Free PTCB PTCE Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 7

Per the FDA-approved labeling for NuvaRing (etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring), the product should be stored refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) prior to dispensing. After dispensing, NuvaRing may be stored at room temperature for a limited period per labeling (commonly referenced in technician materials as up to 4 months), but pharmacy stock should be kept refrigerated before it is dispensed. Freezing is not recommended.

References (Pharmacy Technician documents/Study Guides):

• NuvaRing Prescribing Information: Storage conditions (refrigeration prior to dispensing; room temperature allowance after dispensing).

• PTCB Top 200/Storage Requirements: Hormonal contraceptive ring storage.

• ASHP/Institutional storage guidelines for temperature-sensitive medications.

According toUSP Chapter <800>(Hazardous Drugs—Handling in Healthcare Settings), solid oral dosage forms ofantineoplastic hazardous drugs (e.g., chemotherapy medications like methotrexate or tamoxifen)shouldnotbe placed inautomated counting or packaging machinesbecause:

Risk of Contamination– Tablets and capsulesmay generate dust or powder residue, which can spread hazardous drug particles into the environment.

Exposure Risks– Pharmacy staff may beexposed to hazardous particleswhen refilling, cleaning, or maintaining the machine. This poses a risk ofinhalation, dermal exposure, or accidental ingestion.

Strict USP <800> Compliance– Hazardous drugs requirespecial handling precautions, includingdesignated counting trays, dedicated equipment, and proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Automated machinesdo not provide the necessary containmentfor hazardous drug particles.

USP Chapter <800>– Mandates specific safety measures for handling hazardous drugs in pharmacies, including avoiding automated dispensing systems for hazardous solids.

NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) List of Hazardous Drugs– Identifies drugs requiring special handling to minimize occupational exposure.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Hazardous Drug Guidelines– Reinforces the need to prevent aerosolization of hazardous drug particles.

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline– Covers hazardous drug handling, personal protective equipment (PPE), and compliance with USP <800>.

Key References:????Why Not the Other Options?

A. Require a sterile environment❌→ Tablets and capsules arenon-steriledosage forms, and USP <800> focuses on hazardous drug containment rather than sterility.

B. Are often involved in dispensing errors❌→ While hazardous drugs must be dispensed carefully,dispensing errors are not the main reason for avoiding automated machines.

D. Expire sooner than other medications❌→ Expiration dates are unrelated tohazardous drug contamination risks.

Arexvyis anRSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccinefor adults60+ years.

Oncereconstituted, itmust be used within 4 hoursto ensurestability and potency.

After4 hours, bacterial growth andloss of vaccine efficacymake it unsafe for administration.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. 30 minutes?❌Too short—vaccines are stable for a longer duration.

C. 24 hours?❌Too long—Arexvy degrades faster.

D. 1 week?❌No vaccine remains effective for 7 days after reconstitution.

????Reference:CDC Vaccine Storage & Handling Guidelines,Arexvy Manufacturer Labeling (GSK).

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

Pseudoephedrine(Sudafed) is asympathomimetic decongestantthat causesvasoconstrictionand canincrease blood pressure.

????Explanation of Answer Choices:✅B. Hypertension→Correct.Pseudoephedrinecan cause arise in blood pressure, so it should be used cautiously in patients withhypertension.❌A. Asthma→ Incorrect.Pseudoephedrine does not directly worsen asthma, but it may cause mild bronchodilation.❌C. Hypokalemia→ Incorrect.Pseudoephedrine does not affect potassium levels.❌D. Eczema→ Incorrect. Eczema is unrelated topseudoephedrine use.

????Reference:

Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act (CMEA) Regulations

American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines on Hypertension

Prilosec (Omeprazole) is a delayed-release proton pump inhibitor (PPI)used forGERD, ulcers, and acid reflux. It comes incapsulescontainingenteric-coated granules, designed to protect the medication from stomach acid and ensure proper absorption.

Prilosec capsules contain enteric-coated granulesthat are safe to sprinkle on soft foodswithout chewing.

Applesauce is an ideal optionbecause it doesnot interfere with drug absorption or stability.

B. Chew and swallow the capsules❌→ Incorrect

Chewing destroys the enteric coating, leading to premature drug release and degradation by stomach acid.

C. Compound the capsules into a topical preparation❌→ Incorrect

Prilosecis not formulated for topical use. The medication must reach the stomach intact for proper effect.

D. Allow the capsules to dissolve under the tongue❌→ Incorrect

Sublingual administration is ineffectivebecauseomeprazole is not absorbed through the mucous membranesand needs enteric protection.

FDA Omeprazole Medication Guide– States that the contents can be sprinkled on applesauce.

ISMP Safe Medication Use Guidelines– Emphasizes proper administration of delayed-release capsules.

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline– Covers modified-release formulations and proper drug administration techniques.

Why Can the Capsules Be Opened?Why Not the Other Options?Key References:

Pharmacy technicians may collect and relay information as part of supportive roles but do not interpret, assess, or make clinical decisions. Reporting out-of-range lab values to the pharmacist (B) is appropriate. Determining dosages (A), identifying potential interactions (C), and recommending diagnostic tests (D) are clinical judgment activities reserved for the pharmacist or prescriber.

References (Pharmacy Technician documents/Study Guides):

• ASHP Model Curriculum/Scope of Practice for Pharmacy Technicians—roles include data collection and communication, not clinical decision-making.

• PTCB/ExCPT study guides—delineation of technician vs. pharmacist responsibilities (technician: gather/report; pharmacist: evaluate/assess/decide).

• Pharmacy operations policy examples on technician duties in monitoring programs.

FDA recall classifications are defined by the likelihood and severity of health consequences:

• Class I: Reasonable probability that use/exposure will cause serious adverse health consequences or death (e.g., microbial contamination of a sterile product or a life-threatening wrong drug situation).

• Class II: May cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse consequences is remote.

• Class III: Not likely to cause adverse health consequences; often labeling or packaging issues that do not impact safety/efficacy.

For nystatin suspension:

• Bacterial contamination (A) or fungal contamination (C) represents a clinically significant contamination with potential for harm—this aligns with Class I (or Class II in some limited contexts depending on product/route), but certainly not Class III.

• Wrong active ingredient present (B) (e.g., presence of carbamazepine) is a serious error that can cause significant harm and is typically Class I.

• Incorrect lot number on the label (D) is a labeling defect not likely to cause adverse health consequences, aligning with a Class III recall.

Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS)areFDA-required programsto ensure that thebenefits of certain medications outweigh their risks. REMS programsrestrict prescribing, dispensing, and monitoringdue to the potential for serious side effects or misuse.

Suboxoneis used foropioid dependenceand containsbuprenorphine, apartial opioid agonist, which can causeaddiction, misuse, and respiratory depressionif used improperly.

REMS Requirements for Suboxone:

Prescriber Certification:Only specially certified providers can prescribe Suboxone.

Patient Education:Patients must be informed about the risks of misuse, overdose, and dependence.

Limited Dispensing:Pharmacists must ensure prescriptions meet REMS criteria before dispensing.

A. Xarelto (Rivaroxaban).→ Incorrect. While Xarelto is an anticoagulant, it isnot under REMS.

C. Warfarin.→ Incorrect. Warfarin requires monitoring butdoes not have a REMS program.

D. Haloperidol.→ Incorrect. Haloperidol is an antipsychotic, but itdoes not have a REMS program.

FDA REMS Program List (www.accessdata.fda.gov).

Suboxone REMS Guidelines (www.suboxonerems.com).

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline – REMS and Medication Safety.

Mosby’s Pharmacy Technician: Principles and Practice – REMS Regulations.

Why Is Suboxone (Buprenorphine/Naloxone) Under REMS?Why the Other Answer Choices Are Incorrect:Pharmacy Technician References:

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

To find how muchmentholis needed:

(0.25100)×600g=1.5g=1500mg\left( \frac{0.25}{100} \right) \times 600 g = 1.5 g = 1500 mg(1000.25​)×600g=1.5g=1500mg

????Explanation of Answer Choices:✅C. 1500 mg→Correct.0.25% of 600 g = 1500 mg.❌A. 15 mg→ Incorrect.Calculation error.❌B. 150 mg→ Incorrect.Incorrect decimal placement.❌D. 15 g→ Incorrect.Overestimated.

????Reference:

USP <795>: Pharmaceutical Compounding – Nonsterile Preparations

PTCB Exam: Pharmaceutical Calculations

TheU.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)requires aMedication Guide (MedGuide)to be provided when dispensing certain medications that have significant safety concerns.Zyprexa (Olanzapine), anatypical antipsychotic, requires aMedication Guidedue to serious risks such as:

Increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis

Metabolic side effects(e.g., weight gain, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia)

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)

A. Zafirlukast→ Incorrect; while used forasthma(leukotriene receptor antagonist), it doesnot require a Medication Guide.

B. Zestril (Lisinopril)→ Incorrect; anACE inhibitorfor hypertension, it doesnot require a Medication Guide.

C. Zinc→ Incorrect; adietary supplementthat does not require a Medication Guide.

Other Answer Choices Explained:References:

FDA Medication Guide Requirements for Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline (Medication Safety & Patient Counseling)