Mock paper #3

PTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE)

A full paper drawn to the blueprint. Answers and worked explanations are at the back of this file.

Questions: 80
Time: 110minutes
Mark: 80%our target
Paper: #3of 5

Single-user licence. You may print this file and write on it. You may not redistribute, resell or post it. © Sitonce 2026.

Before you start

Sit this the way you will sit the real one. A mock done in pieces over three evenings measures your notes, not your recall.

Questions

80

Minutes

110

Per question

83s

Started at

Set a timer for 110 minutes and do not stop it. Running over is the commonest way a prepared candidate fails, and the only place you can find that out safely is here.
Mark one answer for each question on the answer sheet.
Answer every question. There is no penalty for a wrong answer. A blank is a guaranteed zero and a guess is not.
Flag anything you are unsure of as you go. When you mark the paper, a question you flagged and got right is worth as much of your attention as one you got wrong - you do not yet know it, you guessed it.
When the timer runs out, turn to the Answers section at the back of this file. Mark the paper against the quick-reference key first, fill in the score table, and only then read the worked explanations.

What this paper covers

Area	Questions	Share
Medications	28	35%
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance	19	24%
Order Entry and Processing	18	23%
Federal Requirements	15	19%
Total	80	100%

Answer sheet - paper #3

Circle one letter for each question.

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Paper #3

80 questions. 110 minutes.

1

What is the usual advice for a drug causing stomach upset?

ATake it with an antacid at the same time
BTake it with food unless the label says otherwise
CHalve the dose until the symptom settles
DTake it at bedtime so the effect is not noticed

2

A product is marked 06/2027. Through what date is it good?

A30 June 2027
B30 June 2026, a year earlier
C31 May 2027, the day before the stated month
D1 June 2027, the first day of the stated month

3

Why must a suspension be shaken?

ATo mix in the preservative that keeps it stable
BTo warm it to room temperature before it is given
COtherwise the first dose is weak and the last is strong
DTo break up any crystals that formed during storage

Worked explanations

The paper carries one for every question, at the back. These are the three above.

Q1 B Ch. 1: Medications

Answer: B - Take it with food unless the label says otherwise

Because The correct answer is: Take it with food unless the label says otherwise. See Prescribing information sec. 2 (dosage and administration). Prescribing information sec. 2 (dosage and administration)

Where the other options lead

A.Adds an antacid. Antacids interfere with the absorption of several drugs.
C.Changes the dose. Dose changes are a prescriber decision.
D.Hides it. Timing does not prevent the irritation.

Q2 A Ch. 1: Medications

Answer: A - 30 June 2027

Because The correct answer is: 30 June 2027. See 21 CFR 201.17. 21 CFR 201.17

Where the other options lead

B.Misreads the year. The year stated is 2027.
C.Uses the previous month. The stated month is included.
D.Uses the first day. Reading it that way discards stock a month early.

Q3 C Ch. 1: Medications

Answer: C - Otherwise the first dose is weak and the last is strong

Because The correct answer is: Otherwise the first dose is weak and the last is strong. See Prescribing information sec. 3 (dosage forms and strengths). Prescribing information sec. 3 (dosage forms and strengths)

Where the other options lead

A.Names preservation. The preservative is dissolved throughout.
B.Names temperature. Shaking does not warm the product.
D.Names crystallisation. The particles were never dissolved to begin with.

Worked explanations

The paper carries one for every question, at the back. These are the three above.

Q1 B Ch. 1: Medications

Answer: B - Take it with food unless the label says otherwise

Because The correct answer is: Take it with food unless the label says otherwise. See Prescribing information sec. 2 (dosage and administration). Prescribing information sec. 2 (dosage and administration)

Where the other options lead

A.Adds an antacid. Antacids interfere with the absorption of several drugs.
C.Changes the dose. Dose changes are a prescriber decision.
D.Hides it. Timing does not prevent the irritation.

Q2 A Ch. 1: Medications

Answer: A - 30 June 2027

Because The correct answer is: 30 June 2027. See 21 CFR 201.17. 21 CFR 201.17

Where the other options lead

B.Misreads the year. The year stated is 2027.
C.Uses the previous month. The stated month is included.
D.Uses the first day. Reading it that way discards stock a month early.

Q3 C Ch. 1: Medications

Answer: C - Otherwise the first dose is weak and the last is strong

Because The correct answer is: Otherwise the first dose is weak and the last is strong. See Prescribing information sec. 3 (dosage forms and strengths). Prescribing information sec. 3 (dosage forms and strengths)

Where the other options lead

A.Names preservation. The preservative is dissolved throughout.
B.Names temperature. Shaking does not warm the product.
D.Names crystallisation. The particles were never dissolved to begin with.

The rest of this mock paper comes with the course

PTCB Exam: the whole syllabus taught, the questions that test it, 5 timed mocks, and all 6 PDFs to print.