AZTEC Pharmacy Exam The Complete Exam Preparation Mastery Manual: Advanced Study Guide, Extensive Test Bank Review, Full-Length Practice Questions, and Final Knowledge Assessment

Which of the following activities may be performed only by a pharmacist and not a pharmacy technician? • A. Counting tablets for dispensing • B. Entering prescription data into the system • C. Accepting a return call from a prescriber clarifying a prescription • D. Stocking medications on shelves Correct Answer: C. Accepting a return call from a prescriber clarifying a prescription Rationale: Clarification of a prescription involves clinical judgment and direct communication with a prescriber regarding therapeutic intent, dosage changes, or corrections. These responsibilities fall under the legal and professional scope of a licensed pharmacist due to patient safety implications. Pharmacy technicians may assist in administrative tasks such as data entry, inventory management, and labeling, but cannot interpret or modify prescription orders. Question 2 Which task is NOT permitted for a pharmacy technician? • A. Labeling prescription bottles • B. Selecting an OTC product for a patient • C. Stocking medication inventory • D. Processing prescription insurance claims Correct Answer: B. Selecting an OTC product for a patient Rationale: Pharmacy technicians are restricted from making clinical recommendations, including selecting over-the-counter (OTC) medications, as this requires therapeutic judgment and patient assessment. Such decisions must be made by a pharmacist. Technicians may support workflow functions like labeling, inventory control, and insurance processing, all of which are operational or administrative in nature. Question 3 A patient presents prescriptions for ibuprofen 800 mg and Anaprox DS (naproxen) from different prescribers. What is the most appropriate action for the pharmacy technician? • A. Fill both prescriptions as written • B. Substitute one medication for the other • C. Alert the pharmacist about possible therapeutic duplication • D. Call the prescriber for clarification Correct Answer: C. Alert the pharmacist about possible therapeutic duplication Rationale: Ibuprofen and Anaprox DS are both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Concurrent use increases the risk of severe gastrointestinal bleeding and renal toxicity. This represents a potential therapeutic duplication requiring clinical evaluation. Technicians are not authorized to evaluate drug therapy or contact prescribers directly to modify orders; they must escalate the issue to the pharmacist. Question 4 A complete list of goods and supplies that a pharmacy stocks and uses in daily operations is called a: • A. Ledger • B. Inventory • C. Manifest • D. Formulary Correct Answer: B. Inventory Rationale: Inventory refers to the complete list of all items a pharmacy stocks and uses for daily operations, including medications and supplies. Managing inventory is essential for maintaining stock levels, preventing shortages, and ensuring regulatory compliance. A ledger tracks financial transactions, a manifest is a shipping document, and a formulary is a list of approved medications within a healthcare or insurance system. Question 5 Received order reports should be checked for accuracy using which method? • A. Random sampling • B. Manual verification C. Automated dispensing system only D. Pharmacist-only review Correct Answer: B. Manual verification Rationale: Manual verification involves physically checking received items against invoices or purchase requests to ensure accuracy, completeness, and absence of errors (such as missing items, incorrect quantities, or damaged goods). While automated systems assist in tracking, they may not detect physical discrepancies, making manual review essential. Question 6 During medication receiving, inventory reconciliation should be performed: • A. By total shipment weight • B. Item by item • C. By manufacturer only • D. By expiration date only Correct Answer: B. Item by item Rationale: Item-by-item reconciliation ensures that each individual medication received matches the order in quantity, strength, dosage form, and expiration date. Evaluating shipments as a whole or by partial criteria (like total weight) can cause critical discrepancies or medication errors to be overlooked. Question 7 A small-volume intravenous bag used to deliver medication intermittently alongside a primary line is called: • A. IV push • B. IVPB (Intravenous Piggyback) • C. Bolus • D. TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) Correct Answer: B. IVPB Rationale: An IVPB (intravenous piggyback) is a secondary, small-volume IV solution used to administer medications (such as antibiotics) intermittently into an existing primary IV line. An IV push involves rapid direct injection, a bolus is a single large dose given quickly, and TPN provides total intravenous nutrition. Question 8 A DEA registration number is required on prescriptions for which of the following medications? • A. Ibuprofen • B. Xanax (alprazolam) • C. Amoxicillin • D. Loratadine Correct Answer: B. Xanax Rationale: Xanax (alprazolam) is a Schedule IV controlled substance regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Controlled substances require a valid DEA number from the prescriber to ensure legal prescribing authority and prevent diversion. Non-controlled medications do not require a DEA number. Question 9 Isotretinoin therapy is strictly regulated under which specific risk management program? • A. REMS program (General) • B. iPLEDGE program • C. CMS formulary • D. OSHA guidelines Correct Answer: B. iPLEDGE program Rationale: Isotretinoin is a high-risk medication known to cause severe birth defects. It is strictly regulated under the mandatory iPLEDGE program, which requires registration and specific monitoring (such as negative pregnancy tests) for prescribers, pharmacies, and patients prior to dispensing. Question 10 Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provide detailed safety and health information about: • A. Prescription pricing • B. Hazardous substances C. Insurance coverage D. Controlled drug scheduling Correct Answer: B. Hazardous substances Rationale: Regulated under OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provide comprehensive information on hazardous chemicals, including safe handling procedures, storage requirements, exposure risks, and first-aid measures. Question 11 A child weighs $66text{ lbs}$. A medication is prescribed at $15text{ mg/kg}$ per dose, given twice daily via IV. What is the total daily dose? • A. $450text{ mg}$ • B. $600text{ mg}$ • C. $900text{ mg}$ • D. $1200text{ mg}$ Correct Answer: C. 900 mg Rationale: 1. Convert weight from pounds to kilograms: $66text{ lbs} div 2.2 = 30text{ kg}$. 2. Calculate single dose: $30text{ kg} times 15text{ mg/kg} = 450text{ mg per dose}$. 3. Calculate total daily dose (given twice daily): $450text{ mg} times 2 = 900text{ mg/day}$. Question 12 Outdated or expired medications should be: • A. Returned directly to the manufacturer only • B. Discarded in regular trash • C. Sent to reverse distributors • D. Dispensed at a reduced cost Correct Answer: C. Sent to reverse distributors Rationale: Expired or outdated medications must be processed through reverse distributors, which handle the safe, legal, and environmentally compliant destruction or credit processing of pharmaceutical waste. Discarding them in regular trash violates environmental and safety regulations. Question 13 Which of the following represents a major, clinically significant drug-drug interaction? • A. Acetaminophen – Ibuprofen • B. Warfarin – Aspirin • C. Amoxicillin – Diphenhydramine • D. Loratadine – Vitamin C Correct Answer: B. Warfarin – Aspirin Rationale: Both warfarin (an anticoagulant) and aspirin (an antiplatelet agent) impair blood clotting mechanisms. Taking them concurrently significantly increases the risk of major or life-threatening hemorrhage. Question 14 Which piece of patient information is essential for processing prescription insurance billing? • A. Height • B. Date of birth • C. Eye color • D. Blood type Correct Answer: B. Date of birth Rationale: A patient’s date of birth is a required identifier for online adjudication and insurance verification to confirm patient identity, eligibility, and coverage. Physical characteristics like height, eye color, or blood type are not used in pharmacy billing. Question 15 A prescription bottle in stock is found without a label. Under federal drug law, this medication is classified as: A. Misbranded B. Adulterated • C. Expired • D. Controlled Correct Answer: A. Misbranded Rationale: Under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, a drug is considered misbranded if its labeling is missing, false, misleading, or fails to contain mandatory statutory information. Adulteration refers to issues with physical purity, cleanliness, strength, or contamination of the drug product itself.