ILLINOIS PHARMACY
TECHNICIAN EXAM:
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH RATIONALES
Section 1: Medications (PTCE Domain 1 – 35%)
1. During the final inventory check, nitroglycerin 0.4 mg sublingual tablets are
discovered in a standard amber prescription vial rather than the manufacturer's
original container. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Refrigerate the amber vial immediately
B. Add a desiccant and return it to inventory
C. Dispense it if the labeled expiration date has not passed
D. Hold the medication and notify the pharmacist
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin should remain in its original container because the
packaging helps protect the medication from environmental conditions that may reduce
potency. An unexpired date does not guarantee stability when storage requirements
have been violated .
2. A medication-profile review shows chronic warfarin therapy. Which newly
entered medication creates the greatest need for pharmacist intervention?
A. Docusate
B. Artificial tears
,C. Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim
D. Acetaminophen
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim can increase warfarin's anticoagulant effect
and substantially increase bleeding risk. Whenever warfarin appears, scan the
medication list for antibiotics, NSAIDs, antiplatelets, and other drugs that may increase
bleeding .
3. While organizing antidiabetic medications by pharmacologic class, where
should metformin be placed?
A. GLP-1 receptor agonists
B. Biguanides
C. Sulfonylureas
D. DPP-4 inhibitors
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin belongs to the biguanide class. Glipizide is a sulfonylurea,
sitagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor, and semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist .
4. Sudden wheezing develops shortly before exercise, and the medication profile
contains the following respiratory therapies. Which drug is intended for rapid
rescue relief?
A. Fluticasone
B. Montelukast
C. Tiotropium
D. Albuterol
Correct Answer: D
,Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2 agonist used for rapid relief of acute
bronchospasm. Fluticasone, tiotropium, and montelukast are primarily used for
maintenance or prevention rather than immediate rescue .
5. Several days after initiation of antihypertensive therapy, persistent
nonproductive coughing becomes the primary complaint. Which medication most
likely explains this finding?
A. Losartan
B. Hydrochlorothiazide
C. Lisinopril
D. Amlodipine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor, and persistent dry cough is a characteristic
adverse effect. Amlodipine commonly causes peripheral edema, while
hydrochlorothiazide causes electrolyte changes .
6. What is the generic name of Lipitor?
A. Simvastatin
B. Pravastatin
C. Atorvastatin
D. Rosuvastatin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Atorvastatin is the active ingredient in Lipitor, a statin used to lower
cholesterol .
7. Which auxiliary label is appropriate for a prescription of tetracycline capsules?
, A. Take with grapefruit juice
B. Avoid sunlight while taking this medication
C. May cause drowsiness
D. Refrigerate after opening
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tetracyclines can cause photosensitivity, so patients should avoid sunlight or
use sun protection .
8. A patient reports an allergic reaction to penicillin. The prescription is for
amoxicillin. What is the safest action?
A. Fill the prescription
B. Contact the prescriber to discuss alternatives
C. Give a lower dose
D. Administer an antihistamine with it
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cross-reactivity between penicillin-class drugs can cause severe reactions;
prescriber consultation is required .
9. Which of the following medications is classified as a Schedule II controlled
substance?
A. Diazepam
B. Alprazolam
C. Oxycodone
D. Lorazepam
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Oxycodone is Schedule II due to high potential for abuse with accepted
medical use .
TECHNICIAN EXAM:
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH RATIONALES
Section 1: Medications (PTCE Domain 1 – 35%)
1. During the final inventory check, nitroglycerin 0.4 mg sublingual tablets are
discovered in a standard amber prescription vial rather than the manufacturer's
original container. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Refrigerate the amber vial immediately
B. Add a desiccant and return it to inventory
C. Dispense it if the labeled expiration date has not passed
D. Hold the medication and notify the pharmacist
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin should remain in its original container because the
packaging helps protect the medication from environmental conditions that may reduce
potency. An unexpired date does not guarantee stability when storage requirements
have been violated .
2. A medication-profile review shows chronic warfarin therapy. Which newly
entered medication creates the greatest need for pharmacist intervention?
A. Docusate
B. Artificial tears
,C. Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim
D. Acetaminophen
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim can increase warfarin's anticoagulant effect
and substantially increase bleeding risk. Whenever warfarin appears, scan the
medication list for antibiotics, NSAIDs, antiplatelets, and other drugs that may increase
bleeding .
3. While organizing antidiabetic medications by pharmacologic class, where
should metformin be placed?
A. GLP-1 receptor agonists
B. Biguanides
C. Sulfonylureas
D. DPP-4 inhibitors
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin belongs to the biguanide class. Glipizide is a sulfonylurea,
sitagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor, and semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist .
4. Sudden wheezing develops shortly before exercise, and the medication profile
contains the following respiratory therapies. Which drug is intended for rapid
rescue relief?
A. Fluticasone
B. Montelukast
C. Tiotropium
D. Albuterol
Correct Answer: D
,Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2 agonist used for rapid relief of acute
bronchospasm. Fluticasone, tiotropium, and montelukast are primarily used for
maintenance or prevention rather than immediate rescue .
5. Several days after initiation of antihypertensive therapy, persistent
nonproductive coughing becomes the primary complaint. Which medication most
likely explains this finding?
A. Losartan
B. Hydrochlorothiazide
C. Lisinopril
D. Amlodipine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor, and persistent dry cough is a characteristic
adverse effect. Amlodipine commonly causes peripheral edema, while
hydrochlorothiazide causes electrolyte changes .
6. What is the generic name of Lipitor?
A. Simvastatin
B. Pravastatin
C. Atorvastatin
D. Rosuvastatin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Atorvastatin is the active ingredient in Lipitor, a statin used to lower
cholesterol .
7. Which auxiliary label is appropriate for a prescription of tetracycline capsules?
, A. Take with grapefruit juice
B. Avoid sunlight while taking this medication
C. May cause drowsiness
D. Refrigerate after opening
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tetracyclines can cause photosensitivity, so patients should avoid sunlight or
use sun protection .
8. A patient reports an allergic reaction to penicillin. The prescription is for
amoxicillin. What is the safest action?
A. Fill the prescription
B. Contact the prescriber to discuss alternatives
C. Give a lower dose
D. Administer an antihistamine with it
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cross-reactivity between penicillin-class drugs can cause severe reactions;
prescriber consultation is required .
9. Which of the following medications is classified as a Schedule II controlled
substance?
A. Diazepam
B. Alprazolam
C. Oxycodone
D. Lorazepam
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Oxycodone is Schedule II due to high potential for abuse with accepted
medical use .
