Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Practice Questions
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Question 1 of 5.
The pharmacy technician receives the following prescription for amoxicillin suspension for a pediatric patient: Give 375 mg amoxicillin suspension b.i.d. × 10 days The pharmacy stocks amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL suspension. How many mL should the technician calculate for a single dose?
A. 5
B. 7.5
C. 10
D. 15
Explanation: To administer 375 mg of amoxicillin using a 250 mg/5 mL suspension, the technician must dispense 7.5 mL per dose. This ensures the correct dose is given to the patient.
Question 2 of 5.
Fentanyl is considered a high-alert medication in acute care settings because it is a(n):
A. Adrenergic agonist
B. Insulin
C. Neuromuscular blocker
D. Opioid
Explanation: Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid analgesic that is used for pain management, especially in acute and critical care settings. It carries a high risk of causing significant patient harm if used in error due to its potency and potential for respiratory depression. That’s why it is classified as a high-alert medication. It is not an adrenergic agonist, insulin, or neuromuscular blocker.
Question 3 of 5.
Which of the following antibiotics can be safely used by a patient who is allergic to macrolides?
A. Clindamycin
B. Erythromycin
C. Azithromycin
D. Clarithromycin
Explanation: Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic, not a macrolide. Therefore, it can be a safe alternative for patients who are allergic to macrolides. Erythromycin, Azithromycin, and Clarithromycin are all macrolide antibiotics and should be avoided in patients with known macrolide allergies.
Question 4 of 5.
Given the following prescription: Lactulose 10 g/15 mL 15 mL PO t.i.d. for 10 days How many tablespoonfuls should be taken at each dose?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Explanation: 1 tablespoonful (tbsp) is equal to 15 mL. Since the prescription says 15 mL per dose, this equals 1 tablespoonful per dose. Thus, the patient should take 1 tablespoonful three times a day (t.i.d.).
Question 5 of 5.
Patients should avoid grapefruit juice while taking:
A. Simvastatin
B. Ibuprofen
C. Lisinopril
D. Doxycycline
Explanation: Grapefruit juice can inhibit the enzyme CYP3A4 in the liver and intestines, which is responsible for metabolizing simvastatin. This can lead to increased levels of simvastatin in the blood, raising the risk of serious side effects like muscle toxicity (myopathy or rhabdomyolysis). Ibuprofen, lisinopril, and doxycycline are not significantly affected by grapefruit juice.