PTCB practice questions with answers

These 20 questions mix the four sections of the PTCB exam (the PTCE) roughly the way the real exam does. The PTCE has 90 multiple-choice questions and a 1 hour 50 minute time limit.

PTCB’s PTCE Content Outline, in effect since January 6, 2026, weights the sections like this. Pick a section to practice it on its own.

• Medications35%
• Patient Safety & Quality Assurance23.75%
• Order Entry & Processing22.5%
• Federal Requirements18.75%

Also practice: PTCB math practice and Top 200 drugs quiz.

Pick an answer to check it. The answer and explanation are under each question.

1. Question 1 · Medications

   What is the mechanism of action of albuterol (ProAir, Ventolin)?

   1. AShort-acting muscarinic antagonist bronchodilator
   2. BShort-acting beta-1 agonist bronchodilator
   3. CShort-acting beta-2 agonist bronchodilator
   4. DLong-acting beta-2 agonist bronchodilator
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: C. Short-acting beta-2 agonist bronchodilator

   It is a short-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist (SABA) that relaxes bronchial smooth muscle, causing bronchodilation for quick asthma relief.

   From the Top 200 Drugs flashcards.

2. Question 2 · Medications

   What class of drug is amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall)?

   1. AA central nervous system depressant
   2. BA central nervous system stimulant
   3. CAn atypical antipsychotic medication
   4. DAn opioid analgesic medication
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: B. A central nervous system stimulant

   CNS stimulant (Schedule II controlled substance). It is used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine release.

   From the Top 200 Drugs flashcards.

3. Question 3 · Medications

   Montelukast (Singulair) treats asthma through which mechanism?

   1. AInhaled corticosteroid medication
   2. BBeta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist
   3. CMast cell stabilizer
   4. DLeukotriene receptor antagonist
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: D. Leukotriene receptor antagonist

   It is a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) that blocks cysteinyl leukotriene receptors, reducing airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction.

   From the Top 200 Drugs flashcards.

4. Question 4 · Medications

   What is rosuvastatin (Crestor) used to treat?

   1. AAbnormal heart rhythm
   2. BElevated blood pressure
   3. CElevated blood glucose
   4. DElevated blood lipid levels
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: D. Elevated blood lipid levels

   Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol). It reduces LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and is used to prevent cardiovascular events.

   From the Top 200 Drugs flashcards.

5. Question 5 · Medications

   Alprazolam (Xanax) is a Schedule IV benzodiazepine. What is its primary therapeutic use?

   1. ATreatment of depression and bipolar disorder
   2. BTreatment of anxiety and panic disorders
   3. CTreatment of chronic pain and neuropathic disorders
   4. DTreatment of insomnia and restless leg syndrome
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: B. Treatment of anxiety and panic disorders

   Treatment of anxiety disorders and panic disorder. It enhances the effect of GABA at the GABA-A receptor, producing a calming/anxiolytic effect.

   From the Top 200 Drugs flashcards.

6. Question 6 · Medications

   Zolpidem (Ambien) is classified in which DEA schedule, and what is it used for?

   1. ASchedule IV for short-term insomnia
   2. BSchedule III for short-term panic attacks
   3. CSchedule II for long-term narcolepsy
   4. DSchedule V for acute anxiety
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: A. Schedule IV for short-term insomnia

   Schedule IV. Zolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic (Z-drug) used for short-term treatment of insomnia by enhancing GABA activity.

   From the Top 200 Drugs flashcards.

7. Question 7 · Medications

   What class of drugs are bisphosphonates, and name one example?

   1. ARANK ligand inhibitors such as denosumab
   2. BParathyroid hormone analogs such as teriparatide
   3. CSelective estrogen receptor modulators such as raloxifene
   4. DAntiresorptive bisphosphonates such as alendronate
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: D. Antiresorptive bisphosphonates such as alendronate

   Bisphosphonates are medications used to treat and prevent osteoporosis by inhibiting bone resorption. A common example is alendronate (Fosamax).

   From the Drug Classifications flashcards.

8. Question 8 · Patient Safety & Quality Assurance

   Why do most healthcare safety experts advocate for non-punitive error reporting cultures in pharmacies?

   1. AReduces workload by waiving error documentation
   2. BEliminates need for root cause investigations
   3. CEnsures immunity from prosecution for reported errors
   4. DEncourages reporting without fear of punishment
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: D. Encourages reporting without fear of punishment

   Non-punitive cultures encourage staff to report errors and near-misses without fear of punishment, generating the data needed to identify systemic problems and implement safety improvements — punitive cultures suppress reporting and allow dangerous patterns to persist undetected.

   From the Patient Safety & Quality Assurance flashcards.

9. Question 9 · Patient Safety & Quality Assurance

   What pharmacy safety strategy does ISMP recommend to reduce errors when two similarly packaged products are stored near each other?

   1. AStore all medications alphabetically without extra alerts
   2. BSeparate similar packages and add LASA warning labels
   3. CReturn similar products for manufacturer repackaging
   4. DLock look-alike products away from technician access
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: B. Separate similar packages and add LASA warning labels

   ISMP recommends physical separation of similar packages, auxiliary 'WARNING' labels, and shelf stickers with LASA alerts; storing look-alike packages apart and adding visual cues interrupts the automatic selection pattern that leads to pick errors.

   From the Patient Safety & Quality Assurance flashcards.

10. Question 10 · Patient Safety & Quality Assurance

    How does barcode medication administration (BCMA) improve patient safety at the bedside?

    1. AScans patient and medication to verify administration rights
    2. BScans patient and medication to approve insurance coverage
    3. CScans patient and medication to calculate purchase prices
    4. DScans patient and medication to select drug manufacturers
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A. Scans patient and medication to verify administration rights

    BCMA systems scan the barcodes on both the patient's wristband and the medication package to electronically verify the five rights—right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time—before administration. This technology significantly reduces wrong-patient and wrong-drug errors by triggering alerts when a mismatch is detected, and it creates a time-stamped electronic record of every medication administered.

    From the Pharmacy Technician Certification — Medication Safety & Error Prevention flashcards.

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12. Question 11 · Patient Safety & Quality Assurance

    What are FDA Medication Guides, and who develops and dispenses them?

    1. AOptional manufacturer advertising supplied with every prescription
    2. BFDA-approved patient labeling developed by applicants for certain drugs
    3. CInsurance-required copay information supplied with high-cost prescriptions
    4. DDEA-required addiction warnings supplied with every Schedule II drug
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B. FDA-approved patient labeling developed by applicants for certain drugs

    They are FDA-approved patient labeling for certain prescription drugs, developed by applicants and provided to patients when dispensed, unless an exemption applies.

    From the Pharmacy Technician Certification — Medication Safety & Error Prevention flashcards.

13. Question 12 · Patient Safety & Quality Assurance

    How can computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems help reduce prescribing errors?

    1. ARoute unsigned orders directly to the nearest pharmacy
    2. BPrint paper orders in an approved government font
    3. CRequire insurer approval before transmitting medication orders
    4. DMake orders legible and flag allergies or interactions
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D. Make orders legible and flag allergies or interactions

    CPOE systems allow prescribers to enter medication orders directly into a computer, eliminating handwriting interpretation errors and illegible prescriptions that have historically caused dispensing errors. These systems also incorporate clinical decision support tools that provide real-time alerts for drug-drug interactions, allergy conflicts, dosing range checks, and duplicate therapy warnings, catching potential prescribing errors at the point of order entry.

    From the Pharmacy Technician Certification — Medication Safety & Error Prevention flashcards.

14. Question 13 · Order Entry & Processing

    Why must a pharmacy technician verify a prescriber's DEA number on a controlled substance prescription?

    1. AConfirms the prescriber's malpractice insurance coverage
    2. BConfirms the pharmacy's controlled-substance authorization
    3. CVerifies federal authority and flags potential prescription fraud
    4. DConfirms the prescriber's specialty board certification
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C. Verifies federal authority and flags potential prescription fraud

    The DEA number authenticates that the prescriber is federally registered to prescribe controlled substances; a fake or invalid DEA number is a red flag for prescription fraud and must be escalated to the pharmacist.

    From the Order Entry & Processing flashcards.

15. Question 14 · Order Entry & Processing

    Where should a technician direct a patient who asks questions about drug interactions during prescription pick-up?

    1. ARefer interaction questions only to the prescriber
    2. BAnswer noncontrolled-drug interaction questions yourself
    3. CRefer interaction questions to the pharmacist
    4. DRead package inserts to answer interaction questions
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C. Refer interaction questions to the pharmacist

    All clinical questions about drug interactions must be directed to the pharmacist; counseling patients on drug interactions, side effects, or therapeutic questions is outside the technician's scope of practice and is a pharmacist-only responsibility.

    From the Order Entry & Processing flashcards.

16. Question 15 · Order Entry & Processing

    How long will a 500 mL IV bag last if it is infusing at 83 mL/hr?

    1. AApproximately 4 hours
    2. BApproximately 7 hours
    3. CApproximately 5 hours
    4. DApproximately 6 hours
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D. Approximately 6 hours

    Approximately 6 hours. 500 mL ÷ 83 mL/hr ≈ 6.02 hours.

    From the Pharmacy Calculations flashcards.

17. Question 16 · Order Entry & Processing

    Using a microdrip set (60 gtt/mL), at what drip rate (gtt/min) would you set an IV infusing at 30 mL/hr?

    1. A45 gtt/min
    2. B60 gtt/min
    3. C30 gtt/min
    4. D20 gtt/min
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C. 30 gtt/min

    30 gtt/min. With a microdrip set, gtt/min numerically equals mL/hr: (30 × 60) ÷ 60 = 30 gtt/min.

    From the Pharmacy Calculations flashcards.

18. Question 17 · Federal Requirements

    Which DEA schedule includes benzodiazepines such as diazepam and alprazolam?

    1. ASchedule V
    2. BSchedule III
    3. CSchedule II
    4. DSchedule IV
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D. Schedule IV

    Schedule IV. These drugs have a lower potential for abuse relative to Schedule III substances and accepted medical uses.

    From the Drug Classifications flashcards.

19. Question 18 · Federal Requirements

    Can a Schedule II controlled substance prescription be refilled?

    1. ANo, a new prescription is required each time
    2. BYes, up to five refills are permitted
    3. CYes, one refill is permitted after 72 hours
    4. DYes, one refill is permitted within six months
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A. No, a new prescription is required each time

    No. Schedule II prescriptions cannot be refilled; a new written or electronic prescription is required for each dispensing.

    From the Drug Classifications flashcards.

20. Question 19 · Federal Requirements

    Which federal agency enforces the Controlled Substances Act and oversees DEA registration for pharmacies?

    1. ADrug Enforcement Administration within the Department of Justice
    2. BFood and Drug Administration within the Department of Health
    3. CBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives within Justice
    4. DCenters for Disease Control and Prevention within Health
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A. Drug Enforcement Administration within the Department of Justice

    The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), a bureau within the U.S. Department of Justice.

    From the Pharmacy Law & Regulations flashcards.

21. Question 20 · Federal Requirements

    Which federal law first required that drug products be proven safe before marketing in the United States, enacted in response to the sulfanilamide disaster of 1937?

    1. AKefauver-Harris Amendment to the FDCA of 1962
    2. BPure Food and Drugs Act of 1906
    3. CFederal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938
    4. DDurham-Humphrey Amendment to the FDCA of 1951
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938

    The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) of 1938.

    From the Pharmacy Law & Regulations flashcards.

More PTCB practice

• PTCB practice test: 25 questions and a readiness score
• PTCB medications practice questions
• PTCB pharmacy law practice questions
• PTCB patient safety practice questions
• PTCB order entry and processing practice questions
• PTCB math practice questions
• Top 200 drugs quiz
• PTCB exam guide

Study these topics with flashcards

• Top 200 Drugs – PTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification
• PTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification — Medication Safety & Error Prevention
• PTCB Order Entry & Processing
• Pharmacy Law & Regulations – PTCB Exam Prep