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Free ExCPT Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style Exam for Certified Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free ExCPT practice test to study every exam domain.

These 10 free ExCPT questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Exam for Certified Pharmacy Technicians blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.

Domain 1: Role, Responsibilities, and General Duties of the Pharmacy Technician (15 items, 15%)

Question 1

A patient asks the pharmacy technician to recommend an over-the-counter antihistamine for seasonal allergies. The technician should:

  1. Recommend diphenhydramine as a well-known first-generation option
  2. Explain the differences between available first- and second-generation products
  3. Refer the patient to the pharmacist for a recommendation
  4. Suggest the patient schedule a visit with their physician instead
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Refer the patient to the pharmacist for a recommendation

Domain 2: Laws (15 items, 15%)

Question 2

A patient presents a prescription for tramadol dated four months ago with three refills remaining. The technician should:

  1. Refuse to fill because the prescription expired after 90 days
  2. Fill the prescription; it is valid for six months with refills
  3. Contact the prescriber because tramadol requires a new written prescription each fill
  4. Refuse to fill; controlled substance prescriptions cannot be refilled
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Fill the prescription; it is valid for six months with refills

Question 3

A pharmacy technician receives a controlled substance prescription with DEA number BM2846191. Using the DEA validation formula, the technician determines:

  1. The DEA number is valid; the check digit is verified
  2. The DEA number is invalid; the first letter must be an A or F only
  3. The DEA number is invalid; the check digit does not match
  4. The DEA number is invalid; the second letter must match the drug name
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - The DEA number is invalid; the check digit does not match

Domain 3: Drugs and Drug Therapy (13 items, 13%)

Question 4

A prescription is received for Prinivil. Which generic medication should the pharmacy technician select?

  1. metformin
  2. atorvastatin
  3. amlodipine
  4. lisinopril
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - lisinopril

Domain 4: Dispensing Process (43 items, 43%)

Question 5

A prescription reads: Amoxicillin 250mg/5mL, Dispense 150mL, Take 5mL PO TID. What is the days' supply?

  1. 30 days
  2. 15 days
  3. 10 days
  4. 5 days
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - 10 days

Question 6

A pharmacy technician processes an insurance claim that is rejected with the message 'Prior Authorization Required.' What is the MOST appropriate next step?

  1. Inform the prescriber's office that a prior authorization is needed
  2. Dispense the medication and tell the patient to contact their insurance
  3. Automatically substitute a generic equivalent to bypass the requirement
  4. Advise the patient that their insurance plan does not cover this medication
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Inform the prescriber's office that a prior authorization is needed

Question 7

A pharmacy technician is compounding a sterile IV admixture in a horizontal laminar airflow workbench. Which action would violate proper aseptic technique?

  1. Placing a large item between the HEPA filter and the critical site
  2. Swabbing the injection port with 70% isopropyl alcohol
  3. Positioning the needle bevel up when puncturing a vial stopper
  4. Working approximately eight inches inside the outer edge of the hood
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Placing a large item between the HEPA filter and the critical site

Question 8

A prescription reads: Metformin 500mg #180 ii tab PO BID c food. How should the directions appear on the patient label?

  1. Take two tablets by mouth twice daily with food
  2. Take one tablet by mouth twice daily after food
  3. Take two tablets by mouth daily before food
  4. Take two tablets by mouth twice daily before meals
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Take two tablets by mouth twice daily with food

Domain 5: Medication and Patient Safety and Quality Assurance (14 items, 14%)

Question 9

Which of the following drug pairs represents a look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) concern that Tall Man lettering is designed to address?

  1. atorvastatin and rosuvastatin
  2. hydroxyzine and hydralazine
  3. amoxicillin and azithromycin
  4. omeprazole and pantoprazole
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - hydroxyzine and hydralazine

Question 10

A pharmacy receives notification that a medication has been recalled due to potential contamination that may cause temporary, reversible health effects. This recall is classified as:

  1. Class I, requiring immediate patient notification
  2. Class II, requiring removal from pharmacy shelves
  3. Class III, with no action required by the pharmacy
  4. A voluntary market withdrawal with no recall classification
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Class II, requiring removal from pharmacy shelves

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