ExCPT Test Pharmacy Operations 1

Question 1

What are the three segments of a National Drug Code (NDC) number?

Accepted Answer

Labeler, product, and package size

Answer

The NDC is an 11-digit identifier split into three segments: the labeler code (manufacturer/distributor), the product code (drug name, strength, and dosage form), and the package size code. It uniquely identifies every drug product sold in the US.

Question 2

What is the purpose of auxiliary labels on a prescription bottle?

Accepted Answer

To provide supplemental warnings or administration instructions

Answer

Auxiliary labels are supplemental stickers added to the prescription bottle to communicate important safety information such as 'Take with food,' 'May cause drowsiness,' or 'Avoid prolonged sun exposure.' They reinforce safe medication use beyond what the main label states.

Question 3

What does the prescription sig code 'QID' instruct?

Accepted Answer

Four times daily

Answer

QID derives from the Latin 'quater in die,' meaning four times daily. Pharmacy technicians must accurately interpret sig codes — confusing QID (four times daily) with Q4H (every four hours) could result in a dangerous dosing error.

Question 4

What is a prior authorization (PA) in the context of pharmacy benefits?

Accepted Answer

Approval that a prescriber must obtain from the insurance plan before a medication will be covered

Answer

Prior authorization requires the prescriber to submit clinical justification to the insurance company before the plan will cover a specific medication. PAs are commonly required for expensive, non-formulary, or brand-name drugs.

Question 5

A pharmacy technician notices that a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance is written on plain paper rather than an official tamper-resistant prescription pad. What is the correct action?

Accepted Answer

Bring the prescription to the pharmacist immediately without filling it

Answer

Schedule II controlled substances require a valid, tamper-resistant prescription in most states. A prescription that does not meet legal requirements must be escalated to the supervising pharmacist — technicians should never independently decide to fill or reject a suspicious controlled substance prescription.

ExCPT Practice Test

ExCPT Practice Test

ExCPT Test Pharmacy Operations 1