About this test
Medications is Domain 1 of the PTCE and the single largest slice of the exam: 35% of the 2026 content outline. It covers generic names, brand names and classifications, therapeutic duplications, drug interactions and contraindications, dosage forms and routes of administration, side effects, indications, drug stability, and proper storage.
This 30-question practice test samples every one of those knowledge areas. If you can score consistently above 80% here, you've secured the biggest scoring opportunity on the whole exam.
New to the material? Work through our 2026 PTCB study guide first, then reinforce it with the PTCB Medications domain guide and the top 200 drugs list by class.
What's in the question bank
| Topic | Questions in bank |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | 19 |
| Brand Generic | 13 |
| Storage | 10 |
| Interactions | 10 |
| Side Effects | 7 |
| Expiration | 7 |
| Contraindications | 7 |
| Indication | 6 |
Sample questions with answers
These 8 questions come straight from the 90-question bank the timed test above draws from. Work each one before you open the answer: recalling it cold is what moves it into long-term memory.
1. Cozaar is a brand name for which generic medication?
- A.Valsartan
- B.Candesartan
- C.Losartan
- D.Olmesartan
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Losartan
Cozaar is the brand name for losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used for high blood pressure. Valsartan, candesartan, and olmesartan are also ARBs, but each is marketed under its own separate brand name.
2. According to the FDA, what does the expiration date printed on a manufactured drug product actually represent?
- A.The date after which the drug becomes immediately toxic
- B.The period during which the drug is known to remain stable, retaining its strength, quality, and purity under labeled storage conditions
- C.The last date the pharmacy may legally purchase the product
- D.A marketing date chosen by the wholesaler
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. The period during which the drug is known to remain stable, retaining its strength, quality, and purity under labeled storage conditions
Expiration dates reflect the time period during which the product is known to remain stable when stored as labeled, supported by stability testing submitted to the FDA. Drugs do not automatically become poisonous at expiration; the concern is loss of strength and possible degradation products, so the toxicity option overstates it.
3. A prescription for losartan (Cozaar) is presented at the pharmacy. Losartan is a member of which drug class?
- A.Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
- B.ACE inhibitors
- C.Beta blockers
- D.Direct renin inhibitors
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB); generic names ending in -sartan reliably signal this class. ARBs block the action of angiotensin II at its receptor, whereas ACE inhibitors (names ending in -pril) block the enzyme that forms angiotensin II, so the two act at different points in the same pathway.
4. A parent picks up a reconstituted amoxicillin oral suspension and asks how long it can be used. What should they be told?
- A.Discard any unused portion after 7 days
- B.It is good until the expiration date on the stock bottle
- C.Discard any unused portion after 28 days
- D.Discard any unused portion after 14 days
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Discard any unused portion after 14 days
Once mixed with water, amoxicillin suspension should be discarded after 14 days. The stock bottle's expiration date no longer applies after reconstitution because the added water starts chemical degradation, which is why that distractor is wrong.
5. A patient with asthma is given a ProAir HFA (albuterol) inhaler to use for sudden shortness of breath. Albuterol works as which type of agent?
- A.Inhaled corticosteroid
- B.Leukotriene receptor antagonist
- C.Long-acting muscarinic antagonist
- D.Short-acting beta2-agonist bronchodilator
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Short-acting beta2-agonist bronchodilator
Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-agonist that rapidly relaxes airway smooth muscle, making it the classic rescue inhaler for acute bronchospasm. Inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene antagonists are controller medicines that reduce inflammation over time and do not relieve an attack quickly.
6. An insulin vial has been opened and kept at room temperature between 59°F and 86°F. According to FDA guidance, after how many days should it no longer be used?
- A.28 days
- B.14 days
- C.7 days
- D.90 days
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. 28 days
FDA guidance states insulin vials and cartridges, opened or unopened, may be left unrefrigerated at 59°F to 86°F for up to 28 days and continue to work. The 14-day figure is a common mix-up with reconstituted antibiotic suspensions, not insulin.
7. A patient using albuterol notices shakiness and a fine tremor of the hands. Which common side effect of albuterol is this?
- A.Fine tremor and nervousness
- B.Slow heart rate
- C.Constipation
- D.Weight gain
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Fine tremor and nervousness
Fine tremor, nervousness, and a fast heartbeat are common side effects of albuterol because beta2-agonist stimulation spills over to affect skeletal muscle and the heart. A slow heart rate is the opposite of what albuterol causes and is instead typical of beta blockers.
8. Where should unopened insulin vials be stored in the pharmacy to maintain potency until their expiration date?
- A.In the freezer at 0°F or below
- B.In a refrigerator at approximately 36°F to 46°F
- C.At controlled room temperature of 68°F to 77°F
- D.Anywhere the temperature stays below 90°F
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. In a refrigerator at approximately 36°F to 46°F
Manufacturers recommend storing insulin refrigerated at approximately 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C); stored this way unopened products keep their potency until the labeled expiration date. Freezing is wrong because it destroys insulin, and room-temperature storage limits the product to about 28 days of use.
Ready for the full timed run? Scroll back up and start the Medications Practice Test, or browse every free PTCB quiz by exam domain.
Key concepts to know
Brand ↔ generic fluency
The exam expects instant recognition in both directions (atorvastatin is Lipitor, Lipitor is atorvastatin) plus the drug's class and primary indication. Drill the highest-dispensed drugs first; they appear most often in practice.
Interactions and contraindications
Focus on the common, high-stakes pairs: warfarin with NSAIDs, MAOIs with SSRIs, nitrates with PDE-5 inhibitors, and interactions involving supplements like St. John's wort. The 2026 outline explicitly includes drug-supplement, drug-laboratory and drug-disease interactions.
Storage and stability
Know refrigeration ranges (2-8°C for most vaccines and insulins), which products must be protected from light, reconstitution beyond-use dates, and which insulins are stable at room temperature after first use.
Medications Practice Test: FAQ
How much of the PTCE is about medications?
Under the content outline effective January 6, 2026, the Medications domain is 35% of the exam: roughly 32 of the 90 questions. It was 40% under the previous outline, so older study guides overstate it slightly.
Do I need to memorize the top 200 drugs?
You don't need all 200, but strong brand/generic/class recall for the most-dispensed drugs is expected. Pair this test with our dedicated Top 200 Drugs quiz for focused drilling.
Official sources checked
This quiz's content and explanations are built from and cross-checked against primary sources. Verify current exam facts directly with PTCB.