Here is our 2nd free PTCB practice test series. It features challenging questions that mirror the real PTCE. Practicing these questions is an effective way to review key concepts, and detailed explanations are provided for every answer to help you learn and improve.
PTCB Practice Test 2
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Question 1 |
A physician prescribes 0.6 mg of digoxin daily. The pharmacy stocks 0.125 mg tablets. How many tablets should the patient take every other day to maintain the same average dose over a week?
2 tablets | |
3 tablets | |
4 tablets | |
5 tablets |
Question 1 Explanation:
Daily dose = 0.6 mg. Tablet = 0.125 mg → 0.6 ÷ 0.125 = 4.8 ≈ 5 tablets/day. Every other day means total weekly dose = 0.6 × 7 = 4.2 mg. Every other day dosing requires 4.2 ÷ 3.5 doses = 1.2 mg/day → 1.2 ÷ 0.125 ≈ 9.6 tablets every other day. Rounding logically in practice, the patient takes 3 tablets per every other day schedule (technical, tricky calculation).
Question 2 |
A prescription reads: “Morphine sulfate 60 mg SC q4h PRN for severe pain.” The patient’s current dosage is 45 mg SC q6h. What is the percentage increase in total daily morphine?
75% | |
50% | |
33% | |
25% |
Question 2 Explanation:
Current total daily dose = 45 mg × 4 doses/day (24 ÷ 6h) = 180 mg/day
New total daily dose = 60 mg × 6 doses/day (24 ÷ 4h) = 360 mg/day
Increase = 360 – 270 = 120 mg → % increase = 120 ÷ 360 ≈ 33%.
Question 3 |
A compounded solution requires 15% w/v of sodium chloride in 500 mL. How many grams of NaCl are needed?
50 g | |
75 g | |
25 g | |
15 g |
Question 3 Explanation:
w/v % = grams/100 mL.
15% → 15 g/100 mL → for 500 mL: 15 × 5 = 75 g NaCl.
Question 4 |
Which schedule contains a drug with high abuse potential but accepted medical use, requiring a written prescription with no refills?
Schedule I | |
Schedule II | |
Schedule III | |
Schedule IV |
Question 4 Explanation:
Schedule II drugs (e.g., morphine, oxycodone) have high abuse potential, accepted medical use, and no refills allowed without a new prescription.
Question 5 |
A technician notices the stock bottle labeled “Furosemide 20 mg/mL, dispense 0.75 mg/kg IV daily.” Patient weighs 70 kg. How many mL should be administered?
1.5 mL | |
2.0 mL | |
2.625 mL | |
3.0 mL |
Question 5 Explanation:
Dose = 0.75 mg × 70 kg = 52.5 mg
Concentration = 20 mg/mL → 52.5 ÷ 20 = 2.625 mL
Question 6 |
A prescription states: “Phenobarbital 60 mg TID × 14 days.” You only have 15 mg capsules. How many capsules total should be dispensed?
180 | |
126 | |
140 | |
168 |
Question 6 Explanation:
Daily dose = 60 × 3 = 180 mg/day
Capsule = 15 mg → 180 ÷ 15 = 12 capsules/day
14 days → 12 × 14 = 168 capsules
Question 7 |
Which of the following technician actions violates federal law under the Controlled Substances Act?
Counting Schedule II tablets for the pharmacist to dispense | |
Reconstituting a controlled liquid medication | |
Faxing a Schedule II prescription to a pharmacy | |
Receiving verbal refill authorization for a Schedule III drug |
Question 7 Explanation:
Technicians cannot authorize refills. Schedule III can only be refilled if authorized by the prescriber, but verbal approval must go to the pharmacist, not the technician.
Question 8 |
During sterile compounding, which action is most likely to compromise USP <797> compliance?
Donning sterile gloves after handwashing | |
Working inside a certified laminar airflow hood with the sash down | |
Placing supplies in front of the airflow path | |
Using alcohol to disinfect vials |
Question 8 Explanation:
Blocking laminar flow can introduce contamination, which is strictly prohibited under USP <797>. Proper placement preserves sterility.
Question 9 |
A prescription reads: “Warfarin 2 mg PO daily × 30 days.” The patient also takes amiodarone. Which action should you take first?
Dispense as usual | |
Verify with the pharmacist | |
Reduce warfarin dose to 1 mg | |
Call the prescriber to change amiodarone |
Question 9 Explanation:
Warfarin + amiodarone = drug interaction risk (increased bleeding). Technician must notify pharmacist before dispensing.
Question 10 |
A patient is prescribed vancomycin 1 g IV q12h. The vial contains 500 mg/10 mL. How many mL per dose?
25 mL | |
15 mL | |
20 mL | |
10 mL |
Question 10 Explanation:
Required dose = 1000 mg, concentration = 500 mg/10 mL → 2 × 10 mL = 20 mL per dose.
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