Free Pharmacy Technician Test Sample Questions

See why TrueLearn is a trusted resource for hundreds of pharmacy technician learners. At TrueLearn, we understand that it’s all about the content. That’s why we have high-yield pharmacy technician practice questions written and screened by high-performing pharmacist authors that are updated on a regular basis to ensure our SmartBanks stay up-to-date with exam blueprint changes for the PTCE® and ExCPT®. Below is a free pharmacy tech test question with a complete answer to show you what we mean.

Your First Free Pharmacy Technician Question

An event which occurs when one drug is mixed with others and produces an unacceptable product by some physical or chemical reaction is known as:

• A. incompatibility.
• B. instability.
• C. noncompliance.
• D. trituration.

Answer and Explanations

Incompatibility occurs when one drug is mixed with others and produces an unacceptable product by some physical or chemical reaction. The technician should review and follow the compounding directions in the master formulation record to prevent any risk of incompatibility. Incompatibilities typically result from changes in solubility after compounding two or more drugs, which can result in changes in color or the formation of a precipitate or unintended substance.

Did you get it right? The correct answer is A.

Here’s why the other answers are incorrect:

• Answer B: Instability occurs when a compounded product is altered as a result of improper storage or storage conditions. A compounded product must be stored under the correct conditions in order to ensure the drug maintains stability. A drug’s stability pertains to that substance’s ability to maintain the physical, chemical, therapeutic, and microbial properties.
• Answer C: Noncompliance does not pertain to nonsterile compounding. Noncompliance refers to a patient that does not take a prescribed medication or follow a prescribed course of treatment. Compliance refers to a patients taking the medication at the right dose or on the correct schedule.
• Answer D: Trituration is a method used in some nonsterile preparations. Trituration is the process of reducing the particle size of a substance utilizing a mortar and pestle. Trituration can also refer to the nonsterile compounding process where a potent drug powder is diluted with an inert diluent powder.

Bottom Line: Incompatibility occurs when a drug is mixed with other substances and produces an unacceptable product by some physical or chemical reaction.

For more information, see:

Ballington DA, Laughlin MM, McKennon SA. Pharmacology for Technicians. St. Paul, MN: Paradigm Publishing, Inc; 2017.

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