7 free PTCE questions from our 27-question bank, grouped by content domain. Each answer explains why the right option is right — and why every wrong option is wrong.
Lisinopril belongs to which drug class?
Answer: A
ACE inhibitor: Correct. Drugs ending in "-pril" are angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
Beta blocker: Beta blockers usually end in "-olol" (e.g., metoprolol).
Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB): ARBs end in "-sartan" (e.g., losartan).
Calcium channel blocker: Calcium channel blockers include amlodipine and diltiazem.
Which of the following is the brand name for atorvastatin?
Answer: B
Zocor: Zocor is the brand name for simvastatin.
Lipitor: Correct. Lipitor is atorvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin).
Crestor: Crestor is the brand name for rosuvastatin.
Pravachol: Pravachol is the brand name for pravastatin.
Statins share the "-statin" suffix. Memorize the top brand/generic pairs — they are a large part of the Medications domain.
What is the main purpose of Tall Man lettering, such as hydrOXYzine and hydrALAZINE?
Answer: B
To show which drug is the brand name: Tall Man lettering is not about brand vs generic.
To reduce mix-ups between look-alike drug names: Correct. Capitalizing the differing letters draws attention to the difference between similar names.
To identify high-cost medications: It has nothing to do with cost.
To mark controlled substances: Controlled substances are marked with a C-symbol, not Tall Man lettering.
A patient receives 90 tablets with directions "1 tab PO BID." What is the days supply?
Answer: A
45 days: Correct. BID = 2 tablets per day; 90 ÷ 2 = 45 days.
30 days: 30 days would be 3 tablets per day.
90 days: 90 days would be 1 tablet per day.
60 days: Does not match 2 tablets per day.
A prescription reads: amoxicillin 500 mg, 1 cap PO TID × 10 days. How many capsules should be dispensed?
Answer: C
10: 10 is one capsule per day.
20: 20 would be twice daily (BID).
30: Correct. 1 capsule × 3 times daily × 10 days = 30 capsules.
40: 40 would be four times daily (QID).
Drugs with a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use in the United States are placed in which schedule?
Answer: A
Schedule I: Correct. Schedule I substances (e.g., heroin) have no accepted medical use and a high abuse potential.
Schedule II: Schedule II drugs have accepted medical uses (e.g., oxycodone).
Schedule III: Schedule III drugs have moderate-to-low dependence potential.
Schedule V: Schedule V drugs have the lowest abuse potential.
Which DEA form is used to order Schedule II controlled substances on paper?
Answer: C
DEA Form 41: Form 41 records the destruction of controlled substances.
DEA Form 106: Form 106 reports theft or significant loss.
DEA Form 222: Correct. Form 222 (or the electronic CSOS system) is used to order Schedule I and II substances.
DEA Form 224: Form 224 is the application for a new pharmacy DEA registration.
Memory tip: "2-2-2 for C-II."
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