PTCE Exam Dumps - Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT) Exam

Needlegauge (G)refers to thediameter of the needle’s lumen(opening).The higher the gauge number, the smaller the needle diameter.

Lower gauge (e.g., 13G, 18G)→Larger needle(wider opening)

Higher gauge (e.g., 27G)→Smaller needle(narrower opening)

Common Needle Gauges and Their Uses:Gauge (G)

Needle Diameter (mm)

Common Use

13G

2.4 mm

IV drug administration (large-bore)

18G

1.2 mm

Drawing thick medications (e.g., oil-based injections)

20G

0.9 mm

General intramuscular (IM) injections

27G

0.4 mm

Subcutaneous (SC) or intradermal (ID) injections (e.g., insulin, vaccines)

Since27Gis the highest gauge listed, it corresponds to thesmallestneedle diameter, making it the correct answer.

A. 13G❌→ One of the largest gauges, used for IV fluids or blood transfusions.

B. 18G❌→ Large needle used for thick medications likedepot injections or contrast agents.

C. 20G❌→ Common forintramuscular injectionsbut larger than 27G.

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline– Covers needle gauges, injection routes, and proper medication administration.

USP <797> & USP <800>– Provide sterile compounding guidelines, including appropriate needle gauge selection.

CDC Vaccine Administration Guidelines– Recommend25-30Gfor subcutaneous and intradermal injections.

Why Not the Other Options?Key References:

Repatha (evolocumab) is a PCSK9 inhibitor used for lowering LDL cholesterol. One of its common side effects includes musculoskeletal pain, such as muscle aches and cramps. According to the FDA package insert for Repatha, clinical trials observed arthralgia, myalgia, and back pain as notable adverse events.

In contrast:

Requip (ropinirole) may cause dizziness or nausea.

Restasis (cyclosporine ophthalmic) causes eye irritation.

Restoril (temazepam) is associated with sedation.

Briviact (brivaracetam) and Vimpat (lacosamide) are both anticonvulsantsused to treat epilepsy.

Therapeutic duplication alertswarn ofmultiple drugs treating the same condition, increasing the risk of side effects.

📌Reference:ISMP Medication Safety Guidelines, PTCE Exam Study Guide.

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

High-alert medicationsaredrugs that carry a higher risk of significant patient harmif used incorrectly.IV propranololis abeta-blocker (adrenergic antagonist)that can causesevere bradycardia, hypotension, and cardiac arrestif administered improperly.

📌Explanation of Answer Choices:✅A. Adrenergic antagonist→Correct.Propranololblocks beta receptors, reducing heart rate and blood pressure.❌B. Chemotherapeutic agent→ Incorrect.Propranolol is not a chemotherapy drug.❌C. Opioid→ Incorrect.Propranolol is not an opioid.❌D. Anticoagulant→ Incorrect.Propranolol does not affect blood clotting.

📌Reference:

ISMP List of High-Alert Medications

PTCB Exam: Medication Safety & Risk Management

TheInstitute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)classifiesInsulin U-500as ahigh-alert medication in acute care settingsbecause it isfive times more concentratedthan standardU-100 insulin. Errors in dosing or administration can result insevere hypoglycemiaorhyperglycemia, leading to life-threatening consequences.

A. Normal saline solution→ Incorrect;0.9% sodium chloride (NS)isnot a high-alert medication, as it is a commonly used IV fluid with a wide safety margin.

B. Transdermal lidocaine→ Incorrect; although lidocaine is alocal anesthetic, its transdermal form isnot considered high-alert.

C. Dextrose 5% solution (D5W)→ Incorrect; while used inIV therapy,D5Wisnot classified as high-alertin acute care settings.

Other Answer Choices Explained:References:

ISMP List of High-Alert Medications in Acute Care Settings (2023 Update)

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline (Medication Safety & High-Alert Medications)

USP <800> Handling of High-Alert Medications

Tall Man letteringis amedication safety strategyrecommended by theFDA, ISMP (Institute for Safe Medication Practices), and The Joint Commissiontoprevent medication errorscaused bylook-alike, sound-alike (LASA) drug names.

Thedistinctive portionsof similar drug names are written inuppercase lettersto highlight differences.

Helps pharmacists, technicians, and healthcare professionals distinguish medications that areeasily confuseddue to similar names.

Reduces the risk ofprescription misinterpretationandmedication errorsin pharmacy settings.

How Tall Man Lettering Works:Examples of Tall Man Lettering (ISMP and FDA-Approved List):Regular Name

Tall Man Lettering Version

prednisone

predniSONE

prednisolone

prednisoLONE

hydroxyzine

hydrOXYzine

hydralazine

hydrALAzine

dobutamine

dobutAMINE

dopamine

dopaMINE

A. Highlights the similarities in drug names.→ Incorrect. Tall Man lettering highlightsdifferences, not similarities, toprevent confusion.

B. Ensures all trade names will be capitalized.→ Incorrect. Tall Man lettering applies toboth brand and generic names, but it is used specifically for drugs with look-alike names.

D. Keeps the pharmacy inventory in alphabetic order.→ Incorrect. Inventory order is based onstandard drug names, not Tall Man lettering.

Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) – Official Tall Man Lettering List.

FDA and The Joint Commission Medication Safety Guidelines.

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline – Medication Safety Strategies.

USP <797> and ISMP Guidelines on Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Medications.

Mosby’s Pharmacy Technician: Principles and Practice – Error Prevention Strategies.

Why the Other Answer Choices Are Incorrect:Pharmacy Technician References:Conclusion:Tall Man lettering is anessential tool for pharmacy techniciansto helpreduce medication errorsby drawing attention todifferencesbetweensimilar drug names, ensuringsafer dispensing and administrationof medications.

Pharmacy technicians may collect and relay information as part of supportive roles but do not interpret, assess, or make clinical decisions. Reporting out-of-range lab values to the pharmacist (B) is appropriate. Determining dosages (A), identifying potential interactions (C), and recommending diagnostic tests (D) are clinical judgment activities reserved for the pharmacist or prescriber.

References (Pharmacy Technician documents/Study Guides):

• ASHP Model Curriculum/Scope of Practice for Pharmacy Technicians—roles include data collection and communication, not clinical decision-making.

• PTCB/ExCPT study guides—delineation of technician vs. pharmacist responsibilities (technician: gather/report; pharmacist: evaluate/assess/decide).

• Pharmacy operations policy examples on technician duties in monitoring programs.

Diflucan (fluconazole) is an antifungal, whileDiprivan (propofol) is a sedative/anesthetic used for surgery.

Look-Alike, Sound-Alike (LASA) errorsoccur when medications havesimilar names but different indications.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

B. Clonidine (BP medication) & Klonopin (anxiolytic)→ LASA error but not antifungal vs. anesthetic.

C. Metronidazole (antibiotic) & Metformin (diabetes drug)→ LASA error but different categories.

D. Amiloride (diuretic) & Amlodipine (BP medication)→ LASA error but different categories.

📌Reference:ISMP List of High-Risk LASA Medications.