PTCB Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. What does 'NDC' stand for in pharmacy? → National Drug Code
2. Which organization is responsible for scheduling controlled substances at the federal level? → DEA
3. What PPE is required when handling hazardous drugs during compounding? → Double gloves, gown, eye protection, and respiratory protection as needed
4. What does the abbreviation 'sig' mean on a prescription? → Signature (label instructions)
5. Which of the following is a Schedule IV controlled substance? → Alprazolam
6. What is the term for the time it takes for a drug's plasma concentration to decrease by 50%? → Half-life
7. Which of the following is an isotonic IV solution? → 0.9% NaCl (normal saline)
8. Which drug is the antidote for acetaminophen overdose? → N-acetylcysteine
9. What is the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines? → Enhance GABA activity in the CNS
10. Which government program provides prescription drug coverage primarily for individuals aged 65 and older? → Medicare Part D
11. What does the term 'look-alike, sound-alike' (LASA) drugs refer to? → Drugs confused due to similar names or packaging
12. Pharmacy technicians are required to report medication errors primarily to: → The supervising pharmacist
13. What does 'prior authorization' (PA) mean in pharmacy processing? → Insurer approval required before a drug will be covered
14. Which drug recall class indicates the most serious risk, including situations that can cause serious adverse health consequences or death? → Class I
15. Which amendment to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act distinguished legend from OTC drugs? → Durham-Humphrey Amendment
16. Which type of drug interaction can significantly reduce the effectiveness of a medication? → Antagonistic interaction
17. What does tonicity refer to in the context of IV fluids? → The osmotic pressure of a solution relative to blood plasma
18. Which inventory valuation method assigns the cost of the most recently purchased items to cost of goods sold? → LIFO (Last In, First Out)
19. What is the brand name of amlodipine? → Norvasc
20. What is the purpose of the NDC number on a drug package? → Uniquely identify the drug manufacturer, product, and package size
21. Under HIPAA, a minimum necessary standard requires that disclosure of PHI be limited to: → Only what is needed for the purpose
22. Which USP chapter governs sterile compounding standards? → USP
23. What does 'DAW 0' indicate on a prescription claim? → No product selection indicated — generic may be dispensed
24. Which of the following is a potential side effect of long-term corticosteroid use? → Osteoporosis
25. What type of drug is gabapentin? → Anticonvulsant
26. What does 'DAW 1' on a prescription mean? → Dispense as written — prescriber requests brand, no substitution
27. What is the purpose of tracking lot numbers for medications in a pharmacy? → To identify specific batches of product in the event of a recall
28. A patient has both primary and secondary insurance. What is 'coordination of benefits' (COB)? → The process of determining how two insurance plans share payment responsibility
29. What is the beyond-use date (BUD) for a low-risk sterile preparation stored at room temperature according to USP ? → 24 hours
30. How long must pharmacies keep Schedule II prescription records? → 2 years