- Medications 35%
- Federal Requirements 18.75%
- Patient Safety and Quality Assurance 23.75%
- Order Entry and Processing 22.5%
Free · 2026 · 35% of the PTCE PTCB Medications practice questions
Medications is 35% of the PTCE. Answer 10 questions (6 on Medications) and see your score by domain, with every answer explained. Free, no sign-up.
A parent tells the technician that her 9-year-old has had nightmares, irritability, and aggressive outbursts since starting a new medication. The child's profile includes albuterol HFA, fluticasone nasal spray, cetirizine, and montelukast. Which of these drugs carries an FDA boxed warning for neuropsychiatric events like these?
Tap an answer, or press A to D
Brand and generic names, drug classes, interactions, side effects, indications, dosage forms, stability and storage.
Free Top 200 drugs trainer, with a memory hook for every brand and generic →
What the PTCE tests in Medications
- Generic and brand names and drug classes
- Therapeutic duplication
- Common or life-threatening interactions and contraindications (drug-drug, drug-supplement, drug-lab, drug-nutrient, drug-disease)
- Strengths and doses, dosage forms, routes, special handling/administration instructions, and length of therapy (calculation-based)
- Common or severe side effects, adverse effects and allergies
- Indications
- Drug stability, e.g. oral suspensions, insulins, reconstituted products, injectables, vaccines (calculation-based)
- Proper storage: temperature ranges, light sensitivity, restricted access
High-yield medications facts
- Name stems: -pril ACEi · -sartan ARB · -olol beta-blocker · -dipine dihydropyridine CCB · -statin HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor · -prazole PPI · -tidine H2 blocker · -azepam/-azolam benzodiazepine · -cillin penicillin · cef-/ceph- cephalosporin · -cycline tetracycline · -floxacin fluoroquinolone · -thromycin macrolide · -conazole azole antifungal · -vir antiviral · -gliptin DPP-4 · -gliflozin SGLT2 · -glutide GLP-1 · -glitazone TZD · -dronate bisphosphonate · -lukast leukotriene blocker · -triptan migraine · -setron antiemetic · -terol beta-2 agonist · -sone/-olone corticosteroid · -afil PDE-5 inhibitor · -osin alpha-1 blocker · -parin heparin · -xaban factor Xa inhibitor · -mab monoclonal antibody · -tinib kinase inhibitor.
- Stem exceptions: metronidazole ends in -azole but is an antibacterial. Raloxifene is a SERM, not a bisphosphonate. Buspirone is not a benzodiazepine and is not controlled.
- One molecule sold under several brands (a duplication risk): Wellbutrin/Zyban (bupropion); Proscar 5 mg/Propecia 1 mg (finasteride); Viagra/Revatio (sildenafil); Cialis/Adcirca (tadalafil); Ozempic/Wegovy/Rybelsus (semaglutide); Victoza/Saxenda (liraglutide); Mounjaro/Zepbound (tirzepatide).
- Therapeutic duplication examples: two ACE inhibitors, or an ACEi plus an ARB; two SSRIs; two benzodiazepines; an Rx NSAID plus OTC ibuprofen or naproxen; Norco or Percocet plus OTC Tylenol (adult acetaminophen maximum is usually 4 g/day).
- Administration: alendronate with a full glass of plain water, upright 30 min, before food · levothyroxine on an empty stomach at the same time daily, doses in mcg · metformin with meals · simvastatin/lovastatin in the evening · PPIs 30–60 min before breakfast · inhaled steroids: rinse mouth (thrush) · doxycycline upright with water.
- More administration rules: never crush ER/XL/SR/DR or enteric-coated products (OxyContin, Wellbutrin XL, Toprol-XL) · benzonatate is swallowed whole · nitroglycerin SL is 1 tab every 5 min up to 3 doses; call 911 if pain is not better 5 min after the first · methotrexate for RA is once weekly.
| Class | Generic (Brand) | Must-know fact |
|---|---|---|
| ACE inhibitors | lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil), enalapril (Vasotec), ramipril (Altace), benazepril (Lotensin), quinapril (Accupril) | Dry cough, angioedema, raises K+; avoid in pregnancy |
| ARBs / ARNI | losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), olmesartan (Benicar), irbesartan (Avapro), telmisartan (Micardis); sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto) | Raises K+, avoid in pregnancy; Entresto never with an ACEi (36-h washout) |
| Beta-blockers | metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor), metoprolol succinate (Toprol-XL), atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), propranolol (Inderal LA), bisoprolol, nebivolol (Bystolic) | Do not stop abruptly; nonselective agents worsen asthma; tartrate ≠ succinate |
| Calcium channel blockers | amlodipine (Norvasc), nifedipine ER (Procardia XL), diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia XT), verapamil (Calan) | Amlodipine causes ankle edema; diltiazem/verapamil slow heart rate |
| Diuretics | HCTZ, chlorthalidone; furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), torsemide; spironolactone (Aldactone); triamterene/HCTZ (Maxzide, Dyazide) | Loops/thiazides lower K+; spironolactone raises K+ and can cause gynecomastia |
| Other cardiovascular | clonidine (Catapres), doxazosin (Cardura), hydralazine, isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur), nitroglycerin SL (Nitrostat), digoxin (Lanoxin), amiodarone (Pacerone) | Clonidine: rebound hypertension; digoxin toxicity: nausea, yellow-green vision; amiodarone: lung, thyroid and liver toxicity |
| Lipids | atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), pitavastatin (Livalo); ezetimibe (Zetia), fenofibrate (Tricor), gemfibrozil (Lopid), icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) | Statins cause muscle pain; simvastatin/lovastatin taken in the evening |
| Anticoagulants / antiplatelets | warfarin (Jantoven), apixaban (Eliquis), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), dabigatran (Pradaxa), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin; clopidogrel (Plavix), ticagrelor (Brilinta), prasugrel (Effient) | Bleeding; warfarin needs INR monitoring; dabigatran stays in its original bottle |
The full PTCB High-Yield Cram Sheet comes with full prep.
Common medications traps
- LASA pairs: Celebrex/Celexa/Cerebyx; Zyrtec/Zyprexa; Lamictal/Lamisil; Klonopin/clonidine; hydroxyzine/hydralazine; Adderall/Inderal; tramadol/trazodone; metformin/metronidazole; Lunesta/Neulasta; Brilinta/Brintellix (now Trintellix).
- Toprol-XL (succinate, ER) and Lopressor (tartrate, IR) are not interchangeable.
- Schedules often missed: hydrocodone combinations C-II (since 2014); tramadol and carisoprodol C-IV; pregabalin and lacosamide C-V; testosterone and buprenorphine C-III; phenobarbital C-IV; gabapentin not federally controlled.
- Daily methotrexate for RA is a classic fatal error; it is dosed once weekly.
- Wellbutrin + Zyban, or Ozempic + Wegovy, is a duplication of the same drug.
- Clarithromycin suspension is the one common antibiotic suspension that must not be refrigerated.
- Human regular, NPH and 70/30 insulin are OTC, but U-500 and all analog insulins require a prescription.
- Entresto with an ACE inhibitor is contraindicated; allow a 36-hour washout.
Free PTCB medications practice questions
Question 1
A technician has just reconstituted clarithromycin oral suspension and is choosing the storage instructions for the label. Which instruction is correct?
- AStore frozen and thaw each dose before use
- BRefrigerate and discard after 10 days
- CRefrigerate and discard after 14 days
- DStore at room temperature, do not refrigerate, and discard after 14 days
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. Reconstituted clarithromycin suspension is kept at room temperature, not refrigerated, and used within 14 days.
Why not A: Oral antibiotic suspensions are never frozen for patient use.
Why not B: Clarithromycin suspension should not be refrigerated because it thickens and becomes hard to measure and pour.
Why not C: The 14 days is right, but refrigeration is not. This storage pattern fits suspensions like cephalexin, not clarithromycin.
Remember: Clarithromycin suspension is the classic "do not refrigerate" antibiotic: room temperature, 14 days.
Question 2
A child weighing 33 lb is prescribed amoxicillin 50 mg/kg/day divided every 12 hours. The pharmacy dispenses amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL suspension. How many milliliters should the child receive per dose?
- A3.75 mL
- B7.5 mL
- C15 mL
- D16.5 mL
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. 33 lb ÷ 2.2 = 15 kg; 15 kg × 50 mg/kg/day = 750 mg/day; ÷ 2 doses = 375 mg; 375 ÷ 250 × 5 mL = 7.5 mL.
Why not A: This results from dividing the 750 mg daily dose into four doses (187.5 mg = 3.75 mL) instead of two, as q12h requires.
Why not C: 15 mL delivers the entire 750 mg daily dose at once instead of dividing it every 12 hours.
Why not D: This uses the weight in pounds instead of kilograms (33 × 50 = 1,650 mg/day, 825 mg/dose) and would more than double the dose.
Remember: Convert pounds to kilograms (÷ 2.2) before applying a mg/kg dose, then divide the daily total by the number of doses.
Question 3
A prescription is written for Toprol-XL 50 mg, one tablet daily, and the prescriber allows generic substitution. Which generic product should the technician select?
- APropranolol extended-release 60 mg
- BMetoprolol succinate extended-release 50 mg
- CMetoprolol tartrate 50 mg
- DAtenolol 50 mg
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Toprol-XL is metoprolol succinate in an extended-release, once-daily formulation.
Why not A: Propranolol ER (Inderal LA) is a different, nonselective beta-blocker.
Why not C: Metoprolol tartrate is the immediate-release salt (Lopressor) and is not interchangeable with Toprol-XL.
Why not D: Atenolol (Tenormin) is a different beta-blocker, not a generic for Toprol-XL.
Remember: Toprol-XL is metoprolol succinate ER and Lopressor is metoprolol tartrate IR; the two are not interchangeable.
Question 4
A patient picking up dabigatran (Pradaxa) capsules in a manufacturer bottle asks whether the capsules can be moved into a weekly pill organizer. Which statement reflects the correct storage of this product?
- AKeep the capsules in the original bottle and use them within 4 months of opening
- BRefrigerate the bottle after opening and use it within 30 days
- CPlace them in a pill organizer and use them within 60 days
- DMove them into an amber vial and use them within 1 year of opening
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Dabigatran capsules are moisture-sensitive, so they must stay in the original container, and an opened bottle should be used within 4 months.
Why not B: Dabigatran is stored at room temperature, not in the refrigerator, and its in-use limit is 4 months.
Why not C: Pill organizers do not protect the capsules from moisture, so dabigatran should not be stored in them.
Why not D: Repackaging exposes the capsules to moisture, and 1 year is far longer than the 4-month in-use limit.
Remember: Dabigatran must stay in its original moisture-protective container, and an opened bottle is used within 4 months.
Question 5
Empagliflozin (Jardiance) belongs to which class of diabetes medications?
- ADipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor
- BSodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor
- CSulfonylurea
- DGlucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. The -gliflozin stem identifies SGLT2 inhibitors such as empagliflozin, dapagliflozin and canagliflozin.
Why not A: DPP-4 inhibitors end in -gliptin, such as sitagliptin (Januvia) and linagliptin (Tradjenta).
Why not C: Sulfonylureas include glipizide, glimepiride and glyburide.
Why not D: GLP-1 agonists generally end in -glutide, such as semaglutide and dulaglutide.
Remember: -gliflozin means SGLT2 inhibitor, -gliptin means DPP-4 inhibitor, and -glutide means GLP-1 agonist.
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- 300+ PTCB practice questions, every answer choice explained
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- Full 12-page printable High-Yield Cram Sheet (PDF)
100% Pass Guarantee + 7-day money-back. How it works