PTCB Practice Test 2025 | PTCE Certification

The DEA requires pharmacies to retain controlled substance inventory records for a minimum of two years.

Adverse drug reactions must be reported to MedWatch to help monitor medication safety and identify potential public health concerns.

According to USP <795>, aqueous oral suspensions have a beyond-use date (BUD) of 14 days when refrigerated unless stability studies suggest otherwise.

Leading zeros should always be used before decimal points (0.5 mg), but trailing zeros should be avoided (0.50 mg) to prevent overdoses.

Only a pharmacist can approve a generic substitution, even if the drugs are bioequivalent.

A Class A balance is required for precise measurements of ingredients in non-sterile compounding, ensuring accuracy in formulation.

Isotonic solutions (e.g., normal saline, D5W) prevent fluid shifts by matching the osmotic pressure of blood plasma.

Medications labeled “For Institutional Use Only” are meant for hospital or facility use and cannot be dispensed to retail patients.

USP <797> governs sterile compounding, while USP <795> provides guidelines for non-sterile compounding.

Unlabeled medications pose significant safety risks and must be verified or discarded.

Most opened insulin vials should be used within 28-42 days at room temperature, depending on the brand.

“Gtts” means drops, “OD” refers to the right eye, and “BID” means twice daily. Understanding sig codes prevents dispensing errors.

A valid DEA number is required on all prescriptions for controlled substances to verify authorization.

A technician cannot substitute medications without prescriber approval, even if therapeutically equivalent.

QID means four times daily, so the correct interpretation is up to four tablets per day. Understanding sig codes ensures accurate dispensing.

Lot numbers help track specific medication batches in case of recalls or contamination.

Cephalexin is a cephalosporin, which has cross-reactivity with penicillins like amoxicillin in about 10% of allergic patients.

Expired controlled substances must be disposed of using a DEA-approved reverse distributor to prevent misuse and ensure legal compliance.

Geometric dilution ensures even mixing of active ingredients, particularly in compounding solid dosage forms such as powders and capsules.

Alligation is a mathematical method used to calculate the required ratio of two solutions of different strengths to achieve a desired concentration.

“QS” (quantum sufficit) means “a sufficient quantity,” commonly used in compounding formulas.

(3 tsp × 5 mL) × 3 doses/day × 10 days = 450 mL. Proper calculations ensure accurate dispensing.

“q8h” means every 8 hours, and “PRN” means as needed. Understanding sig codes prevents dosing errors.

Most dry antibiotic powders should be stored at room temperature before reconstitution unless otherwise specified.

Pharmacy technicians cannot provide counseling. Only pharmacists are legally allowed to counsel patients on drug therapy.

Hydroxyzine and hydralazine are LASA drugs, meaning their names look or sound similar, increasing error risk.

The DEA requires controlled substance inventory records to be maintained for at least 2 years. Some states or organizations may require longer.

Checking lot numbers ensures recalled drugs are not reshelved, while verifying expiration prevents dispensing expired medication.

Verification ensures accuracy in strength, ingredients, and instructions before dispensing to prevent patient harm.

USP <797> states that room-temperature compounded sterile IV preparations have a BUD of 48 hours unless extended stability data supports otherwise.

A Class I recall is the most serious, with potential for death or severe harm. Class III recalls involve minor issues, like packaging errors.

Phosphate must be added first before calcium to prevent precipitation, which can be fatal in IV preparations.

“PO” stands for “per os,” meaning “by mouth.” Injections use abbreviations like IM (intramuscular) or IV (intravenous).

Some insulins, like glargine, are stable at room temperature for a certain period (e.g., 28 days). Always check manufacturer guidelines.

Adding the thickest ingredient last helps ensure proper mixing and even distribution of active ingredients in a suspension.

(15 mL × 4 doses/day × 5 days) = 300 mL. Proper calculations prevent under- or overdosing.

All prescription errors must be reported to and documented by a pharmacist to ensure proper corrective actions are taken.

Schedule II controlled substances cannot be transferred. Only Schedule III-V prescriptions can be transferred once, except where state laws allow electronic transfers.

“QS” means to add enough of a component to reach the final volume, commonly used in liquid and cream formulations.

Unlabeled medications must be discarded, as their contents, sterility, and expiration status cannot be verified.

Cephalosporins have a structural similarity to penicillins, potentially triggering allergic reactions in sensitive patients.

(1 capsule × 4 doses/day × 10 days) = 40 capsules. Quantity calculations ensure proper medication supply.

A labeling error can cause severe overdosing or underdosing, particularly with potent medications like digoxin.

USP <797> requires at least 30 seconds of hand washing with antiseptic soap before working in a sterile environment.

An NDC (National Drug Code) consists of 10 digits formatted as 5-4-2, representing the manufacturer, product, and package size.

The CSA categorizes drugs into schedules and outlines regulations for prescribing, storing, and dispensing controlled substances.

USP <795> establishes standards for preparing non-sterile compounded formulations, including stability, storage, and handling requirements.

(2 tabs/day × 5 days) + (1 tab/day × 5 days) = 10 + 5 = 15 tablets. Understanding dosage tapers is critical for proper dispensing.

Suspensions must be shaken to evenly distribute active ingredients, preventing dosing errors.

Vaccines should be stored between 2°C and 8°C (36°F to 46°F) to maintain potency and stability.