Chapter 1 Flashcards
What is the Joint Commission (TJC) “Do Not Use” list?
A list of abbreviations that should not be used in healthcare to prevent medication errors. Examples include “U” for unit, “IU” for international unit, and “QD” for daily.
What are active ingredients in medications?
The ingredients in medications responsible for the desired effect on the body.
What are excipients in drug formulations?
Medicinally inactive substances like fillers, binders, coloring agents, flavorings, and preservatives.
What is pharmacology?
The study of drugs, their uses, mechanisms of action, and effects on the body.
What does the abbreviation ‘PO’ stand for?
‘PO’ stands for “by mouth” or orally.
What does the abbreviation ‘PRN’ stand for?
‘PRN’ stands for “as needed.”
Why is proficiency in basic math skills essential for pharmacy technicians?
To calculate correct medication doses, ensure safety, and assist the pharmacist in providing patient care.
What is the abbreviation ‘HS’ and why should it be avoided?
‘HS’ means “at bedtime” but can be confused with “half-strength.” It’s recommended to use “bedtime” instead.
How should you write ‘QD’ or ‘QOD’ to avoid confusion?
Use “daily” for QD and “every other day” for QOD.
What are the three measurement systems used in pharmacy?
The household system (e.g., teaspoons, tablespoons), metric system (e.g., grams, liters), and apothecary system (e.g., grains, drams).
What is the importance of calculating doses correctly?
To prevent overdose, underdose, and ensure the safety and efficacy of medication.
What are the conversion requirements between time systems in pharmacy?
Pharmacy technicians must convert between 12-hour time (AM/PM) and 24-hour military time, especially in inpatient settings.
What is the formula to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit?
F = 9/5C + 32
What are the common routes of administration abbreviations used in pharmacy?
ID: Intradermal
IM: Intramuscular
IV: Intravenous
SL: Sublingual
TOP: Topical
How should you write drug names to avoid confusion?
Always write out the complete drug name. Avoid abbreviations like APAP (for acetaminophen) or AZT (for zidovudine) to prevent errors.
What is the risk of using trailing zeros in dosage orders?
Trailing zeros (e.g., 1.0 mg) can be mistaken as a higher dose (e.g., 10 mg), so avoid trailing zeros and write “1 mg” instead.
What are basic math skills necessary for pharmacy calculations?
Whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, ratio and proportion equations.
What are some important abbreviations for dosage forms?
Cap: Capsule
Tab: Tablet
Cr: Cream
Syr: Syrup
Supp: Suppository
Oint: Ointment
What does ‘qd’ mean and what should you use instead?
‘qd’ means “daily.” Use “daily” instead to avoid confusion.
What are some abbreviations on the “Do Not Use” list and their corrections?
U (unit) → Write “unit”
IU (international unit) → Write “international unit”
QD (daily) → Write “daily”
MS (morphine sulfate) → Write “morphine sulfate”
What is the apothecary system and why is it being replaced?
The apothecary system uses measurements like grains and drams, but it’s being replaced by the metric system due to precision concerns.
What mathematical skills are used in pharmaceutical calculations?
Proficiency in fractions, decimals, ratios, and proportions to accurately calculate doses.
What does ‘gtt’ stand for in pharmacy abbreviations?
‘Gtt’ stands for “drop(s).”
What does ‘ad lib’ mean in pharmacy terms?
‘Ad lib’ means “as desired.”
How should ‘cc’ be written to avoid confusion?
‘Cc’ should be written as “mL” (milliliters) to avoid confusion with “u” (units).
What is the abbreviation for intravenous administration, and how is it used?
‘IV’ stands for “intravenous,” referring to medication administered directly into the vein.
What does ‘NPO’ stand for?
‘NPO’ stands for “nothing by mouth.”
What is the significance of “ISMP” in medication safety?
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) is an organization that creates guidelines to prevent medication errors, including the List of Error-Prone Abbreviations, Symbols, and Dose Designations.
What does ‘PR’ indicate in terms of medication administration?
‘PR’ refers to “rectal” administration of medication.
Why should ‘SC’ or ‘SQ’ be avoided, and what should be used instead?
‘SC’ or ‘SQ’ (subcutaneous) can be confused with other terms. Use “subcut” or “subcutaneously” instead.
What are the household measurements commonly used in pharmacy?
Tsp (teaspoon)
Tbsp (tablespoon)
Oz (ounce)
Pt (pint)
Qt (quart)
Gal (gallon)
How do you convert from pounds to kilograms?
1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds. To convert pounds to kilograms, divide the weight in pounds by 2.2.
What is the significance of the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP)?
The U.S. Pharmacopeia sets standards for medication ingredients, preparation, and storage, which are enforced by the FDA.
What is the abbreviation ‘STAT’ used for in healthcare settings?
‘STAT’ means “immediately” or “at once.”
What does ‘bid’ and ‘tid’ stand for in frequency of administration?
‘Bid’ means “twice a day.”
‘Tid’ means “three times a day.”
What is a ‘USP-NF’?
The U.S. Pharmacopeia-National Formulary (USP-NF) is a combined publication providing standards for drugs and other products, including their ingredients and storage.
What does ‘qid’ and ‘qhs’ stand for?
‘Qid’ means “four times a day.”
‘Qhs’ means “nightly at bedtime.”
What is the abbreviation for intramuscular administration?
‘IM’ stands for “intramuscular,” referring to medication injected into a muscle.
How do you prevent decimal point errors in medication dosing?
Use leading zeros before a decimal (e.g., 0.5 mg) and avoid trailing zeros (e.g., 5 mg instead of 5.0 mg) to prevent misinterpretation.
What does ‘mEq’ stand for, and when is it used?
‘mEq’ stands for “milliequivalent,” a unit of measurement used for electrolytes and ions in solutions.
What does ‘DAW’ mean in pharmacy?
‘DAW’ stands for “dispense as written,” meaning the pharmacist must provide the exact medication specified by the prescriber.
What is ‘qs’ in prescription orders?
‘Qs’ means “sufficient quantity.”
What is the importance of understanding Roman numerals in pharmacy?
Roman numerals are used for certain measurements in prescriptions. Understanding their values is essential for accurate interpretation.
What does ‘NKDA’ stand for?
‘NKDA’ means “no known drug allergies.”
How should you write ‘mg’ and ‘mL’ in pharmacy to avoid errors?
Always write ‘mg’ and ‘mL’ without a period to avoid misinterpretation as a numeral (e.g., ‘mg.’ mistaken as ‘1mg’).
What does ‘TO’ and ‘VO’ stand for in medication orders?
‘TO’ means “telephone order.”
‘VO’ means “verbal order.”
How many milligrams are in 5 grams?
There are 5,000 milligrams in 5 grams (1 g = 1,000 mg).
What does ‘supp’ stand for?
‘Supp’ stands for “suppository.”
What does ‘pc’ stand for in pharmacy terms?
‘Pc’ stands for “after meals.”
What does ‘ac’ stand for in pharmacy terms?
‘Ac’ stands for “before meals.”
What are the three systems of measurement used in pharmacy?
Household system: e.g., teaspoons (tsp), tablespoons (Tbsp).
Metric system: e.g., grams (g), liters (L), meters (m).
Apothecary system: e.g., grains (gr), drams (dr), ounces (oz).
What is the correct way to express doses with a decimal?
Always include a leading zero (e.g., “0.5 mg”) and avoid trailing zeros (e.g., write “5 mg” not “5.0 mg”).
How should ‘U’ be written to avoid medication errors?
‘U’ (for unit) should be written as “unit” to avoid confusion with the numbers “0” or “4.”
What is the abbreviation ‘OTC’ used for?
‘OTC’ stands for “over-the-counter,” referring to medications that can be purchased without a prescription.
What does ‘elix’ stand for in pharmacy?
‘Elix’ stands for “elixir,” a liquid medication.
How do you convert inches to centimeters?
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters. To convert inches to centimeters, multiply the number of inches by 2.54.
What does ‘rep’ stand for in a prescription?
‘Rep’ means “repeat,” indicating the prescription may be refilled.
What is the importance of mastering Roman numerals in pharmacy calculations?
Roman numerals are still used in prescription writing and dose calculation. Mastery ensures accurate interpretation of medication orders.
What is the abbreviation ‘qs’ used for in prescriptions?
‘Qs’ stands for “quantity sufficient,” indicating enough of a medication should be prepared to meet the prescription’s requirements.
How do you convert from Celsius to Fahrenheit?
F = 9/5C + 32
What does ‘prn’ mean in medical prescriptions?
‘Prn’ stands for “as needed.”
What is ‘SL’ and how is it used in administration of medication?
‘SL’ stands for “sublingual,” referring to medication administered under the tongue.
What does ‘syr’ stand for in pharmaceutical terms?
‘Syr’ stands for “syrup,” a liquid form of medication.
What does ‘tab’ stand for in medication dosage forms?
‘Tab’ stands for “tablet.”
What is the abbreviation ‘tid’ used for in frequency of medication administration?
‘Tid’ stands for “three times a day.”
What does ‘non rep’ mean in a prescription?
‘Non rep’ means “do not repeat,” indicating the prescription cannot be refilled.
What does ‘fl oz’ stand for?
‘Fl oz’ stands for “fluid ounce,” a unit of volume measurement.
What does ‘gtt’ mean in medical terms?
‘Gtt’ means “drop(s),” often used in liquid medication prescriptions.
What is ‘supp’ short for in pharmaceutical forms?
‘Supp’ stands for “suppository.”
How should ‘IU’ be written to avoid confusion?
‘IU’ (international unit) should be written as “International Unit” to avoid being mistaken for “IV” or “10.”
What does ‘ac’ indicate in medication administration timing?
‘Ac’ means “before meals.”
What does ‘hs’ stand for, and how should it be written to avoid errors?
‘Hs’ stands for “at bedtime” but should be written as “bedtime” to avoid confusion.
What does ‘TO’ and ‘VO’ mean in prescription orders?
‘TO’ means “telephone order.”
‘VO’ means “verbal order.”
What does ‘AA’ mean in a prescription?
‘AA’ means “of each,” often used when equal parts of substances are needed.
What does ‘IV’ stand for and what does it mean?
‘IV’ stands for “intravenous,” indicating the medication is administered into a vein.
What are the abbreviations for ear and eye administration, and how should they be written?
‘AD’ (right ear) → write “right ear”
‘AS’ (left ear) → write “left ear”
‘AU’ (both ears) → write “each ear”
‘OD’ (right eye) → write “right eye”
‘OS’ (left eye) → write “left eye”
‘OU’ (both eyes) → write “each eye”
What does ‘NKA’ and ‘NKDA’ stand for?
‘NKA’ stands for “no known allergies.”
‘NKDA’ stands for “no known drug allergies.”
How many milliliters are in one teaspoon (tsp)?
1 teaspoon (tsp) = 5 milliliters (mL).
