ExCPT Pharmacology for Technicians Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient presents a new prescription for lisinopril. Which of the following drug classifications does this medication belong to?

Accepted Answer

ACE inhibitor

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Ibuprofen

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous (IV)

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Therapeutic duplication

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

By mouth every day

Answer

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.

ExCPT Practice Test Practice Test

ExCPT Practice Test Practice Test

ExCPT Pharmacology for Technicians Questions and Answers