Certification of Pharmacy Technicians
(ExCPT) Verified Questions, Correct
Answers, and Detailed Explanations for
Science Students||Already Graded A+
1. Which of the following is an example of a Schedule II controlled
substance?
A. Diazepam
B. Oxycodone
C. Lorazepam
D. Alprazolam
Rationale: Schedule II drugs have high abuse potential but accepted medical
use; oxycodone is a classic example.
2. What is the primary purpose of a Medication Administration Record
(MAR)?
A. To track pharmacy inventory
B. To document medications given to patients
C. To process insurance claims
D. To record adverse drug reactions
Rationale: The MAR is used in healthcare facilities to track when and which
medications are administered to patients.
3. Which auxiliary label is appropriate for a prescription of ciprofloxacin?
A. Shake well
B. Take with food
C. Avoid sunlight
D. Refrigerate
Rationale: Ciprofloxacin can cause photosensitivity, so patients should avoid
prolonged sun exposure.
,4. How often should a pharmacy technician verify the expiration date of
stock medications?
A. Once a year
B. Every 6 months
C. Regularly during inventory checks
D. Only at the time of purchase
Rationale: Expiration dates should be routinely checked during inventory to
ensure medication safety.
5. Which of the following represents proper hand hygiene in a sterile
compounding area?
A. Quick rinse with water
B. Use of alcohol-based hand rubs and proper handwashing
C. Wearing gloves only
D. Wiping hands with a sterile towel
Rationale: Proper hand hygiene includes thorough washing with soap and
water or alcohol-based rubs and wearing appropriate garb.
6. A patient is prescribed 250 mg of amoxicillin TID for 10 days. How many
capsules are needed?
A. 20
B. 25
C. 30
D. 35
Rationale: 3 times/day × 10 days = 30 doses → 30 capsules needed.
7. Which organization regulates pharmacy practice and enforces drug laws in
the United States?
A. CDC
B. FDA and DEA
, C. WHO
D. USP
Rationale: The FDA regulates drug approval, labeling, and safety; the DEA
enforces controlled substance laws.
8. What is the generic name for Lipitor?
A. Simvastatin
B. Pravastatin
C. Atorvastatin
D. Rosuvastatin
Rationale: Atorvastatin is the generic name for the cholesterol-lowering drug
Lipitor.
9. Which of the following medications should be stored in a refrigerator?
A. Amoxicillin capsules
B. Insulin
C. Diazepam tablets
D. Loratadine
Rationale: Insulin is temperature-sensitive and must be refrigerated to
maintain potency.
10. The “beyond-use date” (BUD) for a compounded sterile preparation is
determined by:
A. The manufacturer’s expiration date
B. USP guidelines and stability of ingredients
C. State law only
D. Patient preference
Rationale: BUD is calculated based on USP standards considering chemical
stability and sterility, not just manufacturer labels.
11. Which of the following is an antiplatelet drug?
(ExCPT) Verified Questions, Correct
Answers, and Detailed Explanations for
Science Students||Already Graded A+
1. Which of the following is an example of a Schedule II controlled
substance?
A. Diazepam
B. Oxycodone
C. Lorazepam
D. Alprazolam
Rationale: Schedule II drugs have high abuse potential but accepted medical
use; oxycodone is a classic example.
2. What is the primary purpose of a Medication Administration Record
(MAR)?
A. To track pharmacy inventory
B. To document medications given to patients
C. To process insurance claims
D. To record adverse drug reactions
Rationale: The MAR is used in healthcare facilities to track when and which
medications are administered to patients.
3. Which auxiliary label is appropriate for a prescription of ciprofloxacin?
A. Shake well
B. Take with food
C. Avoid sunlight
D. Refrigerate
Rationale: Ciprofloxacin can cause photosensitivity, so patients should avoid
prolonged sun exposure.
,4. How often should a pharmacy technician verify the expiration date of
stock medications?
A. Once a year
B. Every 6 months
C. Regularly during inventory checks
D. Only at the time of purchase
Rationale: Expiration dates should be routinely checked during inventory to
ensure medication safety.
5. Which of the following represents proper hand hygiene in a sterile
compounding area?
A. Quick rinse with water
B. Use of alcohol-based hand rubs and proper handwashing
C. Wearing gloves only
D. Wiping hands with a sterile towel
Rationale: Proper hand hygiene includes thorough washing with soap and
water or alcohol-based rubs and wearing appropriate garb.
6. A patient is prescribed 250 mg of amoxicillin TID for 10 days. How many
capsules are needed?
A. 20
B. 25
C. 30
D. 35
Rationale: 3 times/day × 10 days = 30 doses → 30 capsules needed.
7. Which organization regulates pharmacy practice and enforces drug laws in
the United States?
A. CDC
B. FDA and DEA
, C. WHO
D. USP
Rationale: The FDA regulates drug approval, labeling, and safety; the DEA
enforces controlled substance laws.
8. What is the generic name for Lipitor?
A. Simvastatin
B. Pravastatin
C. Atorvastatin
D. Rosuvastatin
Rationale: Atorvastatin is the generic name for the cholesterol-lowering drug
Lipitor.
9. Which of the following medications should be stored in a refrigerator?
A. Amoxicillin capsules
B. Insulin
C. Diazepam tablets
D. Loratadine
Rationale: Insulin is temperature-sensitive and must be refrigerated to
maintain potency.
10. The “beyond-use date” (BUD) for a compounded sterile preparation is
determined by:
A. The manufacturer’s expiration date
B. USP guidelines and stability of ingredients
C. State law only
D. Patient preference
Rationale: BUD is calculated based on USP standards considering chemical
stability and sterility, not just manufacturer labels.
11. Which of the following is an antiplatelet drug?
