Pharmacy Technician Certification PTCE Exam Version 4
Practice exam for Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) under Medical and Dental School Certification Exams (Licensing Exams). 5 sample questions.
Sample Questions
You're viewing a limited preview. Log in and subscribe to access all questions.
Log InExam Questions
Question 1
If a 10 mL vial of NPH U-100 insulin is dispensed to a patient who requires 17 units b.i.d., what is the days supply?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: First, calculate the total units of insulin in the vial: A U-100 insulin vial contains 100 units/mL. So, a 10 mL vial contains 10 mL * 100 units/mL = 1000 units. Next, calculate the patient's total daily insulin usage: 17 units b.i.d. (twice a day) = 17 units/dose * 2 doses/day = 34 units/day. Finally, calculate the days' supply by dividing the total units available by the daily usage: Days' supply = 1000 units / 34 units/day = 29.41 days. Rounding down to the nearest whole day, the days' supply is 29 days. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
Rationale: First, calculate the total units of insulin in the vial: A U-100 insulin vial contains 100 units/mL. So, a 10 mL vial contains 10 mL * 100 units/mL = 1000 units. Next, calculate the patient's total daily insulin usage: 17 units b.i.d. (twice a day) = 17 units/dose * 2 doses/day = 34 units/day. Finally, calculate the days' supply by dividing the total units available by the daily usage: Days' supply = 1000 units / 34 units/day = 29.41 days. Rounding down to the nearest whole day, the days' supply is 29 days. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
Question 2
Which of the following is an injectable medication that should be stored under refrigeration?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Vivitrol (naltrexone extended-release injectable suspension) requires refrigeration for storage prior to administration. It should be stored at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension) is typically stored at room temperature. Detrol (tolterodine) is an oral medication, and Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is an oral medication. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
Rationale: Vivitrol (naltrexone extended-release injectable suspension) requires refrigeration for storage prior to administration. It should be stored at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension) is typically stored at room temperature. Detrol (tolterodine) is an oral medication, and Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is an oral medication. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
Question 3
If escitalopram tablets from a particular manufacturer are unavailable through the wholesaler, what is the most appropriate action for the pharmacy technician?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When a specific manufacturer's product is unavailable, the most appropriate action for a pharmacy technician (under pharmacist supervision) is to seek an AB-rated alternative. AB-rated generic drugs are deemed bioequivalent to the brand-name product and are interchangeable. Therapeutic substitution involves changing to a different drug within the same class, which requires prescriber approval and is a pharmacist's role. Reverse distribution is for returning unused or expired medications. Compounding the medication is not necessary if an AB-rated generic is available. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
Rationale: When a specific manufacturer's product is unavailable, the most appropriate action for a pharmacy technician (under pharmacist supervision) is to seek an AB-rated alternative. AB-rated generic drugs are deemed bioequivalent to the brand-name product and are interchangeable. Therapeutic substitution involves changing to a different drug within the same class, which requires prescriber approval and is a pharmacist's role. Reverse distribution is for returning unused or expired medications. Compounding the medication is not necessary if an AB-rated generic is available. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
Question 4
The prescription notation "ac" means:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The abbreviation "ac" comes from the Latin phrase "ante cibum", which literally means "before food" or "before meals". This notation is commonly used in prescriptions to instruct patients to take a medication before they eat. "pc" means after meals, "ad" means right ear, and "od" means right eye. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
Rationale: The abbreviation "ac" comes from the Latin phrase "ante cibum", which literally means "before food" or "before meals". This notation is commonly used in prescriptions to instruct patients to take a medication before they eat. "pc" means after meals, "ad" means right ear, and "od" means right eye. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
Question 5
Which of the following auxiliary labels should be used with a prescription for doxycycline?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, is known to cause photosensitivity, making patients more susceptible to severe sunburns or skin reactions upon exposure to sunlight or UV light. Therefore, an auxiliary label advising patients to avoid exposure to sunlight or use sun protection is essential. While some medications require refrigeration, cause drowsiness, or discolor bodily fluids, photosensitivity is a characteristic side effect of doxycycline that necessitates this specific auxiliary label. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
Rationale: Doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, is known to cause photosensitivity, making patients more susceptible to severe sunburns or skin reactions upon exposure to sunlight or UV light. Therefore, an auxiliary label advising patients to avoid exposure to sunlight or use sun protection is essential. While some medications require refrigeration, cause drowsiness, or discolor bodily fluids, photosensitivity is a characteristic side effect of doxycycline that necessitates this specific auxiliary label. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.