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Free PEBC Practice Questions (MCQ) with Answers

Ten PEBC-style questions across the exam blueprint, each with the answer and why every other option is wrong. Then pick a topic below for ten more.

Updated November 13, 2026. Written by RxReady to the 2026 PEBC blueprint. These are practice questions, not real or recalled exam questions.

The PEBC Qualifying Exam MCQ is about 200 questions over roughly four and a half hours, spread across six competency areas. Most of the marks sit in clinical care, but plenty of candidates lose the exam on distribution, law, calculations and professionalism questions they did not practise enough.

Below are ten questions that mirror that mix. Each one opens to show the answer, the reasoning, and why each wrong option is wrong, because that is where most of the learning happens. Try to answer before you open it, and keep track of which areas you miss.

Want ten more on one area? Each topic page has its own set. When you want a score, the free diagnostic grades you across all six competencies and shows the topics costing you the most marks.

Practice by topic

Ten questions across the blueprint

Question 1 · Pain

Which of the following patient histories is a contraindication to celecoxib according to the Canadian product monograph?

  1. AMild gastroesophageal reflux controlled with diet
  2. BHypertension well controlled on amlodipine 5 mg
  3. CHistory of hives after taking amoxicillin
  4. DSevere rash with sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim
Show the answer

Answer: D) Severe rash with sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim

Celecoxib contains a sulfonamide moiety, and the Canadian monograph lists demonstrated allergic-type reactions to sulfonamides as a contraindication; a severe rash with sulfamethoxazole (a sulfonamide antibiotic) therefore precludes its use. Mild GERD and controlled hypertension require caution and monitoring but are not contraindications, and penicillin allergy does not cross-react with celecoxib.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A) Mild GERD needs caution with NSAIDs but is not a contraindication.
  • B) Controlled hypertension needs monitoring but is not a contraindication.
  • C) Penicillin allergy does not cross-react with celecoxib.

Key point: Celecoxib is contraindicated in sulfonamide allergy (Canadian monograph).

Question 2 · Indigenous health

Which of the following is among the health-related Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada?

  1. ATransfer responsibility for Indigenous health benefits to the provinces
  2. BRequire Indigenous patients to receive care on reserve
  3. CReplace health professional training on Indigenous history with clinical topics
  4. DRecognize Indigenous healing practices; use them with Elders on request
Show the answer

Answer: D) Recognize Indigenous healing practices; use them with Elders on request

The TRC's health Calls to Action (#18 to #24) include recognizing the value of Indigenous healing practices and using them in treatment in collaboration with Indigenous healers and Elders when requested by patients (#22), closing gaps in health outcomes, increasing Indigenous health professionals, and requiring health professional students to learn about Indigenous health, the legacy of residential schools and anti-racism (#24). The other options contradict these calls.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A) The TRC calls for closing gaps, not transferring benefits to provinces.
  • B) Requiring on-reserve care isn't a Call to Action.
  • C) The TRC calls for more training on Indigenous history, not less.

Key point: TRC health Calls to Action #18–24, including #22 on Indigenous healing practices.

Question 3 · Vaccine storage

Which of the following practices is most appropriate for monitoring the temperature of a pharmacy's vaccine refrigerator?

  1. ACheck the current temperature once weekly when vaccine orders arrive
  2. BCheck and record the current temperature once a day at closing
  3. CRecord current, minimum and maximum temperatures at least twice daily
  4. DRely on the refrigerator's built-in dial setting being kept at the midpoint
Show the answer

Answer: C) Record current, minimum and maximum temperatures at least twice daily

National vaccine storage and handling guidelines recommend reading and recording the current, minimum and maximum temperatures at least twice daily (e.g., at the start and end of the day) and resetting the min/max device, so that excursions occurring overnight are detected and acted upon. Weekly or once-daily current readings can miss excursions, and a dial setting does not measure the actual temperature.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A) Weekly readings miss overnight and between-delivery excursions.
  • B) One current reading a day misses excursions; minimum and maximum must also be recorded.
  • D) A dial setting does not measure the actual temperature.

Key point: Vaccine fridge: record current, min and max temperatures at least twice daily.

Question 4 · Interpreting prescriptions

A prescription for an otic suspension reads: "ii gtt AS bid x 7/7". Which of the following is the correct interpretation?

  1. AInstill 2 drops in the right ear twice daily for 7 days
  2. BInstill 2 drops in the left ear twice daily for 7 days
  3. CInstill 2 drops in both ears twice daily for 7 days
  4. DInstill 2 drops in the left eye twice daily for 7 days
Show the answer

Answer: B) Instill 2 drops in the left ear twice daily for 7 days

"ii gtt" = two drops, "AS" (auris sinistra) = left ear, "bid" = twice daily and "x 7/7" = for 7 days. AD is the right ear, AU is both ears, and OS is the left eye. ISMP Canada lists AS/AD/AU as error-prone abbreviations (easily confused with OS/OD/OU), so the label should spell out "left ear".

Why the other options are wrong

  • A) The right ear is AD, not AS.
  • C) Both ears is AU, not AS.
  • D) The left eye is OS; AS refers to the left ear.

Key point: AD right ear, AS left ear, AU both ears; easily confused with OD/OS/OU, so write them out.

Question 5 · Indigenous health

Which of the following patients is eligible for drug benefits under the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program?

  1. AA registered First Nations person under the Indian Act living off reserve
  2. BA Métis person who is a citizen of a Métis Nation and lives in a Métis settlement
  3. CA permanent resident who arrived in Canada as a refugee 6 months ago
  4. DA non-status First Nations person living on reserve
Show the answer

Answer: A) A registered First Nations person under the Indian Act living off reserve

NIHB, administered by Indigenous Services Canada, covers eligible registered First Nations people (registered under the Indian Act) and recognized Inuit, regardless of where they live in Canada; it coordinates with, and pays after, other public or private plans. Métis and non-status First Nations people are not eligible for NIHB, and refugees are covered by other programs (e.g., the Interim Federal Health Program before obtaining provincial coverage).

Why the other options are wrong

  • B) Métis people are not eligible for NIHB.
  • C) Refugees are covered by other programs, such as the Interim Federal Health Program.
  • D) Non-status First Nations people are not eligible, even on reserve.

Key point: NIHB covers registered First Nations and recognized Inuit, anywhere in Canada.

Question 6 · Oral chemotherapy

HK, a 62-year-old man, is starting capecitabine for colorectal cancer. Which of the following counselling points is correct?

  1. ACrush tablets and mix with food if needed
  2. BTake on an empty stomach at bedtime
  3. CSwallow whole within 30 minutes after a meal
  4. DDouble the next dose if a dose is missed
Show the answer

Answer: C) Swallow whole within 30 minutes after a meal

Capecitabine is taken twice daily with water within 30 minutes after a meal, and swallowed whole. Being cytotoxic, it should not be crushed or split, and it is not taken on an empty stomach. Missed doses are skipped, not doubled. Patients should also be counselled about hand-foot syndrome, diarrhea and the warfarin interaction.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A) Capecitabine is cytotoxic and shouldn't be crushed.
  • B) It's taken after meals, not on an empty stomach.
  • D) Missed doses are skipped, not doubled.

Key point: Capecitabine: twice daily after meals, swallow whole, never double up.

Question 7 · Prescription calculation

How many milliequivalents of magnesium are in 2 g of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate (MgSO4·7H2O, molecular weight 246 g/mol)?

  1. A4.1 mEq
  2. B8.1 mEq
  3. C16.3 mEq
  4. D32.5 mEq
Show the answer

Answer: C) 16.3 mEq

2 g = 2,000 mg ÷ 246 mg/mmol = 8.13 mmol of MgSO4·7H2O, which provides 8.13 mmol of Mg2+. Magnesium is divalent, so mEq = mmol × 2 = 16.3 mEq. 4.1 mEq halves the millimoles instead of doubling them, 8.1 forgets the valence, and 32.5 counts the valence twice.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A) 4.1 mEq halves the mmol instead of doubling it.
  • B) 8.1 is the number of millimoles; it forgets that Mg2+ has a valence of 2.
  • D) 32.5 mEq doubles twice (valence counted twice).

Key point: mEq = mmol × valence. Use the molecular weight of the exact salt form, including water of hydration.

Question 8 · Prescription calculation

A norepinephrine infusion of 4 mg in 250 mL D5W is ordered at 8 mcg/min. Which of the following is the correct infusion rate?

  1. A3 mL/hour
  2. B15 mL/hour
  3. C30 mL/hour
  4. D60 mL/hour
Show the answer

Answer: C) 30 mL/hour

Concentration = 4 mg ÷ 250 mL = 0.016 mg/mL = 16 mcg/mL. Dose per hour = 8 mcg/min × 60 = 480 mcg/hour. Rate = 480 ÷ 16 = 30 mL/hour. Doubling the concentration gives 15 mL/hour, halving it gives 60 mL/hour, and 3 mL/hour is a tenfold error.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A) 3 mL/hour is a tenfold error.
  • B) 15 mL/hour uses a concentration of 32 mcg/mL (double the real one).
  • D) 60 mL/hour uses a concentration of 8 mcg/mL (half the real one).

Key point: mcg/min infusions: convert to mcg/hour (× 60), then ÷ concentration in mcg/mL.

Question 9 · Documentation

A pharmacist is documenting a hypertension follow-up visit in SOAP format. Which of the following belongs in the "Objective" section?

  1. ABlood pressure measured in pharmacy: 152/94 mmHg (average of 2 readings)
  2. BPatient reports occasional morning headaches
  3. CBlood pressure not at target, likely due to missed doses
  4. DRecommend a once-daily combination pill and follow up in 2 weeks to recheck
Show the answer

Answer: A) Blood pressure measured in pharmacy: 152/94 mmHg (average of 2 readings)

The Objective section contains measurable, observable data such as vital signs measured by the clinician and lab values. Patient-reported symptoms belong in Subjective, the pharmacist's interpretation of the problem belongs in Assessment, and recommendations and follow-up belong in Plan.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B) Symptoms the patient reports, like headaches, belong in Subjective.
  • C) 'Not at target, likely due to missed doses' is the pharmacist's interpretation, so it is Assessment.
  • D) A recommendation and follow-up time belong in Plan.

Key point: SOAP: S = patient reports, O = measured data, A = interpretation, P = actions and follow-up.

Question 10 · Health literacy

Which of the following prescription label directions is most likely to be correctly understood by a patient with limited health literacy?

  1. ATake 1 tablet b.i.d. as directed by your doctor
  2. BTake 1 tablet in the morning and 1 tablet at bedtime
  3. CTake 1 tablet twice daily, as directed on the package insert
  4. DTake 1 tablet q12h with or without food
Show the answer

Answer: B) Take 1 tablet in the morning and 1 tablet at bedtime

Explicit instructions that specify the number of tablets and the times of day are understood more reliably than terms such as 'twice daily' or 'every 12 hours', which are often misinterpreted. Latin abbreviations such as b.i.d. and q12h should never appear on patient labels.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A) 'b.i.d.' is a Latin abbreviation that should never appear on patient labels.
  • C) 'Twice daily' is often misread, and referring to the insert adds confusion.
  • D) 'q12h' is an abbreviation that should not appear on patient labels.

Key point: Labels: state how many and exactly when; no Latin abbreviations.

Find your weakest topics

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