Free practice test

Pharmacy Technician Practice Test

Check what you know about the pharmacy technician job with 15 free questions and instant explanations.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
About this practice test

15 multiple-choice questions on pharmacy technician knowledge, safety and vocabulary. Submit to see your score and explanations, or open any question’s answer as you go. Nothing is saved or shared.

Question 1 of 15A prescription reads “1 tab PO BID, #60.” What is the days’ supply?
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Answer: 30 days. BID means twice daily: 60 ÷ 2 = 30 days.

Question 2 of 15What does NDC stand for?
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Answer: National Drug Code. The National Drug Code identifies the labeler, product and package size.

Question 3 of 15Which agency regulates controlled substances?
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Answer: DEA. The Drug Enforcement Administration schedules and regulates controlled substances.

Question 4 of 15Who is responsible for counseling patients on new medications?
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Answer: The pharmacist. Patient counseling is a pharmacist responsibility.

Question 5 of 15USP <797> sets standards for:
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Answer: Sterile compounding. USP <797> covers sterile compounded preparations such as IV admixtures.

Question 6 of 15Which term matches this definition: “A medication with the same active ingredient, strength and dosage form as a brand-name drug.”
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Answer: Generic drug. Generic drug: A medication with the same active ingredient, strength and dosage form as a brand-name drug.

Question 7 of 15What does “Medication guide” mean?
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Answer: FDA-required patient handout for certain drugs with serious risks.. Medication guide: FDA-required patient handout for certain drugs with serious risks.

Question 8 of 15Which term matches this definition: “As needed: a direction for medication taken only when required.”
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Answer: PRN. PRN: As needed: a direction for medication taken only when required.

Question 9 of 15What does “Sterile compounding” mean?
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Answer: Preparing medications such as IVs in a clean-room environment under USP <797> standards.. Sterile compounding: Preparing medications such as IVs in a clean-room environment under USP <797> standards.

Question 10 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Mixing or altering ingredients to create a medication tailored to a patient.”
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Answer: Compounding. Compounding: Mixing or altering ingredients to create a medication tailored to a patient.

Question 11 of 15What does “Sig” mean?
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Answer: The directions on a prescription, from the Latin signa, meaning “label.”. Sig: The directions on a prescription, from the Latin signa, meaning “label.”

Question 12 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Dispense as written: a code showing whether a generic substitution is allowed.”
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Answer: DAW. DAW: Dispense as written: a code showing whether a generic substitution is allowed.

Question 13 of 15What does “Controlled substance” mean?
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Answer: A drug regulated by the DEA under Schedules I–V because of abuse potential.. Controlled substance: A drug regulated by the DEA under Schedules I–V because of abuse potential.

Question 14 of 15Which term matches this definition: “How many days a dispensed quantity will last at the prescribed dose.”
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Answer: Days’ supply. Days’ supply: How many days a dispensed quantity will last at the prescribed dose.

Question 15 of 15What does “NDC” mean?
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Answer: National Drug Code: the unique 10- or 11-digit identifier for a drug product.. NDC: National Drug Code: the unique 10- or 11-digit identifier for a drug product.

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