Pharmacy Abbreviations Quiz

Pharmacy technicians need to know the most common pharmacy abbreviations.  Questions on prescription abbreviations will definitely be on your PTCB exam. Our online pharmacy abbreviations quiz is a great way to test your knowledge on 45 of the most common abbreviations that are used on prescriptions.

Directions: Match each pharmacy abbreviation to it’s definition.

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Question 1

What does div. mean?

A
dilute
B
divide
C
dispense as written
D
divert
Question 2

What does p.o. mean?

A
after meals
B
powder
C
by mouth
D
as needed
Question 3

What does NPO mean?

A
shortness of breath
B
not to exceed
C
nothing by mouth
D
no repeats
Question 4

What does NS mean?

A
not sufficient
B
nausea
C
nitroglycerin
D
normal saline
Question 5

What does IV mean?

A
intradermal
B
intravenous
C
injection
D
international unit
Question 6

What does inj mean?

A
intradermal
B
injection
C
injury
D
intravenous
Question 7

What does top. mean?

A
as needed
B
teaspoon
C
topical
D
total parenteral nutrition
Question 8

What does sig mean?

A
if there is a need
B
signature
C
write on label
D
significant
Question 9

What does o.u. mean?

A
by mouth
B
both eyes
C
by rectum
D
both ears
Question 10

What does ad lib. mean?

A
as desired
B
as needed
C
around the clock
D
after meals
Question 11

What does pulv. mean?

A
compound
B
powder
C
pulmonary
D
pelvis
Question 12

What does DW mean?

A
dextrose in water
B
dispense as written
C
divide with
D
distilled water
Question 13

What does u.d. mean?

A
until done
B
as directed
C
once daily
D
a sufficient quantity
Question 14

What does prn mean?

A
immediately
B
every other day
C
as needed
D
through
Question 15

What does q.i.d. mean?

A
three times per day
B
as desired
C
four times per day
D
twice a day
Question 16

What does q.s. mean?

A
a sufficient quantity
B
every night at sunset
C
quantified self
D
every second
Question 17

What does t.i.d. mean?

A
take as directed
B
three times a day
C
every other day
D
two times a day
Question 18

What does D.W. mean?

A
dispense as written
B
divide
C
dextrose 5% solution
D
distilled water
Question 19

What does IM mean?

A
metered-dose inhaler
B
injection
C
intradermal
D
intramuscular
Question 20

What does ung. mean?

A
lozenge
B
ointment
C
spray
D
syrup
Question 21

What does supp mean?

A
support
B
supper
C
suppository
D
suspension
Question 22

What does d.t.d. mean?

A
three times a day
B
give of such doses
C
as desired
D
discontinue
Question 23

What does a.c. mean?

A
around the clock
B
after meals
C
before meals
D
each ear
Question 24

What does SL mean?

A
left ear
B
solution
C
if there is a need
D
sublingually
Question 25

What does b.i.d. mean?

A
by mouth
B
four times per day
C
before meals
D
twice daily
Question 26

What does gtt mean?

A
grain
B
not more than
C
three times a day
D
drop
Question 27

What does cap. mean?

A
capacity
B
capsule
C
inside cheek
D
cover
Question 28

What does disp. mean?

A
dispense
B
dispense as written
C
ointment
D
discontinue
Question 29

What does q.4h mean?

A
every 4 hours
B
every day before 4 pm
C
4 times per day
D
at 4pm
Question 30

What does g mean?

A
gram
B
gallon
C
grain
D
glucose
Question 31

What does aa mean?

A
before
B
after
C
of each
D
up to
Question 32

What does mEq mean?

A
milliosmole
B
milliequivalent
C
microgram
D
milligram
Question 33

What does p.r. mean?

A
as needed
B
by mouth
C
after meals
D
by rectum
Question 34

What does sol mean?

A
only
B
solution
C
solvent
D
without
Question 35

What does DAW mean?

A
divide
B
5% dextrose in water
C
distilled water
D
dispense as written
Question 36

What does stat mean?

A
immediately
B
unchanged
C
status
D
as needed
Question 37

What does o.s. mean?

A
left eye
B
right eye
C
right ear
D
left ear
Question 38

What does a.u. mean?

A
left ear
B
both eyes
C
left eye
D
both ears
Question 39

What does tsp mean?

A
tablespoon
B
immediately
C
tincture
D
teaspoon
Question 40

What does a.m. mean?

A
morning
B
before meals
C
right ear
D
of each
Question 41

What does gr. mean?

A
grain
B
gram
C
granular
D
grow
Question 42

What does SL mean?

A
subliminally
B
sublingually
C
solution
D
subcutaneously
Question 43

What does q.h. mean?

A
every night at bedtime
B
every hour
C
a sufficient quantity
D
every day
Question 44

What does a.d. mean?

A
left ear
B
left eye
C
right eye
D
right ear
Question 45

What does p.c. mean?

A
through
B
after meals
C
as needed
D
at bedtime
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