ExCPT Test Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. The abbreviation 'SL' on a prescription indicates the medication should be given: → Sublingually
2. Which abbreviation on a prescription indicates the drug should be injected into a vein? → IV
3. Which dosage form is specifically designed to release medication slowly over an extended period? → Extended-release tablet or capsule
4. A technician receives a prescription with an unclear dose. What is the safest action to take? → Alert the pharmacist so the prescriber can be consulted.
5. Which law established the framework for the FDA's authority over prescription vs. over-the-counter drug classification? → Durham-Humphrey Amendment of 1951
6. You have requested 150 mg of cyclosporine by po. You currently have a stock of a 100 mg/mL solution. Amount disbursed = → 1.5 mL
7. In which storage condition should nitroglycerin tablets be kept? → Original glass container, tightly closed, at controlled room temperature
8. When filling a prescription for a 90-day supply of a maintenance medication for a patient on Medicare Part D, which program typically covers this? → Medicare Part D
9. Which of the following is the correct way to dispose of non-controlled, non-hazardous expired medications in a retail pharmacy? → Place them in an authorized pharmaceutical take-back program or mail-back envelope
10. Which of the following is the most common type of medication error reported in pharmacy settings? → Wrong dose dispensed
11. Which of the following best describes a black box warning on a medication label? → A strong FDA warning about serious risks.
12. A patient needs 1.5 g of a medication. The tablets available are 500 mg each. How many tablets are needed? → 3 tablets
13. USP Chapter governs which type of pharmaceutical compounding? → Non-sterile preparations (creams, ointments, oral liquids, capsules)
14. Which of the following tasks in the dispensing process must be performed by a licensed pharmacist and cannot be legally completed by a pharmacy technician? → Conducting the final verification of the prescription before it is given to the patient.
15. Which FDA program is used by healthcare professionals to voluntarily report medication errors and adverse events? → MedWatch
16. Which of the following best describes the role of the pharmacy technician in the dispensing process? → Perform tasks under the supervision and final verification of the pharmacist
17. What is the primary purpose of using the NDC number in pharmacy operations? → To uniquely identify the drug, strength, and package.
18. Why is it important to maintain accurate perpetual inventory for controlled substances? → To ensure accurate records and detect diversion.
19. Companies that manage medication benefit plans are referred to as... → PBMs
20. Which of the following antihypertensive medications is classified as a calcium channel blocker? → Amlodipine
21. Which of the following strategies BEST reduces the risk of look-alike/sound-alike drug errors? → Using TALL man lettering on labels
22. 15 mg/kg of an antibiotic is recommended twice daily by IV. How much in milligrams should a youngster who weighs 66 pounds take every day? → 900 mg
23. The Z-track technique is used during which type of injection? → Intramuscular
24. What is a 'beyond-use date' (BUD) in compounding? → The date after which a compounded preparation should not be used
25. What is the 'fill date' on a prescription, and why does it matter? → The date the pharmacy dispensed the medication — used for refill calculations
26. Under federal law, how long must a pharmacy retain records for Schedule II controlled substances? → 2 years
27. Convert 98.6°F to Celsius. → 37°C
28. Which federal law first required the child-resistant packaging for most OTC and prescription medications? → Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970
29. An order calls for KCl 40 mEq to be added to 1 L NS. Available is KCl 2 mEq/mL. How many mL should be added? → 20 mL
30. How many teaspoons are equivalent to 15 mL? → 3 teaspoons