Chapter 7

Question 1

What is a prescription, and who can write it?

Answer 1

A prescription is a written order for medication by a licensed healthcare professional for outpatient use. The healthcare professional must be authorized to prescribe according to state laws.

Question 2

What are the key components of a prescription?

Answer 2

1. Patient information (name, address, DOB).
2. Prescriber information (name, address, phone, DEA # for controlled substances).
3. Inscription (medication name, form, strength, quantity).
4. Subscription (instructions for the pharmacist).
5. Signa (directions for the patient).
6. Refill information.
7. Prescriber’s signature.

Question 3

What are the inscription, subscription, and superscription in a prescription?

Answer 3

• Inscription: The medication name, dosage form, strength, and quantity.
• Subscription: Instructions for the pharmacist, such as compounding directions.
• Superscription: The “Rx” symbol, meaning “take this drug.”

Question 4

What do these abbreviations mean?

po
qid
bid
prn
hs
ac

Answer 4

po: by mouth.
qid: four times daily.
bid: twice daily.
prn: as needed.
hs: at bedtime.
ac: before meals.

Question 5

What is a medication order, and where is it used?

Answer 5

A medication order is used in inpatient settings. It provides instructions for drug administration, including drug name, strength, route, and frequency.

Question 6

What are the key components of a medication order?

Answer 6

1 - Patient name.
2 - Date and time of the order.

3 - Medication name.
4 - Dosage and strength.
Route of administration.
Frequency of administration.
Prescriber’s signature.

Question 7

What key information is found on a stock medication label?

Answer 7

1 - Generic name and brand name.

2 - National Drug Code (NDC) number.

3 - Dosage strength (e.g., mg, mL).

4 - Total quantity of the medication.

5 - Dosage form (tablet, solution).

6 - Manufacturer’s name.

7 - Expiration date.

8 - Storage instructions.

Question 8

What are the main components of a prescription?

Answer 8

1. Patient Information (Name, address, DOB)
2. Prescriber Information (Name, DEA number)
3. Medication Name, Strength, and Dosage Form
4. Quantity
5. Signa (Directions for patient use)
6. Subscription (Pharmacist instructions, compounding if necessary)
7. Refills
8. Prescriber Signature

Question 9

What is the Inscription on a prescription?

Answer 9

The part of the prescription that indicates the name of the medication, its dosage form, strength, and quantity.

Question 10

What is a Medication Order?

Answer 10

A physician’s written or verbal direction for the administration of medication in an inpatient healthcare setting.

Question 11

What does Sig or Signa mean on a prescription?

Answer 11

It provides the directions for the patient on how to take the medication, including how much, how often, and for how long.

Question 12

What is the Superscription on a prescription?

Answer 12

The part of the prescription symbolized by “Rx,” meaning “Take this drug.”

Question 13

What does Subscription refer to in a prescription?

Answer 13

The section that contains instructions for the pharmacist on how to prepare or compound the medication.

Question 14

What information must be included on a Medication Order?

Answer 14

1. Patient Name
2. Medication Name
3. Dosage
4. Route of Administration
5. Frequency
6. Prescriber’s Signature

Question 15

What is the National Drug Code (NDC)?

Answer 15

A unique number found on medication labels that identifies the manufacturer, product, and size of the container.

Question 16

What does the abbreviation po mean in a prescription?

Answer 16

By mouth (orally).

Question 17

What is the meaning of qid on a prescription?

Answer 17

Four times a day.

Question 18

What is the difference between a Brand Name and a Generic Name?

Answer 18

Brand Name: The proprietary name given by the manufacturer (e.g., Advil).

Generic Name: The official nonproprietary name (e.g., ibuprofen).

Question 19

What does prn mean on a prescription?

Answer 19

As needed.

Question 20

What is the role of Auxiliary Labels on medications?

Answer 20

Auxiliary labels provide supplementary instructions like “Shake well,” “Take with food,” or “May cause drowsiness.”

Question 21

What should a pharmacy technician do if a prescription is unclear or uses unfamiliar abbreviations?

Answer 21

Always ask the pharmacist for clarification before preparing the medication.

Question 22

How many times should a medication label be read before dispensing?

Answer 22

1. When removing the stock medication from the shelf.
2. Before preparing the medication.
3. Before returning the stock medication to the shelf.

Question 23

What are the required elements on a stock medication label?

Answer 23

1. Generic Name
2. Brand Name
3. Dosage Form
4. Strength
5. Total Quantity
6. Expiration Date
7. NDC Number
8. Storage Requirements

Question 24

What does bid mean in medical abbreviations?

Answer 24

Twice a day.

Question 25

What does hs mean on a prescription?

Answer 25

At bedtime.

Question 26

What must be included on a prescription label for a generic substitution?

Answer 26

The label must state “Generic for [Brand Name]” when the generic medication is dispensed.

Question 27

What is the purpose of pharmacokinetics in pharmacy?

Answer 27

It studies the movement of drugs through the body, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Question 28

What is the DEA Number, and when is it required on a prescription?

Answer 28

The DEA Number is required for prescriptions of controlled substances to track the prescriber.

Question 29

What does the abbreviation ac mean?

Answer 29

Before meals.

Question 30

What is the definition of pharmacotherapeutics?

Answer 30

It refers to the study of the therapeutic uses and effects of drugs in the treatment of disease.

Question 31

What is toxicology?

Answer 31

The study of adverse toxic reactions or toxic levels of chemicals and drugs in the body.

Question 32

Why is it important to check the expiration date on stock medication labels?

Answer 32

To ensure that the medication dispensed is of the highest quality and hasn’t expired, which could affect its efficacy and safety.

Question 33

What should you do if you are unsure about the accuracy of a medication order?

Answer 33

Always verify with the pharmacist before proceeding.

Question 34

What is the proper instruction for a liquid medication with the dosage 250 mg/5 mL?

Answer 34

Use a measuring device appropriate for 5 mL and provide clear instructions for the patient on how to measure the dose.

Question 35

What is the Therapeutic Index?

Answer 35

The difference between the therapeutic dose and the toxic dose of a drug.

Question 36

What does i tab po bid mean?

Answer 36

Take one tablet by mouth twice daily.

Question 37

What does the abbreviation SL mean in a prescription?

Answer 37

Sublingual (under the tongue).

Question 38

What does the abbreviation IM mean in a prescription?

Answer 38

Intramuscular (injection into the muscle).

Question 39

What is the Beyond Use Date (BUD) on a prescription label?

Answer 39

The date assigned by the pharmacy, usually one year from the fill date, or earlier if specified for compounded or reconstituted medications.

Question 40

What is required to be written on the prescription label when a generic substitution is made?

Answer 40

“Generic for [Brand Name]” must be included.

Question 41

How are controlled substances indicated on stock medication labels?

Answer 41

With a large “C” followed by a Roman numeral indicating the schedule (CII, CIII, etc.).

Question 42

What does tid mean?

Answer 42

Three times a day.

Question 43

What does gtt mean in medical terminology?

Answer 43

Drop (as in eye or ear drops).

Question 44

What is the purpose of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)?

Answer 44

To reduce medication errors and promote the use of numeric values over ambiguous terms like “twice daily.”