Mock paper #5

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: #5of 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 #5

Circle one letter for each question.

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Paper #5

80 questions. 110 minutes.

1

What distinguishes type 1 from type 2 diabetes in treatment?

AType 1 is treated with tablets and type 2 with insulin
BType 1 requires no drug treatment at all
CType 1 requires insulin
DType 1 is treated only in hospital

2

A patient reacts to one manufacturer’s tablet and not another’s. What is the likely explanation?

AA difference in the amount of active ingredient between the two
BA difference in the route by which the drug is absorbed
CA difference in inactive ingredients
DA difference in the therapeutic equivalence rating assigned

3

Where does a medication error go?

AThe ISMP Medication Errors Reporting Program
BMedWatch, which covers all product problems
CVAERS, if the drug involved was a vaccine
DDEA, if a controlled substance was involved

Worked explanations

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

Q1 C Ch. 1: Medications

Answer: C - Type 1 requires insulin

Because The correct answer is: Type 1 requires insulin. See Drug reference ch. 3 (drug classification). Drug reference ch. 3 (drug classification)

Where the other options lead

A.Reverses it. Type 1 requires insulin from diagnosis.
B.Removes treatment. Insulin is essential.
D.Names the setting. It is managed in the community.

Q2 C Ch. 1: Medications

Answer: C - A difference in inactive ingredients

Because The correct answer is: A difference in inactive ingredients. See 21 CFR 201.100. 21 CFR 201.100

Where the other options lead

A.Blames the strength. Bioequivalence constrains the active ingredient.
B.Blames the route. The route is the same for both.
D.Blames the rating. The rating reflects equivalence rather than causing a reaction.

Q3 A Ch. 3: Patient Safety and Quality Assurance

Answer: A - The ISMP Medication Errors Reporting Program

Because The correct answer is: The ISMP Medication Errors Reporting Program. See PTCB Knowledge Reference sec. 3. PTCB Knowledge Reference sec. 3

Where the other options lead

B.Names MedWatch. MedWatch concerns the product rather than the process.
C.Names VAERS. VAERS covers adverse events rather than errors.
D.Names DEA. DEA covers losses and diversion.

Worked explanations

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

Q1 C Ch. 1: Medications

Answer: C - Type 1 requires insulin

Because The correct answer is: Type 1 requires insulin. See Drug reference ch. 3 (drug classification). Drug reference ch. 3 (drug classification)

Where the other options lead

A.Reverses it. Type 1 requires insulin from diagnosis.
B.Removes treatment. Insulin is essential.
D.Names the setting. It is managed in the community.

Q2 C Ch. 1: Medications

Answer: C - A difference in inactive ingredients

Because The correct answer is: A difference in inactive ingredients. See 21 CFR 201.100. 21 CFR 201.100

Where the other options lead

A.Blames the strength. Bioequivalence constrains the active ingredient.
B.Blames the route. The route is the same for both.
D.Blames the rating. The rating reflects equivalence rather than causing a reaction.

Q3 A Ch. 3: Patient Safety and Quality Assurance

Answer: A - The ISMP Medication Errors Reporting Program

Because The correct answer is: The ISMP Medication Errors Reporting Program. See PTCB Knowledge Reference sec. 3. PTCB Knowledge Reference sec. 3

Where the other options lead

B.Names MedWatch. MedWatch concerns the product rather than the process.
C.Names VAERS. VAERS covers adverse events rather than errors.
D.Names DEA. DEA covers losses and diversion.

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.