PTCB PTCE - Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT) Exam

Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for pain and inflammation.

📌Reference:FDA NSAID Safety Guidelines.

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

Corticosteroidsare a class of medications used toreduce inflammation.Fluocinoloneis atopical corticosteroidused foreczema, psoriasis, and allergic reactions.

📌Explanation of Answer Choices:✅B. Fluocinolone→Correct.Fluocinolone is a corticosteroidused in skin conditions.❌A. Progesterone→ Incorrect.Progesterone is a hormone, not a corticosteroid.❌C. Methyltestosterone→ Incorrect.Methyltestosterone is an androgen (male hormone).❌D. Spironolactone→ Incorrect.Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, not a steroid.

📌Reference:

FDA Drug Classification Database

USP Drug Information Handbook

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

Aripiprazole (Abilify)is anatypical antipsychoticused to treatschizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

📌Explanation of Answer Choices:✅A. Aripiprazole→Correct.Anantipsychotic used for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.❌B. Rifampin→ Incorrect.An antibiotic for tuberculosis.❌C. Ketoconazole→ Incorrect.An antifungal.❌D. Zolpidem→ Incorrect.A sedative for insomnia (Ambien).

📌Reference:

FDA Drug Database: Aripiprazole

PTCB Pharmacology for Technicians

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) is a urinary analgesic that turns urine orange/red, so the correct auxiliary label should warn patients about this effect.

📌Explanation of Answer Choices:

✅A. May discolor urine → Correct. Phenazopyridine causes urine discoloration.

❌B. May cause drowsiness → Incorrect. Does not cause sedation.

❌C. Chew or crush the tablets → Incorrect. Should not be crushed.

❌D. Take with food or milk → Incorrect. Not required.

📌Reference:

FDA Drug Label for Phenazopyridine

USP <800> mandates that personal protective equipment (PPE) be worn when handling hazardous drug spillsto protect againstinhalation, skin absorption, or accidental ingestion.

Full PPE includes gloves, gowns, eye protection, and respiratory protection when necessary.

📌Reference:USP <800> Hazardous Drug Handling Guidelines.

Meclizine (Bonine, Dramamine Less Drowsy)is anover-the-counter (OTC) antihistamineused to treatmotion sickness and vertigo. It works by blockinghistamine (H1) receptorsin thevestibular system, reducing nausea and dizziness associated with motion sickness.

B. Olanzapine→ Incorrect; olanzapine is anatypical antipsychoticused forschizophrenia and bipolar disorder, not motion sickness.

C. Promethazine→ Incorrect; promethazine is anantihistaminethat treatsnausea and motion sickness, but it isonly available by prescription (Rx).

D. Scopolamine→ Incorrect; scopolamine is aprescription (Rx) medicationintransdermal patch formused formotion sickness prevention.

Other Answer Choices Explained:References:

FDA Drug Monograph for Meclizine (OTC Drug Labeling)

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline (OTC Medications & Indications)

Lexicomp Drug Monographs for Meclizine, Promethazine, and Scopolamine

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

The abbreviation "PR" stands for "per rectum", which is a route of administration where the medication is inserted into the rectum for absorption.

📌Explanation of Answer Choices:

✅A. Route of administration → Correct. "PR" means rectal administration (e.g., suppositories).

❌B. Frequency of dosing → Incorrect. Frequency abbreviations include BID (twice daily), QD (once daily), etc.

❌C. Medication strength → Incorrect. Strength is indicated by mg, mcg, etc.

❌D. Dosage form → Incorrect. Dosage forms include tablets, capsules, solutions, etc.

📌Reference:

ISMP List of Common Prescription Abbreviations

PTCB Exam: Medication Order Interpretation

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:

To determine the required volume of U-100 insulin to administer a20-unitdose ofNPH insulin, we use the concentration definition:

U-100 insulinmeans100 units per 1 ml

We need20 units

Using the formula:

Volume (ml)=Dose (units)Concentration (units/ml)\text{Volume (ml)} = \frac{\text{Dose (units)}}{\text{Concentration (units/ml)}}Volume (ml)=Concentration (units/ml)Dose (units)​Volume=20 units100 units/ml=0.2 ml\text{Volume} = \frac{20 \text{ units}}{100 \text{ units/ml}} = 0.2 \text{ ml}Volume=100 units/ml20 units​=0.2 ml

Thus, the correct answer is0.2 ml.

A. 0.02 ml→ Incorrect; this would correspond to only 2 units.

B. 1 ml→ Incorrect; this would correspond to 100 units, far exceeding the prescribed dose.

D. 2 ml→ Incorrect; this would correspond to 200 units, which is incorrect.

Other Answer Choices Explained:References:

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline (Pharmaceutical Calculations)

USP <797> Pharmaceutical Compounding—Sterile Preparations

American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Pharmacy Technician Certification Review