PCHA TEST QUESTIONS EXAM COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS FULLY SOLVED &
UPDATED (LATEST UPDATE 2026) UPDATE!!
Question 1
Which of the following describes Lewy Body Dementia?
A) A temporary loss of memory due to stress.
B) Abnormal protein deposits in the brain leading to hallucinations and motor symptoms.
C) A condition caused solely by a lack of vitamin D.
D) A mental health disorder characterized only by social anxiety.
E) A type of dementia that only affects hearing and taste.
Correct Answer: B) Abnormal protein deposits in the brain leading to hallucinations and
motor symptoms
Rationale: Lewy Body Dementia involves abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies.
These deposits cause fluctuating cognitive impairment, visual hallucinations, and motor
symptoms that often mimic Parkinson's disease.
Question 2
How is a "Drug" specifically defined in the context of PCH medication administration?
A) Any substance used to cure a headache.
B) A preparation used specifically to prevent a viral disease.
C) A substance considered a narcotic, hallucinogen, or a stimulant.
D) Any over-the-counter cream or lotion.
E) A liquid used to clean medical equipment.
Correct Answer: C) A substance considered a narcotic, hallucinogen, or a stimulant
Rationale: In the PCH curriculum, a distinction is made between a drug and a medicine. A
drug is categorized as a substance that acts as a narcotic, hallucinogen, or stimulant.
Question 3
What is the definition of a "Medicine"?
A) A dangerous chemical found in the kitchen.
B) A substance used only for illegal purposes.
C) A preparation used to treat or prevent a disease.
D) A vitamin that requires no prescription.
E) An herbal supplement used for weight loss.
Correct Answer: C) A preparation used to treat or prevent a disease
Rationale: Medicine is defined as a preparation specifically used for the treatment or
prevention of diseases or medical conditions.
Question 4
Which of the following are the three required components of a valid doctor's order?
A) Resident name, pharmacy name, and insurance info.
B) Medication name, route, and frequency.
C) Medication name, expiration date, and cost.
D) Doctor's home address, medication name, and pharmacy phone number.
, 2
E) Resident age, medication name, and color of the pill.
Correct Answer: B) Medication, route, and frequency
Rationale: For an order to be complete and safely administrable in a PCH, it must include
the name of the medication, the route of administration, and how often it is to be given
(frequency).
Question 5
Which route of medication administration is considered the most common and cost-effective?
A) Injectable
B) Nasal
C) Inhalation
D) Oral
E) Topical
Correct Answer: D) The oral route
Rationale: The oral route is preferred because it is non-invasive, easy for the resident to
swallow in most cases, and typically less expensive to manufacture than other forms.
Question 6
When administering ophthalmic (eye) drops, why should the resident tilt their head toward the
eye receiving the drops?
A) To make it easier for the nurse to see.
B) To prevent the medication from entering the tear duct.
C) To allow the medication to run into the ear.
D) To prevent the resident from falling asleep.
E) To ensure the resident looks at the floor.
Correct Answer: B) To prevent drops getting into the tear duck
Rationale: Tilting the head back and toward the eye being treated helps keep the medication
in the conjunctival sac and prevents it from draining immediately into the lacrimal (tear)
duct, which can cause systemic absorption.
Question 7
During ophthalmic medication administration, where should the resident look to prevent the
dropper from touching the eye?
A) Directly at the dropper.
B) At the administrator’s hand.
C) Up and away.
D) Down at their feet.
E) At the door.
Correct Answer: C) Up and away
Rationale: Instructing the resident to look up and away moves the cornea away from the
, 3
dropper, reducing the risk of injury or contamination of the dropper tip if the resident
blinks or moves.
Question 8
What is the proper technique for administering otic (ear) medication?
A) Tilt the head toward the unaffected ear and look down.
B) Tilt the head to the affected area and upward.
C) Keep the head perfectly straight and upright.
D) Have the resident lie prone on their stomach.
E) Tilt the head forward toward the chest.
Correct Answer: B) Tilt head to affected area and upward
Rationale: Tilting the head so the affected ear is facing upward allows the drops to flow into
the ear canal by gravity.
Question 9
Which of the following is NOT a recognized route of medication administration in a Personal
Care Home?
A) Topical
B) Nasal
C) Inhalation
D) Telepathic
E) Injectable
Correct Answer: D) Telepathic
Rationale: Standard routes include Oral, Ophthalmic, Otic, Inhalation, Nasal, Topical, and
Injectable. Telepathic is not a physical route of medicine.
Question 10
A "Trade Name" for a drug is best described as:
A) The chemical formula of the drug.
B) The name assigned by the United States Adopted Names Council.
C) The name developed, tested, and accepted by a pharmaceutical company.
D) The name used only by pharmacists in secret.
E) The nickname given to the drug by the resident.
Correct Answer: C) developed, tested, and accepted by pharmaceutical company
Rationale: The Trade name (or Brand name) is the proprietary name owned by the
company that developed the drug.
Question 11
Which entity assigns a drug its "Generic Name"?
A) The pharmaceutical company's marketing team.
B) The United States Adopted Names Council.
, 4
C) The local Personal Care Home administrator.
D) The resident’s family.
E) The state governor.
Correct Answer: B) Names assigned by the United States adopted names council
Rationale: Generic names are standardized and assigned by the USAN Council to ensure
consistent identification regardless of the manufacturer.
Question 12
How can a PCH staff member easily identify the "Trade Name" on a medication bottle?
A) It is the smallest print at the bottom.
B) It is typically the "BIG" name, the most common name printed prominently.
C) It is always written in Latin.
D) It is only found on the back of the bottle.
E) It is the same as the expiration date.
Correct Answer: B) The BIG name, most common name is printed on the bottle is
considered the trade name
Rationale: Pharmaceutical companies print the Trade name (like Tylenol) in larger, bolder
letters for branding and identification purposes.
Question 13
Is Tylenol a trade or generic name, and what is its counterpart?
A) Trade; Acetaminophen is the generic.
B) Generic; Acetaminophen is the trade.
C) Trade; Crestor is the generic.
D) Generic; Aspirin is the trade.
E) Trade; Ibuprofen is the generic.
Correct Answer: A) Trade name, acetaminophen is the generic name
Rationale: Tylenol is the brand/trade name for the generic drug acetaminophen.
Question 14
Which of the following is true regarding Atorvastatin?
A) It is the trade name for Crestor.
B) It is the generic name for Crestor.
C) It is a narcotic drug.
D) It is an over-the-counter vitamin.
E) It is a topical cream for rashes.
Correct Answer: B) Generic name, Crestor is the trade name
Rationale: Atorvastatin is the generic name for the cholesterol-lowering medication known
by the trade name Crestor.
UPDATED (LATEST UPDATE 2026) UPDATE!!
Question 1
Which of the following describes Lewy Body Dementia?
A) A temporary loss of memory due to stress.
B) Abnormal protein deposits in the brain leading to hallucinations and motor symptoms.
C) A condition caused solely by a lack of vitamin D.
D) A mental health disorder characterized only by social anxiety.
E) A type of dementia that only affects hearing and taste.
Correct Answer: B) Abnormal protein deposits in the brain leading to hallucinations and
motor symptoms
Rationale: Lewy Body Dementia involves abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies.
These deposits cause fluctuating cognitive impairment, visual hallucinations, and motor
symptoms that often mimic Parkinson's disease.
Question 2
How is a "Drug" specifically defined in the context of PCH medication administration?
A) Any substance used to cure a headache.
B) A preparation used specifically to prevent a viral disease.
C) A substance considered a narcotic, hallucinogen, or a stimulant.
D) Any over-the-counter cream or lotion.
E) A liquid used to clean medical equipment.
Correct Answer: C) A substance considered a narcotic, hallucinogen, or a stimulant
Rationale: In the PCH curriculum, a distinction is made between a drug and a medicine. A
drug is categorized as a substance that acts as a narcotic, hallucinogen, or stimulant.
Question 3
What is the definition of a "Medicine"?
A) A dangerous chemical found in the kitchen.
B) A substance used only for illegal purposes.
C) A preparation used to treat or prevent a disease.
D) A vitamin that requires no prescription.
E) An herbal supplement used for weight loss.
Correct Answer: C) A preparation used to treat or prevent a disease
Rationale: Medicine is defined as a preparation specifically used for the treatment or
prevention of diseases or medical conditions.
Question 4
Which of the following are the three required components of a valid doctor's order?
A) Resident name, pharmacy name, and insurance info.
B) Medication name, route, and frequency.
C) Medication name, expiration date, and cost.
D) Doctor's home address, medication name, and pharmacy phone number.
, 2
E) Resident age, medication name, and color of the pill.
Correct Answer: B) Medication, route, and frequency
Rationale: For an order to be complete and safely administrable in a PCH, it must include
the name of the medication, the route of administration, and how often it is to be given
(frequency).
Question 5
Which route of medication administration is considered the most common and cost-effective?
A) Injectable
B) Nasal
C) Inhalation
D) Oral
E) Topical
Correct Answer: D) The oral route
Rationale: The oral route is preferred because it is non-invasive, easy for the resident to
swallow in most cases, and typically less expensive to manufacture than other forms.
Question 6
When administering ophthalmic (eye) drops, why should the resident tilt their head toward the
eye receiving the drops?
A) To make it easier for the nurse to see.
B) To prevent the medication from entering the tear duct.
C) To allow the medication to run into the ear.
D) To prevent the resident from falling asleep.
E) To ensure the resident looks at the floor.
Correct Answer: B) To prevent drops getting into the tear duck
Rationale: Tilting the head back and toward the eye being treated helps keep the medication
in the conjunctival sac and prevents it from draining immediately into the lacrimal (tear)
duct, which can cause systemic absorption.
Question 7
During ophthalmic medication administration, where should the resident look to prevent the
dropper from touching the eye?
A) Directly at the dropper.
B) At the administrator’s hand.
C) Up and away.
D) Down at their feet.
E) At the door.
Correct Answer: C) Up and away
Rationale: Instructing the resident to look up and away moves the cornea away from the
, 3
dropper, reducing the risk of injury or contamination of the dropper tip if the resident
blinks or moves.
Question 8
What is the proper technique for administering otic (ear) medication?
A) Tilt the head toward the unaffected ear and look down.
B) Tilt the head to the affected area and upward.
C) Keep the head perfectly straight and upright.
D) Have the resident lie prone on their stomach.
E) Tilt the head forward toward the chest.
Correct Answer: B) Tilt head to affected area and upward
Rationale: Tilting the head so the affected ear is facing upward allows the drops to flow into
the ear canal by gravity.
Question 9
Which of the following is NOT a recognized route of medication administration in a Personal
Care Home?
A) Topical
B) Nasal
C) Inhalation
D) Telepathic
E) Injectable
Correct Answer: D) Telepathic
Rationale: Standard routes include Oral, Ophthalmic, Otic, Inhalation, Nasal, Topical, and
Injectable. Telepathic is not a physical route of medicine.
Question 10
A "Trade Name" for a drug is best described as:
A) The chemical formula of the drug.
B) The name assigned by the United States Adopted Names Council.
C) The name developed, tested, and accepted by a pharmaceutical company.
D) The name used only by pharmacists in secret.
E) The nickname given to the drug by the resident.
Correct Answer: C) developed, tested, and accepted by pharmaceutical company
Rationale: The Trade name (or Brand name) is the proprietary name owned by the
company that developed the drug.
Question 11
Which entity assigns a drug its "Generic Name"?
A) The pharmaceutical company's marketing team.
B) The United States Adopted Names Council.
, 4
C) The local Personal Care Home administrator.
D) The resident’s family.
E) The state governor.
Correct Answer: B) Names assigned by the United States adopted names council
Rationale: Generic names are standardized and assigned by the USAN Council to ensure
consistent identification regardless of the manufacturer.
Question 12
How can a PCH staff member easily identify the "Trade Name" on a medication bottle?
A) It is the smallest print at the bottom.
B) It is typically the "BIG" name, the most common name printed prominently.
C) It is always written in Latin.
D) It is only found on the back of the bottle.
E) It is the same as the expiration date.
Correct Answer: B) The BIG name, most common name is printed on the bottle is
considered the trade name
Rationale: Pharmaceutical companies print the Trade name (like Tylenol) in larger, bolder
letters for branding and identification purposes.
Question 13
Is Tylenol a trade or generic name, and what is its counterpart?
A) Trade; Acetaminophen is the generic.
B) Generic; Acetaminophen is the trade.
C) Trade; Crestor is the generic.
D) Generic; Aspirin is the trade.
E) Trade; Ibuprofen is the generic.
Correct Answer: A) Trade name, acetaminophen is the generic name
Rationale: Tylenol is the brand/trade name for the generic drug acetaminophen.
Question 14
Which of the following is true regarding Atorvastatin?
A) It is the trade name for Crestor.
B) It is the generic name for Crestor.
C) It is a narcotic drug.
D) It is an over-the-counter vitamin.
E) It is a topical cream for rashes.
Correct Answer: B) Generic name, Crestor is the trade name
Rationale: Atorvastatin is the generic name for the cholesterol-lowering medication known
by the trade name Crestor.
