PTCB Exam Practice Test Questions With Correct Answers

What is the main difference between a prescription and a medication order? a. There is no difference; they are terms used interchangeable for the same thing. b. Prescriptions are written only in hospitals and inpatient facilities c. Prescriptions are for outpatient facilities, medication orders for impatient facilities d. Medication orders are forms for ordering chemicals - Answer c. Prescriptions are for outpatient facilities, medication orders for impatient facilities What is the definition of a legacy drug? a. This is nomenclature for drugs, medications and chemical compounds that don't change, regardless of how pharmaceutical companies have branded them. b. This is a trademark used by pharmaceutical companies to identify their particular medication formulations. c. It can be purchased without a prescription as long as they're properly labeled for home use. d. It must be prescribed by someone with prescription authority, and must be dispensed by legally qualified pharmacies - Answer d. It must be prescribed by someone with prescription authority, and must be dispensed by legally qualified pharmacies. What does the abbreviation qHS stand for? a. Every morning b. Every bedtime c. Nasogastric d. Every evening - Answer b. Every bedtime What does the abbreviation qOD stand for? a. Every morning b. Every other day c. Every afternoon d. Twice a day - Answer b. Every other day What does the abbreviation DAW mean? a. Dispense as written b. Dextrose in water c. Divide by d. Distill always - Answer a. Dispense as written What does the abbreviation NS mean? a. Normal saline b. Not satisfactory c. Nausea d. No solution - Answer a. Normal saline What does the abbreviation a.m. mean? a. Take with food b. Atlantic meridian c. Morning d. Left ear - Answer c. Morning What does the abbreviation tbsp. mean? a. Tablespoon b. Teaspoon c. Tincture d. Evenings - Answer a. Tablespoon What does the abbreviation g mean? a. Glucose b. Gram c. Gallon d. Geodon - Answer b. Gram Which of the following is NOT an element of a medication order? a. The name of the patient b. The dosage form c. The rate and duration of indication of use d. The date and time of the order - Answer c. The rate and duration of the indication of use If a patient walks up to your retail pharmacy window and you've served them before, what do you need from them before you can begin processing their prescription? a. An identifying piece of information from them, such as their date of birth, address or phone number to confirm their identity b. A piece of state or federal identification such as a driver's license, passport, military ID card or Medicare/Medicaid card c. Their insurance information or a cash deposit, to be sure they can pay for the prescription before you go to the bother of processing it d. Information about significant health conditions they have - Answer a. An identifying piece of information from them, such as their date of birth, address or phone number to confirm their identity Which element will you find on a prescription that you won't usually find on a medication order? a. The DEA number b. The patient's name c. The route of administration d. The signature and credentials of the prescriber - Answer a. The DEA number Identify which statement about DEA numbers is TRUE. a. If the holder of the DEA number is a mid-level practitioner, the first letter will always be "A" and "B". b. The second letter of the DEA number is always the last letter of the holder's first name c. The seventh number is always the last number of the sum of the odd group and double the sum of the even group d. The first, third and fifth numbers are called the even group, and the second, fourth and sixth numbers are called the odd group - Answer c. The seventh number is always the last number of the sum of the odd group and double the sum of the even group Which of the following computer error screens does NOT exist? a. REFILL TO SOON b. NONFORMULARY/DRUG NOT COVERED c. DRUG-FOOD ADVERSE EFFECTS d. MISSING/INVALID ID - Answer c. DRUG-FOOD ADVERSE EFFECTS When is it acceptable to use abbreviations on a prescription label? a. Never use abbreviations on a prescription label b. It's okay if the prescription is written at an inpatient facility. c. It's okay to use only approved, easy-to-understand abbreviations on a prescription label d. Because prescription labels are so small, it's important to abbreviate as much as possible in order to fit the maximum amount of information - Answer a. Never use abbreviations on a prescription label Which regulatory agency is in charge of deciding which medications are classified as "restricted-use?" a. The Center for Disease Control b. The Food and Drug Administration c. The U.S. Pharmacologist's Pharmacopeia d. The United States Drug and Formulary Administration - Answer b. The Food and Drug Administration Which of these questions are you NOT LEGALLY allowed to answer as a pharmacy technician? a. "Is there a chance this drug will conflict with the St. John's Wort supplement I take every day?" b. "Is there a generic form of this drug?" c. "What size do these capsules come in?" d. "How many milliliters are there in an ounce?" - Answer a. "is there a chance this drug will conflict with the St. John's Wort supplement I take every day?"