Top 200 Drugs for PTCB | Pharmacy Technician
Study Guide 200 Practice Questions with Answers and
Rationales
This comprehensive guide provides 200 practice questions covering the top
medications tested on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). Each question
includes the correct answer in bold italics and a detailed rationale in italics to
reinforce understanding.
About the 2026 PTCE: The exam is organized into four domains: Medications (35% of
the test), Federal Requirements, Patient Safety & Quality Assurance, and Order Entry &
Processing. The "Medications" section is the largest, emphasizing brand/generic name
recognition, therapeutic classification, common uses, side effects, and key safety
information.
Part 1: Cardiovascular Drugs
Question 1
A patient brings in a prescription for "Lipitor." What is the generic name of this
medication?
,A. Atorvastatin
B. Simvastatin
C. Rosuvastatin
D. Pravastatin
Answer: A. Atorvastatin
Rationale: Lipitor is the brand name for atorvastatin, a statin used to lower cholesterol .
Simvastatin is branded as Zocor, rosuvastatin is Crestor, and pravastatin is Pravachol.
Understanding these brand-generic pairs is essential for prescription processing and
patient counseling.
Question 2
Which medication is used to treat hypertension and belongs to the angiotensin-
converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor class?
A. Losartan
B. Lisinopril
C. Amlodipine
D. Metoprolol
Answer: B. Lisinopril
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor used for hypertension and heart failure . Losartan
is an ARB, amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker, and metoprolol is a beta-blocker.
Knowing drug classes helps pharmacy technicians identify potential interactions and
therapeutic duplications.
,Question 3
A prescription reads "Norvasc 5 mg daily." What is the generic name for Norvasc?
A. Amlodipine
B. Nifedipine
C. Felodipine
D. Diltiazem
Answer: A. Amlodipine
Rationale: Norvasc is the brand name for amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker used for
hypertension and angina. When a patient receives the generic version, the technician
should explain, "Amlodipine is the generic name for Norvasc—it works the same way but
usually costs less" .
Question 4
Which of the following is classified as a beta-blocker?
A. Lisinopril
B. Losartan
C. Metoprolol
D. Hydrochlorothiazide
Answer: C. Metoprolol
Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker used for hypertension, angina, and heart failure.
Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor, losartan is an ARB, and hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide
diuretic. Drug classification knowledge helps technicians understand medication families
and suffixes—beta-blockers often end in "-olol."
, Question 5
A patient is prescribed a diuretic for hypertension. Which medication is a loop diuretic?
A. Hydrochlorothiazide
B. Furosemide
C. Spironolactone
D. Metolazone
Answer: B. Furosemide
Rationale: Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic used for edema and hypertension.
Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic, spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic,
and metolazone is also a thiazide-type diuretic. Loop diuretics act on the ascending loop
of Henle and are more potent than thiazides.
Question 6
Which medication is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used for hypertension?
A. Enalapril
B. Losartan
C. Lisinopril
D. Ramipril
Answer: B. Losartan
Rationale: Losartan (Cozaar) is an ARB. Enalapril, lisinopril, and ramipril are ACE
inhibitors. ARBs end in "-sartan" and are often used when patients cannot tolerate ACE
Study Guide 200 Practice Questions with Answers and
Rationales
This comprehensive guide provides 200 practice questions covering the top
medications tested on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). Each question
includes the correct answer in bold italics and a detailed rationale in italics to
reinforce understanding.
About the 2026 PTCE: The exam is organized into four domains: Medications (35% of
the test), Federal Requirements, Patient Safety & Quality Assurance, and Order Entry &
Processing. The "Medications" section is the largest, emphasizing brand/generic name
recognition, therapeutic classification, common uses, side effects, and key safety
information.
Part 1: Cardiovascular Drugs
Question 1
A patient brings in a prescription for "Lipitor." What is the generic name of this
medication?
,A. Atorvastatin
B. Simvastatin
C. Rosuvastatin
D. Pravastatin
Answer: A. Atorvastatin
Rationale: Lipitor is the brand name for atorvastatin, a statin used to lower cholesterol .
Simvastatin is branded as Zocor, rosuvastatin is Crestor, and pravastatin is Pravachol.
Understanding these brand-generic pairs is essential for prescription processing and
patient counseling.
Question 2
Which medication is used to treat hypertension and belongs to the angiotensin-
converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor class?
A. Losartan
B. Lisinopril
C. Amlodipine
D. Metoprolol
Answer: B. Lisinopril
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor used for hypertension and heart failure . Losartan
is an ARB, amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker, and metoprolol is a beta-blocker.
Knowing drug classes helps pharmacy technicians identify potential interactions and
therapeutic duplications.
,Question 3
A prescription reads "Norvasc 5 mg daily." What is the generic name for Norvasc?
A. Amlodipine
B. Nifedipine
C. Felodipine
D. Diltiazem
Answer: A. Amlodipine
Rationale: Norvasc is the brand name for amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker used for
hypertension and angina. When a patient receives the generic version, the technician
should explain, "Amlodipine is the generic name for Norvasc—it works the same way but
usually costs less" .
Question 4
Which of the following is classified as a beta-blocker?
A. Lisinopril
B. Losartan
C. Metoprolol
D. Hydrochlorothiazide
Answer: C. Metoprolol
Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker used for hypertension, angina, and heart failure.
Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor, losartan is an ARB, and hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide
diuretic. Drug classification knowledge helps technicians understand medication families
and suffixes—beta-blockers often end in "-olol."
, Question 5
A patient is prescribed a diuretic for hypertension. Which medication is a loop diuretic?
A. Hydrochlorothiazide
B. Furosemide
C. Spironolactone
D. Metolazone
Answer: B. Furosemide
Rationale: Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic used for edema and hypertension.
Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic, spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic,
and metolazone is also a thiazide-type diuretic. Loop diuretics act on the ascending loop
of Henle and are more potent than thiazides.
Question 6
Which medication is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used for hypertension?
A. Enalapril
B. Losartan
C. Lisinopril
D. Ramipril
Answer: B. Losartan
Rationale: Losartan (Cozaar) is an ARB. Enalapril, lisinopril, and ramipril are ACE
inhibitors. ARBs end in "-sartan" and are often used when patients cannot tolerate ACE
