Overview
This lecture provides a comprehensive PTCB pharmacy technician certification exam practice test, covering pharmacology, calculations, federal law, compounding, and pharmacy operations with detailed answer explanations.
Drug Classifications & Examples
- Citalopram is an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) antidepressant.
- Beta blockers (suffix -olol) treat hypertension/arrhythmias (e.g., metoprolol).
- ACE inhibitors (suffix -pril) treat hypertension/heart failure (e.g., enalapril).
- ARBs (suffix -sartan) also treat hypertension (e.g., losartan).
- Antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine) manage allergy symptoms.
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI, suffix -prazole) reduce stomach acid (e.g., omeprazole).
Calculations & Conversions
- 1 oz = 30 mL; 5 oz = 150 mL.
- 1 gram = 1,000 mg; 1 grain (gr) = 64.8 mg.
- Convert lbs to kg: 1 kg = 2.2 lbs.
- Calculate doses: Use equivalent fractions, cross-multiplication, and correct units.
- Flow rates: Drops/min = (total drops) / (total minutes).
Controlled Substances & Law
- Schedule II drugs (e.g., Norco, Adderall) have no refills; Schedules III-V allow 5 refills/6 months.
- DEA Form 222 orders C-II drugs; Form 41 for destruction; Form 106 for theft/loss.
- NDC: first segment = manufacturer, middle = product/strength, last = package size.
- OBRA requires counseling offers; HIPAA protects patient info; FDCA governs drug safety.
Compounding & Dosage Forms
- Suspension: undissolved particles in liquid—needs shaking.
- Solutions: dissolved drug in liquid.
- Allegation methods (ratio or tic-tac-toe) used to mix concentrations.
- Use syringes closest but above the required volume for accuracy.
Pharmacy Operations & Patient Safety
- Match NDC of prescription and bottle to avoid errors.
- Use Tallman lettering for look-alike/sound-alike drugs.
- PPE (gloves, etc.) for compounding; laminar flow hood work 6 inches inside, clean side-to-side.
Sig Codes & Prescription Processing
- Common sigs: q8h (every 8 hours), tid (three times daily), ac (before meals), prn (as needed), hs (at bedtime).
- Only pharmacists may answer clinical questions or counsel on medication.
Medication Storage & Administration
- Controlled room temp: 20-25°C (68-77°F); refrigeration: 2-8°C (36-46°F).
- Administration routes: buccal (cheek), sublingual (under tongue), IM (intramuscular), IV (intravenous).
Drug Recalls & Resources
- Class I recall: risk of serious harm; Class III: unlikely to cause harm.
- Orange Book: therapeutic equivalence info; Purple Book: biologics/biosimilars.
Key Terms & Definitions
- SSRI — Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, class of antidepressants.
- PPI — Proton Pump Inhibitor, reduces stomach acid.
- DEA Schedule II — High-abuse drugs, no refills allowed.
- NDC — National Drug Code, unique 10-digit identifier for drug products.
- OBRA — Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, mandates patient counseling.
- Aseptic Technique — Procedures to prevent contamination during drug preparation.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review key drug classes and suffixes.
- Practice pharmacy math, including allegations and dosage calculations.
- Study federal laws affecting pharmacy practice.
- Memorize common sig codes and medication safety strategies.