PTCE Exam Dumps - Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT) Exam

A potential error is a mistake that is identified and corrected before it reaches the patient.

Example:A technician fillshydralazineinstead ofhydroxyzine, but the pharmacist catches the mistake before dispensing.

📌Reference:ISMP Medication Error Categories, PTCE Pharmacy Error Prevention Guide.

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

Hospitals mayredispenseunopened, sealed, unit-dose medicationsreturned frominpatients, as long as they areproperly storedand not tampered with.

📌Explanation of Answer Choices:✅C. Unopened units-of-use returned from inpatients may be redispensed→Correct.Hospital pharmacies canredispense sealed unit-dose medications from inpatients.❌A. Unlabeled medications may be dispensed by the nurse at discharge→ Incorrect.Unlabeled meds cannot be dispensed due to safety concerns.❌B. Unopened units-of-use returned from outpatients may be redispensed→ Incorrect.Medications dispensed to outpatients cannot be returned to stock.❌D. Crediting of unused doses is not feasible→ Incorrect.Many hospitals have systems for crediting unused doses.

📌Reference:

USP <795> and <797>: Hospital Medication Storage

PTCB Medication Safety Regulations

Carbon dioxide exposure can cause oxidation and degradation of certain medications, reducing theirstability and effectiveness.

📌Reference:USP Drug Storage and Stability Guidelines.

A vaccine administration error occurs when a vaccine is given in a way that deviates from standard guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the vaccine manufacturer’s recommendations. Some administration errors must be reported voluntarily to theVaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)to help improve vaccine safety and prevent future errors.

(A) Fluzone was administered subcutaneously.✅(Incorrect Route – Error that Should Be Reported)

Fluzone is aninactivated influenza vaccine (IIV)that should be administeredintramuscularly (IM).

Subcutaneous (SQ) administration isnot recommendedand may reduce vaccine efficacy.

According to theCDC and the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC), administering an inactivated influenza vaccine subcutaneously is a vaccine administration error and should be reported.

(B) Boostrix was administered intramuscularly.❌(Correct Route – No Error)

Boostrix is aTdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis) vaccineindicated for booster immunization.

It iscorrectly administered intramuscularly (IM)in thedeltoid muscle.

Since the correct administration route was followed, this does not qualify as a vaccine administration error.

(C) Varivax was administered subcutaneously.❌(Correct Route – No Error)

Varivax is alive-attenuated varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.

It iscorrectly administered subcutaneously (SQ), typically in the upper arm or thigh.

Since the correct administration route was followed, this is not a vaccine administration error.

(D) Shingrix was administered intramuscularly.❌(Correct Route – No Error)

Shingrix is arecombinant zoster vaccine (RZV)used for shingles prevention.

It should be administeredintramuscularly (IM).

Since the correct administration route was followed, this is not a vaccine administration error.

TheInstitute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)and theCDCrecommend reportingvaccine administration errorsto VAERS, especially if the error could affect the vaccine’s efficacy or patient safety.

Administration of Fluzonevia the incorrect route (subcutaneously instead of intramuscularly)could alter immune response and should be reported.

If a vaccine is given via the incorrect route, the CDC provides guidance on whether the dose needs to be repeated. For inactivated influenza vaccines given subcutaneously, the CDC states that the dose doesnot need to be repeated, but the error should still be documented and reported.

CDC General Best Practices for Immunization:https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/general-recs/index.html

Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS): https://vaers.hhs.gov/

Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) - Vaccine Administration Guidelines: https://www.immunize.org/technical-support/administering-vaccines/

Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) - Vaccine Safety Recommendations: https://www.ismp.org/recommendations/immunization-safety

Analysis of Each Answer Choice:Reporting Vaccine Administration Errors:References for Pharmacy Technicians:

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

Amedication erroroccurs when a patientreceives the wrong drug, dose, or administration method, which can result inadverse effects.High-risk medicationsinclude:

Injectable insulins(risk of hypoglycemia, coma).

Antineoplastic (chemotherapy) agents(toxic at incorrect doses).

Oral anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin, apixaban)(can causefatal bleeding).

📌Explanation of Answer Choices:✅A. Topical creams→Correct.While topical medicationscan cause localized irritation or allergies, theyrarely cause systemic toxicitywhen used improperly.❌B. Injectable insulins→ Incorrect.Can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia.❌C. Antineoplastic agents→ Incorrect.High risk of toxicity and organ damage.❌D. Oral anticoagulants→ Incorrect.Incorrect dosing can lead to fatal bleeding.

📌Reference:

ISMP List of High-Alert Medications

FDA Guidelines on Medication Errors

PTCB Exam: Medication Safety & Risk Management

Pharmacy technician scope of practice is defined by state regulation and generally includes technical functions under a pharmacist’s supervision. In many states, technicians may initiate transfers of non-controlled prescriptions (often technician-to-technician) as part of the dispensing workflow. Activities such as patient counseling (A), clinical review (B), and approving the validity of controlled prescriptions (D) are considered professional/judgmental tasks and are reserved for the pharmacist.

References (Pharmacy Technician documents / Study Guides):

• NABP Model State Pharmacy Act—differentiation of pharmacist vs. technician duties.

• PTCB/ExCPT role delineation: technician tasks include processing, data entry, and certain communications (e.g., non-controlled transfers) under pharmacist supervision; clinical judgment and counseling are pharmacist-only.

• State practice act summaries frequently used in technician training modules regarding transfers and controlled vs. non-controlled prescriptions.

Butorphanolis aSchedule IV controlled substanceunder theControlled Substances Act (CSA). It is anopioid analgesicused formoderate-to-severe painandmigraine relief. Due to itsabuse potential, it is classified as acontrolled substanceand requires special handling in pharmacies.

A. Metoprolol→ Incorrect; metoprolol is abeta-blockerforhypertension and heart diseaseand isnot a controlled substance.

C. Carvedilol→ Incorrect; carvedilol is also abeta-blockerforheart failure and hypertension, not a controlled drug.

D. Propranolol→ Incorrect; propranolol is abeta-blockerused forhypertension, migraines, and anxiety, but it isnot a controlled substance.

Other Answer Choices Explained:References:

DEA Controlled Substances List (Schedule IV – Butorphanol)

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline (Pharmacy Laws & Regulations – Controlled Substances)

Federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA)

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

Ahazardous drug spill kitisrequiredunderUSP <800>, which outlinessafe handling practices for hazardous drugs (HDs). The kit must contain:

Disposable scoop and scraper(to safely collect broken glass and contaminated material).

Absorbent pads or spill control pillows(for liquid spills).

Chemotherapy-rated gloves, gown, goggles, and mask(for protection).

A hazardous waste disposal bag(to properly dispose of contaminated materials).

📌Explanation of Answer Choices:✅D. A disposable scoop for glass fragments→Correct.Adisposable scoop is essentialto safely removehazardous drug spills containing broken glass.❌A. Permeable, disposable protective garments→ Incorrect. PPE for hazardous drug spills must beimpermeable(e.g., coated gowns).❌B. Sufficient supplies to absorb a spill of about 10,000 mL→ Incorrect.Most spill kits are designed for smaller spills (≤1000 mL), not massive industrial spills.❌C. Reusable absorbent sponges or toweling→ Incorrect.All absorbent materials must be disposable to prevent contamination.

📌Reference:

USP <800>: Handling Hazardous Drugs in Healthcare Settings

NIOSH List of Hazardous Drugs (2020 Update)

PTCB Exam: Medication Safety & Hazardous Drug Management