Prescription Writing

Question 1

What is NPI?

Answer 1

National Prescriber Identifier
unique identification number for health care providers

Question 2

What is DEA number?

Answer 2

controlled substance number issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) needed to prescribe controlled substances

Question 3

Per MN Statue 2020, what must each prescription indicate?

Answer 3

date of issue
name and address of pt
name and quantity of the drug prescribed
directions for use
name and address of the prescribing PA

Question 4

What are things to think about when choosing a drug to prescribe?

Answer 4

appropriate medication for condition
risk/benefit ratio
comorbidities
other medications
insurance coverage
cost
route
dosing schedule
size
side effect profile

Question 5

What are the 10 parts of a prescription?

Answer 5

patient information
date prescribed
superscription (Rx)
inscription
subscription
sig (signatura) patient instructions
refill data
substitution
signature
special instructions/warnings

Question 6

What is included in patient info and date?

Answer 6

pt name
pt address
pt DOB and/or age
date Rx written

Question 7

What is included in prescriber information?

Answer 7

prescriber name
prescriber clinic name
prescriber clinic address
phone number
DEA number (only if prescribing controlled substance)

Question 8

What is a superscription?

Answer 8

designates the written documentation as a prescription (Rx)

Question 9

What is inscription?

Answer 9

drug name (generic name preferred, should NOT be abbreviated)
concentration (strength)
type of preparation (if needed)
tablets, capsules or liquid

Question 10

What is the subscription?

Answer 10

for the pharmacis
dispense/quantity: # (write out number) of tablets/units/ml to give the pt

Question 11

What is the sig?

Answer 11

instructions for the pt
how to take the medication - number of tablets/ml per dose, route, frequency, duration, indication
special instructions/warnings (keep refrigerated, take with food, may cause drowsiness, etc.)

Question 12

What are some tips for preventing medication errors?

Answer 12

write legibly
review prescriptions
include reason for medication
only use decimal points after zero (0.2 NOT 2.0)
consider renal and liver function
consider age and weight
minimize abbreviations
call pharmacist with questions

Question 13

What are things to remember about PRN medications?

Answer 13

always indicate the PRN reason
add additional instructions if needed and be specific
add up the quantity needed
specify location of application if needed