Medica on History Cer fica on Exam Prep 2026
Updated Prac ce Ques ons Comprehensive Pharmacy
Technician Review Detailed Explana ons, Verified
Answers, Complete Success Workbook
1. What is the primary purpose of obtaining a patient's medication history?
A. To determine the patient's insurance coverage
B. To create the most accurate list of medications the patient uses
C. To select the patient's diagnosis
D. To determine the patient's laboratory values
Answer: B
Rationale: A medication history helps establish the most accurate possible list of prescription
drugs, OTC products, supplements, and other substances a patient uses.
2. Which information should be collected for each medication whenever possible?
A. Drug name, strength, dose, route, and frequency
B. Patient's favorite pharmacy only
C. Medication color only
D. Prescriber's age
Answer: A
Rationale: Complete medication information generally includes the medication name, strength,
dose, route, frequency, and other relevant details.
3. Medication reconciliation is best described as:
A. Destroying expired medications
B. Comparing medication information across transitions of care
C. Calculating medication prices
D. Preparing sterile products
,Answer: B
Rationale: Medication reconciliation involves comparing medication lists to identify and resolve
unintended discrepancies.
4. Which item should be included in a comprehensive medication history?
A. Prescription medications only
B. OTC medications only
C. Herbal and dietary supplements
D. Medications taken only during hospitalization
Answer: C
Rationale: Supplements and herbal products can cause interactions and adverse effects and
should be included.
5. A patient states, "I take a small white blood pressure pill." What is the best next step?
A. Guess the medication
B. Document an assumed medication name
C. Ask follow-up questions and verify the medication when possible
D. Exclude the medication from the history
Answer: C
Rationale: Medication identification should be verified rather than guessed. Follow-up questions
and available records can help clarify the medication.
6. Which question is most useful when collecting medication frequency information?
A. "What color is the bottle?"
B. "How often do you take this medication?"
C. "Where was the medication manufactured?"
D. "What is your favorite medication?"
Answer: B
Rationale: Asking directly about frequency helps establish how the patient actually uses the
medication.
,7. PRN means:
A. Before meals
B. At bedtime
C. As needed
D. Once daily
Answer: C
Rationale: PRN is commonly used to indicate that a medication is taken as needed.
8. Which route refers to administration by mouth?
A. PO
B. IM
C. IV
D. SL
Answer: A
Rationale: PO means per os, or by mouth.
9. Which route means intravenous administration?
A. IM
B. IV
C. PO
D. PR
Answer: B
Rationale: IV indicates administration directly into a vein.
10. A medication discrepancy occurs when:
A. A patient has one prescription
B. Differences exist between medication records that require evaluation
, C. A medication is taken with water
D. A prescription has refills
Answer: B
Rationale: Medication discrepancies are differences between medication information sources
that may need clarification.
11. Which source may help verify a patient's medication history?
A. Pharmacy dispensing records
B. Television advertisements
C. Random internet comments
D. Another patient's medication list
Answer: A
Rationale: Pharmacy dispensing records may provide useful information about medications that
have been filled.
12. Why should OTC medications be included in medication histories?
A. They never cause adverse effects
B. They can interact with prescription medications
C. They do not contain active ingredients
D. They are always administered by healthcare professionals
Answer: B
Rationale: OTC medications may cause adverse effects, duplicate therapy, or clinically
important interactions.
13. Which is an example of a dietary supplement?
A. Multivitamin
B. Prescription-only injectable medication
C. Sterile saline bag
D. Surgical dressing
Answer: A
Updated Prac ce Ques ons Comprehensive Pharmacy
Technician Review Detailed Explana ons, Verified
Answers, Complete Success Workbook
1. What is the primary purpose of obtaining a patient's medication history?
A. To determine the patient's insurance coverage
B. To create the most accurate list of medications the patient uses
C. To select the patient's diagnosis
D. To determine the patient's laboratory values
Answer: B
Rationale: A medication history helps establish the most accurate possible list of prescription
drugs, OTC products, supplements, and other substances a patient uses.
2. Which information should be collected for each medication whenever possible?
A. Drug name, strength, dose, route, and frequency
B. Patient's favorite pharmacy only
C. Medication color only
D. Prescriber's age
Answer: A
Rationale: Complete medication information generally includes the medication name, strength,
dose, route, frequency, and other relevant details.
3. Medication reconciliation is best described as:
A. Destroying expired medications
B. Comparing medication information across transitions of care
C. Calculating medication prices
D. Preparing sterile products
,Answer: B
Rationale: Medication reconciliation involves comparing medication lists to identify and resolve
unintended discrepancies.
4. Which item should be included in a comprehensive medication history?
A. Prescription medications only
B. OTC medications only
C. Herbal and dietary supplements
D. Medications taken only during hospitalization
Answer: C
Rationale: Supplements and herbal products can cause interactions and adverse effects and
should be included.
5. A patient states, "I take a small white blood pressure pill." What is the best next step?
A. Guess the medication
B. Document an assumed medication name
C. Ask follow-up questions and verify the medication when possible
D. Exclude the medication from the history
Answer: C
Rationale: Medication identification should be verified rather than guessed. Follow-up questions
and available records can help clarify the medication.
6. Which question is most useful when collecting medication frequency information?
A. "What color is the bottle?"
B. "How often do you take this medication?"
C. "Where was the medication manufactured?"
D. "What is your favorite medication?"
Answer: B
Rationale: Asking directly about frequency helps establish how the patient actually uses the
medication.
,7. PRN means:
A. Before meals
B. At bedtime
C. As needed
D. Once daily
Answer: C
Rationale: PRN is commonly used to indicate that a medication is taken as needed.
8. Which route refers to administration by mouth?
A. PO
B. IM
C. IV
D. SL
Answer: A
Rationale: PO means per os, or by mouth.
9. Which route means intravenous administration?
A. IM
B. IV
C. PO
D. PR
Answer: B
Rationale: IV indicates administration directly into a vein.
10. A medication discrepancy occurs when:
A. A patient has one prescription
B. Differences exist between medication records that require evaluation
, C. A medication is taken with water
D. A prescription has refills
Answer: B
Rationale: Medication discrepancies are differences between medication information sources
that may need clarification.
11. Which source may help verify a patient's medication history?
A. Pharmacy dispensing records
B. Television advertisements
C. Random internet comments
D. Another patient's medication list
Answer: A
Rationale: Pharmacy dispensing records may provide useful information about medications that
have been filled.
12. Why should OTC medications be included in medication histories?
A. They never cause adverse effects
B. They can interact with prescription medications
C. They do not contain active ingredients
D. They are always administered by healthcare professionals
Answer: B
Rationale: OTC medications may cause adverse effects, duplicate therapy, or clinically
important interactions.
13. Which is an example of a dietary supplement?
A. Multivitamin
B. Prescription-only injectable medication
C. Sterile saline bag
D. Surgical dressing
Answer: A
