PTCB order entry and processing practice questions

16 practice questions on prescription elements, days supply, dose and quantity calculations, NDC numbers, and generic substitution, with the answer and a short explanation for each.

Order Entry & Processing is 22.5% of the PTCB exam under PTCB’s PTCE Content Outline, in effect since January 6, 2026. The PTCE has 90 multiple-choice questions and a 1 hour 50 minute time limit.

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

1. Question 1

   What are the six required elements on a valid prescription?

   1. AFill date, pharmacist, patient, drug details, directions, pharmacy name
   2. BDate, prescriber (DEA if controlled), patient, drug details, directions, refills
   3. CDate, prescriber, patient, drug details, directions, insurance ID
   4. DDate, prescriber, patient, drug details, insurance plan, pharmacy
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: B. Date, prescriber (DEA if controlled), patient, drug details, directions, refills

   A valid prescription must include: date written, prescriber name and DEA number (if controlled), patient name, drug name/strength/quantity, directions for use, and number of refills authorized.

   From the Order Entry & Processing flashcards.

2. Question 2

   A patient hands you a handwritten prescription with no date. What is the correct action?

   1. AProcess it without review if it is noncontrolled
   2. BUse the patient's date without verification
   3. CAdd today's date and process the prescription
   4. DRefer to the pharmacist for prescriber clarification
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: D. Refer to the pharmacist for prescriber clarification

   The prescription is incomplete without a date; the technician should bring it to the pharmacist's attention immediately, as a missing date makes the prescription invalid and it cannot be filled until clarified with the prescriber.

   From the Order Entry & Processing flashcards.

3. Question 3

   How do you calculate the days supply for a prescription reading '90 tablets, take 1 tablet three times daily'?

   1. A90 days
   2. B30 days
   3. C20 days
   4. D45 days
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: B. 30 days

   Days supply = Quantity dispensed ÷ Daily dose; here 90 tablets ÷ 3 tablets/day = 30 days supply. This calculation is essential for insurance billing and ensuring the patient does not run out before their next refill.

   From the Order Entry & Processing flashcards.

4. Question 4

   Using Clark's Rule, what is the pediatric dose for a child weighing 50 lbs if the adult dose is 500 mg?

   1. AApproximately 357 mg
   2. BApproximately 75.6 mg
   3. CApproximately 250 mg
   4. DApproximately 166.7 mg
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: D. Approximately 166.7 mg

   Clark's Rule: Pediatric dose = (Weight in lbs ÷ 150) × Adult dose; (50 ÷ 150) × 500 mg = 0.333 × 500 = approximately 166.7 mg. This rule is commonly used when age-based dosing information is unavailable.

   From the Order Entry & Processing flashcards.

5. Question 5

   During order entry, a technician notices the prescribed dose of sertraline is 400 mg/day. What should happen next?

   1. AContact the patient to confirm the dose
   2. BLower the daily dose to 200 mg/day yourself
   3. CEnter the dose as prescribed without review
   4. DFlag the dose for pharmacist verification
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: D. Flag the dose for pharmacist verification

   The maximum approved dose of sertraline is 200 mg/day; a prescribed dose of 400 mg/day exceeds the safe limit and must be immediately flagged for the pharmacist to verify with the prescriber before the prescription is processed.

   From the Order Entry & Processing flashcards.

6. Question 6

   What is the difference between brand-name and generic drug substitution during order entry?

   1. ASubstitute any cheaper drug regardless of equivalence
   2. BUse only the brand unless the patient requests generic
   3. CSubstitute an AB-rated generic unless DAW prohibits it
   4. DSubstitute any drug from the same therapeutic class
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: C. Substitute an AB-rated generic unless DAW prohibits it

   Generic substitution means dispensing an AB-rated generic equivalent in place of a brand-name drug; generics must have the same active ingredient, strength, route, and bioequivalence. Substitution is permitted unless the prescriber writes 'Dispense As Written' (DAW).

   From the Order Entry & Processing flashcards.

7. Question 7

   Why should a pharmacy technician never attempt to interpret an illegible handwritten prescription independently?

   1. AIt authorizes guessing from prescriber specialty
   2. BIt lets the technician rely on refill history
   3. CIt requires a new prescription in every case
   4. DIt risks dispensing the wrong drug or dose
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: D. It risks dispensing the wrong drug or dose

   An illegible prescription creates significant risk of a dispensing error, including wrong drug or wrong dose; the technician must bring it to the pharmacist, who will contact the prescriber for clarification before any entry or dispensing occurs to protect patient safety.

   From the Order Entry & Processing flashcards.

8. Question 8

   What is the National Drug Code (NDC) format, and what does each segment identify?

   1. A9 or 10 digits in two segments: labeler and product
   2. B10 or 11 digits in three segments: labeler, product, package
   3. C8 or 9 digits in two segments: labeler and package
   4. D12 or 13 digits in four segments: labeler, strength, form, lot
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: B. 10 or 11 digits in three segments: labeler, product, package

   The NDC is a 10- or 11-digit code in three segments: labeler/manufacturer, product (drug strength and form), and package size.

   From the Pharmacy Law & Regulations flashcards.

9. Question 9

   A pharmacy receives a prescription for metformin 500 mg tablets, take 2 tablets twice daily for 90 days. How many tablets should be dispensed?

   1. A270 tablets
   2. B720 tablets
   3. C180 tablets
   4. D360 tablets
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: D. 360 tablets

   360 tablets total. The patient takes 2 tablets × 2 times per day = 4 tablets per day. Multiply 4 tablets/day × 90 days = 360 tablets required to fill the complete 90-day prescription supply.

   From the Pharmacy Law & Regulations flashcards.

10. Question 10

    A patient weighing 88 kg is prescribed vancomycin at 15 mg/kg every 12 hours. The pharmacy stocks vancomycin 500 mg/10 mL vials. How many mL are needed per dose?

    1. A26.4 mL per dose
    2. B13.2 mL per dose
    3. C17.6 mL per dose
    4. D52.8 mL per dose
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A. 26.4 mL per dose

    26.4 mL per dose. Calculate the dose: 15 mg/kg × 88 kg = 1320 mg per dose. Using the concentration of 500 mg/10 mL (50 mg/mL): 1320 mg ÷ 50 mg/mL = 26.4 mL required per dose.

    From the Pharmacy Law & Regulations flashcards.

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12. Question 11

    A prescription for a compounded topical cream requires 2% hydrocortisone in a 60 g base. How many grams of pure hydrocortisone powder are needed?

    1. A0.6 grams of hydrocortisone
    2. B3.0 grams of hydrocortisone
    3. C1.2 grams of hydrocortisone
    4. D2.4 grams of hydrocortisone
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C. 1.2 grams of hydrocortisone

    1.2 grams of hydrocortisone. To find the amount, multiply the total weight (60 g) by the percentage expressed as a decimal (2% = 0.02): 60 × 0.02 = 1.2 g of hydrocortisone powder needed for the compound.

    From the Pharmacy Law & Regulations flashcards.

13. Question 12

    Compound a 2% hydrocortisone cream using 10% cream and plain base. How many grams of each for 60g total?

    1. A12 g of 10% cream and 48 g of base
    2. B20 g of 10% cream and 40 g of base
    3. C6 g of 10% cream and 54 g of base
    4. D30 g of 10% cream and 30 g of base
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A. 12 g of 10% cream and 48 g of base

    12g of 10% cream and 48g of plain base. C1V1=C2V2: 10% x X = 2% x 60g; X = 12g; 60-12 = 48g base.

    From the Drug Classifications flashcards.

14. Question 13

    A 240 mL bottle of cough syrup contains codeine 10mg/5mL. How many total mg of codeine are in the bottle?

    1. A2400 mg total codeine
    2. B240 mg total codeine
    3. C480 mg total codeine
    4. D120 mg total codeine
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C. 480 mg total codeine

    480 mg. 240 / 5 = 48 doses; 48 x 10 mg = 480 mg total.

    From the Drug Classifications flashcards.

15. Question 14

    A patient is prescribed azithromycin 500 mg on day one, then 250 mg daily on days two through five. How many total milligrams will the patient receive over the full five-day course?

    1. A2000 mg
    2. B1750 mg
    3. C1250 mg
    4. D1500 mg
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D. 1500 mg

    1500 mg total. Day one provides 500 mg, and days two through five provide 250 mg × 4 = 1000 mg; adding both gives 500 + 1000 = 1500 mg over the course.

    From the Top 200 Drugs flashcards.

16. Question 15

    A physician orders amoxicillin oral suspension 40 mg/kg/day divided into two equal doses for a child weighing 44 pounds. The suspension is available as 250 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters should be given per dose?

    1. A10 mL
    2. B16 mL
    3. C4 mL
    4. D8 mL
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D. 8 mL

    8 mL per dose. Convert weight: 44 lbs ÷ 2.2 = 20 kg; daily dose: 20 × 40 = 800 mg; each dose: 800 ÷ 2 = 400 mg; volume: 400 ÷ (250/5) = 400 ÷ 50 = 8 mL per dose.

    From the Top 200 Drugs flashcards.

17. Question 16

    A prescription is written for metoprolol succinate 100 mg once daily. The pharmacy only has 50 mg tablets in stock. How many tablets should be dispensed for a 30-day supply?

    1. A90 tablets
    2. B45 tablets
    3. C60 tablets
    4. D30 tablets
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C. 60 tablets

    60 tablets for 30 days. Each daily dose of 100 mg requires 2 tablets of the 50 mg strength; multiplying 2 tablets per day by 30 days equals 60 tablets total for the full supply.

    From the Top 200 Drugs flashcards.

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