California Pharmacy Technician
Certification Practice Exam Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. What is the primary purpose of the Orange Book published by the
FDA?
A. Tracks controlled substances
B. Lists immunization schedules
C. Provides therapeutic equivalence ratings
D. Lists compounding standards
The Orange Book identifies drug products approved on the basis of
safety and effectiveness and provides therapeutic equivalence
evaluations for generic substitutions.
2. Which DEA form is used to order Schedule II controlled substances?
A. DEA Form 222
B. DEA Form 222
C. DEA Form 106
D. DEA Form 41
DEA Form 222 is required for the purchase or transfer of Schedule II
controlled substances.
,3. What schedule does hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Vicodin) belong
to?
A. Schedule II
B. Schedule II
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
Hydrocodone combinations are classified as Schedule II due to high
potential for abuse.
4. Which of the following tasks may a pharmacy technician legally
perform?
A. Counsel a patient
B. Prepare medication for dispensing under supervision
C. Accept verbal prescriptions from doctors
D. Interpret lab results
Technicians can assist with medication preparation, but only
pharmacists may counsel or interpret clinical data.
5. What is the generic name of Zoloft?
A. Sertraline
B. Fluoxetine
C. Paroxetine
D. Citalopram
Zoloft is the brand name for sertraline, an SSRI antidepressant.
6. A prescription reads: Amoxicillin 250 mg PO TID × 10 days. How many
capsules are needed?
A. 20
B. 30
C. 10
D. 40
TID = 3 times/day × 10 days = 30 capsules.
, 7. Which auxiliary label should be used for metronidazole?
A. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication
B. Take on an empty stomach
C. May cause drowsiness
D. Take with plenty of water
Metronidazole can cause severe nausea and reactions with alcohol.
8. What is the maximum number of refills for a Schedule III drug?
A. 0
B. 5
C. 10
D. Unlimited
Schedule III–V drugs may be refilled up to 5 times within 6 months.
9. What is the correct interpretation of “i gtt ou qid”?
A. One drop in each ear four times a day
B. One drop in the right ear four times a day
C. One drop in the right eye four times a day
D. One drop in both eyes four times a day
“gtt” = drop, “ou” = both eyes, but question says “ou” incorrectly.
Should be “od” for right eye. Let’s revise:
C. One drop in each eye four times a day
“i gtt ou qid” means one drop in each eye four times daily.
10. What is the proper storage condition for insulin?
A. Room temperature
B. Frozen
C. Refrigerated
D. Keep in dry place
Unopened insulin should be stored in the refrigerator.
Certification Practice Exam Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of the Orange Book published by the
FDA?
A. Tracks controlled substances
B. Lists immunization schedules
C. Provides therapeutic equivalence ratings
D. Lists compounding standards
The Orange Book identifies drug products approved on the basis of
safety and effectiveness and provides therapeutic equivalence
evaluations for generic substitutions.
2. Which DEA form is used to order Schedule II controlled substances?
A. DEA Form 222
B. DEA Form 222
C. DEA Form 106
D. DEA Form 41
DEA Form 222 is required for the purchase or transfer of Schedule II
controlled substances.
,3. What schedule does hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Vicodin) belong
to?
A. Schedule II
B. Schedule II
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
Hydrocodone combinations are classified as Schedule II due to high
potential for abuse.
4. Which of the following tasks may a pharmacy technician legally
perform?
A. Counsel a patient
B. Prepare medication for dispensing under supervision
C. Accept verbal prescriptions from doctors
D. Interpret lab results
Technicians can assist with medication preparation, but only
pharmacists may counsel or interpret clinical data.
5. What is the generic name of Zoloft?
A. Sertraline
B. Fluoxetine
C. Paroxetine
D. Citalopram
Zoloft is the brand name for sertraline, an SSRI antidepressant.
6. A prescription reads: Amoxicillin 250 mg PO TID × 10 days. How many
capsules are needed?
A. 20
B. 30
C. 10
D. 40
TID = 3 times/day × 10 days = 30 capsules.
, 7. Which auxiliary label should be used for metronidazole?
A. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication
B. Take on an empty stomach
C. May cause drowsiness
D. Take with plenty of water
Metronidazole can cause severe nausea and reactions with alcohol.
8. What is the maximum number of refills for a Schedule III drug?
A. 0
B. 5
C. 10
D. Unlimited
Schedule III–V drugs may be refilled up to 5 times within 6 months.
9. What is the correct interpretation of “i gtt ou qid”?
A. One drop in each ear four times a day
B. One drop in the right ear four times a day
C. One drop in the right eye four times a day
D. One drop in both eyes four times a day
“gtt” = drop, “ou” = both eyes, but question says “ou” incorrectly.
Should be “od” for right eye. Let’s revise:
C. One drop in each eye four times a day
“i gtt ou qid” means one drop in each eye four times daily.
10. What is the proper storage condition for insulin?
A. Room temperature
B. Frozen
C. Refrigerated
D. Keep in dry place
Unopened insulin should be stored in the refrigerator.
