- Q1. (Domain 1) A patient is allergic to penicillin. Which antibiotic class should be avoided?
Answer: Beta-lactam antibiotics (cephalosporins, carbapenems, monobactams). Rationale: Cross-reactivity between penicillin and other beta-lactams is 1–10%
- Q2. (Domain 4) A prescription reads "Amoxicillin 250 mg PO TID × 7 days." How many capsules will the patient need if dispensed as 250 mg capsules?
Answer: 21 capsules. Rationale: TID = 3 times/day × 7 days = 21 doses; each capsule is 250 mg, no splitting needed
- Q3. (Domain 2) Which DEA schedule is for drugs with accepted medical use and low-to-moderate physical dependence?
Answer: Schedule III. Rationale: DEA Schedules II–V: II = high potential for abuse (oxycodone), III = moderate (codeine/APAP), IV = low (benzodiazepines), V = lowest (cough syrups with codeine)
- Q4. (Domain 3) The "five rights" of medication administration are:
Answer: Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time. Rationale: Five-rights framework
- Q5. (Domain 4) A patient is to receive 1 L of IV fluid over 8 hours. The drop factor is 15 gtt/mL. What is the drip rate in gtt/min?
Answer: 31 gtt/min (rounded from 31.25). Rationale: 1000 mL ÷ 480 min = 2.083 mL/min × 15 gtt/mL = 31.25 gtt/min
- Q6. (Domain 1) Which drug class lowers cholesterol by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase?
Answer: Statins (e.g., atorvastatin, simvastatin). Rationale: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors = statins
- Q7. (Domain 2) HIPAA protects patient health information in which form?
Answer: All forms — paper, electronic, and oral communication. Rationale: HIPAA Privacy Rule
- Q8. (Domain 3) The USP <797> standard governs:
Answer: Compounding of sterile preparations. Rationale: USP <797> = sterile compounding; USP <800> = hazardous-drug handling
- Q9. (Domain 4) Convert 0.5 mg to mcg.
Answer: 500 mcg. Rationale: 1 mg = 1000 mcg; 0.5 mg × 1000 = 500 mcg
- Q10. (Domain 1) The brand name for levothyroxine is:
Answer: Synthroid. Rationale: Generic–brand pairing
- Q11. (Domain 2) A Schedule II controlled substance prescription must be:
Answer: Written or electronic (no refills allowed; no phone or fax except in limited DEA-approved cases). Rationale: DEA Schedule II rules
- Q12. (Domain 3) The "Tall Man Lettering" technique is used to:
Answer: Reduce look-alike/sound-alike medication errors. Rationale: ISMP-recommended error-prevention
- Q13. (Domain 4) A patient weighs 154 lb. What is their weight in kg?
Answer: 70 kg. Rationale: 154 ÷ 2.2 = 70 kg
- Q14. (Domain 1) Which NSAID has the lowest cardiovascular risk?
Answer: Naproxen (compared to diclofenac, ibuprofen, and COX-2 inhibitors, naproxen has the lowest CV risk per AHA guidance). Rationale: Pharmacology
- Q15. (Domain 4) A prescription reads "Cephalexin 500 mg PO BID × 10 days." How many 500-mg capsules are needed?
Answer: 20 capsules. Rationale: BID = 2 × 10 = 20
- Q16. (Domain 3) A "near miss" in pharmacy should be:
Answer: Documented in the pharmacy's error-tracking system and analysed to prevent future errors. Rationale: Patient-safety best practice
- Q17. (Domain 2) An OSHA Hazard Communication Standard label requires:
Answer: Product identifier, signal word, hazard statement, pictogram, precautionary statement, and supplier information. Rationale: GHS-aligned OSHA label
- Q18. (Domain 4) You receive a prescription for "acetaminophen 325 mg, 1–2 tabs PO Q4–6h PRN pain, max 4 g/day." The patient takes 2 tabs every 4 hours while awake. How many tabs do they need for 3 days?
Answer: 36 tabs. Rationale: 2 tabs × 6 doses/day = 12 tabs/day × 3 days = 36 tabs
- Q19. (Domain 1) The therapeutic class of warfarin is:
Answer: Anticoagulant (vitamin K antagonist). Rationale: Pharmacology
- Q20. (Domain 4) The "beyond-use date" for a non-sterile compound is typically:
Answer: No later than the expiration date of any API or 6 months, whichever is earlier (USP <795>). Rationale: USP compounding rules
Eligibility, fees, and 2026 booking
- Q21. (Domain 4) A patient is prescribed 1,000 mg of vancomycin IV in 250 mL of fluid, to be infused over 90 minutes. The drop factor is 20 gtt/mL. What is the drip rate in gtt/min?
Answer: 56 gtt/min (rounded from 55.6). Rationale: 250 mL ÷ 90 min = 2.78 mL/min × 20 gtt/mL = 55.6 → 56 gtt/min
- Q22. (Domain 2) A Class II controlled substance prescription may be refilled:
Answer: Never — Schedule II prescriptions cannot be refilled; a new prescription is required for each fill
- Q23. (Domain 1) Which insulin type has the longest duration of action?
Answer: Long-acting insulin glargine (Lantus) — duration ~24 hours, no peak
- Q24. (Domain 3) The "three checks" of medication verification occur:
Answer: When pulling the medication from stock, when preparing it, and at the point of administration/handoff
- Q25. (Domain 4) Convert 250 mL to fluid ounces (1 fl oz ≈ 29.57 mL).
Answer: 8.45 fl oz.
Rationale: 250 ÷ 29.57 = 8.45 fl oz.
PTCB study plan: 4-week prep schedule
- Week 1: Foundations. Read the official PTCB Candidate Handbook cover-to-cover; review the four content domains and sub-topics.
- Week 2: Calculations. Practice ratios, proportions, IV drip rates, and conversions daily; PTCB exams typically include 10–15 calculation questions.
- Week 3: Pharmacology + Federal Requirements. Master the top 200 brand/generic pairings, DEA schedules, and USP <797> / <800>.
- Week 4: Mock exams + review. Take three full-length PTCB practice exams under timed conditions; review every wrong answer; re-read the relevant handbook section.
8-week prep plan
A proven cadence that scales to any starting level — adjust hours, not the sequence:
- Weeks 1–2 — Diagnostic + base content. Take a full-length timed diagnostic. Score it. Identify the bottom-three sections. Spend 6–8 hours/week on foundational topics (formulas/grammar/reading pacing). Free official practice tests are the best starting material.
- Weeks 3–4 — Skill building. Switch to a structured book or course. Daily practice questions with active review (re-visit every missed question the next day). Add a weekly timed section. Hours: 8–10/week.
- Weeks 5–6 — Full practice tests. One full timed test per weekend + a 60-minute review session analyzing every wrong answer. Mid-week: timed sections only on the weak sections. Hours: 10–12/week.
- Weeks 7–8 — Sim + taper. Two full timed tests per week under strict test-day conditions (same start time, same breaks, same allowed items). Light review the final 48 hours. Hours: drop to 6 hours the final week.
Free resources: Official test-body practice tests (highest fidelity). Khan Academy (for SAT digital). Test-maker mobile apps for on-the-go drills.
Paid resources: Use a single recent-edition prep book from a major publisher. Avoid courses older than 2 years; test format changes.
What to do next
- Bookmark the official test-body calendar page; dates + registration windows post 12+ months out.
- Pull together your testing-day ID and approved calculator (if applicable) the week before.
- Reach for the prep book that matches your weakest section; don't try to read every book.
- Book your seat at the first sitting that fits — early dates give you a retake cushion if needed.
Frequently asked questions — see top of page
The 7 FAQs cover the pass mark, the eligibility requirements, retakes, recertification, the difference between PTCB CPhT and NHA ExCPT, study material, and what to bring on exam day.
Resources and next steps
For official study material, download the PTCB Candidate Handbook from ptcb.org (free PDF) and the ASHP "Manual for Pharmacy Technicians". The Mosby's Review for the PTCB exam is the most popular paid study guide. Pair with this guide's 20 questions for a 4-week study plan.
Photo: Brandon Torres, Public Domain (NASA), via NASA Image and Video Library (https://images.nasa.gov/details/ACD26-0007-010)
Fazlur Rahman
