CPhT Skills and Competencies 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A technician is preparing a 1 L bag of TPN. The order calls for 250 mEq of sodium chloride. NaCl 23.4% solution contains 4 mEq/mL. How many mL of NaCl 23.4% is needed?
- 42.5 mL
- 62.5 mL (Correct answer)
- 100 mL
- 125 mL
Correct answer: 62.5 mL
250 mEq ÷ 4 mEq/mL = 62.5 mL of NaCl 23.4% solution.
Question 2: Which beyond-use date (BUD) applies to a non-sterile compounded preparation stored at room temperature that contains water?
- 6 months
- 30 days
- 14 days (Correct answer)
- 1 year
Correct answer: 14 days
USP <795> specifies that aqueous oral formulations compounded from commercial products have a BUD of 14 days when refrigerated, but shorter at room temperature.
Question 3: A pharmacy technician accidentally drops a vial of chemotherapy agent on the floor. What is the FIRST step?
- Clean it up with paper towels immediately
- Alert all staff and follow hazardous spill protocol (Correct answer)
- Call the manufacturer for instructions
- Continue working and report it at the end of shift
Correct answer: Alert all staff and follow hazardous spill protocol
Hazardous drug spills require immediate activation of the facility's spill protocol to protect staff and patients.
Question 4: Which auxiliary label should be affixed to a prescription for metronidazole?
- Take with food or milk
- Avoid alcohol while taking this medication (Correct answer)
- Do not crush or chew
- Keep refrigerated
Correct answer: Avoid alcohol while taking this medication
Metronidazole causes a disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol, making the 'avoid alcohol' label essential.
Question 5: An NDC number has three segments. What does the second segment represent?
- Labeler/manufacturer
- Product (drug, strength, dosage form) (Correct answer)
- Package size and type
- DEA schedule
Correct answer: Product (drug, strength, dosage form)
The second segment of the NDC identifies the specific product, including drug name, strength, and dosage form.
Question 6: A prescription label must include all of the following EXCEPT:
- Patient's name
- Drug name and strength
- Prescriber's DEA number (Correct answer)
- Directions for use
Correct answer: Prescriber's DEA number
The DEA number is not required on the dispensing label; it is found on the original prescription for controlled substances.
Question 7: A patient asks the technician which is cheaper: the brand or generic version of their medication. What is the appropriate response?
- Quote prices and recommend the generic
- Tell the patient generics are always better
- Provide pricing information and direct clinical questions to the pharmacist (Correct answer)
- Refuse to discuss pricing
Correct answer: Provide pricing information and direct clinical questions to the pharmacist
Technicians can share pricing information but must defer any clinical recommendations to the pharmacist.
CPhT Skills and Competencies 3
A technician is preparing a 1 L bag of TPN.
The order calls for 250 mEq of sodium chloride.
NaCl 23.4% solution contains 4 mEq/mL.
How many mL of NaCl 23.4% is needed?