Pharm Tech Career & PTCE
How many total questions are on the PTCE?
a) 70
b) 80
c) 90
d) 100
c) 90
(10 are unscored)
According to the required reading, what is a convention that makes verbal communication more productive?
a) Being clear about your intended message with unfamiliar people
b) Using slang and jargon to show you are knowledgeable
c) Using nonstandard speech to be more relatable
d) Speaking with everyone using the same style of communication
a) Being clear about your intended message with unfamiliar people
When responding to an emotional or upsetting email, you should do this initially...
a) Forward the email to superiors
b) Reply immediately
c) Seek advice from colleagues
d) Wait before replying
d) Wait before replying
A patient states they sometimes skip doses because they cannot afford to refill their prescription on time. Which factor is impacting their therapy?
a) Socioeconomic status
b) Cultural beliefs
c) Language barriers
d) Health literacy
a) Socioeconomic status
A patient seems shy and does not make eye contact. What is the most appropriate initial greeting?
a) A warm smiling hello and a friendly "how may I help you"
b) A simple nod to acknowledge their presence
c) "You'll have to speak up so I can help you"
d) A brief "hello" from behind the counter without making eye contact
a) A warm smiling hello and a friendly "how may I help you"
A key responsibility for a pharmacy technician is to work under the supervision of which professional?
a) A licensed pharmacist
b) A lead pharmacy technician
c) A hospital adminstrator
d) A medical doctor
a) A licensed pharmacist
In written communication, what is the main advantage of being brief and concise?
a) It makes the note easier to understand quickly
b) It allows for the use of more abbreviations
c) It reduces the chance of spelling errors
d) It shows more respect for the reader's time
a) It makes the note easier to understand quickly
Which behavior is a key component of maintaining a professional attitude at the pharmacy counter?
a) Eliminating distractions when speaking with a patient
b) Standing with crossed arms to appear thoughtful
c) Sharing personal stories to build better rapport
d) Using complex medical terms to show expertise
a) Eliminating distractions when speaking with a patient
The "teach-back" method is a communication strategy primarily designed to overcome which patient-specific barrier?
a) Limited health literacy
b) Hearing impairments
c) Financial limitations
d) Cultural views on medicine
a) Limited health literacy
What is the second step of the LAST method for resolving an issue with an angry patient?
a) Listen to the patient's side of the issue
b) Solve the problem by offering a quick resolution
c) Acknowledge the patient's feelings and frustration
d) Thank the patient for bringing the issue to you
c) Acknowledge the patient's feelings and frustration
For CPhT recertification, at least one CE hour must cover Patient Safety and one must cover which additional topic?
a) Pharmacy law
b) Aseptic compounding
c) Inventory control
d) Billing software updates
a) Pharmacy law
A technician is explaining a new prescription to a patient. Paying attention to pace, tone, and volume are all components of which skill?
a) Clarity in verbal communication
b) Active and engaged listening
c) Accurate written documentation
d) Nonverbal body language
a) Clarity in verbal communication
A technician's body language should support their spoken words. Which of the following is an example of contradictory communication?
a) Nodding while a patient explains their concern
b) Maintaining an erect posture while speaking
c) Using appropriate facial expressions when listening
d) Saying "I'm happy to help" while avoiding eye contact
d) Saying "I'm happy to help" while avoiding eye contact
A patient from an Asian culture that prioritizes herbal remedies is prescribed a new medication. How might this cultural belief impact their drug therapy?
a) They may take the prescription medication and an herbal remedy
b) They will likely refuse to fill the prescription at the pharmacy
c) They will ask the pharmacist to adjust the dose of the herb
d) They will stop using all herbal remedies while on the medication
a) They may take the prescription medication and an herbal remedy
During the brainstorming phase of problem solving, what is the most important guideline for the team to follow?
a) Select ideas based on feasibility now
b) Identify the individual at the root of the problem
c) Generate many ideas without premature judgement
d) Prefer solutions that were used previously
c) Generate many ideas without premature judgement
What is the passing score out of 1600 on the PTCE?
a) 1200
b) 1300
c) 1400
d) 1500
c) 1400
According to the required reading, which of the following is a key advantage of written communication?
a) It provides a record of what has transpired
b) It allows for immediate interchange and clarification
c) It is the most expeditious means of communicating
d) It allows a person to use nonverbal cues as well as words
a) It provides a record of what has transpired
A pharmacy technician is heard gossipping about a patient's newly prescribed medication in the staff breakroom. Which principle of ethics does this most directly violate?
a) Justice
b) Non-maleficence
c) Autonomy
d) Beneficence
b) Non-maleficence
A patient who is a Jehovah's Witness is scheduled for surgery. Their religious belief against accepting blood products will most directly impact...
a) The hospital's policy on allowing chaplains to visit patients
b) The patient's ability to provide informed consent for the surgery
c) The medical team's plan for managing potential blood loss
d) The type of sutures that can be used to close the incision
c) The medical team's plan for managing potential blood loss
According to the Eisenhower Matrix, how should a task that is important but not urgent be handled?
a) Eliminate it from the workflow
b) Delegate it to another team member
c) Complete it as soon as possible
d) Plan for it to be completed later
d) Plan for it to be completed later
Which of these is out of the scope of a pharmacy technician?
a) Printing prescription labels for medication bottles
b) Preparing IV medications
c) Providing clinical guidance to patients
d) Dispensing medications to patients in a retail setting
c) Providing clinical guidance to patients
A patient who has developed a significant hearing impairment and communicates primarily through writing. How does this disability impact the counseling process?
a) The pharmacist should write information in standard English
b) The pharmacist should use a family member to interpret
c) The pharmacist must use a telecommunications device for the deaf
d) The pharmacist should use pictures instead of writing words
a) The pharmacist should write information in standard English
You notice that in a busy pharmacy, some technicians occasionally skip verifying patient identity before dispensing. Although no errors have yet occured, it worries you. What should you do?
a) Remind them about the verification process and explain why it prevents errors
b) Defer this issue to the pharmacist, it is beyond the scope of the pharmacy technician
c) Document everything in notes to ensure an audit trail is present if the issue is escalated
d) Stay alert for errors and report the issue immediately if an event is discovered.
a) Remind them about the verification process and explain why it prevents errors
The most effective way to determine how an individual patient wishes to be accommodated regarding their cultural practices is to do what?
a) Observe how the patient interacts with other family members
b) Read a cultura reference book about the patient's ethnicity
c) Follow the traditions of the culture they appear to be from
d) Ask the patient directly how they want to be treated
d) Ask the patient directly how they want to be treated
How is empathy defined in the context of professional communication?
a) Understanding emotions without experiencing them
b) The experience of feeling similar emotions
c) Actively seeking to ease the pain of another
d) Motivating people to proceed despite setbacks
a) Understanding emotions without experiencing them