PTCE · 24% of the exam
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance practice questions
10 free Patient Safety and Quality Assurance questions for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) exam, each with the correct answer and an explanation for every option.
What this domain covers
Preventing medication errors and maintaining quality: look-alike/sound-alike drugs, error-prevention strategies, hygiene and reporting.
- Exam weight
- 24%
- On a real exam
- ≈ 22 questions
- In our bank
- 134 questions
Topics that come up most
- High-alert and look-alike/sound-alike medications
- Error prevention strategies such as tall-man lettering
- Error reporting and event review
- Hygiene and cleaning standards
- Patient-safety terminology
How to study it
Study the common error types with the strategy that prevents each; questions describe an error and ask which safeguard would have caught it.
Sample Patient Safety and Quality Assurance questions
Try each one before opening the answer. Original questions written to the official exam objectives.
Question 1
What is the main idea of a "just culture" in medication safety?
- AEvery error leads to firing the person involved
- BErrors are hidden to protect the pharmacy
- COnly pharmacists may report errors
- DStaff report errors openly and fix systems
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D) Staff report errors openly and fix systems
- AIncorrect. That is a punitive culture, not a just culture.
- BIncorrect. A just culture encourages open reporting.
- CIncorrect. Everyone is encouraged to report.
- DCorrect. A just culture separates honest mistakes from reckless behavior and focuses on fixing systems.
Question 2
Why should items not be placed between the HEPA filter and a critical site in a horizontal flow hood?
- AThey would block the hood light
- BThey would block the first air
- CThey would heat up the hood
- DThey would set off the hood alarm
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) They would block the first air
- AIncorrect. Lighting is not the concern.
- BCorrect. First air from the HEPA filter must reach the critical site without passing over other items.
- CIncorrect. Heat is not the concern.
- DIncorrect. The concern is contamination, not alarms.
Question 3
Why does ISMP recommend "mcg" instead of the symbol "µg"?
- A"µg" can be misread as "mg"
- B"µg" is a larger unit
- C"mcg" is only for liquids
- D"µg" is a brand symbol
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) "µg" can be misread as "mg"
- ACorrect. Mistaking µg for mg causes a thousandfold overdose.
- BIncorrect. µg and mcg are the same unit.
- CIncorrect. mcg is used for all dosage forms.
- DIncorrect. µg is a unit symbol, not a brand.
Question 4
A pharmacy technician learns that a patient has been taking the wrong strength of a medication that the pharmacy dispensed last week. What is the most appropriate action?
- ATell the pharmacist right away so the patient can be informed, any harm addressed and the error documented
- BCorrect the strength in the patient's profile and dispense the right product at the next refill
- CCall the prescriber to request a new prescription matching the strength already dispensed
- DAsk the patient to exchange the bottle and file an error report only if symptoms develop
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) Tell the pharmacist right away so the patient can be informed, any harm addressed and the error documented
When an error reaches a patient, the technician should tell the pharmacist right away. The pharmacist then makes sure the patient gets a prompt, honest explanation, any harm is addressed, and the error is documented and reported.
- ACorrect. The pharmacist must know immediately to assess the patient and lead a prompt, honest disclosure: what happened, any harm caused and the steps taken to reduce it. The error is then documented and reported so the system can be improved.
- BIncorrect. Quietly fixing the record leaves the patient unaware and possibly harmed until the next refill. Errors that reach the patient need prompt disclosure and pharmacist involvement.
- CIncorrect. Changing the prescription to match the error hides it instead of disclosing it. The patient and pharmacist still don't learn what happened or whether harm occurred.
- DIncorrect. Swapping the product without explaining the error isn't full disclosure. Errors should be documented and reported whether or not harm is seen, so the cause can be analyzed and fixed.
Question 5
A pharmacy wants to voluntarily report a dispensing error so that others can learn how to prevent similar errors. Which reporting channel is designed for this purpose?
- ADEA Form 106 submitted through the Diversion Control Division
- BThe state prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP)
- CThe ISMP National Medication Errors Reporting Program
- DFDA Form 3500A submitted under mandatory reporting rules
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C) The ISMP National Medication Errors Reporting Program
The ISMP National Medication Errors Reporting Program is a voluntary system that shares lessons learned from reported errors. DEA Form 106, PDMPs and FDA Form 3500A each serve other, mostly mandatory, purposes.
- AIncorrect. DEA Form 106 is the required report for theft or significant loss of controlled substances (21 CFR 1301.76(b)). It is not a channel for sharing lessons from medication errors.
- BIncorrect. A PDMP is an electronic database that tracks controlled substance prescriptions. It is not used to report medication errors.
- CCorrect. ISMP's Medication Errors Reporting Program collects voluntary reports from practitioners and shares prevention lessons. FDA also reviews the error reports sent to the USP-ISMP program.
- DIncorrect. Form 3500A is the mandatory reporting form for manufacturers, distributors, importers and user facilities. Health professionals reporting voluntarily to FDA use Form 3500 instead.
Question 6
A patient asks the technician which over-the-counter cough and cold product is safe to take with her blood pressure medicine. What should the technician do?
- ARecommend a product with pseudoephedrine
- BRefer the question to the pharmacist
- CSuggest she pick any product without alcohol
- DTell her to read the product labels herself
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) Refer the question to the pharmacist
- AIncorrect. Decongestants can raise blood pressure, and product recommendations are for the pharmacist.
- BCorrect. OTC recommendations and drug interaction questions require the pharmacist's judgment.
- CIncorrect. This guesses at a clinical answer the technician is not allowed to give.
- DIncorrect. She should be connected with the pharmacist, not left to decide alone.
Question 7
Why does ISMP recommend writing "units" instead of "IU"?
- A"IU" is only used outside the US
- B"IU" can be misread as "IV" or "10"
- C"IU" stands for a different drug
- D"Units" is shorter to write
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) "IU" can be misread as "IV" or "10"
- AIncorrect. The problem is misreading, not where it is used.
- BCorrect. "IU" can be mistaken for IV or the number 10, so "units" is written out.
- CIncorrect. "IU" means international units, but it is easily misread.
- DIncorrect. The reason is error prevention, not length.
Question 8
A patient is prescribed Humulin R U-500 insulin from a vial. Why should the pharmacy dispense U-500 insulin syringes rather than standard U-100 insulin syringes?
- AMeasuring U-500 insulin by the unit markings on a U-100 syringe can deliver five times the intended dose
- BMeasuring U-500 insulin by the unit markings on a U-100 syringe delivers only one-fifth of the intended dose
- CU-500 insulin is too viscous to be drawn up through the fine needles used on U-100 insulin syringes
- DU-500 insulin is given only intravenously and needs syringes that connect to IV tubing
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) Measuring U-500 insulin by the unit markings on a U-100 syringe can deliver five times the intended dose
U-500 insulin is five times as concentrated as U-100, so measuring it with U-100 syringe markings can cause a fivefold overdose. A dedicated U-500 syringe or pen prevents this.
- ACorrect. U-500 contains 500 units/mL, five times the concentration of U-100. U-100 syringe markings don't match U-500 doses, which can lead to severe overdose and hypoglycemia. The FDA approved a dedicated U-500 syringe to prevent this.
- BIncorrect. This reverses the error. Because U-500 is more concentrated, each U-100 marking holds five times as many units of U-500, so the risk is overdose, not underdose.
- CIncorrect. The reason for a dedicated syringe is the mismatch between the concentration and the syringe markings, not viscosity or needle gauge.
- DIncorrect. Humulin R U-500 is injected subcutaneously from the vial with a U-500 syringe or with the U-500 KwikPen. It is not an IV-only product.
Question 9
A pharmacist is counseling a patient on a new inhaler and wants to use the teach-back method. Which action best shows this technique?
- AAsking the patient to describe how and when they will use the inhaler, in their own words
- BAsking the patient "Do you have any questions?" and ending the session if they say no
- CGiving the patient a printed medication guide and having them sign that they received it
- DRepeating the key inhaler instructions a second time, more slowly, to reinforce them
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) Asking the patient to describe how and when they will use the inhaler, in their own words
Teach-back confirms understanding by having the patient explain the instructions in their own words, so the provider can find and fix misunderstandings. It is a check on how clearly the provider explained, not a test of the patient.
- ACorrect. In teach-back, the patient explains in their own words what they learned and what to do next. This lets the pharmacist confirm understanding and correct any gaps.
- BIncorrect. A yes/no question does not check understanding, because patients often say they have no questions even when they are confused. Teach-back requires the patient to explain the information back.
- CIncorrect. Handing out written material and getting a signature records that information was given. It does not show that the patient understood it.
- DIncorrect. Here the pharmacist is the one repeating the information. In teach-back the patient restates it, and the pharmacist re-explains only where the patient's explanation shows gaps.
Question 10
A patient brings back a still-sealed bottle of tablets that was picked up from the pharmacy last week and asks for a refund. What should the technician do with the bottle?
- AReturn it to stock, since the manufacturer's seal is intact and the lot number and expiration date can be verified
- BReturn it to stock after reversing the insurance claim and writing down the patient's description of how it was stored
- CDo not restock it, because once a drug has left the pharmacy's possession its strength, quality and purity can't be assured
- DDo not restock it until the pharmacist opens the bottle and confirms the tablets look and smell normal
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C) Do not restock it, because once a drug has left the pharmacy's possession its strength, quality and purity can't be assured
Drugs that have left the pharmacy's possession should not be returned to stock, even if they are unopened, because their storage and integrity can't be verified (FDA CPG Sec. 460.300). State boards of pharmacy set the specific rules for handling returns.
- AIncorrect. An intact seal does not show how the product was stored (for example heat or humidity) while it was outside the pharmacy, so its integrity cannot be assured.
- BIncorrect. Reversing the claim deals with billing, not product integrity. The patient's account cannot verify storage conditions.
- CCorrect. FDA policy (CPG Sec. 460.300) says pharmacists should not return drugs to stock once they have been out of the pharmacy's possession, and many state boards prohibit the practice. Follow the pharmacy's and the state's rules for handling and disposing of returned drugs.
- DIncorrect. Looking at or smelling the tablets cannot confirm strength or purity. Opening the bottle also breaks the seal, and the product still cannot be restocked.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance: FAQs
How much of the PTCE exam is Patient Safety and Quality Assurance?
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance is 24% of the PTCE exam by the official exam guide's weighting, which on a 90-question form works out to roughly 22 questions. The real exam's exact split varies by form.
What does the Patient Safety and Quality Assurance domain cover?
Preventing medication errors and maintaining quality: look-alike/sound-alike drugs, error-prevention strategies, hygiene and reporting.
How should I study Patient Safety and Quality Assurance for PTCE?
Study the common error types with the strategy that prevents each; questions describe an error and ask which safeguard would have caught it.
Where can I practise more Patient Safety and Quality Assurance questions?
This page has 10 free Patient Safety and Quality Assurance questions with answers. The ExamWize PTCE question bank has 134 questions in this domain. Every practice exam result breaks your score down by domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.
Get Patient Safety and Quality Assurance exam-ready
The full PTCE bank has 134 Patient Safety and Quality Assurance questions. Timed practice exams match the real exam's length and domain weights, every result shows your score per domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.
Not affiliated with PTCB; questions are original, written from the official exam outline, and never copied from the real exam.