CPhT Skills and Competencies 4

Question 1

Which DEA schedule includes drugs with accepted medical use but the highest potential for abuse among scheduled drugs with accepted use?

Accepted Answer

Schedule II

Answer

Schedule II drugs have accepted medical use but the highest abuse potential among regulated pharmaceuticals (e.g., oxycodone, amphetamines).

Question 2

A physician orders dopamine 400 mg in 250 mL D5W to infuse at 5 mcg/kg/min for a 70 kg patient. What is the infusion rate in mL/hr?

Accepted Answer

26.25 mL/hr

Answer

Concentration = 400,000 mcg/250 mL = 1,600 mcg/mL; dose = 5 × 70 = 350 mcg/min; rate = 350/1600 × 60 = 13.125 mL/hr.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a TALL MAN lettering pair used to prevent medication errors?

Accepted Answer

metformin / methotrexate

Answer

metFORMIN and methoTREXATE are classic TALL MAN lettering pairs that highlight differences to prevent mix-ups.

Question 4

When verifying a controlled substance inventory, a discrepancy is found. Who must be notified first?

Accepted Answer

The pharmacist-in-charge

Answer

The pharmacist-in-charge must be notified immediately of any controlled substance discrepancy before external reporting.

Question 5

A prescriber writes for phenobarbital 60 mg PO QHS. What sig would appear on the patient label?

Accepted Answer

Take 60 mg by mouth at bedtime

Answer

QHS means 'every hour of sleep,' which translates to 'at bedtime' on patient labels.

(CPhT) Certified Pharmacy Technician Practice Test