Scripts 101

Question 1

What is the abbreviation Rx?

Answer 1

recipe

Question 2

What is the sig?

Answer 2

Signa –> latin for directions

Question 3

What component of prescription must match sig?

Answer 3

Quantity

Question 4

What are the mandatory components of a prescription?

Answer 4

1. Patient’s full name and address
2. Presriber’s name, address, phone #, DEA #
3. Date of issuance
4. Signature of prescriber
5. Drug name, dose, dosage form, amount
6. Directions for use (Sig)
7. Refill instructions

Question 5

How long is a prescription valid for?

Answer 5

Usually 1 year except for controlled substances

Question 6

List the 8 levels of drug schedules and give examples of each.

Answer 6

C-1: heroin, MDMA, cocaine
C-2: oxycontin, morphine, fentanyl
C-3: barbiturates
C-4: benzodiazepines, THC
C-5: cough syrups with codeine, Gabapentin (KY)
Legend drugs: anything else requiring Px
OTC: ASA, APAP (tylenol)
BTC: pseudoephedrine

Question 7

List four general characteristics of controlled substances.

Answer 7

Regulated by federal and state laws
Limited by quantity and refillability
Control scripts are green
Prescriber must have a DEA number

Question 8

List characteristics of schedule C2 drugs.

Answer 8

No refills or verbal orders, limited to 30 day supply

Question 9

List characteristics of schedule C3 and C4 drugs.

Answer 9

May be refilled 5 times in 6 months

Question 10

List characteristics of schedule C5 drugs.

Answer 10

Controlled by pharmacy logs

Question 11

List six ways to avoid drug errors.

Answer 11

Don't use your own abbreviations
Do not write "use as directed"
No refills as "PRN"
Sig must start with a verb
One prescription per prescription form
No naked decimals or trailing zeros

Question 12

What is the only drug dispensed w/o safety cap?

Answer 12

Nitroglycerine

Question 13

Define the abbreviations: prn, q, q3h, q4h, qd, qid, qod, bid, tid, ATC.

Answer 13

prn = as needed
q = every
q3/4h = every 3/4 hours
qd = every day
qid = 4 times per day (not same as q6h)
qod = every other day
bid = twice daily (not same as q12h)
tid = three times daily (not same as q8h)
ATC = around the clock

Question 14

Define the abbreviations: a, p, ac, pc, hs, c, ut dict, aa

Answer 14

a = before
p = after
ac = before meals
pc = after meals
hs = at bedtime
c = meals/food
ut dict = as directed
aa = affected area

Question 15

Define the abbreviations: caps, gtt, tabs, tbsp, tsp, qs

Answer 15

caps = capsules
gtt = drops
tabs = tablets
tbsp = tablespoon
tsp = teaspoon
qs = sufficient quantity

Question 16

Define the abbreviations: ad, as, od, os, ou, po, pr, sl, top

Answer 16

ad = right ear
as = left ear
od = right eye
os = left eye
ou = both eyes
po = by mouth
pr = per rectum
sl = sublingual
top = apply topically

Question 17

How many milliliters are in a tsp? Tbsp?

Answer 17

Tsp = 5ml, Tbsp = 15ml

Question 18

How many ml are in an ounce? How many Tbsp?

Answer 18

1 ounce = 30 ml or 2 Tbsp

Question 19

Compare grams to milligrams to micrograms.

Answer 19

1g = 1,000mg = 1,000,000mcg

Question 20

What is meant when a drug solution is listed as a 20% solution?

Answer 20

20% solution = 20g of drug per 100ml of solvent or 20g of drug per 100g of base (solid).