ExCPT Practice exam 1 | Excpt Pharmacy Technician Certification

"Prn" stands for the Latin phrase "pro re nata," meaning "as needed." It instructs the patient to take the medication only when necessary, not on a fixed schedule. For example, pain relievers are often prescribed prn to allow patients to manage pain when it occurs.

Medications must be stored at the proper temperature to ensure they remain effective and safe. Exposure to extreme heat, cold, or humidity can degrade the chemical composition, making the drug less effective or even harmful.

Metoprolol is a beta-blocker used to manage hypertension, angina, and other heart-related conditions. It works by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors, reducing heart rate and blood pressure.

The NDC is a unique identifier assigned to each drug product. It includes numbers that specify the labeler, product, and package size. Pharmacists use the NDC for accurate identification, inventory management, and insurance billing.

Heparin injection is a sterile preparation administered intravenously or subcutaneously. It must be compounded under aseptic conditions to prevent contamination. Capsules, suspensions, and tablets are non-sterile and do not require sterile compounding.

A prescription without a patient name is incomplete and legally invalid. You must contact the prescriber to confirm the correct information. Documenting the communication ensures accuracy and prevents future errors.

During medication reconciliation, pharmacy technicians collect a comprehensive list of a patient’s current prescriptions, over-the-counter meds, and supplements. This helps the pharmacist prevent interactions and duplications when a new medication is prescribed.

The beyond-use date is specific to compounded medications. It indicates the last day a compound should be used, based on stability, contamination risk, and storage conditions. This date often differs from the manufacturer’s expiration date.

Unit-dose packaging contains a single, pre-measured dose of medication, minimizing errors during administration. It helps ensure patients receive the correct dose and drug, especially in high-volume hospital settings.

“hs” comes from the Latin “hora somni,” meaning “at bedtime.” This instructs the patient to take the medication just before going to sleep, often used for sedatives or nighttime treatments.