Pharmacy Technician Study Guide Questions and
Correct Answers plus Rationale | Already Graded
A+ | New Update 2026-2027
INSURANCE AND THIRD-PARTY PAYERS
Question 1
What does a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) require patients to use?
A. Out of network pharmacies
B. In network pharmacies
C. In network pharmacies and generic drugs
D. Generic drugs
Correct Answer: C. In network pharmacies and generic drugs
Rationale: HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) are managed care plans
that require patients to use in-network pharmacies and generic drugs whenever
available to control costs. Patients typically need a referral to see specialists and
must stay within the network for coverage. Using out-of-network providers usually
results in no coverage or significantly higher out-of-pocket costs. Generic drugs
are encouraged or required through tiered formularies to reduce costs.
Question 2
Patients in a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) can use ________
A. Mail order pharmacies only
B. In network or out of network pharmacies
C. Out of network pharmacies only
D. In network pharmacies only
Correct Answer: B. In network or out of network pharmacies
,Rationale: PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations) offer more flexibility than
HMOs. Patients can use both in-network and out-of-network pharmacies, though
in-network pharmacies typically have lower copays and better coverage. PPOs do
not require referrals to see specialists and provide a broader choice of providers.
The trade-off is higher premiums compared to HMOs.
Question 3
How many parts of Medicare are there?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Correct Answer: D. 4
Rationale: Medicare has four parts:
• Part A – Hospital insurance (inpatient care, skilled nursing, hospice)
• Part B – Medical insurance (outpatient care, doctor visits, preventive
services)
• Part C – Medicare Advantage (private insurance alternative to Parts A and
B)
• Part D – Prescription drug coverage
Each part covers different aspects of healthcare, and beneficiaries may enroll in
different combinations depending on their needs.
Question 4
What government entity runs Medicaid?
A. Federal government
B. FDA
,C. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
D. State governments
Correct Answer: D. State governments
Rationale: Medicaid is a joint federal and state program, but it is administered by
state governments. Each state operates its own Medicaid program within federal
guidelines, which means eligibility, covered services, and reimbursement rates can
vary significantly from state to state. The federal government provides matching
funds, but states have substantial flexibility in how they design and operate their
programs.
Question 5
Who is eligible to use TRICARE government-sponsored health plan?
A. Federal employees
B. Military personnel and veterans
C. State employees
D. Anyone
Correct Answer: B. Military personnel and veterans
Rationale: TRICARE is the healthcare program for uniformed service members,
retirees, and their families. It is administered by the Department of Defense
(DoD). Eligibility includes:
• Active duty service members
• National Guard and Reserve members
• Retired service members
• Family members of eligible service members
• Survivors
TRICARE is NOT available to the general public or federal employees (who typically
have FEHB coverage).
, MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION AND PHARMACOLOGY
Question 6
Which statement about enoxaparin is true?
A. It must not be given intramuscularly
B. It is monitored with the activated partial thromboplastin time
C. It can be safely given with heparin
D. It has the same dosing as dalteparin
Correct Answer: A. It must not be given intramuscularly
Rationale: Enoxaparin (Lovenox) is a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) that
should never be given intramuscularly due to the risk of hematoma formation. It
is administered subcutaneously (SQ). Unlike unfractionated heparin, LMWH is
NOT typically monitored with aPTT (B is incorrect—it is given at fixed doses based
on weight). It should NOT be given with heparin (C is incorrect—combination
increases bleeding risk). It has different dosing than dalteparin (D is incorrect—
each LMWH has specific dosing guidelines).
Question 7
Which of the following medications requires a child-resistant bottle?
A. Cholestyramine powder
B. Nitroglycerin capsules
C. Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets
D. Pancrelipase
Correct Answer: B. Nitroglycerin capsules
Rationale: Most prescription medications require child-resistant
packaging. Nitroglycerin capsules require child-resistant packaging,
while sublingual nitroglycerin tablets are exempt from child-resistant packaging
requirements (C is incorrect). Cholestyramine powder (A) and pancrelipase (D) are
also not exempt. The Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) of 1970 requires
Correct Answers plus Rationale | Already Graded
A+ | New Update 2026-2027
INSURANCE AND THIRD-PARTY PAYERS
Question 1
What does a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) require patients to use?
A. Out of network pharmacies
B. In network pharmacies
C. In network pharmacies and generic drugs
D. Generic drugs
Correct Answer: C. In network pharmacies and generic drugs
Rationale: HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) are managed care plans
that require patients to use in-network pharmacies and generic drugs whenever
available to control costs. Patients typically need a referral to see specialists and
must stay within the network for coverage. Using out-of-network providers usually
results in no coverage or significantly higher out-of-pocket costs. Generic drugs
are encouraged or required through tiered formularies to reduce costs.
Question 2
Patients in a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) can use ________
A. Mail order pharmacies only
B. In network or out of network pharmacies
C. Out of network pharmacies only
D. In network pharmacies only
Correct Answer: B. In network or out of network pharmacies
,Rationale: PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations) offer more flexibility than
HMOs. Patients can use both in-network and out-of-network pharmacies, though
in-network pharmacies typically have lower copays and better coverage. PPOs do
not require referrals to see specialists and provide a broader choice of providers.
The trade-off is higher premiums compared to HMOs.
Question 3
How many parts of Medicare are there?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Correct Answer: D. 4
Rationale: Medicare has four parts:
• Part A – Hospital insurance (inpatient care, skilled nursing, hospice)
• Part B – Medical insurance (outpatient care, doctor visits, preventive
services)
• Part C – Medicare Advantage (private insurance alternative to Parts A and
B)
• Part D – Prescription drug coverage
Each part covers different aspects of healthcare, and beneficiaries may enroll in
different combinations depending on their needs.
Question 4
What government entity runs Medicaid?
A. Federal government
B. FDA
,C. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
D. State governments
Correct Answer: D. State governments
Rationale: Medicaid is a joint federal and state program, but it is administered by
state governments. Each state operates its own Medicaid program within federal
guidelines, which means eligibility, covered services, and reimbursement rates can
vary significantly from state to state. The federal government provides matching
funds, but states have substantial flexibility in how they design and operate their
programs.
Question 5
Who is eligible to use TRICARE government-sponsored health plan?
A. Federal employees
B. Military personnel and veterans
C. State employees
D. Anyone
Correct Answer: B. Military personnel and veterans
Rationale: TRICARE is the healthcare program for uniformed service members,
retirees, and their families. It is administered by the Department of Defense
(DoD). Eligibility includes:
• Active duty service members
• National Guard and Reserve members
• Retired service members
• Family members of eligible service members
• Survivors
TRICARE is NOT available to the general public or federal employees (who typically
have FEHB coverage).
, MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION AND PHARMACOLOGY
Question 6
Which statement about enoxaparin is true?
A. It must not be given intramuscularly
B. It is monitored with the activated partial thromboplastin time
C. It can be safely given with heparin
D. It has the same dosing as dalteparin
Correct Answer: A. It must not be given intramuscularly
Rationale: Enoxaparin (Lovenox) is a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) that
should never be given intramuscularly due to the risk of hematoma formation. It
is administered subcutaneously (SQ). Unlike unfractionated heparin, LMWH is
NOT typically monitored with aPTT (B is incorrect—it is given at fixed doses based
on weight). It should NOT be given with heparin (C is incorrect—combination
increases bleeding risk). It has different dosing than dalteparin (D is incorrect—
each LMWH has specific dosing guidelines).
Question 7
Which of the following medications requires a child-resistant bottle?
A. Cholestyramine powder
B. Nitroglycerin capsules
C. Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets
D. Pancrelipase
Correct Answer: B. Nitroglycerin capsules
Rationale: Most prescription medications require child-resistant
packaging. Nitroglycerin capsules require child-resistant packaging,
while sublingual nitroglycerin tablets are exempt from child-resistant packaging
requirements (C is incorrect). Cholestyramine powder (A) and pancrelipase (D) are
also not exempt. The Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) of 1970 requires
