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PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (PTCE) practice questions

205 free questions with answers and explanations.

Practice test
  1. 1.A pharmacy technician is preparing to return several expired Schedule IV controlled substances to a reverse distributor. What federal DEA form must be used by the pharmacy to document the transfer of these expired medications?Federal Requirements
  2. 2.A pharmacy technician is assisting a patient who is requesting a refill for their prescription of a Schedule IV controlled substance. The patient states they are moving to another state and asks if the pharmacy can transfer the remaining refills to a pharmacy in their new location. According to federal regulations, how many times can a Schedule IV prescription with authorized refills be transferred between pharmacies?Federal Requirements
  3. 3.A pharmacy technician receives a prescription for fentanyl transdermal patches. The prescriber has indicated 'PRN pain' on the prescription. What federal requirement makes this prescription problematic for dispensing?Federal Requirements
  4. 4.A pharmacy receives a prescription for Adderall XR (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) for a 12-year-old patient. The prescription is for a 90-day supply and indicates 'do not fill until' specific future dates for each 30-day increment. What is the maximum total day supply of Adderall XR that a prescriber can issue using multiple prescriptions for this Schedule II medication?Federal Requirements
  5. 5.A patient approaches the pharmacy counter with a prescription for phenobarbital 30 mg, to be taken once daily. The prescription is dated 3 months ago. What is the maximum federal validity period for this prescription, and how many refills are allowed?Federal Requirements
  6. 6.A pharmacy technician is assisting a patient who is requesting a medication for severe heartburn. The patient states they have been taking omeprazole for several months without relief and asks for something stronger. Which of the following classifications of medications would require a prescription due to federal regulations?Federal Requirements
  7. 7.A patient approaches the pharmacy counter asking for an antihistamine to treat their seasonal allergies. They explicitly state they do not have a prescription. Which of the following is an example of an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine that can be directly purchased without a prescription?Federal Requirements
  8. 8.A pharmacy receives an electronic prescription for Adderall XR (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine extended-release), a Schedule II controlled substance. The electronic prescription system flags the order because the prescriber's DEA number is missing. According to federal law, which of the following is REQUIRED information on a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance?Federal Requirements
  9. 9.A pharmacy receives a prescription for Lomotil (diphenoxylate/atropine), a Schedule V controlled substance. The patient requests a refill. According to federal law, what is the maximum number of refills allowed for a Schedule V controlled substance within a six-month period from the date of issue?Federal Requirements
  10. 10.A pharmacy technician is receiving a delivery of various medications. The order includes a shipment of morphine sulfate tablets, a Schedule II controlled substance. Which of the following documents is required to be completed and retained by the pharmacy for this specific order?Federal Requirements
  11. 11.A pharmacy processes a large volume of prescriptions daily, including many controlled substances. To ensure compliance with federal record-keeping requirements for Schedule III, IV, and V prescriptions, how must these records be filed?Federal Requirements
  12. 12.A patient calls the pharmacy asking about the difference between over-the-counter (OTC) medications and prescription (Rx) medications. Which federal act primarily established the distinction between these two categories of drugs?Federal Requirements
  13. 13.A pharmacy technician is helping a patient who is requesting to purchase Children's Tylenol (acetaminophen liquid). The patient is unable to read the drug facts label due to poor eyesight and asks the technician to explain the appropriate dosing for their 3-year-old child who weighs 33 lbs. What federal act specifically requires OTC medications to have clear and adequate directions for use on their labels?Federal Requirements
  14. 14.A patient calls the pharmacy asking if they can get an early refill on their Adderall XR (C-II) prescription because they are going on a two-week vacation. The patient states they only have a few days' supply left. According to federal law, what is the maximum number of days' supply a prescriber can provide for a Schedule II controlled substance through multiple prescriptions issued on the same day?Federal Requirements
  15. 15.A pharmacy technician is receiving a delivery of various medications. The order includes a box of Promethazine with Codeine cough syrup, a Schedule V controlled substance. What specific documentation is required by federal law for the receipt of this medication?Federal Requirements
  16. 16.A pharmacy technician receives a prescription for clobazam, a Schedule IV controlled substance. The patient is requesting a transfer to another pharmacy. According to federal regulations, how many times can a prescription for clobazam be transferred between pharmacies?Federal Requirements
  17. 17.A pharmacy technician is reviewing a prescription for a controlled substance that was faxed from a prescriber's office. Which of the following Schedule II medications may be accepted as a faxed prescription that serves as the original written prescription?Federal Requirements
  18. 18.A pharmacy technician is assisting with the annual inventory of controlled substances. The pharmacy maintains a perpetual inventory system for Schedule II medications. According to federal regulations, what is the required accuracy for the count of all Schedule II controlled substances?Federal Requirements
  19. 19.A pharmacy technician is tasked with preparing an order for a Schedule III controlled substance. The order includes a request for 100 tablets of Tylenol with Codeine #3. What is the maximum quantity of this medication that can be ordered on a single DEA Form 222?Federal Requirements
  20. 20.A pharmacy technician is reviewing a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance that was written by a physician. Which of the following elements, if missing, would NOT automatically invalidate the prescription, provided it can be readily obtained from the prescriber?Federal Requirements
  21. 21.A pharmacy technician is preparing to return several expired Schedule III controlled substances to a reverse distributor. Which DEA form is primarily used by the pharmacy to document the destruction or return of controlled substances?Federal Requirements
  22. 22.A pharmacy technician is reviewing a prescription for a Schedule III controlled substance that was written 6 months ago. The prescription indicates 5 refills. According to federal regulations, how many of these refills are still valid?Federal Requirements
  23. 23.A pharmacy technician is stocking non-prescription medications. They come across a product containing pseudoephedrine. Under federal law, what is the maximum amount of pseudoephedrine a customer can purchase in a single day?Federal Requirements
  24. 24.A pharmacy technician is preparing to process a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance. The physician has indicated 'PRN Pain' on the prescription without specifying a maximum daily dose or duration. According to federal regulations, what action should the technician take?Federal Requirements
  25. 25.A pharmacy technician is assisting a patient who is picking up a prescription for isotretinoin. The technician knows this medication requires specific monitoring and dispensing restrictions due to severe potential side effects, particularly concerning pregnancy. Which federal program is designed to manage such risks?Federal Requirements
  26. 26.A pharmacy technician is assisting the pharmacist with an inventory of all controlled substances. According to federal regulations, how frequently must a complete inventory of all controlled substances be performed?Federal Requirements
  27. 27.A pharmacy technician is processing a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance for a patient in a long-term care facility (LTCF). The prescription was faxed to the pharmacy. According to federal regulations, what is the federal requirement for dispensing a faxed Schedule II prescription to an LTCF patient?Federal Requirements
  28. 28.A pharmacy technician is tasked with stocking a new shipment of medications. One of the medications is mifepristone, which is subject to a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. Which of the following is a key characteristic of a REMS program?Federal Requirements
  29. 29.A pharmacy receives a prescription for Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) for a patient undergoing opioid addiction treatment. Which federal agency regulates the prescribing and dispensing of this medication for this specific use?Federal Requirements
  30. 30.A pharmacy technician is assisting a patient who wants to purchase a cough syrup containing dextromethorphan. The patient also asks if they can purchase a box of Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) and a bottle of Tylenol PM (acetaminophen/diphenhydramine). Which of these medications is subject to federal sales restrictions due to its potential use in illicit drug manufacturing?Federal Requirements
  31. 31.A pharmacy technician is assisting a patient who is picking up a prescription for Clozapine. The patient mentions they are experiencing some unusual side effects and asks if there's anything special about this medication. The technician should recognize that Clozapine is part of a specific program designed to manage serious risks. Which type of program is this?Federal Requirements
  32. 32.A pharmacy technician is reviewing a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance. The prescription is for OxyContin (oxycodone) 40 mg, take one tablet by mouth every 12 hours for 30 days. The prescriber has written 'DAW' on the prescription. Which of the following is a federal requirement for dispensing this prescription?Federal Requirements
  33. 33.A pharmacy technician is reviewing an order for a new medication. The label indicates 'Rx Only'. This designation signifies that the drug is considered safe and effective only when used under the supervision of a licensed practitioner. Which federal act established this distinction between prescription and non-prescription drugs?Federal Requirements
  34. 34.A patient calls the pharmacy requesting a refill for their prescription of Lyrica (pregabalin), a Schedule V controlled substance. The patient states they have already received 6 refills within the past 5 months and their prescription was originally written 7 months ago. Based on federal regulations, what should the technician advise the patient?Federal Requirements
  35. 35.A pharmacy intern is performing a controlled substance inventory. They note that the pharmacy has 100 tablets of alprazolam 0.5 mg (controlled substance schedule IV) in an unopened bottle and an estimated 45 tablets in an opened bottle. According to federal law, how should the inventory of the opened bottle of alprazolam be recorded?Federal Requirements
  36. 36.A pharmacy technician is receiving a delivery of controlled substances. The shipment includes oxymorphone, a Schedule II opioid. What is the correct procedure for receiving this specific controlled substance?Federal Requirements
  37. 37.A pharmacy technician is performing a cycle count of controlled substances. They discover a discrepancy for a bottle of Hydromorphone 2 mg tablets, a Schedule II drug. What is the federal requirement for reporting a significant loss or theft of a controlled substance?Federal Requirements
  38. 38.A pharmacy technician is performing a quality assurance check on prescriptions filled the previous day. They notice a prescription for Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) for opioid dependence. What specific federal regulatory agency oversees the special prescribing requirements for this medication?Federal Requirements
  39. 39.A patient approaches the pharmacy counter requesting a refill for their prescription of gabapentin. The prescription was originally written 10 months ago for 120 capsules with 5 refills. According to federal regulations for non-controlled legend drugs, how many refills can still be dispensed?Federal Requirements
  40. 40.A pharmacy technician is reviewing a new prescription for a Schedule V controlled substance. What is the maximum number of times this prescription can be refilled, if authorized by the prescriber?Federal Requirements
  41. 41.A pharmacy technician is preparing to compound an emulsion. Which of the following is the primary purpose of an emulsifying agent in this preparation?Medications
  42. 42.A technician is asked to prepare a suspension. Which of the following is an essential characteristic of a well-prepared suspension?Medications
  43. 43.A pharmacy technician receives a prescription for 'warfarin 5 mg, take 1 tablet daily.' The patient's chart shows a new prescription for 'trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole DS.' What potential drug interaction should the technician be aware of and bring to the attention of the pharmacist?Medications
  44. 44.A pharmacy technician is performing a final check on a prescription for a pediatric patient. The prescription reads 'Amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL, give 5 mL PO TID for 10 days.' The child weighs 20 kg. The usual pediatric dose for this condition is 20-40 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours. Is the prescribed dose appropriate?Medications
  45. 45.A pharmacy technician is asked to retrieve a medication from the automated dispensing cabinet. The order is for 'furosemide 40 mg tablet'. Upon retrieval, the technician notices the medication is labeled 'furosemide 20 mg tablet.' What is the most appropriate action for the technician?Medications
  46. 46.A patient presents a prescription for 'Lisinopril 10 mg #30, take 1 tablet by mouth daily.' The patient reports having a persistent dry cough since starting the medication. Which drug class is Lisinopril, and what is the appropriate action for the technician?Medications
  47. 47.A patient calls the pharmacy asking about a new prescription for 'metoprolol succinate extended-release.' They previously took 'metoprolol tartrate.' The patient wants to know if they are the same medication. What is the most appropriate response from the pharmacy technician?Medications
  48. 48.A patient approaches the pharmacy counter asking for an over-the-counter remedy for mild anxiety and insomnia. They mention they prefer natural products. Which of the following herbal supplements is commonly used for these conditions and should be discussed with the pharmacist due to potential drug interactions?Medications
  49. 49.A pharmacy technician is preparing a sterile intravenous admixture in a laminar airflow workbench. Which of the following components should be wiped with 70% isopropyl alcohol before being placed into the workbench?Medications
  50. 50.A pharmacy technician is reviewing a patient's medication profile and notices an order for 'potassium chloride 20 mEq PO daily.' Based on this order, what is the most likely reason the patient is taking this medication?Medications