PTCB PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION
EXAMINATION NEWEST UPDATED (2026-2027)
COMPLETE APPROVED \PTC
1. A prescription is written for “Zoloft 50 mg po daily.” Which of the following is the generic
name for Zoloft?
A. Sertraline
B. Citalopram
C. Escitalopram
D. Fluoxetine
Rationale: Zoloft is the brand name for sertraline, an SSRI antidepressant. Citalopram is
Celexa, escitalopram is Lexapro, and fluoxetine is Prozac .
2. Which medication is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance?
A. Alprazolam
B. Methylphenidate
C. Lorazepam
D. Zolpidem
Rationale: Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) is a Schedule II stimulant with high abuse
potential. Alprazolam and lorazepam are Schedule IV benzodiazepines. Zolpidem is Schedule IV .
3. A patient presents with a prescription for “Lantus.” The pharmacy technician should
recognize this as:
A. Insulin lispro
B. Insulin glargine
C. Insulin detemir
D. Insulin NPH
Rationale: Lantus is insulin glargine, a long-acting basal insulin. Humalog is lispro, Levemir is
detemir, and Humulin N is NPH .
,4. Which of the following is a high-alert medication according to ISMP?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Insulin
C. Loratadine
D. Multivitamin
Rationale: Insulin is classified as a high-alert medication due to the risk of serious harm
from dosing errors. High-alert medications carry a heightened risk of significant patient harm
when used in error .
5. The brand name Cozaar corresponds to which generic medication?
A. Valsartan
B. Losartan
C. Olmesartan
D. Irbesartan
Rationale: Cozaar is losartan potassium, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). Diovan is
valsartan, and Benicar is olmesartan .
6. Which auxiliary label should be applied to a prescription for doxycycline?
A. “May cause drowsiness”
B. “Take with plenty of water”
C. “Avoid dairy products”
D. “Do not crush”
Rationale: Doxycycline (a tetracycline) should be taken with a full glass of water to prevent
esophageal irritation and ulceration. Patients should remain upright for 30 minutes after taking .
7. A prescription for “Klonopin” is received. The pharmacy technician knows this medication is
used to treat:
A. Hypertension
B. Seizure disorders and panic disorder
C. Diabetes
D. Hyperlipidemia
, Rationale: Klonopin (clonazepam) is a benzodiazepine used for seizure disorders, panic
disorder, and certain movement disorders .
8. Which of the following medications requires the patient to avoid alcohol due to a
disulfiram-like reaction?
A. Amoxicillin
B. Metronidazole
C. Cephalexin
D. Azithromycin
Rationale: Metronidazole (Flagyl) can cause a disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol,
characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, flushing, and tachycardia.
9. A patient brings in a prescription for “Synthroid.” The generic name is:
A. Levothyroxine
B. Liothyronine
C. Methimazole
D. Propylthiouracil
Rationale: Synthroid is levothyroxine, a synthetic T4 thyroid hormone. Liothyronine
(Cytomel) is T3 .
10. Which of the following drugs is an example of a “look-alike/sound-alike” (LASA)
medication pair?
A. Lisinopril and Lipitor
B. Amoxicillin and Ampicillin
C. Metformin and Metoprolol
D. Both A and C
Rationale: Both lisinopril/Lipitor and metformin/metoprolol are LASA pairs. The ISMP
maintains a list of LASA medications to help prevent errors .
11. A prescription is written for “Lasix 40 mg po bid.” The generic name for Lasix is:
, A. Furosemide
B. Hydrochlorothiazide
C. Spironolactone
D. Torsemide
Rationale: Lasix is furosemide, a loop diuretic. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic,
and Aldactone is spironolactone .
12. Which of the following medications should be stored in the refrigerator?
A. Amoxicillin capsules
B. Insulin (unopened vials)
C. Metformin tablets
D. Lisinopril tablets
Rationale: Unopened insulin vials should be stored in the refrigerator (36–46°F). Once in
use, insulin may be kept at room temperature for up to 28 days depending on the product.
13. Which of the following is the correct generic name for “Coumadin”?
A. Warfarin sodium
B. Clopidogrel
C. Rivaroxaban
D. Apixaban
Rationale: Coumadin is warfarin sodium, an anticoagulant. Patients on warfarin require
regular INR monitoring .
14. A prescription is received for “Augmentin 875/125 mg po bid.” What are the active
ingredients in Augmentin?
A. Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium
B. Ampicillin and sulbactam
C. Piperacillin and tazobactam
D. Ticarcillin and clavulanate
Rationale: Augmentin contains amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. The clavulanate is a
beta-lactamase inhibitor that extends amoxicillin’s spectrum .
EXAMINATION NEWEST UPDATED (2026-2027)
COMPLETE APPROVED \PTC
1. A prescription is written for “Zoloft 50 mg po daily.” Which of the following is the generic
name for Zoloft?
A. Sertraline
B. Citalopram
C. Escitalopram
D. Fluoxetine
Rationale: Zoloft is the brand name for sertraline, an SSRI antidepressant. Citalopram is
Celexa, escitalopram is Lexapro, and fluoxetine is Prozac .
2. Which medication is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance?
A. Alprazolam
B. Methylphenidate
C. Lorazepam
D. Zolpidem
Rationale: Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) is a Schedule II stimulant with high abuse
potential. Alprazolam and lorazepam are Schedule IV benzodiazepines. Zolpidem is Schedule IV .
3. A patient presents with a prescription for “Lantus.” The pharmacy technician should
recognize this as:
A. Insulin lispro
B. Insulin glargine
C. Insulin detemir
D. Insulin NPH
Rationale: Lantus is insulin glargine, a long-acting basal insulin. Humalog is lispro, Levemir is
detemir, and Humulin N is NPH .
,4. Which of the following is a high-alert medication according to ISMP?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Insulin
C. Loratadine
D. Multivitamin
Rationale: Insulin is classified as a high-alert medication due to the risk of serious harm
from dosing errors. High-alert medications carry a heightened risk of significant patient harm
when used in error .
5. The brand name Cozaar corresponds to which generic medication?
A. Valsartan
B. Losartan
C. Olmesartan
D. Irbesartan
Rationale: Cozaar is losartan potassium, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). Diovan is
valsartan, and Benicar is olmesartan .
6. Which auxiliary label should be applied to a prescription for doxycycline?
A. “May cause drowsiness”
B. “Take with plenty of water”
C. “Avoid dairy products”
D. “Do not crush”
Rationale: Doxycycline (a tetracycline) should be taken with a full glass of water to prevent
esophageal irritation and ulceration. Patients should remain upright for 30 minutes after taking .
7. A prescription for “Klonopin” is received. The pharmacy technician knows this medication is
used to treat:
A. Hypertension
B. Seizure disorders and panic disorder
C. Diabetes
D. Hyperlipidemia
, Rationale: Klonopin (clonazepam) is a benzodiazepine used for seizure disorders, panic
disorder, and certain movement disorders .
8. Which of the following medications requires the patient to avoid alcohol due to a
disulfiram-like reaction?
A. Amoxicillin
B. Metronidazole
C. Cephalexin
D. Azithromycin
Rationale: Metronidazole (Flagyl) can cause a disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol,
characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, flushing, and tachycardia.
9. A patient brings in a prescription for “Synthroid.” The generic name is:
A. Levothyroxine
B. Liothyronine
C. Methimazole
D. Propylthiouracil
Rationale: Synthroid is levothyroxine, a synthetic T4 thyroid hormone. Liothyronine
(Cytomel) is T3 .
10. Which of the following drugs is an example of a “look-alike/sound-alike” (LASA)
medication pair?
A. Lisinopril and Lipitor
B. Amoxicillin and Ampicillin
C. Metformin and Metoprolol
D. Both A and C
Rationale: Both lisinopril/Lipitor and metformin/metoprolol are LASA pairs. The ISMP
maintains a list of LASA medications to help prevent errors .
11. A prescription is written for “Lasix 40 mg po bid.” The generic name for Lasix is:
, A. Furosemide
B. Hydrochlorothiazide
C. Spironolactone
D. Torsemide
Rationale: Lasix is furosemide, a loop diuretic. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic,
and Aldactone is spironolactone .
12. Which of the following medications should be stored in the refrigerator?
A. Amoxicillin capsules
B. Insulin (unopened vials)
C. Metformin tablets
D. Lisinopril tablets
Rationale: Unopened insulin vials should be stored in the refrigerator (36–46°F). Once in
use, insulin may be kept at room temperature for up to 28 days depending on the product.
13. Which of the following is the correct generic name for “Coumadin”?
A. Warfarin sodium
B. Clopidogrel
C. Rivaroxaban
D. Apixaban
Rationale: Coumadin is warfarin sodium, an anticoagulant. Patients on warfarin require
regular INR monitoring .
14. A prescription is received for “Augmentin 875/125 mg po bid.” What are the active
ingredients in Augmentin?
A. Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium
B. Ampicillin and sulbactam
C. Piperacillin and tazobactam
D. Ticarcillin and clavulanate
Rationale: Augmentin contains amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. The clavulanate is a
beta-lactamase inhibitor that extends amoxicillin’s spectrum .
