Free Alabama PTCB Practice Test Online

Correct answer: B. A patient is prescribed two different NSAIDs to be taken concurrently for pain

Correct. Prescribing two NSAIDs concurrently is a classic therapeutic duplication, since both drugs act on the same pathway and increase risk of GI bleeding and renal toxicity without added benefit.

• A: A vitamin supplement alongside a prescription medication is not a therapeutic duplication; it addresses a different therapeutic need.
• C: An antibiotic and antifungal treating two separate infections are appropriate, non-duplicative therapy, not a duplication concern.
• D: A statin and antihypertensive treat two different conditions (cholesterol and blood pressure) and are commonly and appropriately co-prescribed.

Correct answer: A. Sublingual

Correct. Sublingual administration places the drug under the tongue, where it dissolves and absorbs rapidly through the oral mucosa, bypassing first-pass metabolism.

• B: Subcutaneous refers to injection into the fatty tissue layer beneath the skin, an entirely different route.
• C: Transdermal refers to absorption through the skin via a patch, not oral mucosal absorption.
• D: Buccal administration places the drug between the cheek and gum, not under the tongue, a distinct but related mucosal route.

Correct answer: C. Insulin

Correct. Insulin is designated a high-alert medication by ISMP because errors involving it, though not necessarily more frequent, carry a significantly higher risk of serious patient harm.

• A: Loratadine, an over-the-counter antihistamine, carries a low risk profile and is not a high-alert medication.
• B: Amoxicillin is a commonly used antibiotic without the elevated harm profile that defines high-alert status.
• D: Standard-dose acetaminophen tablets are not classified as high-alert; overdose risk exists but this specific product/strength is not on the high-alert list in routine dispensing.

Correct answer: D. The formula, ingredient quantities, and beyond-use date requirements for the compound

Correct. Before compounding, technicians must verify the correct formula, accurate ingredient quantities/calculations, and the appropriate beyond-use date, all central to safe, accurate compounding under pharmacist supervision.

• A: The prescriber's educational background has no bearing on verifying a compound's formula or safety.
• B: Mailing address relates to delivery logistics, not the clinical and technical accuracy required for safe compounding.
• C: Employer information is irrelevant to compounding accuracy and is not part of the compounding verification process.

Correct answer: C. Notify the pharmacist and initiate the administrative PA process, without making clinical determinations

Correct. Technicians commonly handle the administrative steps of initiating a prior authorization request and flag it to the pharmacist, while any clinical decision-making remains with the pharmacist or prescriber.

• A: A PA requirement is a temporary administrative hurdle, not a permanent unavailability, and it is inaccurate to tell the patient otherwise.
• B: Substituting medications is a clinical decision requiring pharmacist and/or prescriber involvement, not a technician's independent action.
• D: Technicians do not act on behalf of insurance companies to approve or deny claims; that determination is made by the payer based on submitted clinical information.