PTCB PRACTICE TEST 2026/2027: COMPREHENSIVE
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION EXAM PREP
1. Which of the following auxiliary labels should be affixed to a
prescription for amoxicillin oral suspension?
A. Do not take with dairy products
B. Shake well before using
C. Take with food to avoid stomach upset
D. For external use only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Amoxicillin oral suspension is a reconstituted powder that
settles at the bottom of the bottle. It must be shaken well before each
dose to ensure the patient receives the correct amount of medication.
2. A pharmacy technician receives a prescription for "Lisinopril 10 mg
PO QD." What does the abbreviation "QD" stand for?
A. Every other day
B. Four times a day
C. Every day
D. Twice a day
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The abbreviation QD comes from the Latin "quaque die,"
which means every day. It is a standard abbreviation used in
prescription writing to indicate daily dosing.
,3. Which of the following drugs is classified as a Schedule II controlled
substance?
A. Alprazolam
B. Oxycodone
C. Lorazepam
D. Tramadol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic classified as a Schedule II
controlled substance due to its high potential for abuse and
dependence. Alprazolam and Lorazepam are Schedule IV, and Tramadol
is Schedule IV.
4. What is the generic name for the brand drug Coumadin?
A. Warfarin
B. Clopidogrel
C. Rivaroxaban
D. Apixaban
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Coumadin is the brand name for warfarin sodium, an
anticoagulant used to prevent blood clots.
5. Which of the following is the correct way to measure 5 mL of a
liquid medication for a patient?
A. Using a household teaspoon
B. Using a graduated oral syringe
C. Using a kitchen tablespoon
D. Using a regular drinking cup
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Oral syringes are the most accurate device for measuring
,liquid medications. Household spoons vary in size and can lead to
dosing errors.
6. A prescription reads "Sig: 1 tab PO BID x 10 days." How many
tablets should be dispensed to the patient?
A. 10 tablets
B. 20 tablets
C. 30 tablets
D. 40 tablets
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: BID means twice a day. If the patient takes 1 tablet twice
daily for 10 days, the calculation is 1 x 2 x 10 = 20 tablets.
7. Which of the following medications is a common treatment for
hypothyroidism?
A. Metformin
B. Levothyroxine
C. Methimazole
D. Prednisone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Levothyroxine is a synthetic form of thyroxine (T4) used to
treat hypothyroidism. Methimazole is used for hyperthyroidism.
8. Which drug is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI)?
A. Ranitidine
B. Omeprazole
C. Famotidine
D. Sucralfate
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that reduces stomach
acid production. Ranitidine and Famotidine are H2 receptor antagonists.
9. What is the brand name for atorvastatin?
A. Zocor
B. Lipitor
C. Crestor
D. Pravachol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lipitor is the brand name for atorvastatin, a statin used to
lower cholesterol. Crestor is rosuvastatin, and Zocor is simvastatin.
10. Which of the following should be used to clean a laminar flow
hood before compounding?
A. Bleach
B. 70% Isopropyl Alcohol
C. Hydrogen Peroxide
D. Soap and water
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 70% Isopropyl Alcohol is the standard disinfectant used for
cleaning laminar flow hoods and work surfaces in sterile compounding
to prevent contamination.
11. A patient asks for a refill on their Albuterol inhaler. What is the
brand name for Albuterol?
A. Ventolin HFA
B. Advair Diskus
C. Symbicort
D. Spiriva
Correct Answer: A
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION EXAM PREP
1. Which of the following auxiliary labels should be affixed to a
prescription for amoxicillin oral suspension?
A. Do not take with dairy products
B. Shake well before using
C. Take with food to avoid stomach upset
D. For external use only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Amoxicillin oral suspension is a reconstituted powder that
settles at the bottom of the bottle. It must be shaken well before each
dose to ensure the patient receives the correct amount of medication.
2. A pharmacy technician receives a prescription for "Lisinopril 10 mg
PO QD." What does the abbreviation "QD" stand for?
A. Every other day
B. Four times a day
C. Every day
D. Twice a day
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The abbreviation QD comes from the Latin "quaque die,"
which means every day. It is a standard abbreviation used in
prescription writing to indicate daily dosing.
,3. Which of the following drugs is classified as a Schedule II controlled
substance?
A. Alprazolam
B. Oxycodone
C. Lorazepam
D. Tramadol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic classified as a Schedule II
controlled substance due to its high potential for abuse and
dependence. Alprazolam and Lorazepam are Schedule IV, and Tramadol
is Schedule IV.
4. What is the generic name for the brand drug Coumadin?
A. Warfarin
B. Clopidogrel
C. Rivaroxaban
D. Apixaban
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Coumadin is the brand name for warfarin sodium, an
anticoagulant used to prevent blood clots.
5. Which of the following is the correct way to measure 5 mL of a
liquid medication for a patient?
A. Using a household teaspoon
B. Using a graduated oral syringe
C. Using a kitchen tablespoon
D. Using a regular drinking cup
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Oral syringes are the most accurate device for measuring
,liquid medications. Household spoons vary in size and can lead to
dosing errors.
6. A prescription reads "Sig: 1 tab PO BID x 10 days." How many
tablets should be dispensed to the patient?
A. 10 tablets
B. 20 tablets
C. 30 tablets
D. 40 tablets
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: BID means twice a day. If the patient takes 1 tablet twice
daily for 10 days, the calculation is 1 x 2 x 10 = 20 tablets.
7. Which of the following medications is a common treatment for
hypothyroidism?
A. Metformin
B. Levothyroxine
C. Methimazole
D. Prednisone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Levothyroxine is a synthetic form of thyroxine (T4) used to
treat hypothyroidism. Methimazole is used for hyperthyroidism.
8. Which drug is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI)?
A. Ranitidine
B. Omeprazole
C. Famotidine
D. Sucralfate
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that reduces stomach
acid production. Ranitidine and Famotidine are H2 receptor antagonists.
9. What is the brand name for atorvastatin?
A. Zocor
B. Lipitor
C. Crestor
D. Pravachol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lipitor is the brand name for atorvastatin, a statin used to
lower cholesterol. Crestor is rosuvastatin, and Zocor is simvastatin.
10. Which of the following should be used to clean a laminar flow
hood before compounding?
A. Bleach
B. 70% Isopropyl Alcohol
C. Hydrogen Peroxide
D. Soap and water
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 70% Isopropyl Alcohol is the standard disinfectant used for
cleaning laminar flow hoods and work surfaces in sterile compounding
to prevent contamination.
11. A patient asks for a refill on their Albuterol inhaler. What is the
brand name for Albuterol?
A. Ventolin HFA
B. Advair Diskus
C. Symbicort
D. Spiriva
Correct Answer: A
