Free PTCE Medications Practice Questions

Medications is the biggest part of the PTCE, at 35% of the exam. These questions cover brand and generic names and the drug stems that reveal a drug class.

Answer each one in your head, then open the answer to check.

1. Question 1

   What is the generic name for Advil?

   1. ANaproxen
   2. BAspirin
   3. CAcetaminophen
   4. DIbuprofen
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   D. Ibuprofen

   Advil is a brand name for ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

   • Why not A? Naproxen is Aleve.
   • Why not B? Aspirin is Bayer.
   • Why not C? Acetaminophen is Tylenol.

2. Question 2

   Which prefix usually identifies a cephalosporin antibiotic?

   1. A-cillin
   2. BCef- or ceph-
   3. C-mycin
   4. D-cycline
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   B. Cef- or ceph-

   Cephalosporins such as cephalexin and ceftriaxone start with cef- or ceph-.

   • Why not A? -cillin marks penicillins.
   • Why not C? -mycin marks macrolides and aminoglycosides.
   • Why not D? -cycline marks tetracyclines.

3. Question 3

   Which brand name matches lisinopril?

   1. AZyrtec
   2. BZetia
   3. CZocor
   4. DZestril
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   D. Zestril

   Lisinopril is sold as Zestril and Prinivil. Many 'Z' brands sound alike, so match carefully.

   • Why not A? Zyrtec is cetirizine.
   • Why not B? Zetia is ezetimibe.
   • Why not C? Zocor is simvastatin.

4. Question 4

   A profile lists lorazepam, losartan, levothyroxine and loratadine. Which one is a benzodiazepine?

   1. ALoratadine
   2. BLorazepam
   3. CLosartan
   4. DLevothyroxine
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   B. Lorazepam

   The -azepam ending marks a benzodiazepine, like lorazepam and diazepam.

   • Why not A? Loratadine is an antihistamine.
   • Why not C? Losartan is an ARB (-sartan).
   • Why not D? Levothyroxine replaces thyroid hormone.

5. Question 5

   What is the generic name for Nexium?

   1. AOmeprazole
   2. BEsomeprazole
   3. CPantoprazole
   4. DLansoprazole
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   B. Esomeprazole

   Nexium is the brand name for esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor.

   • Why not A? Omeprazole is Prilosec.
   • Why not C? Pantoprazole is Protonix.
   • Why not D? Lansoprazole is Prevacid.

6. Question 6

   Drugs ending in "-sartan," such as losartan and valsartan, belong to which class?

   1. ADiuretics
   2. BACE inhibitors
   3. CCalcium channel blockers
   4. DAngiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
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   D. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)

   The stem -sartan identifies angiotensin receptor blockers.

   • Why not A? Diuretics have varied names, like furosemide.
   • Why not B? ACE inhibitors end in -pril.
   • Why not C? Calcium channel blockers often end in -dipine.

7. Question 7

   Which brand name matches losartan?

   1. ACozaar
   2. BDiovan
   3. CBenicar
   4. DMicardis
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   A. Cozaar

   Losartan is Cozaar, an ARB for high blood pressure.

   • Why not B? Diovan is valsartan.
   • Why not C? Benicar is olmesartan.
   • Why not D? Micardis is telmisartan.

8. Question 8

   Drugs ending in "-tidine," such as famotidine, belong to which class?

   1. ACalcium channel blockers
   2. BAntacids
   3. CH2 blockers
   4. DProton pump inhibitors
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   C. H2 blockers

   -tidine marks H2 receptor blockers, which reduce stomach acid.

   • Why not A? Many calcium channel blockers end in -dipine.
   • Why not B? Antacids such as calcium carbonate neutralize acid and have no common stem.
   • Why not D? PPIs end in -prazole.

9. Question 9

   What is the generic name for the brand drug Lipitor?

   1. ARosuvastatin
   2. BPravastatin
   3. CAtorvastatin
   4. DSimvastatin
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   C. Atorvastatin

   Lipitor is the brand name for atorvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin).

   • Why not A? Rosuvastatin is Crestor.
   • Why not B? Pravastatin is Pravachol.
   • Why not D? Simvastatin is Zocor.

10. Question 10

    Drugs ending in "-statin" are used to lower...

    1. AStomach acid
    2. BHeart rate
    3. CCholesterol
    4. DBlood sugar
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    C. Cholesterol

    Statins lower LDL cholesterol.

    • Why not A? Stomach acid drugs end in -prazole or -tidine.
    • Why not B? Heart rate drugs include -olol beta blockers.
    • Why not D? Blood sugar drugs include metformin and -gliptins.