PTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification
Exam ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 |
Complete Exam-Style Q&A | Verified Q&A |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Total Questions: 50
Passing Score: 90%
Section 1: Medications & Pharmacology (Q1-12)
Section 2: Medication Safety & Error Prevention (Q13-20)
Section 3: Pharmacy Law & Regulations (Q21-26)
Section 4: Pharmacy Calculations (Q27-36)
Section 5: Dispensing & Compounding (Q37-42)
Section 6: Inventory Management & Billing (Q43-47)
Section 7: Pharmacy Operations & Quality Assurance (Q48-50)
SECTION 1: MEDICATIONS & PHARMACOLOGY
Q1: A patient presents a prescription for lisinopril 10 mg daily. Which drug classification does lisinopril
belong to?
A. Beta-blocker
B. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
C. Calcium channel blocker
D. Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor used to treat hypertension and heart failure. ACE inhibitors work
by blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, resulting in vasodilation and reduced blood
pressure. [CORRECT]
Q2: A patient is prescribed metformin 500 mg BID for newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Which adverse
effect should the pharmacy technician counsel the patient to report immediately?
A. Mild headache
B. Lactic acidosis symptoms (muscle pain, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat)
C. Slight nausea after meals
D. Increased thirst
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin carries a black box warning for lactic acidosis, a rare but life-threatening
condition. Patients must be educated to seek immediate medical attention for symptoms including
muscle pain, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, and extreme fatigue. [CORRECT]
Q3: Which medication is classified as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and is indicated for gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD)?
A. Ranitidine
B. Omeprazole
C. Metoclopramide
D. Sucralfate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that reduces gastric acid secretion by inhibiting the
H+/K+ ATPase enzyme in gastric parietal cells. It is indicated for GERD, peptic ulcer disease, and erosive
esophagitis. [CORRECT]
Q4: A patient is prescribed warfarin 5 mg daily. Which dietary instruction is MOST important for the
pharmacy technician to reinforce?
A. Avoid all green vegetables completely
B. Maintain consistent vitamin K intake from foods such as leafy greens
C. Increase vitamin K intake to counteract the anticoagulant effect
D. Take warfarin with a high-fat meal to enhance absorption
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Warfarin's anticoagulant effect is antagonized by vitamin K. Patients should maintain
consistent vitamin K intake rather than avoiding or increasing it abruptly, as consistency allows the INR
to remain stable within the therapeutic range. [CORRECT]
Q5: Which medication is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) used to lower LDL cholesterol?
A. Ezetimibe
B. Atorvastatin
C. Fenofibrate
D. Niacin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atorvastatin is a statin that inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in
cholesterol biosynthesis. This reduces LDL cholesterol production and is first-line therapy for
hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular risk reduction. [CORRECT]
Q6: A patient is prescribed levothyroxine 100 mcg daily for hypothyroidism. Which administration
instruction is CORRECT?
A. Take with food to enhance absorption
B. Take with calcium supplements at the same time
C. Take on an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before breakfast
D. Take at bedtime with a high-fiber snack
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before breakfast to
optimize absorption. Food, calcium, iron, and fiber can significantly reduce levothyroxine absorption,
leading to subtherapeutic levels. [CORRECT]
Q7: Which medication is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) indicated for major depressive
disorder?
A. Venlafaxine
B. Sertraline
C. Bupropion
D. Mirtazapine
Correct Answer: B
Exam ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 |
Complete Exam-Style Q&A | Verified Q&A |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Total Questions: 50
Passing Score: 90%
Section 1: Medications & Pharmacology (Q1-12)
Section 2: Medication Safety & Error Prevention (Q13-20)
Section 3: Pharmacy Law & Regulations (Q21-26)
Section 4: Pharmacy Calculations (Q27-36)
Section 5: Dispensing & Compounding (Q37-42)
Section 6: Inventory Management & Billing (Q43-47)
Section 7: Pharmacy Operations & Quality Assurance (Q48-50)
SECTION 1: MEDICATIONS & PHARMACOLOGY
Q1: A patient presents a prescription for lisinopril 10 mg daily. Which drug classification does lisinopril
belong to?
A. Beta-blocker
B. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
C. Calcium channel blocker
D. Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor used to treat hypertension and heart failure. ACE inhibitors work
by blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, resulting in vasodilation and reduced blood
pressure. [CORRECT]
Q2: A patient is prescribed metformin 500 mg BID for newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Which adverse
effect should the pharmacy technician counsel the patient to report immediately?
A. Mild headache
B. Lactic acidosis symptoms (muscle pain, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat)
C. Slight nausea after meals
D. Increased thirst
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin carries a black box warning for lactic acidosis, a rare but life-threatening
condition. Patients must be educated to seek immediate medical attention for symptoms including
muscle pain, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, and extreme fatigue. [CORRECT]
Q3: Which medication is classified as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and is indicated for gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD)?
A. Ranitidine
B. Omeprazole
C. Metoclopramide
D. Sucralfate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that reduces gastric acid secretion by inhibiting the
H+/K+ ATPase enzyme in gastric parietal cells. It is indicated for GERD, peptic ulcer disease, and erosive
esophagitis. [CORRECT]
Q4: A patient is prescribed warfarin 5 mg daily. Which dietary instruction is MOST important for the
pharmacy technician to reinforce?
A. Avoid all green vegetables completely
B. Maintain consistent vitamin K intake from foods such as leafy greens
C. Increase vitamin K intake to counteract the anticoagulant effect
D. Take warfarin with a high-fat meal to enhance absorption
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Warfarin's anticoagulant effect is antagonized by vitamin K. Patients should maintain
consistent vitamin K intake rather than avoiding or increasing it abruptly, as consistency allows the INR
to remain stable within the therapeutic range. [CORRECT]
Q5: Which medication is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) used to lower LDL cholesterol?
A. Ezetimibe
B. Atorvastatin
C. Fenofibrate
D. Niacin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atorvastatin is a statin that inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in
cholesterol biosynthesis. This reduces LDL cholesterol production and is first-line therapy for
hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular risk reduction. [CORRECT]
Q6: A patient is prescribed levothyroxine 100 mcg daily for hypothyroidism. Which administration
instruction is CORRECT?
A. Take with food to enhance absorption
B. Take with calcium supplements at the same time
C. Take on an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before breakfast
D. Take at bedtime with a high-fiber snack
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before breakfast to
optimize absorption. Food, calcium, iron, and fiber can significantly reduce levothyroxine absorption,
leading to subtherapeutic levels. [CORRECT]
Q7: Which medication is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) indicated for major depressive
disorder?
A. Venlafaxine
B. Sertraline
C. Bupropion
D. Mirtazapine
Correct Answer: B
