Pharmacy Technician Practice Test (PTCB)- 1 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which condition is a potential side effect of taking dopamine antagonist, which results in unwanted, involuntary rhythmic movement?

Extrapyramidal symptoms
Tardive dyskinesia (Correct answer)
Parkinson’s disease
Bradykinesia

Correct answer: Tardive dyskinesia

Tardive dyskinesia is a severe, often irreversible, neurological disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive body movements. It is a known potential side effect of long-term use of dopamine receptor blocking agents, such as antipsychotics (dopamine antagonists), which interfere with dopamine signaling in the brain. This condition manifests as unwanted rhythmic movements.

Question 2: Which classification states that a product with a strange color or taste will be recalled according to FDA requirements?

Class 1
Class 2
Class 3 (Correct answer)
Class 4

Correct answer: Class 3

According to FDA recall classifications, a Class 3 recall is issued for products that are unlikely to cause adverse health consequences. This classification typically applies to products with minor defects, such as an unusual color or taste, or labeling errors that do not pose a significant health risk to consumers. The risk of harm is minimal or non-existent.

Question 3: Which technique used in compounding describes the mixing of two ingredients of unequal quantities?

Levigation
Pulverization
Geometric dilution (Correct answer)
Blending

Correct answer: Geometric dilution

Geometric dilution is a crucial compounding technique used to ensure uniform distribution when mixing a small quantity of a potent substance with a larger amount of a diluent. The potent ingredient is initially mixed with an equal volume of the diluent, and then successive equal amounts of the diluent are added and thoroughly mixed until all ingredients are incorporated. This method prevents uneven distribution of the potent drug.

Question 4: Which of the following is not a potential cause of medication error?

Wrong patient
Wrong physician (Correct answer)
Wrong time
Wrong technique

Correct answer: Wrong physician

Medication errors typically involve issues related to the patient, drug, dose, route, time, or technique of administration. While a physician prescribes medication, a 'wrong physician' is not considered a direct cause of a medication error in the same way that administering the wrong drug or to the wrong patient would be. The physician's role is in prescribing, not the error in dispensing or administration itself.

Question 5: Which of the following methods should be used in recapping a needle if necessary?

Two handed scoop
One handed scoop (Correct answer)
Pointing toward body
Bending

Correct answer: One handed scoop

The one-handed scoop technique is the recommended and safest method for recapping a needle, if recapping is absolutely necessary. This technique minimizes the risk of accidental needle sticks by keeping the non-dominant hand away from the needle. The needle itself is used to scoop up the cap from a flat surface, reducing direct contact and potential injury.

Question 6: A pharmacy technician needs to be aware that which of the following medication needs a patient package insert (PPI)?

Albuterol Inhaler (Correct answer)
Inderal
Hydrocortisone
Bactroban

Correct answer: Albuterol Inhaler

Patient Package Inserts (PPIs) are required by the FDA for certain medications that necessitate specific patient education due to significant risks or complex usage instructions. Albuterol inhalers, as a bronchodilator used for respiratory conditions, fall into this category because proper technique, understanding potential side effects, and storage are crucial for safe and effective treatment outcomes.

Question 7: Which of the following is a type of inventory required by the Drug Enforcement Agency of all controlled substances every 2 years?

Initial
Perpetual
Physical
Biennial (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Biennial

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) mandates that pharmacies conduct a biennial inventory of all controlled substances. This means a complete and accurate physical count of all Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances must be performed every two years. This requirement ensures strict accountability and compliance with federal regulations regarding controlled substances.

Question 8: Which of the following part of Medicare is a health plan offered by private insurance companies?

Medicare Part A
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part C (Correct answer)
Medicare Part D

Correct answer: Medicare Part C

Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is a type of Medicare health plan offered by private insurance companies that have contracts with Medicare. These plans are required to cover all the benefits of Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and often include additional benefits such as prescription drug coverage (Part D), vision, and dental services.

Question 9: The National Council for Prescription Drug Program created standards for electronic exchange of health information, which includes the following except?

Telecommunication
Formulary and benefits
Pharmacy informatics (Correct answer)
Medicaid subrogation

Correct answer: Pharmacy informatics

The National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) develops standards for electronic health information exchange in pharmacy, covering areas like telecommunication, formulary and benefits, and Medicaid subrogation. While 'pharmacy informatics' is a broad field encompassing the use of information technology in pharmacy, it is not a specific standard created by NCPDP itself. NCPDP standards facilitate the practice of pharmacy informatics.

Question 10: What is the generic name for the drug Cytomel?

levothyroxine
liotrix
liothyronine (Correct answer)
liraglutide

Correct answer: liothyronine

The generic name for the brand-name drug Cytomel is liothyronine. Liothyronine is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3), which is prescribed to treat hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones.

Question 11: A prescription is written for Tenormin 50mg tablets. How long should this prescription be kept on file?

1 year
2 years (Correct answer)
3 years
6 months

Correct answer: 2 years

Federal law, specifically the DEA, requires that all records of controlled substance prescriptions be kept on file for a minimum of two years. While Tenormin (atenolol) is not a controlled substance, many state boards of pharmacy and other regulations often extend this two-year retention period to all prescription records, including non-controlled substances, to ensure comprehensive record-keeping.

Pharmacy Technician Practice Test (PTCB)- 1

Which condition is a potential side effect of taking dopamine antagonist, which results in unwanted, involuntary rhythmic movement?