Ptcb Quiz: Ndc Verification
20 questions · exam conditions
0:00
Ndc VerificationQuestion 1 of 20

The NDC for a bottle of 100 tablets is 59762-3701-1. What does the '1' in the third segment of this NDC typically represent?

The DEA schedule of the drug
The lot number of the batch
The package size or type
The therapeutic class of the medication
← Back to quizzes

Ptcb Quiz

Ptcb Quiz: Ndc Verification

Practice Ndc Verification in Ptcb with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Ndc Verification, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Ptcb.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

The NDC for a bottle of 100 tablets is 59762-3701-1. What does the '1' in the third segment of this NDC typically represent?

  1. The DEA schedule of the drug
  2. The lot number of the batch
  3. The package size or type (correct answer)
  4. The therapeutic class of the medication
Explanation: The third and final segment of an NDC number is the package code. This segment identifies the package size (e.g., 100-count bottle, 30-count blister pack) and type. The DEA schedule, lot number, and therapeutic class are not part of the NDC.

Question 2

What is the primary function of the National Drug Code (NDC) in a pharmacy?

  1. To indicate the drug's expiration date and lot number
  2. To uniquely identify a specific drug, manufacturer, and package size (correct answer)
  3. To assign the legal controlled substance schedule
  4. To provide the recommended daily dosage for the patient
Explanation: The NDC is a universal product identifier for human drugs in the United States. Its primary purpose is to provide a unique identifier for a specific labeler (manufacturer), product (drug/strength/form), and package size, which is essential for accurate dispensing, billing, and inventory control.

Question 3

The first segment of a National Drug Code (NDC) is assigned by the FDA and identifies the:

  1. Product
  2. Package size
  3. Labeler (correct answer)
  4. Therapeutic category
Explanation: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assigns the first segment of the NDC, known as the labeler code. This code uniquely identifies the company that manufactures, repacks, or distributes the drug product.

Question 4

A pharmacy technician prepares a non-sterile compound of "Magic Mouthwash" according to a physician's prescription. When entering the compound into the computer system for labeling and billing, what NDC should be used?

  1. The NDC of the most expensive ingredient used in the compound.
  2. A pharmacy-specific or universal placeholder NDC designated for compounds. (correct answer)
  3. The NDC from a previously dispensed, similar commercial product.
  4. No NDC is required as compounds are not regulated by the FDA.
Explanation: Extemporaneously compounded medications are not manufactured products and therefore do not have an FDA-assigned NDC. Pharmacy computer systems use a specific, non-official placeholder NDC to process the prescription, create a label, and bill for the compound as a whole. Using the NDC of an ingredient or a different commercial product would constitute billing fraud.

Question 5

The labeler code, which is the first segment of every NDC number, is uniquely assigned to each manufacturer by which organization?

  1. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (correct answer)
  2. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
  3. The United States Pharmacopeia (USP)
  4. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)
Explanation: The FDA is the government agency responsible for regulating drugs in the United States. As part of this role, the FDA assigns a unique labeler code to each company that manufactures or distributes drugs.

Question 6

A hospital pharmacy technician is restocking an automated dispensing cabinet. The bulk stock bottle of lisinopril 10 mg has an NDC of 0378-0131-01 (a 100-count bottle). The cabinet requires single, unit-dosed tablets.

The NDC on the unit-dose blister pack of the same medication will most likely:

  1. be identical to the bulk bottle's NDC.
  2. differ in the first segment, which indicates the packager.
  3. differ in the second segment, which indicates a different strength.
  4. differ in the third segment, which indicates package size. (correct answer)
Explanation: The first segment (manufacturer) and second segment (product and strength) will be the same because it is the same drug from the same company. However, the third segment (package code) must be different to distinguish the 100-count bulk bottle from the unit-dose blister pack. Note: If a third-party company repackaged the drug, the first segment would also change, but the package code will always be different for different package types.

Question 7

A prescription is for hydroxyzine 25 mg tablets. The technician pulls a bottle from the shelf located next to the hydralazine. To prevent a medication error, what is the BEST method for the technician to verify the correct drug was selected?

What is the BEST method for the technician to verify the correct drug was selected?

  1. Check the color and shape of the tablets against a reference guide.
  2. Ask the patient if they recognize the medication's name.
  3. Confirm the spelling on the bottle matches the prescription.
  4. Compare the NDC on the stock bottle to the NDC in the dispensing system. (correct answer)
Explanation: Hydroxyzine and hydralazine are classic look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) drugs. While confirming spelling is a good first step, it is prone to error. The most reliable method to ensure the correct drug is selected is to use barcode scanning or manual comparison of the NDC number on the stock bottle with the NDC number specified in the prescription processing software.

Question 8

While filling a prescription for amoxicillin 500 mg capsules, the technician scans the stock bottle, which has an NDC of 0781-2613-01. The pharmacy software indicates the prescribed NDC should be 0781-2613-05.

What is the most likely reason for this discrepancy and the technician's most appropriate action?

  1. The drug strength is incorrect; the technician should find a bottle with the correct strength.
  2. The manufacturer is different; the technician can dispense it as a generic substitution.
  3. It is a data entry error; the technician should override the warning and dispense the medication.
  4. The package sizes are different; the technician should verify the prescribed quantity and notify the pharmacist. (correct answer)
Explanation: The first two segments of the NDC ('0781-2613') match, indicating the manufacturer and drug product are correct. The third segment, the package code, is different ('01' vs. '05'). This signifies a different package size (e.g., 100-count bottle vs. 500-count bottle). The technician must investigate and inform the pharmacist.

Question 9

A pharmacy technician is verifying a stock bottle with the NDC 68180-512-01. Which part of this NDC identifies the specific drug, strength, and dosage form?

  1. 68180
  2. 512 (correct answer)
  3. 1
  4. 68180-512
Explanation: The middle segment of the NDC is the product code. In this example, '512' identifies the specifics of the drug itself, including its active ingredient, strength, and dosage form. The first segment ('68180') is the labeler code, and the third segment ('01') is the package code.

Question 10

For insurance submission, a technician must convert the 10-digit NDC 12345-678-90 into the 11-digit format. What is the correct conversion?

  1. 012345-678-90
  2. 12345-0678-90 (correct answer)
  3. 12345-678-090
  4. 12345-6780-90
Explanation: To convert a 10-digit NDC to the 11-digit HIPAA standard (5-4-2 format), a leading zero must be added to the deficient segment. For a 5-3-2 format like '12345-678-90', the middle (product code) segment is short. Therefore, a zero is added to the beginning of that segment, resulting in '12345-0678-90'.

Question 11

Why is it critical for a pharmacy technician to ensure the correct 11-digit NDC is submitted on an insurance claim?

  1. To track the prescribing habits of the physician
  2. To ensure proper reimbursement and prevent claim rejections (correct answer)
  3. To report adverse drug events to the manufacturer
  4. To calculate the patient's medication adherence score
Explanation: Insurance payers use the 11-digit NDC to identify the exact product that was dispensed. Submitting an incorrect NDC can lead to the claim being rejected or the pharmacy being reimbursed incorrectly. Accurate NDC submission is crucial for the financial viability of the pharmacy.

Question 12

A technician needs to bill an NDC that appears as 12345-1234-1 on the stock bottle. What is the correct 11-digit format for this NDC?

  1. 012345-1234-1
  2. 12345-01234-1
  3. 12345-1234-10
  4. 12345-1234-01 (correct answer)
Explanation: The standard 11-digit NDC format is 5-4-2. The provided 10-digit NDC is in a 5-4-1 format. To convert it, a leading zero must be added to the segment that is short of the standard format. In this case, the third segment ('1') is short, so it becomes '01', resulting in the correct 11-digit NDC of '12345-1234-01'.

Question 13

In the National Drug Code (NDC) number 0078-0458-05, which segment identifies the manufacturer or labeler?

  1. 78 (correct answer)
  2. 458
  3. 5
  4. 458-05
Explanation: The NDC number is divided into three segments. The first segment, in this case '0078', is the labeler code, which identifies the manufacturer or distributor of the drug. The second segment identifies the product, and the third identifies the package size.

Question 14

A drug manufacturer's label contains several numbers. Which of the following is used to verify that the correct medication and package size have been selected for dispensing?

  1. Lot number
  2. UPC code
  3. NDC number (correct answer)
  4. Expiration date
Explanation: While the lot number and expiration date are critical for safety and quality assurance (e.g., in case of a recall), the NDC number is the specific identifier used to verify that the product being dispensed matches the product ordered on the prescription, including the correct manufacturer, drug, strength, dosage form, and package size.

Question 15

What information is provided by the final segment of an NDC number?

  1. The drug's chemical formula
  2. The location of manufacture
  3. The controlled substance status
  4. The package configuration and size (correct answer)
Explanation: The third and final segment of the NDC is the package code. This part of the code is assigned by the manufacturer to identify different package configurations and sizes of the same product, such as a 30-count bottle, a 90-count bottle, or a box of 10 unit-dose vials.

Question 16

When a drug manufacturer issues a Class I recall, how is the NDC number utilized by the pharmacy?

  1. To bill the manufacturer for the cost of the recalled drug
  2. To find alternative medications for affected patients
  3. To identify and quarantine the specific products affected by the recall (correct answer)
  4. To report the recall to the local news media
Explanation: A drug recall notice specifies the exact products affected by listing their NDC numbers and lot numbers. Pharmacy staff use this information to search their physical inventory and computer records to locate, isolate, and return the recalled medication, preventing it from being dispensed to patients.

Question 17

When a pharmacy technician compares the NDC on a prescription to a stock bottle, the middle segment of the code provides what critical information?

  1. The company that manufactured the drug
  2. The number of tablets or capsules in the bottle
  3. The specific strength, dosage form, and formulation of the drug (correct answer)
  4. The date the medication was packaged
Explanation: The middle segment of the NDC is the product code. It is assigned by the manufacturer to identify the specific product, which includes its active ingredient(s), strength, and dosage form (e.g., tablet, capsule, injection). The first segment identifies the manufacturer, and the third segment identifies the package size.

Question 18

A prescription requires billing using an 11-digit NDC. The manufacturer's label shows the 10-digit NDC as 1234-5678-90. How should this be converted to the HIPAA-standard 11-digit format (5-4-2)?

  1. 1234-05678-90
  2. 1234-5678-090
  3. 01234-5678-90 (correct answer)
  4. 01234-5678-090
Explanation: The HIPAA standard for NDC billing is an 11-digit number in a 5-4-2 format. To convert a 10-digit NDC, a leading zero is added to the segment that is short. In a 4-4-2 format like '1234-5678-90', the first segment is short, so a zero is added to the beginning, resulting in '01234-5678-90'.

Question 19

While entering a prescription, a technician scans a drug's barcode, but the system states "NDC not found." Which of the following is a possible reason for this message?

  1. The drug has been assigned a new DEA schedule.
  2. The patient's insurance does not cover this medication.
  3. The drug is a newly released product not yet added to the database. (correct answer)
  4. The medication requires prior authorization.
Explanation: An "NDC not found" error means the specific product identifier is not present in the pharmacy's drug file. This commonly occurs when a drug is new to the market, is from a new generic manufacturer, or has been repackaged and the pharmacy's database has not yet been updated. The other options relate to different stages of prescription processing (billing or clinical review).

Question 20

In a pharmacy utilizing barcode scanning and an automated inventory system, the NDC number is primarily used to:

  1. Determine the appropriate beyond-use date for a compounded product
  2. Verify the patient's allergy information
  3. Track inventory levels and automate the reordering process (correct answer)
  4. Communicate with the prescribing physician
Explanation: The barcode on a drug package contains the NDC number. When a technician scans the product during dispensing or receiving, the pharmacy's computer system automatically updates the inventory count. This allows for accurate tracking of stock levels and can trigger automatic reorders when a product falls below its par level.