Pharmacy Tech Practice Test

2024 Edition

Try the free Pharmacy tech practice exam below. Your results will be scored automatically and will display your strengths and weaknesses.

For complete practice of actual exam topics, check out the complete Pharmacy Technician Certification Practice Exam for the PTCE/ExPCT with 300 questions and fully explained answers.

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View 1 Question at a Time

1.	Pharmacy technicians should be familiar with pharmacy law at both the federal and state level because a state law can be more ________ than a federal law, and therefore, supersedes the federal law.
		a. general
		b. stringent
		c. clear
		d. liberal
It does not matter whether a law is federal or state-level. What does matter is the level of specificity. Therefore, whichever law is more specific or stringent (strict) is the law that supersedes the other. The more stringent law applies. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

2.	The Controlled Substance Act categorizes substances into _______ groups based on varying qualifications such as currently accepted medical use and potential for abuse.
		a. three
		b. four
		c. five
		d. six
Controlled substances are categorized into five groups. Schedule I is reserved for drugs with no medicinal purpose, such as crack cocaine and heroin. Schedule II drugs have accepted medical uses and high potential for abuse. They must be kept in secure locations. Schedule III, IV, and V have relatively low potential for abuse compared to Schedule I and II and may be stored on shelves among routine medications. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

3.	When two different physician orders come across the fax machine for two different patients, one for Nitroglycerin drip and one for Keflex capsules, the order for ____________ should be given priority and should be filled and delivered first.
		a. Previously faxed physician orders
		b. Keflex capsules
		c. Subsequent physician orders
		d. Nitroglycerin drip
Nitroglycerin drip is used for critical cardiac patients, as opposed to oral antibiotics and previously faxed non-emergency medications. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

4.	A physician order that reads, "i tab po qhs," is interpreted as _______________.
		a. Inject 1 ml into muscle everyday
		b. Rub 1 tube of contents onto skin
		c. Take 1 tablet by mouth every hour
		d. Take 1 tablet by mouth every night at bedtime
The correct answer is "every night at bedtime" because tab = tablet, po = by mouth, and qhs = every bedtime or every night at bedtime. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

5.	A patient presents to the counter with a prescription for INH and B6. To fill the prescription correctly, the pharmacy technician should pull which of the following off of the shelf?
		a. Rifampin and Pyridoxine
		b. Isoniazid and Pyridoxine
		c. Quinine and Thiamine
		d. Isoniazid and Thiamine
The pharmacy technician should use isoniazid and pyridoxine because the abbreviation and brand name "INH" is standard for isoniazid and the generic name for B6 is pyridoxine. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

6.	A customer presents a prescription for Oxycodone that is written for a six month supply. Which of the following actions should a pharmacy technician take?
		a. Not fill the prescription and inform the pharmacist
		b. Fill the prescription
		c. Not fill the prescription and inform the customer to see his doctor
		d. Inform the DEA
The pharmacy technician should pass the prescription to the pharmacist because Oxycodone is a class II narcotic, which is not refillable and a 6 month supply is not allowed. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

7.	A pharmacy technician arrives to work. The first thing she did when she arrived was donned a bouffant, mask, lab coat and shoe covers. Then she entered the I.V. Room and turned on the laminar flow hood. After pulling all of the medications from the shelves that she needed to fill existing medication orders, she put on gloves. A pharmacist noticed her actions and immediately reprimanded her. What for?
		a. For Failure to wash her hands
		b. For turning on the laminar flow hood
		c. For putting on gloves after she touch the medication
		d. For entering the IV Room.
Pharmacy technicians and pharmacists should always wash their hands before entering the I.V. Room. Since microorganisms can enter the laminar flow hood by jewelry, cosmetics, handwashing is very important. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

8.	When preparing chemotherapy drugs, which of the following is TRUE?
		a. A horizontal laminar flow hood is used.
		b. A vertical laminar flow hood is used.
		c. No special chemotherapy clothing is used.
		d. The same aseptic technique is used as when preparing non-chemotherapy drugs.
A vertical laminar flow hood is used when preparing chemotherapy drugs. The same aseptic technique is not used because air flows from top to bottom. Therefore, hands should not hover over the top of medication vials because doing so would block the flow of air to medication vials. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

9.	When a medication needs to be stored at room temperature, which is about 73 degrees Fahrenheit, what degree Celsius would be an appropriate temperature?
		a. 8 degrees Celsius
		b. 23 degrees Celsius
		c. 38 degrees Celsius
		d. 53 degrees Celsius
Room temperature is about 73 degrees Fahrenheit. The correct answer is 23 degrees Celsius because the conversion from Fahrenheit to Celsius is calculated by subtracting 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature, then multiplying by 5/9: (73 - 32) *5/9 = 22.77. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

10.	The normal body temperature for a human is 98.6 degrees F. It is equal to _________ degrees Celsius.
		a. 8
		b. 23
		c. 37
		d. 53
The correct answer is 37 degrees Celsius because the conversion from Fahrenheit to Celsius is calculated by subtracting 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature, then multiplying by 5/9: (98.6 - 32) *5/9 = 37. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

11.	The Sinoatrial Node (SA) is located within which of the following heart structures:
		a. Mitral Valve
		b. Right Ventricle
		c. Right Atrium
		d. Left Atrium
The SA node is located within the upper wall of the Right Atrium of the heart. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

12.	Which of the following puts the layers of skin in correct order from right to left?
		a. Dermis, epidermis, hypodermis
		b. Hypodermis, epidermis, dermis
		c. Epidermis, dermis, hypodermis
		d. None of the above
The layers of skin from outermost layer to innermost layer is the epidermis, dermis and the hypodermis. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

13.	Potassium Chloride 20 _______/10 mL is commonly dispensed from _______ pharmacies.
		a. mEq, inpatient
		b. mg, inpatient
		c. mEq, outpatient
		d. G, inpatient
The correct answer is "mEq" because that is the unit of measurement used to express the strength of this particular medication, and it's commonly dispensed from inpatient pharmacies, not outpatient pharmacies. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

14.	Among the packaging requirements for radiopharmaceuticals, the use of ___________ are included.
		a. hand-deliveries
		b. special shipment containers
		c. regular shipment containers
		d. two-hour deliveries
Since proper handling of isotopes must be ensured, special shipment containers are required for packaging and delivery of radiopharmaceuticals. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

15.	The route of administration that allows medication the quickest onset of action is ____________.
		a. IM
		b. PO
		c. PR
		d. IV
Medication administered by intravenous therapy (I.V.) goes directly into the patient's veins, which allows medication to act faster than when introduced into the body by mouth, by muscle, or rectally. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

16.	Which of the following ways are Nitrostat tablets taken?
		a. SL
		b. IV
		c. PO
		d. PR
Nitrostat tablets are taken sublingually (SL). This particular medication is formulated to be dissolved by saliva under the tongue, and therefore, quickly delivered through the bloodstream. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

17.	A patient presents to the window with a prescription for Triamcinolone cream and begins to explain the circumstances surrounding the rash on his arm. Then he asks the pharmacy technician if the Triamcinolone cream will make the rash go away, and also asks about the side effects of the medication. The pharmacy technician should _______.
		a. attempt to answer the patient's questions
		b. tell the patient to return to the doctor's office
		c. ask a pharmacist to speak with the patient
		d. ask a more senior pharmacy technician to speak with the patient
The pharmacy technician should ask a pharmacist to speak with the patient. Pharmacy technicians are not permitted to answer questions about effects of medications. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

18.	A patient presents with a prescription for Amoxicillin capsules, but requests that it be filled with Amoxicillin suspension instead. What should the pharmacy technician do?
		a. Grant the patient's request and fill the prescription with the suspension instead of capsules.
		b. Deny the patient's request to fill the prescription with the suspension.
		c. Pass the prescription to a pharmacist.
		d. Fill the prescription with another medication.
The pharmacy technician should pass the prescription to a pharmacist. If the patient consents and the change is a therapeutic equivalent, a pharmacist does not need the prescribing physician's approval to change the form of the medication, cap/tab to liquid or vice versa. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

19.	Which of the following is a type of automated medication dispensing system kept on nursing units that gives nurses and physicians quick access to medications?
		a. Baker cell
		b. Pyxis Medstation
		c. Baxter compound
		d. Meditech
Pyxis Medstation is commonly used to store medication, while also providing safety and security. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

20.	Laminar flow hoods require ________ filters for use.
		a. HEPA
		b. water
		c. humidifier
		d. double
HEPA filters should be used with laminar flow hoods. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

21.	A customer presents to the counter of an outpatient pharmacy with an untampered pharmacy product and seeks a refund. Under which of the following circumstances will the refund request be denied?
		a. If the product is expired.
		b. If the product has been recalled by the FDA.
		c. If the product is not expired.
		d. In all cases will a refund request be denied on products that were previously sold.
Expiration dates determine whether products are still usable. Therefore, if an item is expired, and a customer requests a refund, the refund request must be denied. Customers can get a refund on products recalled by the FDA. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

22.	A customer who claims to be a Medicaid recipient presents a handwritten prescription to be filled. Which of the following steps should be taken first by a pharmacy technician?
		a. Check to see if the patient is truly a Medicaid recipient.
		b. Pass the handwritten prescription to a pharmacist.
		c. Ask the patient where she got the prescription.
		d. Take the handwritten prescription and inspect it for industry-recognized tamper-resistant features.
A medication financed in any part by Medicaid must be "tamper-resistant," which means handwritten prescriptions must be written on paper that ensures unauthorized copying, modification, and use of counterfeit prescription forms. Upon being presented a handwritten prescription, the pharmacy technician must inspect it to see if it complies with the tamper-resistant regulations. If a pharmacy technician is presented a prescription that appears to be on improper paper, the tech should consult with a pharmacist before filling the prescription. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Quality starts with who wrote the material. Our writers:

Diane Dean, LPC, RN-BC, MA, is a licensed professional counselor and educator with 20 years of experience...
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Stacy Fruhling, LCPC,LCADC, NCC. MAC, is an adjunct professor in psychology and counseling at the...
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Lisa Slade, MS, LPC, NCC, is an adjunct professor in psychology, counseling, sociology...
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Our Practice exam covers the actual NCE Domains:

The NCE contains 200 multiple-choice, non-sectioned questions. There are different versions of the test. Test questions.
There are different versions of the text. Test questions come from a pool of questions that have been extensively reviewed and researched for content accuracy and clarity

Below are the six domains tested by the NBCC on the NCE:

Professional Practice & Ethics
Intake Assessment and Diagnosis
Areas of Clinical Focus
Treatment Planning
Counseling Skills and Interventions
Core Counseling Attributes

Covering the Eight CACREP Common Core Areas:

Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
Social and Cultural Diversity
Human Growth and Development
Career Development
Counseling and Helping Relationships
Group Counseling and Group Work
Assessment and Testing
Research and Program Evaluation

Free Sample Questions

Related Links

NCE Resources
NCE State Guides
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NCMHCE Practice Test
ASWB Practice Test

1/22

Pharmacy Law and Regulation

1.	Pharmacy technicians should be familiar with pharmacy law at both the federal and state level because a state law can be more ________ than a federal law, and therefore, supersedes the federal law.
		a. general
		b. stringent
		c. clear
		d. liberal
It does not matter whether a law is federal or state-level. What does matter is the level of specificity. Therefore, whichever law is more specific or stringent (strict) is the law that supersedes the other. The more stringent law applies. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

2/22

Pharmacy Law and Regulation

2.	The Controlled Substance Act categorizes substances into _______ groups based on varying qualifications such as currently accepted medical use and potential for abuse.
		a. three
		b. four
		c. five
		d. six
Controlled substances are categorized into five groups. Schedule I is reserved for drugs with no medicinal purpose, such as crack cocaine and heroin. Schedule II drugs have accepted medical uses and high potential for abuse. They must be kept in secure locations. Schedule III, IV, and V have relatively low potential for abuse compared to Schedule I and II and may be stored on shelves among routine medications. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

3/22

Medication Order Entry, Interpretation and the Fill Process

3.	When two different physician orders come across the fax machine for two different patients, one for Nitroglycerin drip and one for Keflex capsules, the order for ____________ should be given priority and should be filled and delivered first.
		a. Previously faxed physician orders
		b. Keflex capsules
		c. Subsequent physician orders
		d. Nitroglycerin drip
Nitroglycerin drip is used for critical cardiac patients, as opposed to oral antibiotics and previously faxed non-emergency medications. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

4/22

Medication Order Entry, Interpretation and the Fill Process

4.	A physician order that reads, "i tab po qhs," is interpreted as _______________.
		a. Inject 1 ml into muscle everyday
		b. Rub 1 tube of contents onto skin
		c. Take 1 tablet by mouth every hour
		d. Take 1 tablet by mouth every night at bedtime
The correct answer is "every night at bedtime" because tab = tablet, po = by mouth, and qhs = every bedtime or every night at bedtime. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

5/22

Pharmacology for Technicians

5.	A patient presents to the counter with a prescription for INH and B6. To fill the prescription correctly, the pharmacy technician should pull which of the following off of the shelf?
		a. Rifampin and Pyridoxine
		b. Isoniazid and Pyridoxine
		c. Quinine and Thiamine
		d. Isoniazid and Thiamine
The pharmacy technician should use isoniazid and pyridoxine because the abbreviation and brand name "INH" is standard for isoniazid and the generic name for B6 is pyridoxine. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

6/22

Pharmacology for Technicians

6.	A customer presents a prescription for Oxycodone that is written for a six month supply. Which of the following actions should a pharmacy technician take?
		a. Not fill the prescription and inform the pharmacist
		b. Fill the prescription
		c. Not fill the prescription and inform the customer to see his doctor
		d. Inform the DEA
The pharmacy technician should pass the prescription to the pharmacist because Oxycodone is a class II narcotic, which is not refillable and a 6 month supply is not allowed. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

7/22

Compounding Procedures and Safety

7.	A pharmacy technician arrives to work. The first thing she did when she arrived was donned a bouffant, mask, lab coat and shoe covers. Then she entered the I.V. Room and turned on the laminar flow hood. After pulling all of the medications from the shelves that she needed to fill existing medication orders, she put on gloves. A pharmacist noticed her actions and immediately reprimanded her. What for?
		a. For Failure to wash her hands
		b. For turning on the laminar flow hood
		c. For putting on gloves after she touch the medication
		d. For entering the IV Room.
Pharmacy technicians and pharmacists should always wash their hands before entering the I.V. Room. Since microorganisms can enter the laminar flow hood by jewelry, cosmetics, handwashing is very important. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

8/22

Compounding Procedures and Safety

8.	When preparing chemotherapy drugs, which of the following is TRUE?
		a. A horizontal laminar flow hood is used.
		b. A vertical laminar flow hood is used.
		c. No special chemotherapy clothing is used.
		d. The same aseptic technique is used as when preparing non-chemotherapy drugs.
A vertical laminar flow hood is used when preparing chemotherapy drugs. The same aseptic technique is not used because air flows from top to bottom. Therefore, hands should not hover over the top of medication vials because doing so would block the flow of air to medication vials. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

9/22

Calculations

9.	When a medication needs to be stored at room temperature, which is about 73 degrees Fahrenheit, what degree Celsius would be an appropriate temperature?
		a. 8 degrees Celsius
		b. 23 degrees Celsius
		c. 38 degrees Celsius
		d. 53 degrees Celsius
Room temperature is about 73 degrees Fahrenheit. The correct answer is 23 degrees Celsius because the conversion from Fahrenheit to Celsius is calculated by subtracting 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature, then multiplying by 5/9: (73 - 32) *5/9 = 22.77. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

10/22

Calculations

10.	The normal body temperature for a human is 98.6 degrees F. It is equal to _________ degrees Celsius.
		a. 8
		b. 23
		c. 37
		d. 53
The correct answer is 37 degrees Celsius because the conversion from Fahrenheit to Celsius is calculated by subtracting 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature, then multiplying by 5/9: (98.6 - 32) *5/9 = 37. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

11/22

Anatomy and Physiology

11.	The Sinoatrial Node (SA) is located within which of the following heart structures:
		a. Mitral Valve
		b. Right Ventricle
		c. Right Atrium
		d. Left Atrium
The SA node is located within the upper wall of the Right Atrium of the heart. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

12/22

Anatomy and Physiology

12.	Which of the following puts the layers of skin in correct order from right to left?
		a. Dermis, epidermis, hypodermis
		b. Hypodermis, epidermis, dermis
		c. Epidermis, dermis, hypodermis
		d. None of the above
The layers of skin from outermost layer to innermost layer is the epidermis, dermis and the hypodermis. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

13/22

Inventory Management and Quality Assurance

13.	Potassium Chloride 20 _______/10 mL is commonly dispensed from _______ pharmacies.
		a. mEq, inpatient
		b. mg, inpatient
		c. mEq, outpatient
		d. G, inpatient
The correct answer is "mEq" because that is the unit of measurement used to express the strength of this particular medication, and it's commonly dispensed from inpatient pharmacies, not outpatient pharmacies. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

14/22

Inventory Management and Quality Assurance

14.	Among the packaging requirements for radiopharmaceuticals, the use of ___________ are included.
		a. hand-deliveries
		b. special shipment containers
		c. regular shipment containers
		d. two-hour deliveries
Since proper handling of isotopes must be ensured, special shipment containers are required for packaging and delivery of radiopharmaceuticals. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

15/22

Medication Administration

15.	The route of administration that allows medication the quickest onset of action is ____________.
		a. IM
		b. PO
		c. PR
		d. IV
Medication administered by intravenous therapy (I.V.) goes directly into the patient's veins, which allows medication to act faster than when introduced into the body by mouth, by muscle, or rectally. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

16/22

Medication Administration

16.	Which of the following ways are Nitrostat tablets taken?
		a. SL
		b. IV
		c. PO
		d. PR
Nitrostat tablets are taken sublingually (SL). This particular medication is formulated to be dissolved by saliva under the tongue, and therefore, quickly delivered through the bloodstream. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

17/22

Professionalism

17.	A patient presents to the window with a prescription for Triamcinolone cream and begins to explain the circumstances surrounding the rash on his arm. Then he asks the pharmacy technician if the Triamcinolone cream will make the rash go away, and also asks about the side effects of the medication. The pharmacy technician should _______.
		a. attempt to answer the patient's questions
		b. tell the patient to return to the doctor's office
		c. ask a pharmacist to speak with the patient
		d. ask a more senior pharmacy technician to speak with the patient
The pharmacy technician should ask a pharmacist to speak with the patient. Pharmacy technicians are not permitted to answer questions about effects of medications. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

18/22

Professionalism

18.	A patient presents with a prescription for Amoxicillin capsules, but requests that it be filled with Amoxicillin suspension instead. What should the pharmacy technician do?
		a. Grant the patient's request and fill the prescription with the suspension instead of capsules.
		b. Deny the patient's request to fill the prescription with the suspension.
		c. Pass the prescription to a pharmacist.
		d. Fill the prescription with another medication.
The pharmacy technician should pass the prescription to a pharmacist. If the patient consents and the change is a therapeutic equivalent, a pharmacist does not need the prescribing physician's approval to change the form of the medication, cap/tab to liquid or vice versa. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

19/22

Equipment

19.	Which of the following is a type of automated medication dispensing system kept on nursing units that gives nurses and physicians quick access to medications?
		a. Baker cell
		b. Pyxis Medstation
		c. Baxter compound
		d. Meditech
Pyxis Medstation is commonly used to store medication, while also providing safety and security. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

20/22

Equipment

20.	Laminar flow hoods require ________ filters for use.
		a. HEPA
		b. water
		c. humidifier
		d. double
HEPA filters should be used with laminar flow hoods. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

21/22

Billing and Reimbursement

21.	A customer presents to the counter of an outpatient pharmacy with an untampered pharmacy product and seeks a refund. Under which of the following circumstances will the refund request be denied?
		a. If the product is expired.
		b. If the product has been recalled by the FDA.
		c. If the product is not expired.
		d. In all cases will a refund request be denied on products that were previously sold.
Expiration dates determine whether products are still usable. Therefore, if an item is expired, and a customer requests a refund, the refund request must be denied. Customers can get a refund on products recalled by the FDA. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

22/22

Billing and Reimbursement

22.	A customer who claims to be a Medicaid recipient presents a handwritten prescription to be filled. Which of the following steps should be taken first by a pharmacy technician?
		a. Check to see if the patient is truly a Medicaid recipient.
		b. Pass the handwritten prescription to a pharmacist.
		c. Ask the patient where she got the prescription.
		d. Take the handwritten prescription and inspect it for industry-recognized tamper-resistant features.
A medication financed in any part by Medicaid must be "tamper-resistant," which means handwritten prescriptions must be written on paper that ensures unauthorized copying, modification, and use of counterfeit prescription forms. Upon being presented a handwritten prescription, the pharmacy technician must inspect it to see if it complies with the tamper-resistant regulations. If a pharmacy technician is presented a prescription that appears to be on improper paper, the tech should consult with a pharmacist before filling the prescription. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

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