Mock paper #4

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: #4of 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 #4

Circle one letter for each question.

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Paper #4

80 questions. 110 minutes.

1

A product for one route is used for another. Why is that a concern?

AFormulation and sterility differ by route
BThe drug becomes less effective by the wrong route
CThe label will not carry the correct directions
DThe insurance claim will be rejected for the wrong route

2

What is wrong with stopping at human error?

AIt fails to identify who was responsible
BThe next person will make the same mistake
CIt takes longer than a full analysis
DIt cannot be documented for the record

3

Which biosimilar may be substituted at the pharmacy counter?

AAny biosimilar the prescriber has not expressly prohibited
BAny biosimilar approved by FDA for the same indication
CNone; biologics may never be substituted in any circumstances
DOne designated interchangeable

Worked explanations

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

Q1 A Ch. 1: Medications

Answer: A - Formulation and sterility differ by route

Because The correct answer is: Formulation and sterility differ by route. See Drug reference ch. 5 (routes of administration). Drug reference ch. 5 (routes of administration)

Where the other options lead

B.Names potency. The concern is safety rather than only efficacy.
C.Names labelling. Labelling follows the error rather than causing it.
D.Names billing. Billing is not the safety issue.

Q2 B Ch. 3: Patient Safety and Quality Assurance

Answer: B - The next person will make the same mistake

Because The correct answer is: The next person will make the same mistake. See PTCB Knowledge Reference sec. 3. PTCB Knowledge Reference sec. 3

Where the other options lead

A.Names accountability. The person is already identified.
C.Names time. Stopping early is faster and useless.
D.Names records. It can be documented and teaches nothing.

Q3 D Ch. 1: Medications

Answer: D - One designated interchangeable

Because The correct answer is: One designated interchangeable. See 21 CFR 201.100. 21 CFR 201.100

Where the other options lead

A.Uses prescriber silence. Silence does not authorise substitution of a biologic.
B.Assumes all are substitutable. Only an interchangeable designation permits substitution without the prescriber.
C.Rules it out. Interchangeable biosimilars exist for that purpose.

Worked explanations

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

Q1 A Ch. 1: Medications

Answer: A - Formulation and sterility differ by route

Because The correct answer is: Formulation and sterility differ by route. See Drug reference ch. 5 (routes of administration). Drug reference ch. 5 (routes of administration)

Where the other options lead

B.Names potency. The concern is safety rather than only efficacy.
C.Names labelling. Labelling follows the error rather than causing it.
D.Names billing. Billing is not the safety issue.

Q2 B Ch. 3: Patient Safety and Quality Assurance

Answer: B - The next person will make the same mistake

Because The correct answer is: The next person will make the same mistake. See PTCB Knowledge Reference sec. 3. PTCB Knowledge Reference sec. 3

Where the other options lead

A.Names accountability. The person is already identified.
C.Names time. Stopping early is faster and useless.
D.Names records. It can be documented and teaches nothing.

Q3 D Ch. 1: Medications

Answer: D - One designated interchangeable

Because The correct answer is: One designated interchangeable. See 21 CFR 201.100. 21 CFR 201.100

Where the other options lead

A.Uses prescriber silence. Silence does not authorise substitution of a biologic.
B.Assumes all are substitutable. Only an interchangeable designation permits substitution without the prescriber.
C.Rules it out. Interchangeable biosimilars exist for that purpose.

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.