Dosage Forms
Which of the following enteral administration routes offers the benefit of partially bypassing the first-pass effect, but to a lesser extent than the sublingual route?
a) Intramuscular
b) Rectal
c) Oral
d) Buccal
b) Rectal
If a pharmacy uses a computer system that generates an expired drugs list, what is the technician's primary responsiblity with that list?
a) To physically locate and pull the listed products from the shelves.
b) To contact each patient who received one of the medications.
c) To re-order all the medications that are on the list.
d) To change the expiration dates in the computer system.
a) To physically locate and pull the listed products from the shelves.
Which of the following describes the approved medical uses of a medication, a key competency area for the PTCE?
a) Contraindications
b) Side Effects
c) Indications
d) Dosage Forms
c) Indications
What is the typical market effect when multiple generic versions of a single brand-name drug are approved?
a) It causes the brand-name drug to be withdrawn
b) It creates competition resulting in lower prices
c) It leads to an increase in manufacturing errors
d) It requires new safety trials for all versions
b) It creates competition resulting in lower prices
What is a key feature of a transdermal patch?
a) It is inserted into a body cavity
b) It dissolves quickly in the mouth
c) It provides a steady release of medication
d) It requires reconstitution with water
c) It provides a steady release of medication
According to typical guidelines, what is the appropriate temperature range for storing an unopened vial of insulin?
a) 2°C to 8°C
b) 20°C to 25°C
c) -25°C to -10°C
d) 30°C to 40°C
a) 2°C to 8°C
What factor can prohibit a company from marketing a generic version of a drug?
a) The complexity of the drug's chemical formula.
b) The cost of the active ingredient.
c) The number of patients who use the drug.
d) Patents on the brand-name drug.
d) Patents on the brand-name drug.
Which pair represents pharmaceutical equivalents under FDA definitions?
a) Metoprolol tartrate 50 mg tablets and metoprolol succinate ER 50 mg tablets
b) Levothyroxine sodium 50 mcg tablets from two different manufacturers
c) Doxycycline hyclate 100 mg capsules and doxycycline monohydrate 100 mg tablets
d) Venlafaxine IR 75 mg tablets and venlafaxine XR 75 mg capsules
b) Levothyroxine sodium 50 mcg tablets from two different manufacturers
A prescriber wants to use a topical preparation that is fat-based and will not wash off easily with water. Which dosage form has this characteristic?
a) Cream
b) Lotion
c) Solution
d) Ointment
d) Ointment
A pharmacy's refrigerator fails overnight. A technician arrives in the morning and finds the internal temperature is 15 °C. Which action demonstrates the highest level of professional responsibility and patient safety?
a) Documenting the damage of expensive medications to minimize financial loss.
b) Quarantining all medications from the unit and immediately notifying the pharmacist.
c) Checking each package for visible signs of damage before putting them back.
d) Waiting to see if the temperature returns to normal before taking any action.
b) Quarantining all medications from the unit and immediately notifying the pharmacist.
A patient has a prescription for a solid oral dosage form that is a compressed powder. Which dosage form best describes this medication?
a) Pill
b) Capsule
c) Suppository
d) Tablet
d) Tablet
How does therapeutic interchange differ from generic interchange?
a) The active ingredients are different
b) It requires a pharmacist's approval
c) It is limited to hospitals
d) The dosage form is irrelevant
a) The active ingredients are different
Why must a user inhale forcefully and deeply when using a dry powder inhaler (DPI)?
a) To ensure the medication powder is dispersed.
b) To break the capsule containing the medication.
c) To coordinate the dose with canister actuation.
d) To prevent the medication from sticking inside.
a) To ensure the medication powder is dispersed.
What is the correct temperature range, in Celsius, for a pharmaceutical product that must be stored in a freezer according to USP standards?
a) -25°C to -10°C
b) 0°C to 2°C
c) 2°C to 8°C
d) -10°C to 0°C
a) -25°C to -10°C
When is it required for a pharmacy technician to put the manufacturer's original expiration date on a patient's prescription label?
a) When the manufacturer's date is less than one year away.
b) Whenever the patient requests it for their records.
c) When the medication is a refrigerated product.
d) For all controlled substance prescriptions.
a) When the manufacturer's date is less than one year away.
Switching from Lipitor® to its generic, atorvastatin, is considered a
a) Generic interchange
b) Formulary-driven substitution
c) Brand-to-brand switch
d) Therapeutic interchange
d) Patents on the brand-name drug.
A new biologic medication, which is a large protein molecule, needs to be self-administered by a patient. The medication is known to be completely degraded by pancreatic enzymes if taken orally. Which of the following dosage forms and routes is most appropriate for this medication?
a) An enteric-coated tablet for oral administration
b) A powder for inhalation using a dry powder inhaler
c) A solution for subcutaneous injection using an auto-injector pen
d) A cream for transdermal application
c) A solution for subcutaneous injection using an auto-injector pen
Which environmental factor can cause degradation of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and certain antibiotic solutions?
a) Extreme cold
b) Low humidity
c) Dim, indirect lighting
d) Exposure to air/oxygen
d) Exposure to air/oxygen
A drug is stable for 3 years when stored at controlled room temperature (20-25°C). The pharmacy's storage room temperature log shows frequent spikes up to 28°C. What is the most likely consequence for this drug?
a) The drug's actual shelf-life may be shorter than 3 years.
b) The drug will now require refrigeration to remain stable.
c) The drug will be safe to use as long as it is dispensed within a year.
d) The manufacturer must be notified to issue a new expiration date.
a) The drug's actual shelf-life may be shorter than 3 years.
Besides having an identical dosage form, what other factor must be the same for therapeutic equivalence?
a) Time of administration
b) Palatability
c) Duration of therapy
d) Route of administration
d) Route of administration