Table Of ContentThis is an electronic version of the print textbook. Due to electronic rights restrictions,
some third party content may be suppressed. Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed
content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. The publisher reserves the right
to remove content from this title at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it. For
valuable information on pricing, previous editions, changes to current editions, and alternate
formats, please visit www.cengage.com/highered to search by ISBN#, author, title, or keyword for
materials in your areas of interest.
20628_fm_ptg01_i-xx.indd ii 25/02/11 3:40 PM
Pharmacy Technician Certifi cation
Exam Review
3rd Edition
by
Lorraine C. Zentz, CPhT, PhD.
Australia • Brazil • Japan • Korea • Mexico • Singapore • Spain • United Kingdom • United States
20628_fm_ptg01_i-xx.indd i 25/02/11 3:40 PM
Pharmacy Technician Certifi cation © 2012, 2004, 2000 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Exam Review, 3rd Edition
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this work covered by the copyright herein
Lorraine C. Zentz, CPhT, PhD.
may be reproduced, transmitted, stored, or used in any form or by any means
Vice President, Editorial: Dave Garza graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including but not limited to photocopying,
recording, scanning, digitizing, taping, Web distribution, information networks,
Director of Learning Solutions: Matthew Kane
or information storage and retrieval systems, except as permitted under
Senior Acquisitions Editor: Tari Broderick Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without the prior
Managing Editor: Marah Bellegarde written permission of the publisher.
Associate Product Manager: Meghan E. Orvis
For product information and technology assistance, contact us at
Editorial Assistant: Ian J. Lewis
Cengage Learning Customer & Sales Support, 1-800-354-9706
Vice President, Marketing: Jennifer Baker
For permission to use material from this text or product,
Marketing Director: Wendy Mapstone
submit all requests online at www.cengage.com/permissions.
Senior Marketing Manager: Michele McTighe Further permissions questions can be e-mailed to
Associate Marketing Manager: [email protected]
Jonathan Sheehan
Marketing Coordinator: Scott Chrysler Library of Congress Control Number: 2011920072
Production Director: Carolyn Miller ISBN-13: 978-1-4283-2062-8
Production Manager: Andrew Crouth ISBN-10: 1-4283-2062-8
Senior Content Project Manager:
Kenneth McGrath Delmar
5 Maxwell Drive
Senior Art Director: Jack Pendleton
Clifton park, NY 12065-2919
Technology Project Manager: Brain Davis
USA
Cengage Learning is a leading provider of customized learning solutions with
offi ce locations around the globe, including Singapore, the United Kingdom,
Australia, Mexico, Brazil, and Japan. Locate your local offi ce at:
international.cengage.com/region
Cengage Learning products are represented in Canada by Nelson Education, Ltd.
To learn more about Delmar, visit www.cengage.com/delmar
Purchase any of our products at your local college store or at our preferred
online store www.CengageBrain.com
NOTICE TO THE READER
Publisher does not warrant or guarantee any of the products described
herein or perform any independent analysis in connection with any of the
product information contained herein. Publisher does not assume, and
expressly disclaims, any obligation to obtain and include information other
than that provided to it by the manufacturer. The reader is expressly warned
to consider and adopt all safety precautions that might be indicated by the
activities described herein and to avoid all potential hazards. By following
the instructions contained herein, the reader willingly assumes all risks in
connection with such instructions. The publisher makes no representations or
warranties of any kind, including but not limited to, the warranties of fi tness
for particular purpose or merchantability, nor are any such representations
implied with respect to the material set forth herein, and the publisher takes
no responsibility with respect to such material. The publisher shall not be liable
for any special, consequential, or exemplary damages resulting, in whole or
part, from the readers’ use of, or reliance upon, this material.
Printed in the United States of America
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 14 13 12 11
20628_fm_ptg01_i-xx.indd ii 25/02/11 3:40 PM
Contents
Preface ix
About the PCTB Examination xv
Section I Assisting the Pharmacist in Serving Patients
PART A: FILLING THE MEDICATION ORDER 3
Chapter Receiving the Medication Order
The Retail Medication Order 6
The Written Prescription Order 6
Adding Information to the Prescription Form 10
Authentication and Clarifi cation of the Prescription Order 11
Accepting Refi ll Requests 11
Refi ll Authorizations 12
Prescriptions for Schedule II (Controlled Substance) Drugs 12
Receiving Prescriptions by Electronic Means 13
The Institutional Pharmacy 13
Comparison of Medication Orders in Retail
and Institutional Settings 17
Chapter Review Questions 18
Chapter Processing the Medication Order
The Dosage Form 21
Administering the Drug—The Route of Administration 26
Interpreting the Prescription Order 29
Dispensing the Correct Medication 33
Automated Unit Dose Delivery Systems 34
Comparison of Drug Dispensing in Retail
and Institutional Settings 35
Chapter Review Questions 35
Chapter Preparation and Utilization of the Patient Profi le
The Patient Profi le 38
Comparison of Patient Profi les in Institutional and Retail
Settings 42
Chapter Review Questions 43
iii
20628_fm_ptg01_i-xx.indd iii 25/02/11 3:40 PM
iv Contents
Chapter Handling Medications
Obtaining the Correct Medication from Inventory 46
Choosing the Proper Container for Dispensing 51
Properly Labeling the Container 52
Compounding of Prescriptions 54
Intravenous Admixtures and Injections 57
Chapter Review Questions 58
Chapter Proper Storage and Delivery of Drug Products
Proper Storage of Drug Products 60
Dosage Forms and Drug Stability 61
Determining the Proper Storage Conditions for a Drug 62
Importance of Proper Packaging and Labeling 64
Importance of Cleanliness and Sanitation During Storage 65
Preparation of Unit Doses 65
Chapter Review Questions 68
Chapter Receiving Payment for Goods and Services
Receipt of Payment for Pharmacy Services 70
Calculation of the Price of the Medication 72
Profi t and Markup 72
Chapter Review Questions 72
PART B: PHARMACEUTICAL CALCULATIONS 75
Chapter Fractions, Decimals, and Algebra Review
Using Fractions 77
Use of Algebra in Pharmaceutical Calculations 83
Rounding Numbers 84
Using Roman Numerals 84
Chapter Review Questions 86
Chapter Systems of Measurement
Common Systems of Measurement 89
International Units and Milliequivalents 90
Converting between Systems of Measurement 91
Chapter Review Questions 94
Chapter Using Percentages and Ratios
Percentage: A Unit of Measure Expressed in Parts per 100 96
Using Drug Concentrations Expressed as a Ratio 100
Chapter Review Questions 102
Chapter Measuring Equipment
Types of Measurement 105
Measuring Solids 109
Chapter Review Questions 111
Chapter Conversion of Solid Dosage Forms
Dosage Conversion—Solid Dosage Forms 113
Converting between Measurement Systems 116
Chapter Review Questions 117
20628_fm_ptg01_i-xx.indd iv 25/02/11 3:40 PM
Contents v
Chapter Conversion of Liquid Dosage Forms
Converting between Liquid and Solid Dosage Forms 118
Chapter Review Questions 122
Chapter Pediatric Dosages
Computation of Doses on the Basis of Body Weight
or Surface Area 124
Computation of Dose by Body Surface Area (BSA) 125
Safe Dosages 128
Chapter Review Questions 130
Chapter Parenteral Dosages
Parenteral Dosage Forms 132
Calculation of Parenteral Doses 132
Proper Dilution of Drugs for Injection 134
Chapter Review Questions 136
Chapter Intravenous Calculations
Preparing Intravenous Medication for Administration 137
Chapter Review Questions 141
Chapter Intravenous Admixtures
Infusing Medications Over Time—The IV Drip
and Admixture 143
Chapter Review Questions 146
Chapter Calculation of Dose per Time
Calculation of Drug Dose as a Function of Time 148
Chapter Review Questions 152
Chapter Compounding
Compounding Drugs by Procedure 154
Reducing and Enlarging Formulas 155
Making Preparations by Percentage 156
Making Solutions by Percentage 157
Chapter Review Questions 157
Chapter Commercial Calculations
Cost and Markup 159
Chapter Review Questions 161
Chapter Math Test with Solutions
PART C: PHARMACOLOGY 171
Chapter Introduction to Pharmacology
Introduction 173
Form vs. Use—Recognizing Various Forms
of a Generic Drug 173
Proprietary Drug Nomenclature 174
Understanding the Pharmacology of Chemotherapeutic
Agents 175
20628_fm_ptg01_i-xx.indd v 25/02/11 3:40 PM
vi Contents
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics—What
Happens to the Drug After It Is Administered? 176
Drug Clearance and Drug Elimination 179
The Adverse Effect Profi le 181
Drug-Drug Interactions 182
Drug-Drug Interactions—Competition
for Drug Clearance 184
Additive, Synergistic, and Antagonistic Effects 188
Blood Laboratory Values 192
Chapter Review Questions 193
Chapter Central Nervous System Agents
Antidepressants 196
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) 198
Drugs Used in the Therapy of Migraine Headaches 203
Tricyclic Antidepressants 203
Tetracyclic Antidepressants 207
Heterocyclic Antidepressants 208
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors 209
Unclassifi ed Antidepressants 211
Sedative Hypnotics 211
Drugs Used for Anxiety 215
Drugs Used in the Therapy of Insomnia
and Sleep Disorders 216
Drugs Used in the Therapy of Seizures 218
Drugs Used in the Therapy of Alzheimer’s Disease 234
Drugs Used in the Therapy of Schizophrenia
(Antipsychotics) 236
Chapter Review Questions 243
Chapter Pain Management Agents: Nonsteroidal Anti-Infl ammatory
Drugs and Narcotics
Drugs Used in the Therapy of Pain and Infl ammation 247
Nonsteroidal Pain Relievers 251
Narcotic Analgesics 252
Chapter Review Questions 259
Chapter Cardiovascular System Agents
Drugs That Affect the Cardiovascular System 262
Drugs That Affect the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) 263
Drugs Used to Decrease Fluid Volume (Diuretics) 287
Drugs That Affect the Blood and Blood Clotting 293
Chapter Review Questions 295
Chapter Pulmonary Agents
Asthma 298
Chapter Review Questions 305
Chapter Antibiotics and Anti-Infectives
Antibiotics and Anti-infectives 308
Cephalosporin Antibiotics 314
20628_fm_ptg01_i-xx.indd vi 25/02/11 3:40 PM
Contents vii
Drugs That Are Effective against Viruses and Fungi 327
Antiretroviral Drugs (Used in the Therapy of AIDS) 328
Chapter Review Questions 331
Chapter Cancer Chemotherapeutic Agents
Introduction 335
Choice of Therapy 335
Major Chemotherapeutic Drugs, by Class 337
Antimetabolite Antineoplastic Drugs 343
Pyrimidine Antagonists 344
Drugs Used in Combination with Cancer Chemotherapy 356
Drugs Used in the Therapy of Emesis 357
Chapter Review Questions 358
Chapter Gastrointestinal System Agents
Histamine (H2) Receptor Antagonists 361
Proton Pump Inhibitors 363
Chapter Review Questions 368
Chapter Endocrine System and Reproductive System Agents
The Therapy of Diabetes Mellitus 372
Therapy of Type I Diabetes 372
Drugs That Affect the Reproductive System 382
Chapter Review Questions 386
Chapter Vitamins
Water-Soluble Vitamins 390
Fat-Soluble Vitamins 393
Chapter Review Questions 396
Chapter Pharmacology Review
PART D: PHARMACY LAW 405
Chapter State and Federal Regulations
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act 408
The Controlled Substances Act 411
The Federal Hazardous Substances Act 413
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act 416
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (HIPAA) 417
Chapter Review Questions 420
Chapter State and Federal Regulatory Agencies
Federal Regulatory Agencies 424
Regulation at the Institutional Level 428
Chapter Review Questions 429
Chapter Law and Ethics in the Practice of Pharmacy
Receiving Prescriptions 432
Verifying the Prescription 433
Prescriptions Generated by Electronic Means 434
20628_fm_ptg01_i-xx.indd vii 25/02/11 3:40 PM
viii Contents
Drug Refi lls 435
Controlled Substance Registration 435
Handling Controlled Substances 436
Liability and Ethics 437
Chapter Review Questions 438
Section II Maintaining Medication and Inventory Control Systems
Chapter Stocking the Pharmacy
The Drug Formulary 443
Ordering and Receipt of Drug Products and Devices 445
Ordering Controlled Substances (Schedule Drugs) 447
Chapter Review Questions 447
Chapter Maintenance of Pharmaceutical Products
Maintenance of Drug Products in Inventory 449
Proper Storage Conditions and Expiration Dates 450
Handling Expired Medications and Drug Recalls 451
Classifi cation of Drug Recalls 452
Drug Recapture and Disposal 452
Chapter Review Questions 453
Section III Administration and Management of Pharmacy Practice
Chapter Using Computers in the Pharmacy
The Components of a Computer 458
Use of Computers in Pharmacy Practice 459
Chapter Review Questions 461
Chapter Communications within the Pharmacy
Role of the Pharmacist in Communication 465
Chapter Review Questions 468
Appendix A Top Frequently Prescribed Drugs
Appendix B Commonly Used Medical Abbreviations
Appendix C Pretest with Answers
Appendix D Sample Examination and Answer Sheet
Appendix E Solutions to the Chapter Review Questions
Glossary
Suggested Reading
Index
20628_fm_ptg01_i-xx.indd viii 25/02/11 3:40 PM
