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Escitalopram (Lexapro)is aselective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)used formajor depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). If escitalopram isnon-formulary, a suitable alternative would besertraline (Zoloft), anotherSSRIwith a similar mechanism of action and indication.

A. Cabergoline→ Incorrect; cabergoline is adopamine agonistused to treathyperprolactinemia, not depression or anxiety.

B. Ciprofloxacin→ Incorrect; ciprofloxacin is afluoroquinolone antibiotic, unrelated to antidepressant therapy.

D. Amantadine→ Incorrect; amantadine is anantiviral and antiparkinsonianagent, not used for depression.

Other Answer Choices Explained:References:

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline (Pharmacology for Technicians – Nervous System Drugs)

Lexicomp Drug Monographs for SSRIs (Escitalopram & Sertraline)

Goodman & Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics

Lipitor is the brand name forAtorvastatin, aHMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin)used to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

(A) Provastatin❌Incorrect –Misspelled, should bePravastatin(Pravachol).

(B) Fluvastatin❌Incorrect – Fluvastatin (Lescol) is another statin, but not the generic for Lipitor.

(C) Simvastatin❌Incorrect – Simvastatin (Zocor) is a statin but not the generic for Lipitor.

(D) Atorvastatin✅Correct – The generic name for Lipitor.

Analysis of Answer Choices:Statins & Their Brand Names:Generic Name

Brand Name

Atorvastatin

Lipitor✅

Simvastatin

Zocor

Pravastatin

Pravachol

Fluvastatin

Lescol

Rosuvastatin

Crestor

Lovastatin

Mevacor

Lipitor Prescribing Information: https://www.pfizer.com/products/product-detail/lipitor

PTCB Exam Content Outline – Generic & Brand Name Drug Recognition

Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians, 3rd Edition – Perspective on Statin Medications

References for Pharmacy Technicians:

To calculate how muchamoxicillin suspensionwill be used in the first5 days, we follow these steps:

Amoxicillin concentration:250 mg per5 mL

Dosage:1 tsp (5 mL) three times daily (tid)

Duration:First5 days

Step 1: Identify Given InformationStep 2: Calculate Total Daily Volume5 mL×3=15 mL per day5 \text{ mL} \times 3 = 15 \text{ mL per day}5 mL×3=15 mL per day

Step 3: Multiply by 5 Days15 mL/day×5 days=75 mL15 \text{ mL/day} \times 5 \text{ days} = 75 \text{ mL}15 mL/day×5 days=75 mL

Thus, the patient will use75 mLof medication in the first5 days.

A. 25 mL→ Incorrect; this would be correct if taken onlyonce dailyinstead ofthree times daily.

B. 50 mL→ Incorrect; this is the correct amount for3.3 days, not 5 days.

D. 150 mL→ Incorrect; this is thefull 10-day course, not just the first 5 days.

Other Answer Choices Explained:References:

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline (Pharmaceutical Calculations – Dosage & Volume Calculations)

USP <795> Nonsterile Compounding Guidelines

Lexicomp Drug Monograph for Amoxicillin Suspension

A potential error is a mistake that is identified and corrected before it reaches the patient.

Example:A technician fillshydralazineinstead ofhydroxyzine, but the pharmacist catches the mistake before dispensing.

????Reference:ISMP Medication Error Categories, PTCE Pharmacy Error Prevention Guide.

Diflucan (fluconazole) is an antifungal, whileDiprivan (propofol) is a sedative/anesthetic used for surgery.

Look-Alike, Sound-Alike (LASA) errorsoccur when medications havesimilar names but different indications.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

B. Clonidine (BP medication) & Klonopin (anxiolytic)→ LASA error but not antifungal vs. anesthetic.

C. Metronidazole (antibiotic) & Metformin (diabetes drug)→ LASA error but different categories.

D. Amiloride (diuretic) & Amlodipine (BP medication)→ LASA error but different categories.

????Reference:ISMP List of High-Risk LASA Medications.

AZ-Pakrefers to theAzithromycin 5-day therapy pack, which is commonly prescribed forbacterial infectionssuch as respiratory infections. The standard dosing regimen follows a"loading dose" strategyto quickly reach effective drug levels in the body:

Day 1:Taketwo tablets (500 mg total).

Days 2-5:Takeone tablet (250 mg) daily.

This regimen helps achieverapid therapeutic concentrationswhile maintaining effectiveness over five days.

A. 1 tablet PO on the current day, then 1 PO daily for 4 days→ Incorrect; aloading dose (2 tablets on Day 1)is required for proper drug efficacy.

B. 1 tablet PO on the current day, then 1 PO daily for 5 days→ Incorrect; the Z-Pak is a5-day regimen, not 6 days.

D. 3 tablets PO on the current day, then 1 PO every other day for 6 days→ Incorrect; this isnot a standard dosing regimenfor azithromycin.

Other Answer Choices Explained:References:

FDA Drug Monograph for Azithromycin (Z-Pak)

Lexicomp Drug Guide – Azithromycin Dosing

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline (Pharmacology – Infectious Disease Medications)

Withdrawal occurs when a drug-dependent individual stops taking the drug abruptly, leading to physiological symptoms.

Example:Opioid withdrawal can cause nausea, sweating, and tremors.

Withdrawal differs from addiction, which involvescompulsive drug-seeking behavior.

????Reference:DEA Controlled Substance Abuse Guide, PTCE MedicationSafety Guidelines.

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

Stock rotation (First In, First Out - FIFO)ensures thatolder medications are used before newer stock, reducing expired medication dispensing.

????Explanation of Answer Choices:✅C. Rotating stock on a regular basis→Correct.FIFO method reduces waste and errors.❌A. Verifying each lot number→ Incorrect.Lot numbers do not indicate expiration dates.❌B. Using the newest medications first→ Incorrect.Older stock should be used first.❌D. Using the last in, first out method→ Incorrect.Opposite of the correct practice.

????Reference:

USP <1079>: Medication Storage and Inventory Control

PTCB Exam: Inventory Management

TheInstitute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)maintains a list oferror-prone abbreviationsthat shouldnot be usedin medication orders to prevent misinterpretation and medication errors.

Analysis of the Answer Choices:Abbreviation

Meaning

ISMP Recommendation

U

Units

❌Do NOT use→ Can be mistaken for "0" or "4" (e.g., 10U could be misread as 100).Use"unit"instead.

AD

Right ear

❌Do NOT use→ Can be confused with "OD" (right eye).Use"right ear"instead.

AU

Both ears

❌Do NOT use→ Can be confused with "OU" (both eyes).Use"both ears"instead.

gtt

Drop

✅Accepted→ Common and not considered error-prone.

Since"gtt" for drop is not on ISMP's "Do Not Use" list, it is the correct answer.

ISMP List of Error-Prone Abbreviations– Confirms that "U," "AD," and "AU" should not be used in prescriptions.

Joint Commission "Do Not Use" List– Prohibits "U" and similar abbreviations to prevent dosing errors.

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline– Covers error prevention strategies, including abbreviation safety.

Key References:

Multiple-dose vials (MDVs)containpreservativesto inhibit microbial growth. These vials are designed formultiple withdrawalsover time, increasing the risk of contamination. Preservatives, such asbenzyl alcohol or phenol, help prevent bacterial or fungal contamination after repeated needle insertions.

A. stability and compatibility→ Incorrect. Preservatives do not inhibit drug stability; they prevent microbial contamination.

B. sorption and leaching→ Incorrect. Sorption (adsorption/absorption of drugs onto container surfaces) and leaching (release of chemicals from containers) are unrelated to preservatives.

D. synergistic reactions→ Incorrect. Synergistic reactions refer to drug interactions, not contamination prevention.

Incorrect Answer Choices:Pharmacy Technician References:

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline (Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding)

USP <797> Guidelines for Sterile Compounding

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Guidelines on Multiple-Dose Vials

Mosby’s Pharmacy Technician Exam Review