PTCB PTCE - Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT) Exam

To determine the correct volume of amoxicillin suspension per dose, use the given concentration and dose.

Prescription dose:150 mg per dose

Suspension concentration:250 mg per 5 mL

Formula to calculate volume needed:Volume (mL)=Prescribed dose (mg)Concentration (mg/mL)\text{Volume (mL)} = \frac{\text{Prescribed dose (mg)}}{\text{Concentration (mg/mL)}}Volume (mL)=Concentration (mg/mL)Prescribed dose (mg)​

Step 1: Identify Given InformationStep 2: Calculate150 mg250 mg/5 mL=150×5250=750250=3 mL\frac{150 \text{ mg}}{250 \text{ mg/5 mL}} = \frac{150 \times 5}{250} = \frac{750}{250} = 3 \text{ mL}250 mg/5 mL150 mg​=250150×5​=250750​=3 mL

Thus, the patient should take3 mL per dose.

B. 4 mL→ Incorrect; this would correspond to a different strength.

C. 5 mL→ Incorrect; this would deliver250 mg, which is incorrect.

D. 6 mL→ Incorrect; this would deliver300 mg, exceeding the prescribed dose.

Other Answer Choices Explained:References:

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline (Pharmaceutical Calculations – Dosage & Volume Calculations)

USP <795> Guidelines for Nonsterile Compounding & Drug Dilution

Lexicomp Drug Monograph for Amoxicillin Suspension

Look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) drug name pairs (e.g., hydralazine vs hydroxyzine) are a well-recognized cause of wrong-drug errors. ISMP and technician training resources emphasize verifying the National Drug Code (NDC) and/or barcode scanning against the prescription to ensure the correct drug, strength, and manufacturer are selected before counting. The NDC uniquely identifies the labeler, product, and package; thus, verifying the NDC is a stronger safety check than relying on tablet color (which can vary) or lot number (used for traceability/recalls, not drug selection). Strength verification is important, but first you must ensure the correct drug; NDC verification accomplishes both drug and strength confirmation.

References (Pharmacy Technician documents / Study Guides):

• ISMP community pharmacy medication safety guidance on LASA verification and barcode/NDC checks.

• PTCB/ExCPT Medication Safety sections: LASA risk-reduction strategies; NDC use in product selection.

• FDA/Drug listing education: NDC identifies labeler–product–package; used to ensure correct product selection.

When a voluntary, nonpunitive medication error reporting system is introduced and safety culture improves, organizations commonly see an initial rise in reported errors. This does not necessarily mean more errors are occurring; rather, more errors are being reported due to increased staff comfort and encouragement to report. Punitive cultures (B) reduce reporting, not increase it. Distraction from dispensing (C) or false reporting (D) are not recognized primary drivers of such patterns in patient safety literature.

References (Pharmacy Technician documents / Study Guides):

• ISMP and AHRQ patient safety culture principles: nonpunitive, learning-focused reporting increases the number of reported events initially.

• NCC MERP recommendations on error reporting and safety culture.

• Pharmacy safety and quality improvement modules in PTCB/ExCPT study guides: trends in reporting after implementing voluntary systems.

According toCDC Hand Hygiene Guidelines, pharmacy technicians should wash their hands withsoap and waterinstead of alcohol-based hand sanitizer when:

Hands are visibly dirty→ Alcohol-based sanitizers are ineffective against certain contaminants like dirt, grease, and some bacteria.

Before eating→ Prevents ingestion of harmful pathogens.

After using the restroom→ Soap and water are required to remove potential fecal contamination.

A. They have time, before eating, and after eating❌→Incorrect

Handwashing ismandatorywhen hands are dirty or after using the restroom, not just when there's time.

B. Their hands are visibly clean, after eating, and before each patient❌→Incorrect

Washing isnot required if hands appear clean—sanitizer is acceptable in most situations except when visibly soiled.

C. They have finished filling prescriptions, before eating, and after each patient❌→Incorrect

Hand hygiene is important, but hand sanitizer is typically used between patients unless hands are visibly dirty.

CDC Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings– Recommendssoap and waterfor visibly soiled hands and after restroom use.

USP <797> Guidelines for Aseptic Technique– Emphasizes proper handwashing for sterile compounding.

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline– Covers infection control and hand hygiene protocols.

Why Not the Other Options?Key References:

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

Hazardous drugs (HDs)must be handled withpersonal protective equipment (PPE), including:

Gloves (chemotherapy-rated)

Gown (disposable, impermeable material)

Eye protection (if splashing risk exists)

Respirator (if airborne exposure is possible)

📌Explanation of Answer Choices:✅B. Wearing personal protective equipment→Correct.USP <800> mandatesPPEfor handling hazardous drugs.❌A. In a chemical safety cabinet→ Incorrect.Only sterile hazardous drugs require a biological safety cabinet.❌C. Using disposable gloves washed between each use→ Incorrect.Disposable gloves should be discarded, not washed.❌D. In a positive-pressure clean room→ Incorrect.Hazardous drugs require negative pressure rooms, not positive pressure.

📌Reference:

USP <800>: Hazardous Drug Handling

NIOSH Guidelines on PPE for Hazardous Drugs

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)is anherbal supplementcommonly used formild to moderate depression.

Containshypericin and hyperforin, which may increaseserotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrinelevels.

Often used as analternative treatment for depression, but not FDA-approved for this indication.

Hasserious drug interactions, including withantidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs), warfarin, oral contraceptives, and cyclosporine.

(A) Immune enhancer❌Incorrect – Not primarily used to boost the immune system.

(B) Mild antidepressant✅Correct – Used for mild depression.

(C) Antioxidant❌Incorrect – While it has some antioxidant properties, this is not its primary use.

(D) Antihypertensive❌Incorrect – It does not lower blood pressure.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) – St. John’s Wort:https://www.nccih.nih.gov/

MedlinePlus – St. John's Wort Drug Interactions:https://medlineplus.gov

PTCB Exam Content Outline – Herbal Supplements & Drug Interactions

How St. John’s Wort Works:Analysis of Answer Choices:References for Pharmacy Technicians:

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

Hospitals mayredispenseunopened, sealed, unit-dose medicationsreturned frominpatients, as long as they areproperly storedand not tampered with.

📌Explanation of Answer Choices:✅C. Unopened units-of-use returned from inpatients may be redispensed→Correct.Hospital pharmacies canredispense sealed unit-dose medications from inpatients.❌A. Unlabeled medications may be dispensed by the nurse at discharge→ Incorrect.Unlabeled meds cannot be dispensed due to safety concerns.❌B. Unopened units-of-use returned from outpatients may be redispensed→ Incorrect.Medications dispensed to outpatients cannot be returned to stock.❌D. Crediting of unused doses is not feasible→ Incorrect.Many hospitals have systems for crediting unused doses.

📌Reference:

USP <795> and <797>: Hospital Medication Storage

PTCB Medication Safety Regulations

According toCDC Hand Hygiene Guidelines, pharmacy technicians should wash their hands withsoap and waterinstead of alcohol-based hand sanitizer when:

Hands are visibly dirty→ Alcohol-based sanitizers are ineffective against certain contaminants like dirt, grease, and some bacteria.

Before eating→ Prevents ingestion of harmful pathogens.

After using the restroom→ Soap and water are required to remove potential fecal contamination.

A. They have time, before eating, and after eating❌→Incorrect

Handwashing ismandatorywhen hands are dirty or after using the restroom, not just when there's time.

B. Their hands are visibly clean, after eating, and before each patient❌→Incorrect

Washing isnot required if hands appear clean—sanitizer is acceptable in most situations except when visibly soiled.

C. They have finished filling prescriptions, before eating, and after each patient❌→Incorrect

Hand hygiene is important, but hand sanitizer is typically used between patients unless hands are visibly dirty.

CDC Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings– Recommendssoap and waterfor visibly soiled hands and after restroom use.

USP <797> Guidelines for Aseptic Technique– Emphasizes proper handwashing for sterile compounding.

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline– Covers infection control and hand hygiene protocols.

Why Not the Other Options?Key References:

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

TheNational Drug Code (NDC)is a10- or 11-digit numberidentifying a drug'smanufacturer, product, and package size.

📌NDC Format:

XXXXX−YYYY−ZZ\text{XXXXX} - \text{YYYY} - \text{ZZ}XXXXX−YYYY−ZZ

First 5 digits= Manufacturer

Middle 4 digits= Drug, strength, and formulation

Last 2 digits=Package size

✅A. Package size→Correct.Since the first two segments(00781-1506)are identical, the difference is in thelast segment, which representspackage size.❌B. Dosage→ Incorrect. Thedosage (mg strength) remains the same.❌C. Manufacturer→ Incorrect. Themanufacturer is the same (first 5 digits are identical).❌D. Strength→ Incorrect. Thestrength is unchanged.

📌Reference:

FDA NDC Directory

PTCB Inventory Management Guidelines

Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)belongs to thechemotherapy agentdrug classification. It is analkylating agentused to treat various types ofcancer, including:

Leukemia

Lymphoma

Breast cancer

Ovarian cancer

It works byinterfering with DNA replication in rapidly dividing cells, preventing cancer growth.

A. ACE inhibitor❌→Incorrect

ACE inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors)are used forhypertension and heart failure(e.g., lisinopril, enalapril).

C. Antibiotic❌→Incorrect

Antibioticstreatbacterial infections(e.g., amoxicillin, azithromycin).

D. Narcotic❌→Incorrect

Narcotics (opioids) are pain relievers(e.g., morphine, oxycodone).Cytoxan is not an opioid.

National Cancer Institute (NCI) Drug Dictionary– ClassifiesCytoxan as an alkylating chemotherapy agent.

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline– Covers chemotherapy drugs and their classifications.

FDA Drug Classification Guidelines– Lists Cytoxan as acytotoxic antineoplastic (chemotherapy) drug.

Why Not the Other Options?Key References: