CVS PHARMACY TECH FINAL EXAM 2025/2026 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS CURRENTLY TESTING COMPLETE
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS /ALREADY
GRADED A+
1. What is the primary federal law that governs the dispensing of controlled substances?
- Answer: The Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which is enforced by the Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA).
2. A pharmacist is busy with a patient consultation. A regular customer asks you, the technician,
if their new medication, Lisinopril, is going to make them cough. What is the most appropriate
action?
- Answer: Politely inform the customer that this is a clinical question that must be answered by
the pharmacist. I would state, "That's an excellent question for the pharmacist to ensure you get
the most accurate information. They will be with you in just a moment."
3. Which schedule of controlled substances has the highest potential for abuse and no accepted
medical use in the United States?
- Answer: Schedule I (e.g., Heroin, LSD, Marijuana at the federal level).
4. What is the purpose of the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) in a
pharmacy setting?
- Answer: To protect the privacy and security of patients' protected health information (PHI). It
ensures that patient data is not disclosed improperly without the patient's consent.
5. A prescriber calls in a prescription for Promethazine with Codeine C-V for a patient. What
crucial piece of information must be on the hard copy prescription presented for pickup?
- Answer: The patient's physical street address. For Schedule II-V controlled substances, a
valid street address is required; a P.O. Box is not sufficient.
,6. What is the main characteristic that differentiates a Schedule II (C-II) drug from a Schedule III
(C-III) drug?
- Answer: Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse which may lead to severe
psychological or physical dependence. They cannot be refilled; a new prescription is required
each time. Schedule III drugs have a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological
dependence.
7. Which of the following is a Schedule II controlled substance: Testosterone, Oxycodone,
Alprazolam, or Gabapentin?
- Answer: Oxycodone.
8. Insulin is classified as a _______________ drug.
- Answer: Legend drug or prescription drug. It is not a controlled substance.
9. Zolpidem (Ambien) is classified as a Schedule __ controlled substance.
- Answer: Schedule IV (C-IV).
10. What is a key requirement for storing controlled substances in the pharmacy?
- Answer: They must be stored in a securely locked, substantially constructed cabinet.
11. Interpret the following Sig: "ii gtts AU qid x 7 days."
- Answer: Instill 2 drops in both ears four times a day for 7 days.
12. A doctor writes a prescription for "Amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL." The Sig reads "1 tsp po tid."
What is the total volume in mL you would dispense for a 10-day course of therapy?
- Answer: First, "1 tsp po tid" means take 1 teaspoonful by mouth three times a day. 1
teaspoon = 5 mL. So, the patient takes 5 mL x 3 times/day = 15 mL per day. For a 10-day supply:
15 mL/day x 10 days = 150 mL.
13. What does the abbreviation "NR" typically mean on a prescription?
, - Answer: No Refills.
14. When entering a new prescription into the system, you notice the prescriber's DEA number is
written as "AB1234563." What should you do?
- Answer: Verify the DEA number using the formula. The formula is: Add the first, third, and
fifth digits. Then add the second, fourth, and sixth digits and multiply by 2. Sum these two totals;
the last digit of this sum should match the seventh (check) digit. In this case, it appears incorrect.
You must contact the prescriber's office to verify the correct DEA number.
15. A prescription is written for "Levothyroxine 50 mcg tab." The directions state "take one
tablet by mouth daily." What is the Latin abbreviation you would use for the directions?
- Answer: "1 tab po qd" or "1 tab po daily"
16. What is the generic name for Nexium?
- Answer: Esomeprazole.
17. What is the brand name for atorvastatin?
- Answer: Lipitor.
18. Metformin is primarily used to treat which condition?
- Answer: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
19. Lisinopril belongs to which drug class? What is a common side effect a patient should be
counseled on?
- Answer: Drug Class: ACE Inhibitor (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor). Common
side effect: A persistent dry cough.
20. What is the generic name for the brand drug Ventolin? What is its primary use?
- Answer: Generic: Albuterol. Primary Use: Rescue inhaler for acute asthma and COPD
symptoms (bronchospasm
AND CORRECT ANSWERS CURRENTLY TESTING COMPLETE
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS /ALREADY
GRADED A+
1. What is the primary federal law that governs the dispensing of controlled substances?
- Answer: The Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which is enforced by the Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA).
2. A pharmacist is busy with a patient consultation. A regular customer asks you, the technician,
if their new medication, Lisinopril, is going to make them cough. What is the most appropriate
action?
- Answer: Politely inform the customer that this is a clinical question that must be answered by
the pharmacist. I would state, "That's an excellent question for the pharmacist to ensure you get
the most accurate information. They will be with you in just a moment."
3. Which schedule of controlled substances has the highest potential for abuse and no accepted
medical use in the United States?
- Answer: Schedule I (e.g., Heroin, LSD, Marijuana at the federal level).
4. What is the purpose of the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) in a
pharmacy setting?
- Answer: To protect the privacy and security of patients' protected health information (PHI). It
ensures that patient data is not disclosed improperly without the patient's consent.
5. A prescriber calls in a prescription for Promethazine with Codeine C-V for a patient. What
crucial piece of information must be on the hard copy prescription presented for pickup?
- Answer: The patient's physical street address. For Schedule II-V controlled substances, a
valid street address is required; a P.O. Box is not sufficient.
,6. What is the main characteristic that differentiates a Schedule II (C-II) drug from a Schedule III
(C-III) drug?
- Answer: Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse which may lead to severe
psychological or physical dependence. They cannot be refilled; a new prescription is required
each time. Schedule III drugs have a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological
dependence.
7. Which of the following is a Schedule II controlled substance: Testosterone, Oxycodone,
Alprazolam, or Gabapentin?
- Answer: Oxycodone.
8. Insulin is classified as a _______________ drug.
- Answer: Legend drug or prescription drug. It is not a controlled substance.
9. Zolpidem (Ambien) is classified as a Schedule __ controlled substance.
- Answer: Schedule IV (C-IV).
10. What is a key requirement for storing controlled substances in the pharmacy?
- Answer: They must be stored in a securely locked, substantially constructed cabinet.
11. Interpret the following Sig: "ii gtts AU qid x 7 days."
- Answer: Instill 2 drops in both ears four times a day for 7 days.
12. A doctor writes a prescription for "Amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL." The Sig reads "1 tsp po tid."
What is the total volume in mL you would dispense for a 10-day course of therapy?
- Answer: First, "1 tsp po tid" means take 1 teaspoonful by mouth three times a day. 1
teaspoon = 5 mL. So, the patient takes 5 mL x 3 times/day = 15 mL per day. For a 10-day supply:
15 mL/day x 10 days = 150 mL.
13. What does the abbreviation "NR" typically mean on a prescription?
, - Answer: No Refills.
14. When entering a new prescription into the system, you notice the prescriber's DEA number is
written as "AB1234563." What should you do?
- Answer: Verify the DEA number using the formula. The formula is: Add the first, third, and
fifth digits. Then add the second, fourth, and sixth digits and multiply by 2. Sum these two totals;
the last digit of this sum should match the seventh (check) digit. In this case, it appears incorrect.
You must contact the prescriber's office to verify the correct DEA number.
15. A prescription is written for "Levothyroxine 50 mcg tab." The directions state "take one
tablet by mouth daily." What is the Latin abbreviation you would use for the directions?
- Answer: "1 tab po qd" or "1 tab po daily"
16. What is the generic name for Nexium?
- Answer: Esomeprazole.
17. What is the brand name for atorvastatin?
- Answer: Lipitor.
18. Metformin is primarily used to treat which condition?
- Answer: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
19. Lisinopril belongs to which drug class? What is a common side effect a patient should be
counseled on?
- Answer: Drug Class: ACE Inhibitor (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor). Common
side effect: A persistent dry cough.
20. What is the generic name for the brand drug Ventolin? What is its primary use?
- Answer: Generic: Albuterol. Primary Use: Rescue inhaler for acute asthma and COPD
symptoms (bronchospasm
