TechPrep: Rapid PTCB Review

In this episode of TechPrep: Rapid PTCB Review, we review advanced pharmacy calculations with a focused, exam-relevant approach tailored to pharmacy technician practice and the PTCB exam. Building on foundational pharmacy math, this episode covers complex calculations used in retail and hospital settings, including insulin day supply, weight-based dosing, morphine milligram equivalents (MME), IV flow rates, product strength adjustments, and compounding calculations.
Accurate advanced calculations are essential for medication safety, prescription processing, appropriate insurance billing, and preparing medications correctly. You'll learn how to calculate days' supply for insulin and eye drops, determine medication quantities based on patient weight, understand opioid equivalencies, calculate IV infusion rates, and manipulate stock solutions to achieve a desired concentration. The episode also reviews dilution, allegation, and compounding math, with worked examples to reinforce the calculations and prepare you for the PTCB exam.
What You'll Learn
How to calculate insulin and eye drop days' supply, including concentration differences, maximum daily doses, and required quantities
How to solve weight-based dosing problems and calculate medication quantities for pediatric patients
The fundamentals of morphine milligram equivalents (MME), opioid conversion ratios, and prescription monitoring programs
How to calculate IV infusion flow rates and distinguish between dilution, concentration, and allegation
How to adjust product strengths and perform compounding calculations using percentages, ratios, and stock solutions
Key Takeaways
Accurate day supply calculations support appropriate prescription billing and help prevent refill issues.
Understanding medication concentrations and weight-based dosing is essential for safe and accurate medication preparation.
MME calculations help pharmacy technicians understand opioid equivalencies and the role of prescription monitoring programs, while state-specific requirements must also be considered.
Dimensional analysis and a systematic approach to calculations help reduce errors when adjusting product strengths, preparing compounded medications, and calculating infusion rates.
 
Want to master advanced pharmacy calculations and prepare for the PTCB exam? Thousands of pharmacy technician students trust TechPrep for clear explanations, exam-focused review, and real-world relevance.
👉 Start learning today at PharmTechReview.com
 
 
 
#TechPrep #PTCBReview #PTCBPrep #AdvancedPharmacyCalculations #PharmacyTechnician #MedicationSafety #PharmacyMath #Compounding #PTCBExam

In this episode of TechPrep: Rapid PTCB Review, we review basic pharmacy calculations with a focused, exam-relevant approach tailored to pharmacy technician practice and the PTCB exam. This episode builds the mathematical foundation needed for pharmacy calculations, covering measurement systems, unit conversions, Roman numerals, fractions, decimals, ratios, and proportions.
Accurate calculations are essential for prescription processing, medication dosing, dispensing quantities, and pharmacy operations. You'll learn how to convert between common units of measurement, calculate medication quantities and days' supply, interpret military time, and solve temperature, body surface area, and business calculation problems. The episode also emphasizes dimensional analysis and writing out calculations to help reduce errors and prepare for more advanced pharmacy calculations.
What You'll Learn
Roman numeral rules and their application to handwritten prescriptions
Common pharmacy measurement systems and conversions, including metric units, pounds to kilograms, tablespoons to milliliters, and drops to milliliters
How to work with fractions, decimals, ratios, and proportions in pharmacy calculations
How to calculate medication quantities, days' supply, temperature conversions, body surface area doses, and military time
Basic business calculations, including invoice discounts, product markups, and selling prices
Key Takeaways
Understanding common conversion factors is essential for accurate medication calculations and prescription processing.
Dimensional analysis helps organize calculations, cancel units, and verify that the answer matches the question.
Always use a leading zero for decimal doses less than one to help prevent medication errors.
Practicing foundational calculations prepares pharmacy technicians for more advanced calculations and supports accuracy in pharmacy practice.
Want to master pharmacy calculations and prepare for the PTCB exam? Thousands of pharmacy technician students trust TechPrep for clear explanations, exam-focused review, and real-world relevance.
👉 Start learning today at PharmTechReview.com
 
 
#TechPrep #PTCBReview #PTCBPrep #PharmacyCalculations #PharmacyTechnician #MedicationSafety #PharmacyMath #PTCBExam

In this episode of TechPrep: Rapid PTCB Review, we review communication and customer service with a focused, exam-relevant approach tailored to pharmacy technician practice and the PTCB exam. Learn how effective communication supports patient safety, prevents errors, and strengthens interactions with patients, prescribers, insurance representatives, and pharmacy coworkers.
This episode covers verbal, nonverbal, visual, and written communication, along with active listening and strategies for overcoming communication barriers. You'll explore how to recognize potential signs of low health literacy, confirm patient understanding, maintain professional customer service, and respond to difficult interactions. The episode also reviews an eight-step approach to conflict resolution and explains when pharmacy technicians should refer questions or concerns to the pharmacist.
What You'll Learn
The different modes of communication and how tone, body language, and word choice affect understanding
How to recognize potential signs of low health literacy and use plain language to support patient understanding
Strategies for active listening, complete message documentation, and reducing communication barriers
Customer service practices that support professionalism, patient privacy, and positive pharmacy experiences
How to de-escalate conflicts and recognize situations that require pharmacist involvement
Key Takeaways
Communication is not complete until the receiver's understanding has been confirmed.
Plain language, active listening, and teach-back techniques help reduce misunderstandings and support patient safety.
Professionalism, empathy, and a calm approach can help prevent conflicts from escalating.
Clinical questions, refusal-to-fill disputes, threats, suspected fraud, and issues beyond a technician's training should be escalated appropriately.
Want to master high-yield pharmacy practice concepts for the PTCB exam? Thousands of pharmacy technician students trust TechPrep for clear explanations, exam-focused review, and real-world relevance.
👉 Start learning today at PharmTechReview.com
 
 
#TechPrep #PTCBReview #PTCBPrep #PharmacyTechnician #CommunicationSkills #CustomerService #PatientSafety #PharmacyPractice #PTCBExam

In this episode of TechPrep: Rapid PTCB Review, we review utilization management with a focused, exam-relevant approach tailored to pharmacy technician practice and the PTCB exam. This episode explores how insurance plans and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) influence medication coverage, prescription claims, and access to treatment through formularies, prior authorizations, and other utilization management strategies.
Pharmacy technicians frequently encounter utilization management at the pharmacy counter, from refill-too-soon rejections and step therapy requirements to quantity limits and formulary restrictions. This episode breaks down the differences between prospective, concurrent, and retrospective drug utilization review, examines how PBMs and formulary decisions affect prescription coverage, and explains when patients may need additional documentation or alternative billing options. You'll also review medication substitution protocols, Medicare Part D protected drug classes, and the distinction between cost-management strategies and edits designed to protect patient safety.
 
What You'll Learn
The role of PBMs, formulary management, and rebates in prescription drug coverage
Differences between open, tiered, and closed formularies, including Medicare Part D protected classes
Common utilization edits, including prior authorizations, step therapy, refill-too-soon rejections, age restrictions, and quantity limits
How medical and pharmacy benefits differ, along with common drug class exclusions
Differences between generic substitution, therapeutic interchange, and IV-to-oral medication conversion
 
Key Takeaways
Formulary management determines which medications are preferred or covered, while utilization management establishes the requirements for accessing them.
Understanding claim rejection reasons helps pharmacy technicians identify appropriate next steps and communicate more effectively with patients.
Some restrictions focus on cost and coverage, while others—such as morphine equivalent dose edits—are designed to address medication safety.
Knowing which substitution protocols are permitted in outpatient versus institutional settings is essential for pharmacy practice.
 
Want to master high-yield pharmacy operations and medication coverage concepts for the PTCB exam? Thousands of pharmacy technician students trust TechPrep for clear explanations, exam-focused review, and real-world relevance.
👉 Start learning today at PharmTechReview.com
 
 
#TechPrep #PTCBReview #PTCBPrep #PharmacyTechnician #UtilizationManagement #PharmacyBenefits #PriorAuthorization #PharmacyPractice #PTCBExam

In this episode of TechPrep: Rapid PTCB Review, we review pharmacy insurance basics with a focused, exam-relevant approach tailored to pharmacy technician practice and the PTCB exam. This episode breaks down essential insurance terminology, insurance cards, pharmacy billing information, and the differences between common types of health insurance and pharmacy benefits.
The episode covers the practical insurance concepts pharmacy technicians encounter at the counter, including premiums, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximums, HMOs, PPOs, Workers' Compensation, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and CHAMPVA. You'll also learn how coordination of benefits works, how Medicare Parts A through D differ, and how foundations, manufacturer copay cards, and free drug programs can help patients manage medication costs.
What You'll Learn
Key insurance terminology, including premiums, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums
How to identify and use pharmacy insurance card information, including RxBIN, RxPCN, RxGRP, and cardholder IDs
Differences between commercial insurance, HMOs, PPOs, Workers' Compensation, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and CHAMPVA
Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D and how coverage and billing differ between them
Patient assistance options, including foundation support, manufacturer copay cards, and free drug programs
Key Takeaways
Understanding insurance terminology helps pharmacy technicians explain costs and troubleshoot common billing issues.
Medicaid is the payer of last resort, while Medicare is billed first for patients who are dual eligible.
Pharmacy technicians should understand the eligibility differences between foundations, manufacturer copay cards, and free drug programs when helping patients find medication-cost assistance.
Recognizing insurance coverage rules and billing pathways is essential for accurate claim processing and effective patient support.
Want to master pharmacy insurance and billing concepts for the PTCB exam? Thousands of pharmacy technician students trust TechPrep for clear explanations, exam-focused review, and real-world relevance.
👉 Start learning today at PharmTechReview.com
 
 
 
#TechPrep #PTCBReview #PTCBPrep #PharmacyTechnician #PharmacyInsurance #PharmacyBilling #PTCBExam #PharmacyPractice

In this episode of TechPrep: Rapid PTCB Review, we review common pharmacy terminology with a focused, exam-relevant approach tailored to pharmacy technician practice and the PTCB exam. This fast-paced review serves as a quick reference for essential medical and pharmacy terms, including drug descriptors, medication safety concepts, drug classifications, insurance terminology, and pharmacy abbreviations.
The episode covers key concepts pharmacy technicians need to recognize in everyday practice, including brand and generic names, package inserts, boxed warnings, medication guides, REMS programs, LASA medications, Tall Man lettering, drug identifiers, bioequivalence, NDC numbers, insurance and billing terminology, DAW codes, and common SIG codes. Learners will also review frequently used pharmacy abbreviations, dosage forms, routes of administration, and prescription directions through practical knowledge checks.
What You’ll Learn
Common drug descriptors, including brand and generic names, package inserts, medication guides, and pregnancy-related terminology
Medication safety measures such as REMS, auxiliary labels, LASA medications, and Tall Man lettering
Drug classifications, pharmacology terms, biologics and biosimilars, and medication identifiers such as NDCs and GPIs
Insurance terminology, including deductibles, copays, coinsurance, formularies, prior authorization, and DAW codes
Common pharmacy abbreviations, SIG codes, dosage forms, frequencies, and routes of administration
Key Takeaways
Understanding common pharmacy terminology helps technicians accurately interpret prescriptions, medication information, and insurance claims.
Medication safety concepts such as boxed warnings, REMS, medication guides, and LASA precautions are important for preventing medication errors.
NDCs, DAW codes, insurance terminology, and other identifiers are essential components of pharmacy workflow.
Memorizing common SIG codes and abbreviations can make prescription interpretation faster and more accurate in practice.
Want to master high-yield pharmacy terminology for the PTCB exam? Thousands of pharmacy technician students trust TechPrep for clear explanations, exam-focused review, and real-world relevance.
👉 Start learning today at PharmTechReview.com
 
 
#TechPrep #PTCBReview #PTCBPrep #PharmacyTechnician #PharmacyTerminology #PTCBExam #PharmacyAbbreviations #SIGCodes #PharmacyPractice

In this episode of TechPrep: Rapid PTCB Review, we review common otic conditions with a focused, exam-relevant approach tailored to pharmacy technician practice and the PTCB exam. The episode begins with ear anatomy and the physiology of hearing and balance before covering common conditions including cerumen impaction, otitis externa, and otitis media.
The discussion connects ear anatomy and disease states to the medications and treatment approaches pharmacy technicians are likely to encounter. Learners will review cerumenolytics such as carbamide peroxide, treatments for bacterial and fungal otitis externa, and the antibiotic treatment ladder for otitis media, along with important distinctions between these conditions and key patient counseling considerations.
 
What You’ll Learn
The anatomy of the external, middle, and inner ear and how hearing and balance work
Common otic conditions, including cerumen impaction, otitis externa, and otitis media
Key differences between swimmer’s ear and middle ear infections
Common medications, therapeutic approaches, and treatment considerations for otic conditions
High-yield counseling points and medication concepts relevant to the PTCB exam
 
Key Takeaways
Understanding ear anatomy provides a foundation for recognizing common otic conditions and their treatments
Carbamide peroxide is a commonly used OTC cerumenolytic for softening and loosening impacted earwax
Pain when touching or pulling the outer ear is an important distinguishing feature of otitis externa
Amoxicillin is a common first-line oral antibiotic for bacterial otitis media, with alternative therapies used when appropriate
 
Want to master high-yield disease states and pharmacology topics for the PTCB exam? Thousands of pharmacy technician students trust TechPrep for clear explanations, exam-focused review, and real-world relevance.
👉 Start learning today at PharmTechReview.com
 
 
#TechPrep #PTCBReview #PTCBPrep #PharmacyTechnician #OticConditions #EarHealth #Pharmacology #PharmacyTechnicianEducation #PTCBExam

In this episode of TechPrep: Rapid PTCB Review, we review common otic conditions with a focused, exam-relevant approach tailored to pharmacy technician practice and the PTCB exam. The episode begins with ear anatomy and the physiology of hearing and balance before covering common conditions including cerumen impaction, otitis externa, and otitis media.
The discussion connects ear anatomy and disease states to the medications and treatment approaches pharmacy technicians are likely to encounter. Learners will review cerumenolytics such as carbamide peroxide, treatments for bacterial and fungal otitis externa, and the antibiotic treatment ladder for otitis media, along with important distinctions between these conditions and key patient counseling considerations.
What You’ll Learn
The anatomy of the external, middle, and inner ear and how hearing and balance work
Common otic conditions, including cerumen impaction, otitis externa, and otitis media
Key differences between swimmer’s ear and middle ear infections
Common medications, therapeutic approaches, and treatment considerations for otic conditions
High-yield counseling points and medication concepts relevant to the PTCB exam
Key Takeaways
Understanding ear anatomy provides a foundation for recognizing common otic conditions and their treatments
Carbamide peroxide is a commonly used OTC cerumenolytic for softening and loosening impacted earwax
Pain when touching or pulling the outer ear is an important distinguishing feature of otitis externa
Amoxicillin is a common first-line oral antibiotic for bacterial otitis media, with alternative therapies used when appropriate
 
Want to master high-yield disease states and pharmacology topics for the PTCB exam? Thousands of pharmacy technician students trust TechPrep for clear explanations, exam-focused review, and real-world relevance.
👉 Start learning today at PharmTechReview.com
 
 
#TechPrep #PTCBReview #PTCBPrep #PharmacyTechnician #OticConditions #EarHealth #Pharmacology #PharmacyTechnicianEducation #PTCBExam

In this episode of TechPrep: Rapid PTCB Review, we review the ophthalmic system and common eye conditions that pharmacy technicians should know for the PTCB exam. Listeners will review basic eye anatomy and the process of vision, including the roles of the cornea, lens, retina, rods, cones, and optic nerve.
The episode focuses on common ophthalmic conditions including glaucoma, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and dry eye disease, along with the medications commonly used to treat them. The discussion highlights therapeutic classes, mechanisms of action, dosing, side effects, and key brand and generic medications, helping pharmacy technicians build the medication recognition and disease-state knowledge needed for the PTCB exam.
What You’ll Learn:
The basic anatomy of the eye and how vision works
The differences between common ophthalmic conditions, including glaucoma, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and dry eye disease
The therapeutic classes and mechanisms of medications used to treat common eye conditions
High-yield ophthalmic brand and generic medications, dosing, and side effects
Key Takeaways:
Understanding eye anatomy and function provides an important foundation for recognizing common ophthalmic conditions
Glaucoma, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and dry eye disease have distinct symptoms and treatment approaches
Recognizing ophthalmic medications by brand name, generic name, and therapeutic class is important for PTCB preparation
Knowing key medication mechanisms, dosing, and adverse effects can help pharmacy technicians confidently apply ophthalmic pharmacology concepts on the exam
 
Want to strengthen your knowledge of high-yield pharmacy topics for the PTCB exam? TechPrep provides focused review of the medications, disease states, and pharmacy concepts you need to know to prepare with confidence.
Explore more PTCB exam preparation at PharmTechReview.com
 
 
#TechPrep #PTCBReview #OphthalmicSystem #EyeHealth #PharmacyTechnician #PTCBPrep #PharmacyTechnicianEducation #Pharmacology #MedicationReview

In this episode of TechPrep: Rapid PTCB Review, we review vaccines with a focused, exam-relevant approach tailored to pharmacy technician practice and the PTCB exam. Learners will explore how immunity works, the differences between active and passive immunity, and how vaccines help protect individuals and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases.
The episode connects immunology fundamentals to practical pharmacy responsibilities by reviewing vaccine types, administration routes, storage and handling requirements, immunization schedules, and the roles of organizations such as the FDA, ACIP, and CDC. Emphasis is placed on vaccine safety, cold-chain management, documentation, and key vaccine-preventable diseases that pharmacy technicians should understand for both the PTCB exam and pharmacy practice.
What You'll Learn
The differences between active and passive immunity and how vaccines produce an immune response
The major types of vaccines, their administration routes, and important safety considerations
Proper vaccine storage, handling, administration, and documentation requirements
Major vaccine-preventable diseases and the immunization schedules used to guide vaccination
Key Takeaways
Understanding immunity and vaccine types is essential for pharmacy technicians preparing for the PTCB exam
Proper storage, handling, and administration are critical to vaccine safety and effectiveness
Pharmacy technicians play an important role in vaccine administration and supporting safe patient care
Vaccines and immunization practices are high-yield topics for the PTCB exam
✅ Want to master high-yield immunology and pharmacology topics for the PTCB exam? Thousands of pharmacy technician students trust TechPrep for clear explanations, exam-focused review, and real-world relevance.
👉 Start learning today at PharmTechReview.com
 
 
 
#TechPrep #PTCBReview #Vaccines #Immunology #Immunization #PTCBPrep #PharmacyTechnician #PharmacologyBasics #PatientCare