anti-convulsants may be used to treat generalized seizures?
a. phenytoin
b. carbamazepine
c. phenobarbital
d. all of the above

d. all of the above

Which of the following drugs is a beta blocking agent?
a. tenormin
b. lotensin
c. procardia
d. calan

a. tenormin

Which of the following is an anticoagulant?
a. aspirin
b. heparin
c. warfarin
d. all of the above

d. all of the above