PTCB Practice Test #6 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which USP chapter governs sterile compounding in pharmacy practice?
- USP 795
- USP 800
- USP 797 (Correct answer)
- USP 1160
Correct answer: USP 797
USP Chapter 797 (Pharmaceutical Compounding — Sterile Preparations) establishes standards for sterile compounding including beyond-use dates, environmental monitoring, personnel training, and quality assurance.
Question 2: A pharmacy technician receives a call from someone claiming to be a physician requesting a prescription. What should the technician do?
- Fill the prescription based on verbal order
- Transfer to the pharmacist, who is responsible for accepting verbal orders (Correct answer)
- Require a written prescription before dispensing
- Ask for the physician's license number and fill the prescription
Correct answer: Transfer to the pharmacist, who is responsible for accepting verbal orders
Pharmacy technicians are NOT authorized to accept verbal prescription orders from prescribers. This must be handled by a licensed pharmacist. The technician should transfer the call to the pharmacist.
Question 3: Which of the following is a HIPAA-compliant action by a pharmacy technician?
- Discussing patient medication details with a curious neighbor
- Verifying a patient's insurance by calling their employer
- Confirming a patient's prescription pickup with their adult child who was designated on file (Correct answer)
- Leaving patient prescription bags visible at the counter where others can read names
Correct answer: Confirming a patient's prescription pickup with their adult child who was designated on file
HIPAA permits disclosure of patient information to individuals specifically authorized by the patient (e.g., family member listed on file). Unauthorized disclosure to neighbors, employers, or allowing public visibility of prescription info violates HIPAA.
Question 4: An inventory count reveals 47 tablets of oxycodone 5 mg, but the perpetual inventory shows 50. What is the appropriate next step?
- Adjust the count and document the discrepancy, then immediately notify the pharmacist (Correct answer)
- Do nothing; small discrepancies are normal
- Dispose of the remaining tablets to balance the count
- Wait for the end of month to resolve the discrepancy
Correct answer: Adjust the count and document the discrepancy, then immediately notify the pharmacist
Any Schedule II controlled substance discrepancy must be documented immediately and reported to the pharmacist. Unresolved discrepancies must be reported to the DEA. This is a potential indicator of diversion.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a "medication reconciliation" process?
- To ensure all medications are generic
- To compare a patient's current medication list with new orders to identify discrepancies and prevent errors (Correct answer)
- To review drug costs and optimize formulary spending
- To verify patient insurance coverage for all medications
Correct answer: To compare a patient's current medication list with new orders to identify discrepancies and prevent errors
Medication reconciliation compares a patient's medication history (home medications) with new or changed medication orders at care transitions (admission, transfer, discharge) to identify omissions, duplications, dosing errors, and drug interactions.
Question 6: Under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, which type of packaging is generally required for prescription medications?
- Standard easy-open packaging
- Child-resistant packaging (CRP) (Correct answer)
- Blister packaging only
- Amber bottles with no special requirement
Correct answer: Child-resistant packaging (CRP)
The Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) requires child-resistant packaging (CRP) for most prescription and certain OTC medications. Exceptions include specific unit-dose forms, medications for patients who request non-CRP packaging in writing, and certain drugs exempted by regulation.
PTCB Practice Test #6 3
Which USP chapter governs sterile compounding in pharmacy practice?