- Which product should be selected?
Answer: Fentanyl transdermal patch, 25 mcg/hr
The correct answer is C. The prescription is for a transdermal patch with a delivery rate of 25 micrograms per hour (mcg/hr). The technician must select the product that matches the drug, dosage form, and strength/delivery rate.
A is incorrect because it is the wrong dosage form (lozenge) and strength unit (mg vs mcg).
B is incorrect as it is the wrong strength (12 mcg/hr).
D is incorrect because the unit is mg/hr, which would be a massive and fatal overdose; the correct unit is mcg/hr.
- Which strength in mcg should the technician select to accurately fill this prescription?
Answer: 75 mcg
The correct answer is D. The technician must convert milligrams (mg) to micrograms (mcg). There are 1000 mcg in 1 mg. Therefore, 0.075 mg * 1000 mcg/mg = 75 mcg. The technician should select the 75 mcg strength bottle.
A, B, and C are incorrect due to decimal placement errors during the conversion.
- A Medrol Dosepak is a pre-packaged tapered dose regimen. Which of the following accurately describes the contents that should be dispensed?
Answer: A blister pack containing 21 tablets of methylprednisolone 4 mg
The correct answer is A. A Medrol Dosepak is a specific brand name for a pre-packaged dosing regimen containing 21 tablets of methylprednisolone 4 mg, designed for a 6-day tapered schedule.
B and C are incorrect as they describe different drugs (prednisone) and quantities.
D is incorrect because it is an injectable dosage form, not the oral Dosepak.
- Which of the following products should the pharmacy technician select from the shelf to fill this prescription?
Answer: Levothyroxine 125 mcg tablets
The correct answer is C because the prescription explicitly states a strength of 125 mcg, and the technician should select the product that matches this strength exactly to avoid confusion and potential dispensing errors.
A is incorrect because 1.25 mg equals 1,250 mcg, which is ten times the prescribed dose.
B is incorrect because 12.5 mcg is one-tenth of the prescribed dose.
D is incorrect because although 0.125 mg is mathematically equivalent to 125 mcg, selecting the product whose label matches the prescription units (mcg) reduces the risk of calculation errors and follows best practices for medication safety.
- The pharmacy stocks enoxaparin prefilled syringes in the following strengths: 30 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg, 100 mg, and 120 mg. Which strength syringe should be dispensed for one dose?
Answer: 80 mg
The correct answer is B. First, calculate the required dose for the patient: 80 kg * 1 mg/kg = 80 mg. The technician should then select the prefilled syringe that contains this exact dose to avoid medication errors associated with expelling part of a dose from a syringe. The 80 mg prefilled syringe is the correct product to dispense.
A, C, and D are incorrect strengths for this patient's weight-based dose.
- Based on the prescription, which dosage form should the technician select?
Answer: Rectal suppository
The correct answer is D. The abbreviation 'supp' stands for suppository, and 'PR' stands for per rectum, meaning rectally. Therefore, a rectal suppository is the correct dosage form.
A is incorrect because the dosage form is a suppository, not a cream.
B is incorrect because the route is rectal, not vaginal.
C is an incorrect dosage form and route of administration.
- Which product correctly corresponds to this prescription?
Answer: Amoxicillin 875 mg / Clavulanate 125 mg
The correct answer is A. Augmentin is a combination product. 'Augmentin 875 mg' specifically refers to the amoxicillin component. The corresponding product contains 875 mg of amoxicillin and 125 mg of clavulanate potassium.
B is incorrect as it is a different strength, commonly known as Augmentin 500.
C is incorrect because it is missing the clavulanate component, which is essential for Augmentin's mechanism of action.
D is incorrect as it represents a different strength and ratio of the two components.
- Which of the following vials would be the most appropriate and safest choice for the technician to select for preparing a single 5,000 unit dose?
Answer: Heparin 5,000 units/mL, 1 mL vial
The correct answer is C. Selecting the 5,000 units/mL vial allows the pharmacist to draw up exactly 1 mL to get the required 5,000 unit dose. This minimizes calculation errors and the risk of contamination associated with multiple entries into a vial.
A would require drawing up 5 mL, which is a larger volume and less efficient.
B contains the correct total amount but is highly concentrated (10,000 units/mL), requiring a small 0.5 mL draw, which increases the risk of an inaccurate dose. It is a high-alert medication concentration.
D is a low concentration typically used for flushing lines, not for therapeutic dosing, and would require a very large volume (50 mL).
- Knowing that 'gr V' refers to 5 grains, and the common equivalent strength for this dose, which product should be selected?
Answer: Ferrous sulfate 325 mg tablets
The correct answer is C. The apothecary abbreviation 'gr V' stands for 5 grains. One grain is approximately 65 mg. Therefore, 5 grains is equivalent to 5 * 65 mg = 325 mg. Ferrous sulfate 325 mg is the standard commercially available product that corresponds to a 5-grain dose.
A is an incorrect strength.
B is the wrong iron salt (gluconate).
D represents the amount of elemental iron in a 325 mg tablet, not the total salt strength.
- The pharmacy stocks lisinopril in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets. All available strengths are scored. Which strength tablet should be dispensed to match the instructions?
Answer: Lisinopril 10 mg
The correct answer is C. The instructions 'Take 1/2 tab' combined with the prescribed dose of '5 mg' indicate that the prescriber wants the patient to split a tablet to get the 5 mg dose. Therefore, a 10 mg tablet, when split in half, provides the correct 5 mg dose. Dispensing the 10 mg strength is necessary to follow the explicit instructions on the prescription.
A is incorrect because the patient would need to take two tablets.
B is incorrect because the instructions are to take half a tablet, not a whole one.
D would provide a 10 mg dose when split, which is incorrect.
- What dosage form of ondansetron should be dispensed?
Answer: Orally disintegrating tablet
The correct answer is C. 'ODT' is a common abbreviation for Orally Disintegrating Tablet. This dosage form dissolves on the tongue without water, which is ideal for patients who are nauseous or have difficulty swallowing.
A, B, and D represent other available dosage forms of ondansetron but are not what was specified by the ODT abbreviation on the prescription.
- Based on these instructions, which type of albuterol product should be dispensed?
Answer: Albuterol metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
The correct answer is B. The instruction 'inhale 2 puffs' specifically refers to the use of a metered-dose inhaler (MDI), which delivers a measured amount of medication per actuation (puff).
A is incorrect because nebulizer solutions are administered as a mist over several minutes, not in puffs.
C is incorrect because dry-powder inhalers require a deep, fast inhalation of powder, and while they deliver doses, the term 'puff' is most classically associated with MDIs.
D is incorrect because it is the wrong dosage form and route of administration.
- Which insulin product should the technician select from the refrigerator?
Answer: Humalog KwikPen U-100 (100 units/mL)
The correct answer is C. The prescription is for Humalog, which is a rapid-acting insulin. The standard concentration for this insulin is U-100 (100 units/mL). The technician must match the brand name (Humalog), device (KwikPen), and standard concentration (U-100).
A is incorrect because U-500 is a highly concentrated insulin reserved for patients with severe insulin resistance and would result in a dangerous overdose if dispensed in error.
B is incorrect because Lantus is a long-acting insulin, not the prescribed rapid-acting Humalog.
D is incorrect because it is a different type of insulin (a pre-mixed combination) and is in a vial, not the prescribed pen device.
- The abbreviation 'ad' in the instructions indicates the medication is for the ear. Which dosage form should be selected?
Answer: Otic suspension
The correct answer is B. The abbreviation 'ad' stands for auris dextra, which means 'right ear.' Therefore, an otic (for the ear) dosage form is required. Ciprodex is a commonly prescribed otic suspension.
A is incorrect because ophthalmic products are for the eye. Otic preparations should never be used in the eye.
C and D are incorrect routes of administration.
- Which item should the technician select from the shelf to prepare this prescription?
Answer: A bottle of cephalexin powder for reconstitution that yields a 250 mg/5 mL suspension
The correct answer is B. The technician's task is to prepare a suspension with a final concentration of 250 mg/5 mL. This requires selecting the bottle of powder for oral suspension that, when reconstituted with the specified amount of water, will result in this exact concentration.
A and C are incorrect because they would result in the wrong final concentration.
D is incorrect because capsules are the wrong dosage form and cannot be used to prepare a suspension.
- Which of the following medications should be selected from the inventory?
Answer: Metoprolol Succinate 50 mg extended-release tablets
The correct answer is B. Metoprolol succinate is an extended-release (ER) formulation, which is consistent with the 'daily' dosing instruction. The prescription specifies both the succinate salt form and the 50 mg strength.
A is incorrect because it is the wrong salt (tartrate) and wrong strength.
C is incorrect because metoprolol tartrate is an immediate-release formulation, typically dosed twice daily, and is not the salt form prescribed.
D is incorrect because it is the wrong strength (100 mg).
- The pharmacy stocks amoxicillin for reconstitution in two concentrations: 250 mg/5 mL and 400 mg/5 mL. Which product should be dispensed?
Answer: The 400 mg/5 mL bottle because it allows for a smaller, more convenient dose volume.
The correct answer is B. Dispensing the 400 mg/5 mL concentration allows the patient to take a 5 mL dose to receive the prescribed 400 mg. Using the 250 mg/5 mL concentration would require a dose of 8 mL ( (400 mg / 250 mg) * 5 mL = 8 mL ), which is less convenient and harder to measure accurately than a standard 5 mL teaspoonful. The goal is to match the prescribed dose with the most convenient and accurate administration volume.
A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not prioritize patient convenience and dosing accuracy.
- The technician goes to the shelf to select the product. Which of the following should be chosen?
Answer: Triamcinolone 0.1% ointment
The correct answer is D because it matches both the strength (0.1%) and the dosage form (ointment) specified on the prescription.
A is incorrect because the prescription calls for an ointment, not a cream. Ointments and creams are different topical dosage forms with different bases and properties.
B and C are incorrect because they are the wrong strengths.
- Based on the route of administration indicated in the sig code, which dosage form should be selected?
Answer: Ophthalmic solution
The correct answer is C. The sig code 'ou' is the Latin abbreviation for oculus uterque, meaning 'both eyes.' Therefore, an ophthalmic (for the eye) dosage form is required.
A is incorrect because 'otic' refers to the ear (ad or as).
B is incorrect because the instructions are to 'instill,' not to take by mouth.
D is incorrect because 'topical' refers to application on the skin, whereas this prescription is for the eyes.
