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 a.m. mean?
morning | |
of each | |
before meals | |
right ear |
Question 2 |
What does p.c. mean?
through | |
at bedtime | |
after meals | |
as needed |
Question 3 |
What does DAW mean?
dispense as written | |
distilled water | |
5% dextrose in water | |
divide |
Question 4 |
What does b.i.d. mean?
twice daily | |
before meals | |
by mouth | |
four times per day |
Question 5 |
What does DW mean?
dispense as written | |
distilled water | |
dextrose in water | |
divide with |
Question 6 |
What does a.u. mean?
left ear | |
both eyes | |
left eye | |
both ears |
Question 7 |
What does t.i.d. mean?
three times a day | |
two times a day | |
take as directed | |
every other day |
Question 8 |
What does q.4h mean?
every 4 hours | |
at 4pm | |
4 times per day | |
every day before 4 pm |
Question 9 |
What does u.d. mean?
a sufficient quantity | |
until done | |
as directed | |
once daily |
Question 10 |
What does supp mean?
support | |
supper | |
suppository | |
suspension |
Question 11 |
What does prn mean?
as needed | |
every other day | |
through | |
immediately |
Question 12 |
What does a.d. mean?
left eye | |
right eye | |
left ear | |
right ear |
Question 13 |
What does SL mean?
sublingually | |
solution | |
left ear | |
if there is a need |
Question 14 |
What does D.W. mean?
dextrose 5% solution | |
dispense as written | |
divide | |
distilled water |
Question 15 |
What does IV mean?
injection | |
intravenous | |
intradermal | |
international unit |
Question 16 |
What does gr. mean?
gram | |
grain | |
grow | |
granular |
Question 17 |
What does q.h. mean?
every night at bedtime | |
a sufficient quantity | |
every hour | |
every day |
Question 18 |
What does p.o. mean?
after meals | |
powder | |
by mouth | |
as needed |
Question 19 |
What does q.s. mean?
every second | |
a sufficient quantity | |
every night at sunset | |
quantified self |
Question 20 |
What does q.i.d. mean?
twice a day | |
three times per day | |
four times per day | |
as desired |
Question 21 |
What does sol mean?
only | |
solvent | |
solution | |
without |
Question 22 |
What does inj mean?
intradermal | |
intravenous | |
injury | |
injection |
Question 23 |
What does gtt mean?
not more than | |
drop | |
grain | |
three times a day |
Question 24 |
What does o.s. mean?
left ear | |
right eye | |
right ear | |
left eye |
Question 25 |
What does g mean?
grain | |
gallon | |
gram | |
glucose |
Question 26 |
What does sig mean?
significant | |
write on label | |
signature | |
if there is a need |
Question 27 |
What does cap. mean?
cover | |
capacity | |
inside cheek | |
capsule |
Question 28 |
What does a.c. mean?
around the clock | |
after meals | |
before meals | |
each ear |
Question 29 |
What does IM mean?
intramuscular | |
metered-dose inhaler | |
injection | |
intradermal |
Question 30 |
What does aa mean?
after | |
before | |
of each | |
up to |
Question 31 |
What does ad lib. mean?
around the clock | |
as needed | |
after meals | |
as desired |
Question 32 |
What does tsp mean?
tablespoon | |
teaspoon | |
tincture | |
immediately |
Question 33 |
What does o.u. mean?
by rectum | |
both eyes | |
both ears | |
by mouth |
Question 34 |
What does NPO mean?
not to exceed | |
nothing by mouth | |
no repeats | |
shortness of breath |
Question 35 |
What does stat mean?
unchanged | |
status | |
immediately | |
as needed |
Question 36 |
What does ung. mean?
spray | |
lozenge | |
syrup | |
ointment |
Question 37 |
What does p.r. mean?
as needed | |
after meals | |
by rectum | |
by mouth |
Question 38 |
What does d.t.d. mean?
three times a day | |
as desired | |
give of such doses | |
discontinue |
Question 39 |
What does NS mean?
not sufficient | |
nitroglycerin | |
normal saline | |
nausea |
Question 40 |
What does disp. mean?
discontinue | |
dispense | |
dispense as written | |
ointment |
Question 41 |
What does div. mean?
dilute | |
divert | |
divide | |
dispense as written |
Question 42 |
What does SL mean?
solution | |
subliminally | |
sublingually | |
subcutaneously |
Question 43 |
What does mEq mean?
milligram | |
milliequivalent | |
microgram | |
milliosmole |
Question 44 |
What does top. mean?
teaspoon | |
topical | |
as needed | |
total parenteral nutrition |
Question 45 |
What does pulv. mean?
powder | |
pulmonary | |
compound | |
pelvis |
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