PTCE Exam Dumps - Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT) Exam

Sertraline (Zoloft)is anSSRI antidepressantused formajor depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety, and other mood disorders.Suicidal ideation(thoughts of self-harm) is aserious and potentially life-threatening side effect, especially inyoung adults. A pharmacy technicianmust notify the pharmacist immediatelyif a patient reportssuicidal thoughts, as this may require immediate medical intervention.

A. Presents new insurance coverage→ Incorrect; this is an administrative issue, not a clinical concern.

B. Requests the refill two days early→ Incorrect; a slight early refill request does not indicate a safety concern.

D. Reports improved interest and motivation→ Incorrect; this is apositive treatment response, not an urgent issue.

Other Answer Choices Explained:References:

FDA Black Box Warning for SSRIs – Suicide Risk in Young Adults

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline (Medication Safety & Patient Communication)

Lexicomp Drug Monograph for Sertraline (Zoloft)

Anear miss(orclose call) is anerror that is identified and corrected before it causes harm to a patient.

Example:A technician picks uphydroxyzine (an antihistamine) instead of hydralazine (a blood pressure medication),but the pharmacist catches the mistake before dispensing.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Adverse Drug Event (ADE)?❌Occurs when a patient is actually harmed by medication.

B. Recall?❌Issued by manufacturers or the FDA when a drug is defective or unsafe.

D. Root-Cause Analysis (RCA)?❌A method toanalyze errors AFTER they occurto prevent future mistakes.

📌Reference:ISMP Medication Safety Guidelines, PTCE Exam Study Guide on Error Prevention.

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

Cephalexin suspension (Keflex)is anantibioticthat must berefrigerated after reconstitutionanddiscarded after 14 daysto maintain stability and potency.

📌Explanation of Answer Choices:✅D. Keep refrigerated; Discard after 14 days→Correct.Proper storage is2-8°C (36-46°F), with a 14-day shelf life.❌A. Protect from light; Discard after 7 days→ Incorrect.Refrigeration is required, not just light protection.❌B. Protect from light; Discard after 14 days→ Incorrect.Light protection is not a major concern for cephalexin.❌C. Keep refrigerated; Discard after 7 days→ Incorrect.Cephalexin is stable for 14 days, not just 7.

📌Reference:

USP <795>: Beyond-Use Dating for Reconstituted Suspensions

FDA Drug Stability Guidelines

Lamivudine (Epivir)is anantiretroviral agent used to treat HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B. Some antiretroviral drugs are classified ashigh-alert medications in certain healthcare settingsbecause:

Dosing errors can lead to treatment failure or resistance.

Severe side effects and toxicities may occur if misused.

TheInstitute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)includes some antiretrovirals in theirhigh-alert medication list, especially in hospitals.

A. Meperidine❌→Not an antiretroviral; it's a narcotic analgesic (opioid pain reliever).

B. Olopatadine❌→Not an antiretroviral; it's an antihistamine (used for allergies).

D. Tizanidine❌→Not an antiretroviral; it's a muscle relaxant.

ISMP High-Alert Medication List– Includes certainantiretroviral drugs as high-alert medications in some settings.

FDA Drug Labeling for Lamivudine (Epivir)– ListsHIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B as indications.

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline– Covers high-alert medications and their risks.

Why Not the Other Options?Key References:

According toUSP Chapter <800>(Hazardous Drugs—Handling in Healthcare Settings), solid oral dosage forms ofantineoplastic hazardous drugs (e.g., chemotherapy medications like methotrexate or tamoxifen)shouldnotbe placed inautomated counting or packaging machinesbecause:

Risk of Contamination– Tablets and capsulesmay generate dust or powder residue, which can spread hazardous drug particles into the environment.

Exposure Risks– Pharmacy staff may beexposed to hazardous particleswhen refilling, cleaning, or maintaining the machine. This poses a risk ofinhalation, dermal exposure, or accidental ingestion.

Strict USP <800> Compliance– Hazardous drugs requirespecial handling precautions, includingdesignated counting trays, dedicated equipment, and proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Automated machinesdo not provide the necessary containmentfor hazardous drug particles.

USP Chapter <800>– Mandates specific safety measures for handling hazardous drugs in pharmacies, including avoiding automated dispensing systems for hazardous solids.

NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) List of Hazardous Drugs– Identifies drugs requiring special handling to minimize occupational exposure.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Hazardous Drug Guidelines– Reinforces the need to prevent aerosolization of hazardous drug particles.

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline– Covers hazardous drug handling, personal protective equipment (PPE), and compliance with USP <800>.

Key References:🔹Why Not the Other Options?

A. Require a sterile environment❌→ Tablets and capsules arenon-steriledosage forms, and USP <800> focuses on hazardous drug containment rather than sterility.

B. Are often involved in dispensing errors❌→ While hazardous drugs must be dispensed carefully,dispensing errors are not the main reason for avoiding automated machines.

D. Expire sooner than other medications❌→ Expiration dates are unrelated tohazardous drug contamination risks.

Lipitor is the brand name forAtorvastatin, aHMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin)used to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

(A) Provastatin❌Incorrect –Misspelled, should bePravastatin(Pravachol).

(B) Fluvastatin❌Incorrect – Fluvastatin (Lescol) is another statin, but not the generic for Lipitor.

(C) Simvastatin❌Incorrect – Simvastatin (Zocor) is a statin but not the generic for Lipitor.

(D) Atorvastatin✅Correct – The generic name for Lipitor.

Analysis of Answer Choices:Statins & Their Brand Names:Generic Name

Brand Name

Atorvastatin

Lipitor✅

Simvastatin

Zocor

Pravastatin

Pravachol

Fluvastatin

Lescol

Rosuvastatin

Crestor

Lovastatin

Mevacor

Lipitor Prescribing Information: https://www.pfizer.com/products/product-detail/lipitor

PTCB Exam Content Outline – Generic & Brand Name Drug Recognition

Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians, 3rd Edition – Perspective on Statin Medications

References for Pharmacy Technicians:

In prescription terminology,"troche" refers to a dosage form, specifically alozengethat dissolves slowly in the mouth to release medication.

Atroche (or lozenge)is asolid, flavoredmedication thatdissolves in the mouthover time, allowing for gradual drug absorption.

Used for:

Local effects(e.g., sore throat relief with benzocaine troches)

Systemic effects(e.g., hormone replacement therapy troches)

A. Time❌→ Incorrect

"Troche" doesnotindicate when to take the medication.

C. Rate❌→ Incorrect

"Troche" doesnotindicate how fast the drug is absorbed.

D. Route❌→ Incorrect

"Troche"describes the dosage form, whilerouterefers to how a drug is administered (e.g., oral, IV).

USP-NF (United States Pharmacopeia–National Formulary)– Defines dosage forms, including lozenges/troches.

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline– Covers pharmaceutical dosage forms and prescription terminology.

ISMP Medication Safety Guidelines– Includes troches in standard medication formulations.

Definition of Troche:Why Not the Other Options?Key References:

Prilosec (omeprazole) is a PPIused to reduce stomach acid forGERD and ulcers.

📌Reference:FDA PPI Drug Classification Guide.