CVS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CVS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. During a shift, two coworkers get into an argument that disrupts store operations. As a lead, what do you do? → Separate the coworkers, calm the situation, and notify management
2. Your register is $20 short at the end of your shift. You believe you may have accidentally given a customer too much change earlier. What do you do? → Report the shortage to your manager and explain what may have happened
3. A longtime customer asks you to bend the rules on a store policy as a personal favor. How do you respond? → Politely decline and explain the policy applies to all customers equally
4. What does the abbreviation 'DAW' mean on a prescription, and how does it affect the technician's dispensing process? → Dispense as written — the brand name drug must be dispensed, not a generic substitute
5. A patient requests an accounting of disclosures of their PHI. Which disclosures are included in this accounting? → Disclosures made without the patient's authorization, except those for TPO
6. A minor asks you to purchase tobacco products on their behalf, offering you money to buy it. What is your response? → Decline firmly and explain that you cannot purchase age-restricted products for minors
7. Which of the following is NOT a typical duty of a pharmacy technician at CVS? → Counseling patients on drug interactions
8. Which of the following is considered a HIPAA-covered entity? → A health insurance plan that pays prescription claims
9. Which practice best prevents a medication mix-up when filling multiple prescriptions at once? → Keep each patient's prescriptions physically separated at all times
10. Recommends that people should consider themselves "caught against their will" if they have used all practical steps to avoid it. → COC Article 2
11. Some blood returns to the heart because the valve does not completely seal. → Regurgitation
12. You are the only staff member available when a line of impatient customers forms. What should you do? → Work steadily and accurately while calling for backup assistance
13. A CVS colleague receives a shipment but notices one box is damaged and some products appear compromised. What should the colleague do? → Refuse the damaged items and document the discrepancy on the delivery receipt
14. A pharmacy technician accidentally drops and breaks a vial of chemotherapy medication. What is the most important immediate action? → Alert staff, clear the area, and follow the pharmacy's hazardous spill protocol
15. You disagree with a scheduling decision made by your store manager. What is the most professional response? → Request a private meeting to discuss your concerns respectfully
16. What does CVS's Code of Conduct say about reporting suspected violations? → All colleagues have a responsibility to report known or suspected violations
17. CVS Health's primary corporate mission focuses on which of the following? → Helping people on their path to better health
18. A customer is having difficulty reading small print on a product label. How should you assist them? → Read the label to them or find a larger-print version of the information
19. A coworker asks you to clock them in because they are running a few minutes late. What should you do? → Refuse, as clocking in for another employee is a policy violation
20. You are assigned to clean and organize the store but your section is especially messy. A customer asks for help at the same time. What should you do? → Help the customer first, then return to your cleaning task
21. A manager gives you feedback that you disagree with. What is the most professional response? → Listen respectfully, acknowledge the feedback, and ask clarifying questions if needed
22. You witness a customer shoplifting. What is the correct CVS employee response? → Observe and remember details, then notify loss prevention or management
23. A customer approaches you visibly upset about a long wait time at the pharmacy counter. What is the best response? → Apologize, acknowledge their frustration, and provide an estimated wait time
24. A prescription label shows 'QID.' How many times per day should the patient take the medication? → 4
25. If a pharmacy technician fills 36 prescriptions in 3 hours, how many would they fill in a full 8-hour shift at the same rate? → 96
26. A pharmacy technician accidentally sends a patient's medication information to the wrong fax number. This is an example of: → An impermissible disclosure that may constitute a reportable breach
27. You are stocking shelves when a customer asks for help. You are behind on your task. What should you do? → Briefly assist the customer and then return to your stocking task
28. When typing a prescription label, the technician enters '1 tab po qid.' What does 'qid' mean? → Four times a day
29. A data entry task requires copying a 12-digit barcode from a paper form into the system. Which technique best reduces transcription errors? → Use chunking — read and enter 3–4 digits at a time, then verify each chunk
30. During a busy shift, you realize you made an error on a customer's prescription transaction. What do you do? → Immediately notify your supervisor and document the error