NHA ExCPT Practice Test 2

The transfer of Schedule II controlled substances between pharmacies requires strict documentation to comply with federal law and prevent diversion. DEA Form 222 is the official form used for the ordering and transferring of Schedule II medications. DEA Form 41 is used for the destruction of controlled substances, DEA Form 106 is for reporting theft or loss of controlled substances, and DEA Form 225 is for registration to manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances. Accurate record-keeping and adherence to DEA regulations are critical aspects of a pharmacy technician’s responsibilities, as tested in the NHA CPhT™ ExCPT exam.

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) belongs to the class of drugs known as statins, which are primarily used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Statins work by inhibiting an enzyme in the liver that is responsible for producing cholesterol. Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor used to treat high blood pressure, levothyroxine is a thyroid hormone replacement, and metformin is an antidiabetic medication. Understanding the pharmacological actions of different medications is a fundamental aspect of pharmacy practice and is tested in the NHA CPhT™ ExCPT exam under drug therapy.

The barcode on a medication bottle, specifically the National Drug Code (NDC) barcode, typically includes information about the dosage form, strength, and manufacturer of the medication. While the patient’s name, prescriber’s name, and refill information are associated with a specific prescription, they are not encoded in the product barcode itself. Accurate barcode scanning is crucial for inventory management and dispensing accuracy in the pharmacy, which are components of the dispensing process evaluated in the NHA CPhT™ ExCPT exam.

Vertical airflow hoods, also known as biological safety cabinets, are specifically designed to protect the compounder from hazardous drugs, such as chemotherapy medications, by providing a downward flow of HEPA-filtered air. Non-sterile topical preparations and oral liquids are typically compounded in a laminar airflow workbench (horizontal flow), and while ophthalmic solutions require sterile compounding, they don’t necessarily necessitate a vertical airflow hood unless they are also hazardous. Understanding the appropriate equipment for different types of compounding is essential for pharmacy technicians and is relevant to the NHA CPhT™ ExCPT exam.

Pregnancy is a contraindication for the use of atorvastatin (Lipitor) due to potential harm to the developing fetus. Atorvastatin is a statin medication used to lower cholesterol. Hypertension (high blood pressure), osteoporosis (weakening of bones), and hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) are not direct contraindications to atorvastatin use, although other conditions or medications might warrant caution. Understanding contraindications is crucial for pharmacy technicians to identify potential drug interactions or situations where a medication should not be dispensed, a vital aspect of medication safety and drug therapy knowledge relevant to the NHA CPhT™ ExCPT exam.

When creating a new patient profile, it is essential to gather accurate insurance information for billing purposes. The group number, along with the member ID, is crucial for processing claims with the patient’s insurance provider. While the deductible amount and physician’s address might be relevant in some contexts, the group number is a direct identifier for the insurance plan. The pharmacy name is the dispensing location and not information from the patient’s card.

The generally recommended maximum daily dose of acetaminophen for adults is 4,000 mg to minimize the risk of liver damage. Exceeding this dose can lead to hepatotoxicity. Pharmacy technicians should be aware of common medication dosages and safety limits to help ensure patient safety and prevent medication errors. This knowledge is pertinent to the pharmacology and medication safety aspects of the NHA CPhT™ ExCPT exam.

During the filling stage of prescription preparation, a crucial step for a pharmacy technician is to match the medication label to the original prescription to ensure accuracy in dispensing. This involves verifying the patient’s name, medication name, strength, dosage form, quantity, and instructions. Obtaining allergy information and counseling the patient typically occur at different stages, and verifying prescriber credentials is usually done during the prescription verification process. Accuracy in filling prescriptions is paramount for patient safety and is a key component of the dispensing process assessed in the NHA CPhT™ ExCPT exam.

Vitamins are classified into two groups: water-soluble and fat-soluble. The fat-soluble vitamins are A, D, E, and K. These vitamins are absorbed with fats in the diet and can be stored in the body’s fatty tissue and liver. Water-soluble vitamins, such as Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, and folic acid, are not stored to the same extent and need to be replenished more regularly. Understanding the properties of different vitamins is important for pharmacy technicians when discussing supplements with patients.

The standard abbreviations used in prescriptions for the left eye, right eye, and both eyes are OS (oculus sinister), OD (oculus dexter), and OU (oculi unitas). Accurate understanding of these abbreviations is critical for pharmacy technicians to correctly process and dispense eye medications, ensuring patient safety. This knowledge is a fundamental part of pharmacy practice and is assessed in the NHA CPhT™ ExCPT exam to verify competency in prescription interpretation.

Using a barcode verification system during IV compounding helps ensure that the correct ingredients and amounts are used, minimizing the risk of medication errors. While hand hygiene, documentation, and cleaning are essential steps in sterile compounding, barcode verification adds an extra layer of safety and accuracy. Quality assurance in sterile compounding is a critical component of medication safety and a key area of focus in the Medication Safety and Quality Assurance section of the NHA CPhT™ ExCPT exam.

Magic mouthwash formulations containing water are susceptible to microbial growth, which can compromise their safety and efficacy. To ensure patient safety, it is essential to assign an appropriate beyond-use date that reflects the stability and potential for contamination. For water-containing oral preparations compounded in the pharmacy, the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) guidelines generally recommend a maximum beyond-use date of 14 days when stored at controlled room temperature. This guideline is based on the potential for microbial proliferation in aqueous environments. Pharmacy technicians must be knowledgeable about these stability considerations and proper dating practices, as this is a critical aspect of dispensing compounded medications and is relevant to the NHA CPhT™ ExCPT exam’s focus on safe compounding practices.

The label of a compounded sterile preparation (CSP) must include specific information to ensure its safe and effective use. One critical element is the beyond-use date (BUD), which indicates the date after which the CSP should not be used. This date is determined based on the stability of the compounded ingredients and the sterility of the preparation. Including the BUD on the label is essential for preventing the administration of potentially unsafe or ineffective medications. Pharmacy technicians must accurately determine and clearly indicate the BUD on all CSP labels, as this is a crucial aspect of sterile compounding and medication safety, relevant to the NHA CPhT™ ExCPT exam.

The net content, which indicates the quantity of the product in the package, is a required piece of information on an OTC medication label according to regulations. While the manufacturer’s suggested retail price and lot number are often included, they are not legally mandated on the primary label. The expiration date typically refers to the finished product, not individual ingredients. Pharmacy technicians must be familiar with the required labeling information for both prescription and OTC medications to ensure accurate dispensing and patient safety, a key area assessed in the NHA CPhT™ ExCPT exam.

Rotating medication inventory, often using the FIFO (First-In, First-Out) method, is essential to ensure that medications with the earliest expiration dates are dispensed first. This practice helps to minimize waste from expired drugs and ensures that patients receive effective medications. While organization is important, the primary goal of inventory rotation is to manage expiration dates. This is a key aspect of medication safety and quality assurance, relevant to the NHA CPhT™ ExCPT exam.

Pharmacy technicians should typically mark medications that are set to expire 6 months before the listed expiration date to ensure timely removal from dispensing stock and prevent dispensing expired medications. This practice is a critical component of medication safety and quality assurance in a pharmacy setting. Marking medications too early might lead to unnecessary waste, while marking them too late increases the risk of dispensing expired products. This knowledge is essential for maintaining medication inventory and adhering to safety protocols tested in the Medication Safety and Quality Assurance domain of the NHA CPhT™ ExCPT exam.

The standard temperature range for storing most medications, often referred to as ‘room temperature’ in pharmacy practice, is 68 – 77 degrees Fahrenheit (20 – 25 degrees Celsius). Option 1 represents refrigerator temperature, used for medications requiring cold storage. Option 2 is considered warm and could degrade some medications. Option 4 is also refrigerator temperature expressed in Celsius. Maintaining proper storage conditions is crucial for the stability and efficacy of medications, and pharmacy technicians must be knowledgeable about these requirements to ensure medication quality, a focus of the NHA CPhT™ ExCPT exam.

The abbreviation ‘tsp’ stands for teaspoon, ‘qid’ means four times daily, ‘pc’ indicates after meals, and ‘prn’ means as needed. Therefore, ‘1 tsp qid pc prn allergy’ translates to ‘Take 1 teaspoon four times daily after meals as needed for allergy.’ A tablespoon is a larger volume than a teaspoon. The other options misinterpret the frequency or timing of medication administration. Accurate interpretation of prescription abbreviations and instructions is a vital skill for pharmacy technicians to prevent medication errors and ensure patient safety, a key area assessed in the NHA CPhT™ ExCPT exam related to the dispensing process.

The correct order for donning PPE in sterile compounding is to start with the dirtiest to cleanest areas to minimize contamination. This sequence is: shoe covers, followed by hair/head cover, then the face mask, the non-shedding gown, and finally, after meticulous handwashing with antiseptic soap, sterile gloves are applied. This strict protocol is essential to maintain the sterility of compounded medications and prevent patient harm. Understanding and adhering to proper aseptic techniques is a critical competency for pharmacy technicians and is a significant focus of the NHA CPhT™ ExCPT exam.

The FDA mandates that a medication’s monograph (package insert) includes essential information for safe and effective use, including contraindications, which are specific situations in which the drug should not be used because it could be harmful to the patient. While pricing, manufacturing details, and patent information are relevant, they are not primary requirements for the patient-focused monograph. Understanding the content of medication monographs is important for ‘Drugs and Drug Therapy’ and ‘Medication Safety and Quality Assurance’ as tested in the NHA CPhT™ ExCPT exam.