PTCB DRUG TEST #1 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Januvia's active ingredient is

Sitagliptin (Correct answer)
Nitroglycerin
Pravastatin
Clopidogrel

Correct answer: Sitagliptin

Januvia is a brand-name medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. Its active ingredient is Sitagliptin, which belongs to a class of drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. These drugs work by increasing the amount of insulin released by the pancreas and decreasing the amount of sugar produced by the liver.

Question 2: Which of these is a brand name for levodopa, the active ingredient?

Flo-Pred
Actos
Inbrija (Correct answer)
Proscar

Correct answer: Inbrija

Levodopa is a medication primarily used to treat Parkinson's disease. While often combined with carbidopa (e.g., Sinemet), Inbrija is a brand name for an inhaled form of levodopa used for "off" episodes in Parkinson's patients. The other options are brand names for different active ingredients: Flo-Pred (prednisolone), Actos (pioglitazone), and Proscar (finasteride).

Question 3: Which of these drugs contains the active component metformin?

Glucophage (Correct answer)
Glucovance
Glynase
Glucotrol

Correct answer: Glucophage

Glucophage is a well-known brand name for the medication metformin, which is a biguanide used to treat type 2 diabetes. Metformin works by decreasing glucose production in the liver and improving insulin sensitivity. Glucovance, Glynase, and Glucotrol are brand names for other diabetes medications.

Question 4: What is the active ingredient in the Zoloft medication?

Midazolam
Sertraline (Correct answer)
Zaleplon
Paroxetine

Correct answer: Sertraline

Zoloft is a widely prescribed antidepressant belonging to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. Its active ingredient is sertraline, which works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain to improve mood and reduce anxiety. Midazolam is a benzodiazepine, zaleplon is a sedative-hypnotic, and paroxetine is another SSRI (Paxil).

Question 5: Strattera contains what active ingredient?

Tiotropium
Lactulose
Atomoxetine (Correct answer)
Zoledronic acid

Correct answer: Atomoxetine

Strattera is a medication primarily used to treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Its active ingredient is atomoxetine, which is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Unlike many other ADHD medications, atomoxetine is not a stimulant.

Question 6: What is Levemir's active ingredient?

Insulin aspart
Isophane insulin
Insulin detemir (Correct answer)
Insulin glargine

Correct answer: Insulin detemir

Levemir is a long-acting insulin analog used to control high blood sugar in people with diabetes. Its active ingredient is insulin detemir, which provides a steady, prolonged release of insulin over 24 hours. Insulin aspart is rapid-acting, isophane insulin is intermediate-acting, and insulin glargine is another long-acting insulin (Lantus, Toujeo).

Question 7: Paxil's active ingredient is

Phenytoin
Paroxetine (Correct answer)
Flucloxacillin
Potassium bicarbonate

Correct answer: Paroxetine

Paxil is a brand-name antidepressant that belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. Its active ingredient is paroxetine, which is used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Phenytoin is an anticonvulsant, flucloxacillin is an antibiotic, and potassium bicarbonate is an electrolyte supplement.

Question 8: In the drug Advair Diskus, what are the two active ingredients?

Salmeterol / fluticasone (Correct answer)
Albuterol / ipratropium
Albuterol / tiotropium
Salmeterol / budesonide

Correct answer: Salmeterol / fluticasone

Advair Diskus is a combination inhaler used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It contains two active ingredients: salmeterol, a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) that helps relax airway muscles, and fluticasone, a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation in the lungs. This combination provides both bronchodilation and anti-inflammatory effects.

Question 9: What is the active ingredient in the Xanax medication?

Amlodipine
Alprazolam (Correct answer)
Ranitidine
Ibuprofen

Correct answer: Alprazolam

Xanax is a well-known brand-name medication used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorder. Its active ingredient is alprazolam, which is a benzodiazepine that works by enhancing the effects of a natural chemical in the body (GABA) to produce a calming effect on the brain and nerves. Amlodipine is for blood pressure, ranitidine for acid reflux, and ibuprofen is an NSAID.

Question 10: What is the active element in Acticin and Elimite, for example?

Chloramphenicol
Permethrin (Correct answer)
Albendazole
Ethambutol

Correct answer: Permethrin

Acticin and Elimite are brand-name topical medications used to treat scabies and lice infestations. Their active ingredient is permethrin, which is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide that works by disrupting the nervous system of the parasites, leading to their paralysis and death. The other options are antibiotics or antiparasitics for different conditions.

Question 11: Which of these drugs has the active component rosuvastatin?

Enbrel
Ambien
Xarelto
Crestor (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Crestor

Crestor is a widely prescribed medication used to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Its active ingredient is rosuvastatin, which belongs to the statin class of drugs. Statins work by inhibiting an enzyme in the liver responsible for cholesterol production.

Question 12: If the patient is given the following prescription: amoxicillin 250mg, I cap po bid, dispensing 28, how many days of medicine will be available to them?

28 days
4 days
7 days
14 days (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 14 days

The prescription states "I cap po bid," which means "one capsule by mouth twice a day." This indicates the patient will take 2 capsules per day. If 28 capsules are dispensed, the total number of days the medication will last is 28 capsules / 2 capsules per day = 14 days.

Question 13: A pharmacy technician is instructed to distribute 250mL of a solution containing 0.05g of medication per 5mL. How many milligrams of medication are required to fulfill this prescription's requirements?

2,500 mg (Correct answer)
1,250 mg
1,500 mg
2,000 mg

Correct answer: 2,500 mg

First, determine the total grams of medication needed. The solution contains 0.05g per 5mL. To find the amount in 250mL, set up a proportion: (0.05g / 5mL) = (X g / 250mL). Solving for X, X = (0.05g * 250mL) / 5mL = 2.5 grams. Finally, convert grams to milligrams: 2.5 grams * 1000 mg/gram = 2500 mg.

Question 14: How much Lidocaine is needed to make a 1: 1000, 30 cc Lidocaine solution?

300 mg
30 mg (Correct answer)
10 mg
0.03 mg

Correct answer: 30 mg

A 1:1000 solution indicates that there is 1 gram of solute per 1000 mL of solution. Since 1 gram is equivalent to 1000 milligrams, this means the concentration is 1 mg/mL. To determine the total amount of Lidocaine needed for 30 cc (which is 30 mL), you multiply the concentration (1 mg/mL) by the volume (30 mL), yielding 30 mg.

Question 15: The cost of a pharmacy balance is $49.99. What is the mark-up % value if the pharmacy's cost price is 28.79 per piece?

59.90%
73.60% (Correct answer)
48.20%
64.10%

Correct answer: 73.60%

To calculate the mark-up percentage, first find the profit by subtracting the cost price from the selling price: $49.99 - $28.79 = $21.20. Next, divide the profit by the cost price: $21.20 / $28.79 ≈ 0.7363. Finally, multiply by 100 to express it as a percentage, which is approximately 73.60%.

Question 16: Which of the following is not a condition that affects the dermatological system of skin?

Acne
Psoriasis
Onychomycosis (Correct answer)
Urticaria

Correct answer: Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection that specifically affects the nails, causing discoloration, thickening, and crumbling. In contrast, acne, psoriasis, and urticaria (hives) are all conditions that directly manifest on and affect the skin itself. Therefore, onychomycosis is not primarily a condition of the dermatological system of the skin.

PTCB DRUG TEST #1

Januvia's active ingredient is