PTCB Practice Test on Medication 2024 [UPDATED]

Last Updated on June 15, 2024

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board PTCB Practice Test on Medication for Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). Preparing for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam can be challenging, but with the right tools, you can confidently pass the test and advance your career.

Our PTCB Practice Test on Medication is designed to help you master the critical knowledge areas required for the exam, focusing on medications, their uses, classifications, interactions, and side effects.

Table of Contents

PTCB Practice Test on Medication 2024 [UPDATED]

1. What is the primary mechanism of action of Rosuvastatin (Crestor)?

(A) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
(B) DPP-4 inhibitor
(C) HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor
(D) Serotonin receptor agonist
Answer: (C) HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor

2. Sertraline (Zoloft) belongs to which class of drugs?

(A) Antidiabetic
(B) Antihyperlipidemic
(C) Alpha blocker
(D) Antidepressant—Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
Answer: (D) Antidepressant—Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)

3. Which drug is used primarily to manage overactive bladder?

(A) Simvastatin (Zocor)
(B) Solifenacin (Vesicare)
(C) Spironolactone (Aldactone)
(D) Sitagliptin (Januvia)
Answer: (B) Solifenacin (Vesicare)

4. What is the main therapeutic use of Sitagliptin (Januvia)?

(A) Antihypertensive
(B) Antidepressant
(C) Antidiabetic
(D) Antimicrobial
Answer: (C) Antidiabetic

5. Which of the following is a combination antimicrobial agent?

(A) Sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim (Bactrim)
(B) Tamsulosin (Flomax)
(C) Timolol (Timoptic)
(D) Tizanidine (Zanaflex)
Answer: (A) Sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim (Bactrim)

6. Which medication is used as a serotonin receptor agonist?

(A) Tamsulosin (Flomax)
(B) Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
(C) Temazepam (Restoril)
(D) Thyroid (desiccated) (Armour Thyroid)
Answer: (B) Sumatriptan (Imitrex)

7. What is Spironolactone (Aldactone) primarily used for?

(A) As a muscle relaxant
(B) As a potassium-sparing diuretic
(C) As a narcotic analgesic
(D) As a bronchodilator
Answer: (B) As a potassium-sparing diuretic

8. Which drug is classified as an alpha blocker?

(A) Verapamil (Calan)
(B) Tamsulosin (Flomax)
(C) Tramadol (Ultram)
(D) Triamcinolone (Aristocort)
Answer: (B) Tamsulosin (Flomax)

9. Temazepam (Restoril) is primarily used as a:

(A) Bronchodilator
(B) Benzodiazepine
(C) Anticonvulsant
(D) Corticosteroid
Answer: (B) Benzodiazepine

10. Which medication is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor?

(A) Zolpidem (Ambien)
(B) Simvastatin (Zocor)
(C) Triamterene with hydrochlorothiazide (Maxzide)
(D) Topiramate (Topamax)
Answer: (B) Simvastatin (Zocor)

11. Which of the following drugs is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)?

(A) Venlafaxine (Effexor)
(B) Sertraline (Zoloft)
(C) Verapamil (Calan)
(D) Warfarin (Coumadin)
Answer: (B) Sertraline (Zoloft)

12. What is the primary use of Sumatriptan (Imitrex)?

(A) Antidepressant
(B) Anticonvulsant
(C) Serotonin receptor agonist
(D) Antihypertensive
Answer: (C) Serotonin receptor agonist

13. Which of the following is used to treat overactive bladder?

(A) Solifenacin (Vesicare)
(B) Sitagliptin (Januvia)
(C) Spironolactone (Aldactone)
(D) Simvastatin (Zocor)
Answer: (A) Solifenacin (Vesicare)

14. Which drug is a DPP-4 inhibitor?

(A) Spironolactone (Aldactone)
(B) Sitagliptin (Januvia)
(C) Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
(D) Tamsulosin (Flomax)
Answer: (B) Sitagliptin (Januvia)

15. What is the brand name of Tamsulosin?

(A) Flomax
(B) Zoloft
(C) Imitrex
(D) Restoril
Answer: (A) Flomax

16. Which drug is classified as a diuretic—combination agent?

(A) Triamterene with hydrochlorothiazide (Maxzide)
(B) Triamcinolone (Aristocort)
(C) Tizanidine (Zanaflex)
(D) Topiramate (Topamax)
Answer: (A) Triamterene with hydrochlorothiazide (Maxzide)

17. What class of drug is Timolol (Timoptic)?

(A) Bronchodilator
(B) Ophthalmic beta blocker
(C) Anticonvulsant
(D) Hypnotic
Answer: (B) Ophthalmic beta blocker

18. Which of the following is an antiviral medication?

(A) Valsartan (Diovan)
(B) Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
(C) Venlafaxine (Effexor)
(D) Verapamil (Calan)
Answer: (B) Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

19. Which medication is an antihypertensive—calcium channel blocker?

(A) Warfarin (Coumadin)
(B) Zolpidem (Ambien)
(C) Verapamil (Calan)
(D) Valsartan (Diovan)
Answer: (C) Verapamil (Calan)

20. Which of the following drugs is used as a muscle relaxant?

(A) Tizanidine (Zanaflex)
(B) Tramadol (Ultram)
(C) Triamcinolone (Aristocort)
(D) Topiramate (Topamax)
Answer: (A) Tizanidine (Zanaflex)

21. Which of the following is an anticonvulsant?

A. Cyanocobalamin
B. Cephalexin
C. Zolpidem
D. Carbamazepine
Answer: (D) Carbamazepine
Explanation: Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant used to treat epilepsy and neuropathic pain.

22. The FDA publishes therapeutic equivalence in which reference?

A. Trissel’s Handbook of Injectable Drugs
B. The Orange Book
C. PDR (Physicians’ Desk Reference)
D. Lexicomp
Answer: (B) The Orange Book
Explanation: The Orange Book, or Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations, is used to identify drug products approved on the basis of safety and effectiveness by the FDA.

23. The effect antibiotics have on a patient’s INR would be considered which type of reaction?

A. Drug-supplement
B. Drug-nutrient
C. Drug-laboratory
D. Drug-drug (synergism)
Answer: (C) Drug-laboratory
Explanation: Antibiotics can affect INR (International Normalized Ratio), which is a laboratory test for blood coagulation.

24. Which liquid dosage form is used to wash wounds, the bladder, or the eyes?

A. Enema
B. Suspension
C. Irrigation
D. Elixir
Answer: (C) Irrigation
Explanation: Irrigations are solutions used to cleanse or flush body cavities, wounds, or the eyes.

25. While taking which drug should a patient avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight?

A. Canagliflozin
B. Fenofibrate
C. Levothyroxine
D. Doxycycline
Answer: (D) Doxycycline
Explanation: Doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, can cause photosensitivity, making the skin more susceptible to sunburn.

26. Feverfew is used for the treatment and prevention of:

A. menopausal symptoms.
B. migraine.
C. anxiety.
D. arthritis.
Answer: (B) migraine
Explanation: Feverfew is a herbal supplement commonly used for the prevention and treatment of migraines.

27. Which of the following contains a preservative to help prevent the growth of a microbial?

A. SDV
B. sublingual tablet
C. oral antibiotic suspension
D. MDV
Answer: (D) MDV
Explanation: Multi-Dose Vials (MDVs) contain preservatives to prevent microbial growth, allowing them to be used multiple times.

28. Which class of medications often has a narrow therapeutic index (NTI)?

A. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
B. Anticonvulsant
C. Antibiotic—Penicillin
D. ACE inhibitors
Answer: (B) Anticonvulsant
Explanation: Many anticonvulsants have a narrow therapeutic index, meaning the range between therapeutic and toxic doses is small.

29. If two drugs are mixed together and there is a change in color, this would be a:

A. physical incompatibility.
B. precipitation.
C. chemical incompatibility
D. decomposition.
Answer: (A) physical incompatibility.

30. A drug that should be kept refrigerated should be stored at:

A. –25°C to –10°C.
B. 46°F to 59°F.
C. –13°F to 14°F.
D. 2°C to 8°C.
Answer: (D) 2°C to 8°C
Explanation: The standard refrigeration temperature for storing drugs is 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).

31. Which of the following medications is a beta blocker used for the treatment of hypertension?

(A) candesartan
(B) diltiazem
(C) lisinopril
(D) metoprolol
Answer: (D) metoprolol
Explanation: Metoprolol is a beta blocker commonly used to treat hypertension.

32. Azithromycin is classified as a bacteriostatic anti-infective agent. Which of the following drugs also has bacteriostatic properties?

(A) cephalexin
(B) erythromycin
(C) levofloxacin
(D) penicillin
Answer: (B) erythromycin
Explanation: Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic with bacteriostatic properties, similar to azithromycin.

33. Medications ending in the USAN approved suffix “-afil” are used to treat:

(A) gout
(B) hyperlipidemia
(C) impotence
(D) osteoporosis
Answer: (C) impotence
Explanation: The suffix “-afil” is commonly used for medications that treat erectile dysfunction (impotence), such as sildenafil and tadalafil.

34. A suppository is a solid formulation used for what type of administration?

(A) intravenous
(B) oral
(C) rectal
(D) topical
Answer: (C) rectal
Explanation: Suppositories are solid formulations designed for rectal administration.

35. A branch of pharmacology that refers to the biological and physical effects of the drug on the body is referred to as:

(A) pharmacodynamics
(B) pharmacokinetics
(C) pharmacotherapeutics
(D) pharmacophysiology
Answer: (A) pharmacodynamics
Explanation: Pharmacodynamics studies the effects of drugs on the body, including mechanisms of action and the relationship between drug concentration and effect.

36. Which of the following medications does NOT have a formulation that is available over-the-counter?

(A) acyclovir
(B) fluticasone
(C) loperamide
(D) omeprazole
Answer: (A) acyclovir
Explanation: Acyclovir, an antiviral medication, is available by prescription only, whereas fluticasone, loperamide, and omeprazole have over-the-counter formulations.

37. The Controlled Substances Act places medications into one of five schedules based on the drug’s medical use, abuse potential, and likelihood to cause dependence. Which of the following medications is classified as a controlled substance under this federal act?

(A) omeprazole
(B) ondansetron
(C) oxazepam
(D) oxybutynin
Answer: (C) oxazepam
Explanation: Oxazepam, a benzodiazepine, is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance due to its potential for abuse and dependence.

38. Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria associated with the formation and/or exacerbation of which of the following disease states?

(A) acne vulgaris
(B) peptic ulcer disease
(C) oral thrush
(D) otitis media
Answer: (B) peptic ulcer disease
Explanation: Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that is commonly associated with peptic ulcer disease and can exacerbate the condition.

39. Which of the following medications is indicated in the treatment of epilepsy?

(A) lansoprazole
(B) levetiracetam
(C) levofloxacin
(D) lovastatin
Answer: (B) levetiracetam
Explanation: Levetiracetam is an anticonvulsant medication used in the treatment of epilepsy.

40. Oral antibiotics used in the treatment of otitis media often have a duration of therapy lasting no more than:

(A) 30
(B) 21
(C) 15
(D) 10
Answer: (D) 10
Explanation: The typical duration of antibiotic therapy for otitis media is usually no more than 10 days.

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