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 disp. mean?

A
dispense
B
discontinue
C
dispense as written
D
ointment
Question 2

What does sig mean?

A
if there is a need
B
write on label
C
significant
D
signature
Question 3

What does IM mean?

A
metered-dose inhaler
B
intramuscular
C
intradermal
D
injection
Question 4

What does DAW mean?

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

What does supp mean?

A
suspension
B
suppository
C
support
D
supper
Question 6

What does gr. mean?

A
grain
B
grow
C
gram
D
granular
Question 7

What does aa mean?

A
after
B
up to
C
of each
D
before
Question 8

What does q.i.d. mean?

A
as desired
B
twice a day
C
four times per day
D
three times per day
Question 9

What does a.d. mean?

A
right ear
B
left eye
C
left ear
D
right eye
Question 10

What does IV mean?

A
international unit
B
injection
C
intravenous
D
intradermal
Question 11

What does DW mean?

A
dextrose in water
B
divide with
C
dispense as written
D
distilled water
Question 12

What does inj mean?

A
intradermal
B
injury
C
injection
D
intravenous
Question 13

What does t.i.d. mean?

A
take as directed
B
three times a day
C
two times a day
D
every other day
Question 14

What does gtt mean?

A
not more than
B
three times a day
C
drop
D
grain
Question 15

What does d.t.d. mean?

A
three times a day
B
discontinue
C
as desired
D
give of such doses
Question 16

What does a.u. mean?

A
left eye
B
left ear
C
both ears
D
both eyes
Question 17

What does o.s. mean?

A
left ear
B
left eye
C
right ear
D
right eye
Question 18

What does p.o. mean?

A
powder
B
as needed
C
after meals
D
by mouth
Question 19

What does SL mean?

A
sublingually
B
if there is a need
C
left ear
D
solution
Question 20

What does D.W. mean?

A
distilled water
B
divide
C
dispense as written
D
dextrose 5% solution
Question 21

What does sol mean?

A
only
B
solution
C
solvent
D
without
Question 22

What does q.s. mean?

A
a sufficient quantity
B
every second
C
quantified self
D
every night at sunset
Question 23

What does q.h. mean?

A
every day
B
every night at bedtime
C
a sufficient quantity
D
every hour
Question 24

What does NS mean?

A
normal saline
B
nitroglycerin
C
not sufficient
D
nausea
Question 25

What does g mean?

A
glucose
B
gram
C
grain
D
gallon
Question 26

What does NPO mean?

A
shortness of breath
B
no repeats
C
not to exceed
D
nothing by mouth
Question 27

What does mEq mean?

A
milliequivalent
B
milliosmole
C
microgram
D
milligram
Question 28

What does pulv. mean?

A
powder
B
compound
C
pelvis
D
pulmonary
Question 29

What does a.m. mean?

A
before meals
B
right ear
C
of each
D
morning
Question 30

What does ung. mean?

A
lozenge
B
ointment
C
spray
D
syrup
Question 31

What does cap. mean?

A
cover
B
inside cheek
C
capsule
D
capacity
Question 32

What does b.i.d. mean?

A
four times per day
B
before meals
C
twice daily
D
by mouth
Question 33

What does SL mean?

A
subcutaneously
B
sublingually
C
subliminally
D
solution
Question 34

What does u.d. mean?

A
as directed
B
until done
C
a sufficient quantity
D
once daily
Question 35

What does p.c. mean?

A
at bedtime
B
through
C
after meals
D
as needed
Question 36

What does stat mean?

A
status
B
as needed
C
unchanged
D
immediately
Question 37

What does prn mean?

A
as needed
B
every other day
C
immediately
D
through
Question 38

What does ad lib. mean?

A
around the clock
B
as needed
C
after meals
D
as desired
Question 39

What does div. mean?

A
divide
B
divert
C
dilute
D
dispense as written
Question 40

What does q.4h mean?

A
at 4pm
B
every day before 4 pm
C
every 4 hours
D
4 times per day
Question 41

What does top. mean?

A
as needed
B
teaspoon
C
topical
D
total parenteral nutrition
Question 42

What does tsp mean?

A
tincture
B
teaspoon
C
immediately
D
tablespoon
Question 43

What does p.r. mean?

A
by mouth
B
by rectum
C
after meals
D
as needed
Question 44

What does a.c. mean?

A
after meals
B
around the clock
C
before meals
D
each ear
Question 45

What does o.u. mean?

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