PEBC Tech QE Part I cheat sheet

Confirm two patient identifiers (e.g., full name and date of birth) before dispensing, counselling, or releasing a prescription.

A Best Possible Medication History (BPMH) documents prescription drugs, OTC products, vitamins, herbal products, and actual adherence.

Under PHIPA in Ontario, personal health information is collected, used, and disclosed only on a need-to-know basis.

Technicians may gather information and prepare prescriptions, but clinical counselling and therapeutic decisions belong to the pharmacist.

High-alert drugs (insulin, heparin, opioids, chemotherapy) require independent double-checks and clear differentiation.

Report suspected adverse drug reactions to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program.

Medication incidents are reported through non-punitive systems to identify system failures and prevent recurrence.

Use a qualified interpreter for language barriers; do not rely on family members for consent or complex counselling.

A valid prescription includes patient name, drug name, strength, dosage form, quantity, directions, prescriber, and date.

PRN = as needed; qhs = at bedtime; ac = before meals; pc = after meals; bid = twice daily; tid = three times daily.

Days supply = total quantity dispensed ÷ amount used per day (e.g., 30 tablets at 1 tab BID = 15 days).

Verify allergies, interactions, duplicate therapy, dose, and refills before dispensing; the pharmacist performs the final clinical check.

Use TALL man lettering (e.g., hydrOXYzine vs hydrALAZINE) to reduce look-alike/sound-alike selection errors.

Auxiliary labels communicate special handling or warnings, such as 'Shake well', 'Refrigerate', or 'Avoid alcohol'.

Generic substitution follows provincial rules; it is not permitted when the prescriber writes 'no substitution'.

Unit conversions: 1 g = 1000 mg; 1 mg = 1000 mcg; 1 L = 1000 mL; 1 kg = 1000 g.

Dilution: C1 × V1 = C2 × V2; keep units consistent on both sides.

% w/v = grams of solute per 100 mL; % w/w = grams per 100 g; % v/v = mL per 100 mL.

Ratio strength 1:1000 means 1 g or 1 mL in 1000 mL, which equals 0.1% w/v.

Alligation calculates proportions of two strengths needed to make a desired intermediate strength.

Geometric dilution: mix potent powder with an equal volume of diluent, then double repeatedly until uniform.

Read the bottom of the meniscus at eye level and use the smallest graduated cylinder that holds the volume.

Prepackaged products require a label with drug, strength, quantity, lot number, expiry/beyond-use date, and storage.

Repackaging beyond-use dates cannot exceed the manufacturer's original expiry and must follow provincial standards.

Aseptic technique includes hand hygiene, proper garb, sterile gloves, and disinfection of surfaces and vial stoppers with 70% isopropyl alcohol.

Primary engineering controls provide ISO Class 5 air; HEPA filters remove ≥99.97% of particles 0.3 µm or larger.

Horizontal laminar airflow hoods are used for non-hazardous sterile compounding; hazardous drugs require a biological safety cabinet or containment.

Hazardous drugs require closed system transfer devices (CSTDs), PPE, leak-proof containers, and negative-pressure containment.

Autoclave sterilization is validated with biological indicators such as Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores.

A 0.22-µm sterilizing filter removes bacteria and fungi but not viruses or endotoxins.

Under USP <797>, low-risk CSPs may be stored 48 hours at room temperature, 14 days refrigerated, or 45 days frozen.

The compounding record must document ingredients, sources, lot numbers, quantities, personnel, and assigned beyond-use date.

Inventory turnover = cost of goods sold ÷ average inventory; higher turnover generally means leaner inventory.

Controlled drugs require secure storage, perpetual inventory records, witnessed destruction, and retention of records as required by law.

Expired, recalled, or returned drugs are quarantined and clearly labeled; they are not returned to active stock.

Generic substitution uses provincial formulary equivalents unless the prescriber prohibits it or the patient refuses.

Ethical principles include beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, justice, confidentiality, and professional integrity.

A privacy breach requires containment, risk assessment, documentation, and notification according to provincial law.

Conflict-of-interest rules prohibit gifts or incentives that could influence prescribing or purchasing decisions.

Retain prescriptions and controlled-drug records for the period required by federal and provincial legislation (commonly two years).