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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

PTCB Practice Test: Check Your Pharmacy Tech Knowledge

Quick, free pharmacy tech quiz to spot strengths and gaps. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Tijs DesmetUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art quiz for free PTCB practice exam with drug calculations, brand generic pairs, regulations on dark blue background

This PTCB practice test helps you check your pharmacy tech knowledge in math, medications, safety, and federal rules so you can study smarter. After you finish, try a PTCB mock exam for more variety, work through focused math with our ptcb math practice test, or review broader topics with pharmacy practice exam questions.

What is the generic name for Tylenol?
Aspirin
Acetaminophen
Ibuprofen
Naproxen
Tylenol is the brand name for acetaminophen, which is an analgesic and antipyretic commonly used to relieve pain and reduce fever. It does not belong to the NSAID class like ibuprofen or naproxen and lacks the anti-inflammatory properties of aspirin. This makes acetaminophen the correct generic equivalent. For more information, see .
A pharmacy technician needs to dispense 150 tablets. If each bottle holds 30 tablets, how many bottles should be used?
7
4
6
5
To determine the number of bottles, divide the total tablets needed (150) by the number of tablets per bottle (30), yielding 5 bottles. This ensures the technician dispenses the exact count without overdosing or underdosing. Accurate counting is crucial for inventory control and patient safety. See a guide on calculation techniques .
Which organ is the primary site of drug metabolism in the body?
Spleen
Pancreas
Liver
Kidney
The liver contains the highest concentration of drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as the cytochrome P450 system, which chemically modifies drugs to prepare them for excretion. While the kidney is essential for drug elimination, metabolism primarily occurs in hepatic tissues. Understanding organ functions helps predict drug interactions and dosing adjustments. Learn more about hepatic metabolism at .
Calculate the IV infusion rate in mL/hr if 2 liters of fluid are to be infused over 8 hours.
350 mL/hr
300 mL/hr
200 mL/hr
250 mL/hr
First convert liters to milliliters: 2 L = 2000 mL. Then divide by the infusion time: 2000 mL ÷ 8 hr = 250 mL/hr. Correct infusion rates prevent under- or overdosing in patients requiring precise fluid management. For infusion rate guidelines, see .
What is the generic name for Lipitor?
Rosuvastatin
Simvastatin
Atorvastatin
Pravastatin
Lipitor is the brand name for atorvastatin, a statin medication used to lower cholesterol by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase. It differs structurally and pharmacokinetically from other statins like simvastatin or pravastatin. Recognizing brand-to-generic names ensures correct dispensing and cost savings. More details at .
According to USP <797> guidelines, what is the beyond-use date at room temperature for medium-risk compounded sterile preparations?
72 hours
12 hours
24 hours
30 hours
USP <797> specifies that medium-risk level sterile compounds have a beyond-use date of 30 hours at controlled room temperature (20 - 25 °C). This is due to the higher risk of contamination associated with more complex manipulations. Adhering to these limits helps ensure patient safety. See the official USP guidance .
A prescription calls for 0.25 mg of digoxin. If digoxin tablets are 0.125 mg each, how many tablets should be dispensed per dose?
2.5
1.5
1
2
Divide the required dose (0.25 mg) by the tablet strength (0.125 mg): 0.25 ÷ 0.125 = 2 tablets. Accurate dosing of digoxin is critical due to its narrow therapeutic index and risk of toxicity. Always verify calculations and monitor levels. Refer to clinical guidelines at .
A patient needs 20 mEq of potassium chloride diluted in 100 mL D5W. What is the resulting concentration in mEq/mL?
0.02 mEq/mL
2 mEq/mL
20 mEq/mL
0.2 mEq/mL
Concentration is calculated by dividing the amount of solute by the volume of solution: 20 mEq ÷ 100 mL = 0.2 mEq/mL. Correct concentration calculations ensure safe administration and avoid complications such as hyperkalemia. For detailed guidelines, see .
Under HIPAA regulations, how many years must covered entities retain patient records from the date of creation?
10 years
1 year
6 years
3 years
The HIPAA Privacy Rule requires covered entities to retain documentation for six years from the date of its creation or the date when it was last in effect. This retention period applies to policies, procedures, and records of disclosures. Compliance helps protect patient privacy and safeguards against data breaches. Detailed regulation is available at .
You need to prepare 100 mL of a solution containing 0.75 g of chlorhexidine gluconate. If you have a 2% (w/v) stock solution, how many milliliters of the stock are required?
40 mL
50 mL
37.5 mL
35 mL
A 2% solution contains 2 g per 100 mL, or 0.02 g/mL. To get 0.75 g, divide by the concentration: 0.75 g ÷ 0.02 g/mL = 37.5 mL of stock solution. Accurate volumetric calculations are essential in compounding to ensure the efficacy and safety of antimicrobial preparations. Review compounding principles at .
Which DEA form is used to report a significant theft or loss of controlled substances?
Form 41
Form 510
Form 222
Form 106
DEA Form 106 is specifically used by registrants to report theft or significant loss of controlled substances to the DEA. Form 222 is for ordering Schedule I and II, Form 41 is for disposal, and Form 510 is for retail narcotic manufacturing. Timely reporting on Form 106 is mandatory to maintain legal compliance. See details at .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Perform Accurate Drug Calculations -

    Practice solving dosage and concentration problems with PTCB math practice questions to ensure precision in real exam scenarios.

  2. Differentiate Brand and Generic Names -

    Identify common brand-generic pairs to strengthen recall and improve efficiency when encountering drug names on a free PTCB practice test.

  3. Interpret Pharmacy Regulations -

    Apply federal and state guidelines to sample scenarios, building compliance knowledge essential for the pharmacy technician certification practice test.

  4. Enhance Test-Taking Strategies -

    Develop effective approaches for time management and multiple-choice techniques to boost confidence on PTCB exam questions.

  5. Evaluate Knowledge Gaps -

    Analyze performance feedback to pinpoint study needs and create a personalized review plan before the official PTCB practice exam.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Dimensional Analysis -

    Use step”by”step unit cancellation (the "railroad method") to ensure accurate drug conversions, such as mg to mL or mcg to mg. For example, calculate infusion rates by arranging (desired dose mg × volume mL)/(available dose mg) to solve for mL to administer. This approach is endorsed by ASHP as a reliable method for PTCB practice exam drug calculations.

  2. Ratio and Proportion Method -

    Set up the equation (dose on hand)/(quantity on hand) = (dose desired)/(x quantity) to solve typical dosage problems. For instance, if 250 mg is in 5 mL and 150 mg is needed, then 250/5 = 150/x, giving x = 3 mL. This method is covered in many university pharmacy programs, including UCSF's School of Pharmacy curriculum.

  3. Brand-Generic Equivalency -

    Memorize common pairs with flashcards or the mnemonic "Always Go GENERIC First" to link brand names like Lipitor to atorvastatin and Zoloft to sertraline. The FDA's Orange Book is the authoritative reference for checking therapeutic equivalence. Regular review of these pairs boosts speed on PTCB exam questions.

  4. DEA Controlled Substance Schedules -

    Learn that Schedule II drugs (e.g., morphine, oxycodone) have high abuse potential and strict prescribing rules, while Schedule V drugs (e.g., codeine cough syrup) have lower controls. A helpful mnemonic is "High Two, Low Five." Always verify exact definitions in the DEA's official scheduling guidelines.

  5. Prescription Abbreviations & Sig Codes -

    Master commonly used abbreviations like "BID" for twice daily and "qd" for once daily, while avoiding error”prone terms flagged on The Joint Commission's "Do Not Use" list. For example, always expand "qd" to "once daily" on labels to minimize misinterpretation. Routine use of TJC's updated list reduces risky mistakes in pharmacy technician practice.

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