1
PTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam
Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Complete Practice Test
Bank with Verified Questions & Detailed
Rationales | Updated for 2026 PTCE | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: ADULT BLS (Questions 1-8)
Q1: A 55-year-old man collapses in a hospital hallway. You confirm he is unresponsive and not
breathing normally. What is the correct sequence for initiating CPR?
A. Check pulse, give 2 rescue breaths, begin chest compressions
B. Begin chest compressions, open the airway, give rescue breaths. [CORRECT]
C. Open the airway, give rescue breaths, begin chest compressions
D. Check pulse, open the airway, give rescue breaths, begin chest compressions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The AHA BLS sequence for adults is C-A-B: Compressions first, then Airway, then
Breathing. This prioritizes early chest compressions to circulate blood to vital organs. The 2020-
2025 AHA Guidelines emphasize minimizing interruptions to compressions. Checking pulse
before compressions (Options A and D) delays critical perfusion, while placing breathing first
(Option C) was the old A-B-C sequence abandoned in 2010.
Q2: You are performing 1-rescuer CPR on an adult. What is the correct compression-to-
ventilation ratio?
A. 15 compressions to 2 breaths
B. 30 compressions to 2 breaths. [CORRECT]
C. 30 compressions to 1 breath
D. 15 compressions to 1 breath
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For adult 1-rescuer CPR, the AHA specifies a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio.
This ratio minimizes interruptions to chest compressions while providing adequate ventilation.
The 15:2 ratio (Option A) is used for 2-rescuer infant/child CPR, not adult resuscitation.
, 2
Q3: During adult CPR, what is the recommended rate for chest compressions?
A. 60-80 compressions per minute
B. 80-100 compressions per minute
C. 100-120 compressions per minute. [CORRECT]
D. 120-140 compressions per minute
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The 2020-2025 AHA Guidelines specify a compression rate of 100-120 per minute
for all age groups. Rates below 100/min (Options A and B) provide inadequate perfusion, while
rates above 120/min (Option D) compromise compression depth and allow insufficient time for
full chest recoil.
Q4: What is the recommended depth for adult chest compressions according to current AHA
guidelines?
A. At least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
B. At least 2 inches (5 cm)
C. 2-2.4 inches (5-6 cm). [CORRECT]
D. 2.5-3 inches (6.5-7.5 cm)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The 2020-2025 AHA Guidelines recommend compressing the adult chest to a depth
of at least 2 inches (5 cm) but not greater than 2.4 inches (6 cm). This range balances adequate
cardiac output generation with risk of injury. Option B is incomplete as it lacks the upper limit,
and Option D exceeds safe depth parameters.
Q5: An AED arrives while you are performing CPR on an adult. What is your first action after
turning on the device?
A. Immediately deliver a shock if advised
B. Apply the AED pads to the patient's bare chest. [CORRECT]
C. Check for a pulse for 10 seconds
D. Perform 2 minutes of CPR before using the AED
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The AHA recommends immediate AED use when available. After powering on,
apply pads to the bare chest (upper right chest below clavicle and left side below armpit) before
analyzing rhythm. Early defibrillation is critical—each minute delay reduces survival by 7-10%.
Options C and D delay definitive treatment.
PTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam
Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Complete Practice Test
Bank with Verified Questions & Detailed
Rationales | Updated for 2026 PTCE | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: ADULT BLS (Questions 1-8)
Q1: A 55-year-old man collapses in a hospital hallway. You confirm he is unresponsive and not
breathing normally. What is the correct sequence for initiating CPR?
A. Check pulse, give 2 rescue breaths, begin chest compressions
B. Begin chest compressions, open the airway, give rescue breaths. [CORRECT]
C. Open the airway, give rescue breaths, begin chest compressions
D. Check pulse, open the airway, give rescue breaths, begin chest compressions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The AHA BLS sequence for adults is C-A-B: Compressions first, then Airway, then
Breathing. This prioritizes early chest compressions to circulate blood to vital organs. The 2020-
2025 AHA Guidelines emphasize minimizing interruptions to compressions. Checking pulse
before compressions (Options A and D) delays critical perfusion, while placing breathing first
(Option C) was the old A-B-C sequence abandoned in 2010.
Q2: You are performing 1-rescuer CPR on an adult. What is the correct compression-to-
ventilation ratio?
A. 15 compressions to 2 breaths
B. 30 compressions to 2 breaths. [CORRECT]
C. 30 compressions to 1 breath
D. 15 compressions to 1 breath
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For adult 1-rescuer CPR, the AHA specifies a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio.
This ratio minimizes interruptions to chest compressions while providing adequate ventilation.
The 15:2 ratio (Option A) is used for 2-rescuer infant/child CPR, not adult resuscitation.
, 2
Q3: During adult CPR, what is the recommended rate for chest compressions?
A. 60-80 compressions per minute
B. 80-100 compressions per minute
C. 100-120 compressions per minute. [CORRECT]
D. 120-140 compressions per minute
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The 2020-2025 AHA Guidelines specify a compression rate of 100-120 per minute
for all age groups. Rates below 100/min (Options A and B) provide inadequate perfusion, while
rates above 120/min (Option D) compromise compression depth and allow insufficient time for
full chest recoil.
Q4: What is the recommended depth for adult chest compressions according to current AHA
guidelines?
A. At least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
B. At least 2 inches (5 cm)
C. 2-2.4 inches (5-6 cm). [CORRECT]
D. 2.5-3 inches (6.5-7.5 cm)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The 2020-2025 AHA Guidelines recommend compressing the adult chest to a depth
of at least 2 inches (5 cm) but not greater than 2.4 inches (6 cm). This range balances adequate
cardiac output generation with risk of injury. Option B is incomplete as it lacks the upper limit,
and Option D exceeds safe depth parameters.
Q5: An AED arrives while you are performing CPR on an adult. What is your first action after
turning on the device?
A. Immediately deliver a shock if advised
B. Apply the AED pads to the patient's bare chest. [CORRECT]
C. Check for a pulse for 10 seconds
D. Perform 2 minutes of CPR before using the AED
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The AHA recommends immediate AED use when available. After powering on,
apply pads to the bare chest (upper right chest below clavicle and left side below armpit) before
analyzing rhythm. Early defibrillation is critical—each minute delay reduces survival by 7-10%.
Options C and D delay definitive treatment.
