ExCPT Pharmacology for Technicians Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient presents a new prescription for lisinopril. Which of the following drug classifications does this medication belong to?
- Beta-blocker
- ACE inhibitor (Correct answer)
- Calcium channel blocker
- Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
Correct answer: ACE inhibitor
Lisinopril is an ACE (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme) inhibitor. Medications in this class are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. Technicians should be familiar with common drug name stems, and drugs ending in '-pril' are typically ACE inhibitors.
Question 2: A pharmacy technician receives a prescription for warfarin. When filling this prescription, the technician should be aware of a significant drug-drug interaction with which of the following over-the-counter medications?
- Acetaminophen
- Loratadine
- Ibuprofen (Correct answer)
- Dextromethorphan
Correct answer: Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) that can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin, an anticoagulant. This is a clinically significant interaction that pharmacy staff should recognize. Acetaminophen is a safer choice for pain relief for patients on warfarin.
Question 3: Which of the following routes of administration would provide the fastest onset of action for a medication?
- Oral (PO)
- Transdermal (TD)
- Subcutaneous (SubQ)
- Intravenous (IV) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Intravenous (IV)
The intravenous (IV) route administers the medication directly into the bloodstream, bypassing absorption barriers. This results in the most rapid onset of action compared to oral, transdermal, or subcutaneous routes, which all require the drug to be absorbed into the systemic circulation over time.
Question 4: A patient's profile shows they have prescriptions for both sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac). The pharmacy's computer system flags an alert. What is the most likely reason for this alert?
- Drug-allergy interaction
- Therapeutic duplication (Correct answer)
- Incorrect dosage form
- Contraindicated in patient's age group
Correct answer: Therapeutic duplication
Sertraline and fluoxetine are both classified as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Prescribing two drugs from the same therapeutic class is considered a duplication and increases the risk of adverse effects, such as serotonin syndrome. The technician should bring this alert to the pharmacist's attention.
Question 5: A prescription for levothyroxine 100 mcg has the abbreviation "PO QD". How should the technician interpret these instructions for the prescription label?
- By mouth four times a day
- In the right eye every day
- By mouth every other day
- By mouth every day (Correct answer)
Correct answer: By mouth every day
In pharmacology and prescription writing, 'PO' is the abbreviation for 'per os,' which means by mouth. 'QD' is the Latin abbreviation for 'quaque die,' meaning every day or daily. Therefore, the instruction means to take the medication by mouth every day.
Question 6: Which of the following medications is a controlled substance due to its potential for abuse and dependence, requiring specific handling and record-keeping procedures?
- Metformin
- Atorvastatin
- Alprazolam (Correct answer)
- Amlodipine
Correct answer: Alprazolam
Alprazolam (brand name Xanax) is a benzodiazepine classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance by the DEA. It has a potential for abuse and dependence, necessitating stricter regulations for prescribing, dispensing, and inventory management compared to non-controlled drugs like metformin, atorvastatin, and amlodipine.
ExCPT Pharmacology for Technicians Questions and Answers
A patient presents a new prescription for lisinopril.
Which of the following drug classifications does this medication belong to?