PTCE Practice Questions
Prepare for PTCE with more than an answer.
- Exam fee
- $129 USD
- Level
- Entry-Level Professional
- Valid for
- 2 years
Domains covered on the exam 4
- Medications35%
- Federal Requirements18.75%
- Patient Safety and Quality Assurance23.75%
- Order Entry and Processing22.5%
- 1
An IV order requires 1000 mL of normal saline to be infused over 8 hours. The IV administration set delivers 15 gtt/mL. What is the correct flow rate in drops per minute (gtt/min)?
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Correct answer: B
The formula for IV flow rate is: (Total Volume in mL * Drop Factor in gtt/mL) / (Total Time in minutes) = Flow Rate in gtt/min.
- Calculate total time in minutes: 8 hours * 60 minutes/hour = 480 minutes.
- Plug values into the formula: (1000 mL * 15 gtt/mL) / 480 min
- Solve: 15000 gtt / 480 min = 31.25 gtt/min.
- Round to the nearest whole number: 31 gtt/min.
- 2
A technician sees a prescription for spironolactone for a patient with a diagnosis of 'ascites secondary to hepatic cirrhosis'. Understanding this medical terminology helps the technician recognize that the medication is being used for what primary purpose in this patient?
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Correct answer: B
'Ascites' is the medical term for the abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen. 'Hepatic cirrhosis' refers to scarring of the liver. In patients with cirrhosis, the liver damage can lead to ascites. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic used to help the body eliminate this excess fluid. Understanding this terminology provides context for the prescription and reinforces the medication's intended use.
- 3
A patient is using an insulin glargine (Lantus) SoloStar pen. The prescription is for 20 units subcutaneously every evening. The pen contains 3 mL of insulin at a concentration of 100 units/mL. How many days will one pen last?
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Correct answer: B
First, calculate the total number of units in the pen:
Total Units = Volume (mL) * Concentration (units/mL)
Total Units = 3 mL * 100 units/mL = 300 unitsNext, calculate the days supply:
Days Supply = Total Units / Daily Dose (units/day)
Days Supply = 300 units / 20 units/day = 15 days
One pen will last the patient 15 days. - 4
A prescription requires compounding 120 g of a 2% w/w hydrocortisone ointment using a 5% w/w hydrocortisone ointment and petrolatum. How many grams of the 5% ointment are needed?
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Correct answer: B
This problem is solved using the alligation method.
- Set up the tic-tac-toe grid. Top left: higher concentration (5%). Bottom left: lower concentration (0% for petrolatum). Center: desired concentration (2%).
- Subtract diagonally: 5 - 2 = 3 parts (petrolatum) and 2 - 0 = 2 parts (5% ointment).
- The ratio is 2 parts of 5% ointment to 3 parts of petrolatum, for a total of 5 parts.
- Calculate the amount of 5% ointment needed: (2 parts / 5 total parts) * 120 g total weight = 48 g.
- 5
A technician is entering a new prescription for azithromycin 250 mg tablets with the sig 'ii tabs po day 1, then i tab po daily x 4d'. What is the total quantity to dispense and the days supply?
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Correct answer: C
The directions indicate a loading dose followed by a maintenance dose.
Day 1: 2 tablets.
Days 2, 3, 4, 5 (four additional days): 1 tablet per day (4 tablets total).
Total quantity = 2 (Day 1) + 4 (Days 2-5) = 6 tablets.
The total duration of therapy is 1 day + 4 days = 5 days.
Therefore, the correct quantity is 6 tablets for a 5-day supply. - 6
A patient reports a severe rash and difficulty breathing after taking a dose of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The technician should recognize this as a potential medical emergency and take which immediate actions?
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Correct answer: C
A rash combined with difficulty breathing are hallmark signs of a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis, which is a medical emergency. The technician's primary responsibility is patient safety. They must immediately notify the pharmacist, who can then professionally assess the situation and strongly advise the patient to call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. This is a critical event that requires immediate pharmacist intervention and medical care.
- 7
A physician orders an IV infusion of 1 L of D5W to be administered over 6 hours. The IV tubing has a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL. What is the correct flow rate in drops per minute (gtt/min)?
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Correct answer: C
The formula for IV flow rate is: (Total Volume in mL / Total Time in minutes) * Drop Factor (gtt/mL) = Flow Rate (gtt/min).
- Convert volume: 1 L = 1000 mL.
- Convert time: 6 hours * 60 minutes/hour = 360 minutes.
- Plug values into the formula: (1000 mL / 360 min) * 15 gtt/mL.
- Calculate: (2.777... mL/min) * 15 gtt/mL = 41.666... gtt/min.
- Round to the nearest whole number: 42 gtt/min.
- 8
A prescription is written with the sig 'i-ii gtts au qid'. How should the technician interpret these instructions for the patient label?
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Correct answer: D
The Latin abbreviations are interpreted as follows: 'gtts' means drops; 'au' (auris utraque) means both or each ear; 'qid' means four times a day. Therefore, the instructions are 'Instill 1 to 2 drops in each ear four times a day.' The abbreviation for eyes is 'o' (oculus), and for both eyes is 'ou' (oculus uterque).
- 9
A technician receives a prescription for warfarin 5mg daily. When reviewing the patient's profile, the technician sees the patient also recently started taking amiodarone. Why must the technician alert the pharmacist to this combination?
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Correct answer: B
Amiodarone is a well-known inhibitor of the CYP450 enzymes that metabolize warfarin. When taken together, amiodarone can dramatically increase the concentration and effect of warfarin, leading to a dangerously elevated INR and a very high risk of serious bleeding. This requires immediate pharmacist intervention, which will likely involve a significant dose reduction of warfarin and close monitoring.
- 10
An order is received for a patient weighing 165 lbs to receive a drug at a dose of 2.25 mg/kg. The drug is available in a concentration of 5 mg/mL. How many milliliters (mL) should be administered per dose?
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Correct answer: A
Step 1: Convert patient's weight from pounds to kilograms. 165 lbs / 2.2 lbs/kg = 75 kg.
Step 2: Calculate the total dose in milligrams. 75 kg * 2.25 mg/kg = 168.75 mg.
Step 3: Calculate the volume in milliliters to administer. (168.75 mg) / (5 mg/mL) = 33.75 mL.
