Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam
(PTCE) Questions and Correct Answers plus
Rationale | Already Graded A+ | New Update
2026-2027
GENERIC AND BRAND NAMES
Question 1
What is the generic name for Calan®?
A. Verapamil
B. Diltiazem
C. Nifedipine
D. Amlodipine
Correct Answer: A. Verapamil
Rationale: Calan is the brand name for verapamil, a calcium channel blocker used
for hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias. Diltiazem (B) is Cardizem. Nifedipine
(C) is Procardia. Amlodipine (D) is Norvasc. Verapamil is the correct generic name
for Calan.
Question 2
Medications for ophthalmic administration are usually available in:
A. Sterile isotonic drops
B. Sterile hypertonic drops
C. Hypotonic solutions
D. Non-sterile drops
Correct Answer: A. Sterile isotonic drops
Rationale: Ophthalmic medications must be sterile isotonic drops to prevent eye
irritation and infection. Isotonicity matches the eye's osmotic pressure, preventing
,discomfort. Sterility is essential to prevent ocular infections. B (hypertonic) and C
(hypotonic) would cause discomfort. D is incorrect—ophthalmic products must be
sterile.
Question 3
Ranitidine is a histamine receptor antagonist that is commonly used for:
A. Stomach acid
B. Allergies
C. Hypertension
D. Pain relief
Correct Answer: A. Stomach acid
Rationale: Ranitidine (Zantac) is an H2-receptor antagonist used to
reduce stomach acid for conditions like GERD, peptic ulcers, and heartburn. It is
NOT for allergies (B—that's antihistamines), hypertension (C), or pain relief (D).
Ranitidine blocks histamine receptors in the stomach to decrease acid production.
DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS AND THERAPEUTICS
Question 4
Hydrochlorothiazide is used as:
A. Diuretic
B. Antibiotic
C. Antihistamine
D. Anticoagulant
Correct Answer: A. Diuretic
Rationale: Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is a thiazide diuretic used for
hypertension and edema. It is NOT an antibiotic (B), antihistamine (C), or
anticoagulant (D). HCTZ works by increasing urine output, reducing blood volume,
and lowering blood pressure.
,Question 5
Which abbreviation is on the TJC "do not use" list?
A. Q.O.D.
B. bid
C. tid
D. qid
Correct Answer: A. Q.O.D.
Rationale: The Joint Commission (TJC) "Do Not Use" list includes Q.O.D. (every
other day) because it can be confused with "QD" (daily) or "QID" (four times
daily). The correct term should be "every other day." bid (B), tid (C), and qid (D)
are acceptable abbreviations.
Question 6
The Safe Water Drinking Act requires pharmacies to:
A. Follow the Drug Supply Chain Security Act
B. Dispose of medications in the sewer
C. Test water for contaminants
D. Use sterile water for compounding
Correct Answer: A. Follow the Drug Supply Chain Security Act
Rationale: The Safe Water Drinking Act is not directly related to pharmacy. The
statement in the original file indicates it requires pharmacies to follow the Drug
Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) , which tracks pharmaceuticals from
manufacturer to pharmacy. The question appears to be poorly worded, but the
answer is A.
Question 7
Carbamide peroxide is used for:
, A. Softening ear wax
B. Treating infections
C. Relieving pain
D. Reducing inflammation
Correct Answer: A. Softening ear wax
Rationale: Carbamide peroxide is used for softening ear wax (cerumen). It is the
active ingredient in over-the-counter ear drops like Debrox. It is NOT for infections
(B), pain relief (C), or inflammation (D). It works by releasing oxygen bubbles to
soften and loosen ear wax.
Question 8
Which of the following is a high-alert medication?
A. Nadolol
B. Amoxicillin
C. Acetaminophen
D. Ibuprofen
Correct Answer: A. Nadolol
Rationale: Nadolol is a beta-blocker and considered a high-alert medication by
ISMP. High-alert medications are those that bear a heightened risk of causing
significant patient harm when used in error. Amoxicillin (B), acetaminophen (C),
and ibuprofen (D) are not high-alert medications.
Question 9
Of the following group names, which one would be used for cough?
A. Antitussives
B. Antibiotics
C. Antihistamines
D. Expectorants
Correct Answer: A. Antitussives
(PTCE) Questions and Correct Answers plus
Rationale | Already Graded A+ | New Update
2026-2027
GENERIC AND BRAND NAMES
Question 1
What is the generic name for Calan®?
A. Verapamil
B. Diltiazem
C. Nifedipine
D. Amlodipine
Correct Answer: A. Verapamil
Rationale: Calan is the brand name for verapamil, a calcium channel blocker used
for hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias. Diltiazem (B) is Cardizem. Nifedipine
(C) is Procardia. Amlodipine (D) is Norvasc. Verapamil is the correct generic name
for Calan.
Question 2
Medications for ophthalmic administration are usually available in:
A. Sterile isotonic drops
B. Sterile hypertonic drops
C. Hypotonic solutions
D. Non-sterile drops
Correct Answer: A. Sterile isotonic drops
Rationale: Ophthalmic medications must be sterile isotonic drops to prevent eye
irritation and infection. Isotonicity matches the eye's osmotic pressure, preventing
,discomfort. Sterility is essential to prevent ocular infections. B (hypertonic) and C
(hypotonic) would cause discomfort. D is incorrect—ophthalmic products must be
sterile.
Question 3
Ranitidine is a histamine receptor antagonist that is commonly used for:
A. Stomach acid
B. Allergies
C. Hypertension
D. Pain relief
Correct Answer: A. Stomach acid
Rationale: Ranitidine (Zantac) is an H2-receptor antagonist used to
reduce stomach acid for conditions like GERD, peptic ulcers, and heartburn. It is
NOT for allergies (B—that's antihistamines), hypertension (C), or pain relief (D).
Ranitidine blocks histamine receptors in the stomach to decrease acid production.
DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS AND THERAPEUTICS
Question 4
Hydrochlorothiazide is used as:
A. Diuretic
B. Antibiotic
C. Antihistamine
D. Anticoagulant
Correct Answer: A. Diuretic
Rationale: Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is a thiazide diuretic used for
hypertension and edema. It is NOT an antibiotic (B), antihistamine (C), or
anticoagulant (D). HCTZ works by increasing urine output, reducing blood volume,
and lowering blood pressure.
,Question 5
Which abbreviation is on the TJC "do not use" list?
A. Q.O.D.
B. bid
C. tid
D. qid
Correct Answer: A. Q.O.D.
Rationale: The Joint Commission (TJC) "Do Not Use" list includes Q.O.D. (every
other day) because it can be confused with "QD" (daily) or "QID" (four times
daily). The correct term should be "every other day." bid (B), tid (C), and qid (D)
are acceptable abbreviations.
Question 6
The Safe Water Drinking Act requires pharmacies to:
A. Follow the Drug Supply Chain Security Act
B. Dispose of medications in the sewer
C. Test water for contaminants
D. Use sterile water for compounding
Correct Answer: A. Follow the Drug Supply Chain Security Act
Rationale: The Safe Water Drinking Act is not directly related to pharmacy. The
statement in the original file indicates it requires pharmacies to follow the Drug
Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) , which tracks pharmaceuticals from
manufacturer to pharmacy. The question appears to be poorly worded, but the
answer is A.
Question 7
Carbamide peroxide is used for:
, A. Softening ear wax
B. Treating infections
C. Relieving pain
D. Reducing inflammation
Correct Answer: A. Softening ear wax
Rationale: Carbamide peroxide is used for softening ear wax (cerumen). It is the
active ingredient in over-the-counter ear drops like Debrox. It is NOT for infections
(B), pain relief (C), or inflammation (D). It works by releasing oxygen bubbles to
soften and loosen ear wax.
Question 8
Which of the following is a high-alert medication?
A. Nadolol
B. Amoxicillin
C. Acetaminophen
D. Ibuprofen
Correct Answer: A. Nadolol
Rationale: Nadolol is a beta-blocker and considered a high-alert medication by
ISMP. High-alert medications are those that bear a heightened risk of causing
significant patient harm when used in error. Amoxicillin (B), acetaminophen (C),
and ibuprofen (D) are not high-alert medications.
Question 9
Of the following group names, which one would be used for cough?
A. Antitussives
B. Antibiotics
C. Antihistamines
D. Expectorants
Correct Answer: A. Antitussives
