PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
Practice Examination
1. A pharmacy technician receives a prescription for Lisinopril 10mg, 1 tablet PO daily. Which
of the following conditions is this medication primarily used to treat?
A. Hyperlipidemia
B. Diabetes Mellitus
C. Hypertension
D. Hypothyroidism
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Lisinopril is an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used
primarily for hypertension and heart failure. It works by preventing the conversion of
angiotensin I to angiotensin II, leading to vasodilation. Understanding drug classifications is
vital for technicians to assist in medication therapy management. A common pitfall is
confusing ACE inhibitors with ARBs due to their similar indications.
2. According to federal law, which DEA form must be used by a pharmacy to report the
significant loss or theft of controlled substances?
A. DEA Form 222
B. DEA Form 41
C. DEA Form 224
,D. DEA Form 106
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: DEA Form 106 is specifically required for reporting the theft or significant
loss of controlled substances to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Form 222 is for
ordering, while Form 41 is for destruction of inventory. Timely and accurate reporting is a
legal mandate that ensures the integrity of the controlled substance supply chain.
Technicians often confuse the various form numbers during the exam.
3. A patient is prescribed Warfarin 5mg daily. Which of the following vitamin supplements
should the technician advise the patient to maintain at a consistent intake level?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin B12
D. Vitamin K
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Warfarin acts as a Vitamin K antagonist to prevent blood clotting, so large
fluctuations in Vitamin K intake can drastically alter the drug’s effectiveness. Maintaining a
steady diet of leafy greens allows for stable INR (International Normalized Ratio)
monitoring. This interaction is a critical safety point in anticoagulation therapy.
Technicians must recognize this to flag potential dietary conflicts for the pharmacist.
, 4. How many milliliters of a 5% dextrose solution are needed to provide 25 grams of
dextrose?
A. 125 mL
B. 500 mL
C. 250 mL
D. 1000 mL
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A 5% (w/v) solution contains 5 grams of solute per 100 mL of solution. By
setting up a proportion (5g/100mL = 25g/X mL), we find that X equals 500 mL. Accuracy in
percentage-based calculations is fundamental for compounding and dosage verification.
Many students mistakenly divide 5 by 25 instead of using the ratio correctly.
5. Which of the following describes the therapeutic equivalence of two drugs as defined by
the FDA’s Orange Book?
A. They have the same appearance and color.
B. They have the same wholesale price.
C. They are manufactured by the same pharmaceutical company.
D. They contain the same active ingredients and are expected to have the same clinical
effect.
C. They are manufactured by the same company.
Practice Examination
1. A pharmacy technician receives a prescription for Lisinopril 10mg, 1 tablet PO daily. Which
of the following conditions is this medication primarily used to treat?
A. Hyperlipidemia
B. Diabetes Mellitus
C. Hypertension
D. Hypothyroidism
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Lisinopril is an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used
primarily for hypertension and heart failure. It works by preventing the conversion of
angiotensin I to angiotensin II, leading to vasodilation. Understanding drug classifications is
vital for technicians to assist in medication therapy management. A common pitfall is
confusing ACE inhibitors with ARBs due to their similar indications.
2. According to federal law, which DEA form must be used by a pharmacy to report the
significant loss or theft of controlled substances?
A. DEA Form 222
B. DEA Form 41
C. DEA Form 224
,D. DEA Form 106
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: DEA Form 106 is specifically required for reporting the theft or significant
loss of controlled substances to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Form 222 is for
ordering, while Form 41 is for destruction of inventory. Timely and accurate reporting is a
legal mandate that ensures the integrity of the controlled substance supply chain.
Technicians often confuse the various form numbers during the exam.
3. A patient is prescribed Warfarin 5mg daily. Which of the following vitamin supplements
should the technician advise the patient to maintain at a consistent intake level?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin B12
D. Vitamin K
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Warfarin acts as a Vitamin K antagonist to prevent blood clotting, so large
fluctuations in Vitamin K intake can drastically alter the drug’s effectiveness. Maintaining a
steady diet of leafy greens allows for stable INR (International Normalized Ratio)
monitoring. This interaction is a critical safety point in anticoagulation therapy.
Technicians must recognize this to flag potential dietary conflicts for the pharmacist.
, 4. How many milliliters of a 5% dextrose solution are needed to provide 25 grams of
dextrose?
A. 125 mL
B. 500 mL
C. 250 mL
D. 1000 mL
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A 5% (w/v) solution contains 5 grams of solute per 100 mL of solution. By
setting up a proportion (5g/100mL = 25g/X mL), we find that X equals 500 mL. Accuracy in
percentage-based calculations is fundamental for compounding and dosage verification.
Many students mistakenly divide 5 by 25 instead of using the ratio correctly.
5. Which of the following describes the therapeutic equivalence of two drugs as defined by
the FDA’s Orange Book?
A. They have the same appearance and color.
B. They have the same wholesale price.
C. They are manufactured by the same pharmaceutical company.
D. They contain the same active ingredients and are expected to have the same clinical
effect.
C. They are manufactured by the same company.
