PTCE PTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT) Exam Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

The axilla refers to the underarm area. Clobetasol is a high-potency corticosteroid, and such steroids are not recommended for use on thin-skinned areas like the face, groin, or underarms (axilla) due to risk of increased absorption and adverse effects like skin atrophy.

Mosby’s Pharmacy Technician: Principles and Practice explains:

“High-potency corticosteroids should not be applied to intertriginous areas such as the axilla, groin, or face due to increased absorption and systemic risk.”

TheM-M-R II (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccinemust bereconstituted only with the manufacturer-supplied diluentto maintain its efficacy and stability.

The manufacturer-provided diluent contains stabilizing agents that preserve the live attenuated virus.

Using normal saline can alter the pH and degrade the vaccine, making it ineffective.

The vaccine must be discarded if reconstituted incorrectlyand not administered.

A. Administer the vaccine as the diluents are equivalent.❌→Incorrect

Normal saline is NOT equivalent to the manufacturer’s diluentand can compromise the vaccine’s potency.

B. Report the incident to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).❌→Incorrect

Vaccine errors should be reported to the CDC’s Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), not the DEA(which handles controlled substances, not vaccines).

C. Contact the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for guidance.❌→Incorrect

The EPA regulates hazardous waste, not vaccine errors.The CDC or vaccine manufacturer should be contacted for guidance.

CDC Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines– States thatvaccines must be reconstituted only with manufacturer-supplied diluents.

FDA Guidelines for M-M-R II Vaccine– Confirms that improper reconstitutionrenders the vaccine ineffective.

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline– Covers proper vaccine handling and error prevention.

Why Is Normal Saline Not an Acceptable Diluent?Why Not the Other Options?Key References:

Alot numberis a unique identifier assigned to a specific batch of a medication during manufacturing.

TheNational Drug Code (NDC)andserial numberare different from the lot number.

On medication stock bottles, the lot number is often preceded by"(10)", which is present in this case:

(10)ABC123→This represents the lot number.

B. 55555444422→ This appears to be aGTIN (Global Trade Item Number), which identifies the product but is not the lot number.

C. 051526→ This could represent a manufacturer’s internal code or part of the packaging details, but not the lot number.

D. 11262026→ This follows the(21) identifier, which represents theexpiration date (November 26, 2026).

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline – Medication Labeling and Lot Numbers

FDA Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA)– Provides guidance on tracking drug batches.

USP Chapter <1079> Good Storage and Distribution Practices– Covers stock bottle labeling and identification.

Why Other Answers Are Incorrect?Pharmacy Technician References:

Amlodipine (Norvasc)is acalcium channel blocker (CCB)used to treathypertension and angina. A common side effect of amlodipine isdizziness, which occurs due to itsvasodilatory effects, leading tolowered blood pressureandpotential orthostatic hypotension.

B. Photosensitivity→ Incorrect;photosensitivityis more commonly associated with drugs such astetracyclines, sulfonamides, and fluoroquinolones, not amlodipine.

C. Agitation→ Incorrect; amlodipine does not typically causeCNS agitation.

D. Insomnia→ Incorrect;amlodipine does not significantly affect sleep patterns.

Peripheraledema

Flushing

Fatigue

Other Answer Choices Explained:Additional Side Effects of Amlodipine:References:

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline (Pharmacology for Technicians – Cardiovascular System Drugs)

Lexicomp Drug Monograph for Amlodipine

Goodman & Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics

Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets are light- and moisture-sensitive, requiring storage in tight, light-resistant containers. Removing them from their original glass container can compromise potency. Therefore, they must always be dispensed in the original container provided by the manufacturer.

According to USP Packaging and Storage Requirements and Mosby’s Pharmacy Technician:

“Nitroglycerin SL tablets lose potency quickly when exposed to air or light. Do not repackage; dispense only in manufacturer-supplied container.”

Other options do not require original container for stability:

Methotrexate – may be repackaged

Metoprolol XL – stable in unit-dose or amber vials

Allopurinol – routine packaging allowed

Diflucan (Fluconazole) is an antifungal medicationused to treatsystemic and local fungal infections, including:

Candidiasis (oral thrush, vaginal yeast infections)

Cryptococcal meningitis

Fungal infections in immunocompromised patients (HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy patients, etc.)

Fluconazole works byinhibiting fungal ergosterol synthesis, which is essential for fungal cell membrane integrity.

A. Bacterial infections❌→Incorrect

Fluconazole does NOT treat bacterial infections; antibiotics are required instead.

B. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)❌→Incorrect

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H2 blockers(e.g., omeprazole, ranitidine) are used for GERD.

C. Altitude sickness❌→Incorrect

Acetazolamide (Diamox) is used for altitude sickness, not fluconazole.

FDA Fluconazole Drug Label– Confirms antifungal indications.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines– Lists fluconazole asa treatment for candidiasis and cryptococcal meningitis.

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline– Covers antifungal medications and their indications.

Why Not the Other Options?Key References:

Phenobarbital is abarbiturateused forseizure control, sedation, and epilepsy management. It is commercially available in both:

Oral tablet form(commonly used for long-term seizure control).

Injectable solution form(used in hospital settings for status epilepticus and acute seizure episodes).

B. Paroxetine❌→Available only as oral tablets and oral suspension.

C. Pioglitazone❌→Available only as oral tablets (for diabetes management).

D. Pramipexole❌→Available only as oral tablets (for Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome).

FDA Drug Labeling Database– ListsPhenobarbital as available in oral and injection forms.

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Drug Database– Confirmsinjectable and oral availability of Phenobarbital.

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline– Covers medication dosage forms and routes of administration.

Why Not the Other Options?Key References:

Tetracyclines, includingdoxycycline and minocycline, are broad-spectrum antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections. They have amajor drug-drug interaction with calcium-containing antacidsand other minerals.

Chelation Effect:Calcium binds to tetracycline, forminginsoluble complexesthat prevent the antibiotic from being absorbed in thegastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Reduced Efficacy:Because the drug cannot be absorbed, the antibiotic’s effectiveness is significantly reduced.

Similar Interactions:Magnesium, iron, and aluminum (found in many antacids, dairy products, and multivitamins) also reduce tetracycline absorption.

Take on an Empty Stomach(1 hour before or 2 hours after meals).

Avoid Dairy, Antacids, and Multivitaminsfor at least2 hours before and aftertaking tetracycline.

Drink with a Full Glass of Waterto prevent esophageal irritation.

B. Decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine.→ Incorrect. Pseudoephedrine does not interact with tetracycline.

C. Antitussives that contain dextromethorphan.→ Incorrect. Dextromethorphan does not affect tetracycline absorption.

D. Analgesics that contain acetaminophen.→ Incorrect. Acetaminophen does not bind to tetracycline or impact its absorption.

Lexicomp Drug Interaction Database – Tetracycline and Calcium Interactions.

FDA Drug Label for Tetracycline – Absorption and Drug Interaction Warnings.

Mosby’s Pharmacy Technician: Principles and Practice – Tetracycline Pharmacology.

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline – Drug Interactions and Contraindications.

Why Should Tetracycline Not Be Taken with Calcium-Containing Antacids?Patient Counseling for Tetracycline Use:Why the Other Answer Choices Are Incorrect:Pharmacy Technician References:

The abbreviation"PO"means"by mouth" (per os).

The abbreviation"ac"stands for"before meals" (ante cibum).

The phrase"daily for 14 days"indicates that the patient should take the medication once a day for a total of 14 days.

Thus, the correct label instructions should be:"Take one capsule by mouth before a meal once daily for 14 days."

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline – Prescription Interpretation– Covers standard medical abbreviations.

ISMP (Institute for Safe Medication Practices) List of Common Pharmacy Abbreviations– Defines "PO" (by mouth) and "ac" (before meals).

USP Medication Labeling Standards– Ensures clear and accurate patient instructions.

Pharmacy Technician References:

Incompatibility in a nonsterile compound can be identified through various physical, chemical, and therapeutic changes.An unexpected change in odoris a key indicator of chemical instability, contamination, or degradation of a compounded preparation. Some ingredients may break down into volatile compounds, leading to noticeable odor changes.

A. A clear solution→ Incorrect; clarity alone does not indicate incompatibility.Some solutions may be clear but still chemically unstable.

B. The use of a pH buffer system→ Incorrect; buffer systems are used to maintain pH stability and prevent incompatibility rather than indicate it.

D. Suspension particles settling to the bottom of a container→ Incorrect; suspensions naturally settle and require shaking before use.This is not necessarily a sign of incompatibility.

Other Answer Choices Explained:References:

USP <795> Pharmaceutical Compounding—Nonsterile Preparations

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline (Medication Safety & Quality Assurance)

Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy

Linagliptin is thegeneric name for Tradjenta, a medication used to treattype 2 diabetes mellitus.

Linagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor (Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor).

Works byincreasing incretin levels, which boost insulin secretion and reduce glucagon levels.

Used tolower blood glucose levelsin patients with type 2 diabetes.

(A) Forteo❌Incorrect – Forteo (teriparatide) is for osteoporosis.

(B) Januvia❌Incorrect – Januvia (sitagliptin) is another DPP-4 inhibitor but not the same as Tradjenta.

(C) Tradjenta✅Correct – The brand name for linagliptin.

(D) Xarelto❌Incorrect – Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is an anticoagulant.

Tradjenta Prescribing Information (FDA):https://www.tradjenta.com

American Diabetes Association (ADA) – Pharmacologic Approaches to Diabetes Management:https://diabetesjournals.org

PTCB Exam Content Outline – Brand & Generic Name Drug Recognition

Drug Classification & Mechanism:Analysis of Answer Choices:References for Pharmacy Technicians:

Multiple-dose vials (MDVs)containpreservativesto inhibit microbial growth. These vials are designed formultiple withdrawalsover time, increasing the risk of contamination. Preservatives, such asbenzyl alcohol or phenol, help prevent bacterial or fungal contamination after repeated needle insertions.

A. stability and compatibility→ Incorrect. Preservatives do not inhibit drug stability; they prevent microbial contamination.

B. sorption and leaching→ Incorrect. Sorption (adsorption/absorption of drugs onto container surfaces) and leaching (release of chemicals from containers) are unrelated to preservatives.

D. synergistic reactions→ Incorrect. Synergistic reactions refer to drug interactions, not contamination prevention.

Incorrect Answer Choices:Pharmacy Technician References:

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline (Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding)

USP <797> Guidelines for Sterile Compounding

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Guidelines on Multiple-Dose Vials

Mosby’s Pharmacy Technician Exam Review

To determine how muchdrug (active ingredient)is in2 oz (ounces) of cream, we use the given ratio and perform unit conversions.

120 gof cream contains3 gof drug.

2 ozof cream =2 × 28.35 g(since1 oz = 28.35 g)

2 oz = 56.7 g

Step 1: Identify Given DataStep 2: Set Up a Proportion3 g drug120 g cream=x g drug56.7 g cream\frac{3 \text{ g drug}}{120 \text{ g cream}} = \frac{x \text{ g drug}}{56.7 \text{ g cream}}120 g cream3 g drug​=56.7 g creamx g drug​

Step 3: Solve forxxxx=3×56.7120=170.1120=1.42≈1.5 gx = \frac{3 \times 56.7}{120} = \frac{170.1}{120} = 1.42 \approx 1.5 \text{ g}x=1203×56.7​=120170.1​=1.42≈1.5 g

Thus,1.5 g of drugis present in2 oz of cream.

B. 6 g→ Incorrect; this would assume a higher drug concentration.

C. 15 g→ Incorrect; this is a miscalculation of the ratio.

D. 60 g→ Incorrect; far exceeds the total weight of the cream.

Other Answer Choices Explained:References:

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline (Pharmaceutical Calculations – Ratios and Proportions)

United States Pharmacopeia (USP) General Chapters on Compounding

The Pharmacy Technician’s Pocket Drug Reference

According to USP <1079> Good Storage and Distribution Practices, the most accurate source for determining proper storage conditions of a medication is the manufacturer's label or package insert, which contains specific temperature and humidity requirements (e.g., refrigeration, protection from light). This information is required by FDA labeling regulations and is essential for maintaining drug stability and potency.

Additionally, the Mosby’s Pharmacy Technician Review Guide states:

“Storage requirements should always be verified using the product’s official labeling or manufacturer’s monograph, as these contain validated stability data.”

Lipitor is the brand name forAtorvastatin, aHMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin)used to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

(A) Provastatin❌Incorrect –Misspelled, should bePravastatin(Pravachol).

(B) Fluvastatin❌Incorrect – Fluvastatin (Lescol) is another statin, but not the generic for Lipitor.

(C) Simvastatin❌Incorrect – Simvastatin (Zocor) is a statin but not the generic for Lipitor.

(D) Atorvastatin✅Correct – The generic name for Lipitor.

Analysis of Answer Choices:Statins & Their Brand Names:Generic Name

Brand Name

Atorvastatin

Lipitor✅

Simvastatin

Zocor

Pravastatin

Pravachol

Fluvastatin

Lescol

Rosuvastatin

Crestor

Lovastatin

Mevacor

Lipitor Prescribing Information: https://www.pfizer.com/products/product-detail/lipitor

PTCB Exam Content Outline – Generic & Brand Name Drug Recognition

Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians, 3rd Edition – Perspective on Statin Medications

References for Pharmacy Technicians:

Before dispensing a prescription, pharmacy technicians and pharmacists must ensure that it iscomplete, clear, and unambiguousto avoid medication errors.

Medication:Lisinopril

Strength:20 mg (Clear)

Route:PO (by mouth) (Clear)

Directions:Take 1 tab PO q8h (every 8 hours)❌(Needs Clarification)

Quantity:30 tablets (Clear)

Refills:12 (Needs verification but is not the main issue)

Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitorused for hypertension and heart failure.

Standard dosing is once daily (q24h), not every 8 hours (q8h).

A frequency of q8h (three times daily) is unusual and could be a prescribing error.

Pharmacists must verify with the prescriber before dispensing.

(A) Directions for use✅Correct – "q8h" is incorrect for lisinopril and needs clarification.

(B) Medication strength❌Incorrect – "20 mg" is a standard strength for lisinopril.

(C) Route of administration❌Incorrect – "PO" (by mouth) is correct.

(D) Number of refills❌Incorrect – While 12 refills is uncommon for chronic medications, it is not the primary issue.

Lisinopril Prescribing Information (FDA): https://www.accessdata.fda.gov

Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) – High-Alert Medications:https://www.ismp.org

PTCB Exam Content Outline – Prescription Processing & Clarification

Analysis of the Prescription:Why the Directions Need Clarification:Analysis of Answer Choices:References for Pharmacy Technicians:

Amlodipine(10 mg) anddiltiazem(30 mg) are bothcalcium channel blockers (CCBs)used to treat hypertension and angina.

When a patient is prescribed two medications from the same therapeutic class, the pharmacy's prescription processing system may flag this as"therapeutic duplication."

This alert is meant toprevent potential adverse effectssuch as excessive lowering of blood pressure or heart rate.

A. Prior authorization required→ Not applicable unless the insurance requires special approval before covering the drug.

C. NDC not covered→ Would appear if the specific drug product (based on its National Drug Code) is not covered by insurance, but this scenario relates to duplication, not coverage.

D. Refill too soon→ This applies to refilling a medication before the allowed time frame, but the scenario describes a new prescription.

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline – Drug Interactions and Therapeutic Duplication

Lexicomp and Micromedex Drug Databases– Reference sources for drug classifications.

ISMP Guidelines on Preventing Therapeutic Duplication Errors

Why Other Answers Are Incorrect?Pharmacy Technician References:

Lorazepam oral concentrate is a high-potency liquid formulation often dispensed in 2 mg/mL. Due to its strength and risk of dosing errors, it must be dispensed with a calibrated oral syringe for accurate dosing, especially in pediatric or geriatric patients.

From Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Review:

“Concentrated oral liquids should always be dispensed with calibrated measuring devices to prevent overdose or underdose.”

Other options:

Enoxaparin – subcutaneous injection

Albuterol/ipratropium – inhalation

Polyethylene glycol 3350 – powder mixed with water (no syringe required)

Total daily dose = 23 units (AM) + 17 units (PM) = 40 units/day

60 days × 40 units = 2,400 units needed

Each NPH insulin vial contains 1,000 units (10 mL × 100 units/mL)

2,400 units ÷ 1,000 units/vial = 2.4 vials → round up to 3 vials

From Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Review:

“When calculating insulin quantities, always round up to ensure the patient has sufficient supply. Insulin is typically dispensed in 10 mL vials containing 100 units/mL.”