PTCB Updated PTCE Exam Questions and Answers by rogan

Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets are light- and moisture-sensitive, requiring storage in tight, light-resistant containers. Removing them from their original glass container can compromise potency. Therefore, they must always be dispensed in the original container provided by the manufacturer.

According to USP Packaging and Storage Requirements and Mosby’s Pharmacy Technician:

“Nitroglycerin SL tablets lose potency quickly when exposed to air or light. Do not repackage; dispense only in manufacturer-supplied container.”

Other options do not require original container for stability:

Methotrexate – may be repackaged

Metoprolol XL – stable in unit-dose or amber vials

Allopurinol – routine packaging allowed

Diflucan (Fluconazole) is an antifungal medicationused to treatsystemic and local fungal infections, including:

Candidiasis (oral thrush, vaginal yeast infections)

Cryptococcal meningitis

Fungal infections in immunocompromised patients (HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy patients, etc.)

Fluconazole works byinhibiting fungal ergosterol synthesis, which is essential for fungal cell membrane integrity.

A. Bacterial infections❌→Incorrect

Fluconazole does NOT treat bacterial infections; antibiotics are required instead.

B. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)❌→Incorrect

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H2 blockers(e.g., omeprazole, ranitidine) are used for GERD.

C. Altitude sickness❌→Incorrect

Acetazolamide (Diamox) is used for altitude sickness, not fluconazole.

FDA Fluconazole Drug Label– Confirms antifungal indications.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines– Lists fluconazole asa treatment for candidiasis and cryptococcal meningitis.

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline– Covers antifungal medications and their indications.

Why Not the Other Options?Key References:

USP compounding standards require maintaining a Master Formulation Record (MFR) and a Compounding Record (CR). The primary purpose is to ensure the compounded preparation can be consistently and identically reproduced with documented components, calculations, equipment, steps, and quality checks. While documentation can incidentally aid billing or inventory, those are not the primary objectives.

References (Pharmacy Technician documents/Study Guides):

• USP <795> Pharmaceutical Compounding—Nonsterile Preparations: requirements for Master Formulation Records and Compounding Records, including content and purpose (consistent, reproducible compounding and quality assurance).

• ASHP guidelines on compounding documentation and quality systems.

• PTCB/ExCPT study guides—compounding documentation, records, and reproducibility.

Outdated (expired) medicationsmust not be dispensedand should bequarantinedin a separate area to prevent accidental use.

Remove outdated products from active stock immediately.

Label and store them separatelyuntil proper disposal.

Follow DEA, FDA, and state board guidelines for disposal.

Some medications (e.g., controlled substances) require special disposal procedures.

(A) Shipped to the DEA for disposal❌Incorrect – Only controlled substances require DEA disposal (viaReverse Distributor).

(B) Kept on the shelf to be dispensed first❌Incorrect – Expired medications should NEVER be dispensed.

(C) Isolated from active dispensing stock✅Correct – Medications must be separated from usable stock to prevent dispensing errors.

(D) Reported to the ISMP for tracking❌Incorrect – ISMP (Institute for Safe Medication Practices) monitors medication errors, not expiration management.

FDA Drug Disposal Guidelines: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines

DEA Controlled Substance Disposal Regulations: https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov

PTCB Exam Content Outline – Inventory Management & Drug Disposal

Pharmacy Technician Guidelines for Handling Expired Medications:Analysis of Answer Choices:References for Pharmacy Technicians: