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 aa mean?

A
up to
B
after
C
before
D
of each
Question 2

What does D.W. mean?

A
dispense as written
B
distilled water
C
dextrose 5% solution
D
divide
Question 3

What does b.i.d. mean?

A
twice daily
B
before meals
C
four times per day
D
by mouth
Question 4

What does q.h. mean?

A
a sufficient quantity
B
every hour
C
every day
D
every night at bedtime
Question 5

What does p.r. mean?

A
as needed
B
after meals
C
by rectum
D
by mouth
Question 6

What does NS mean?

A
normal saline
B
nitroglycerin
C
not sufficient
D
nausea
Question 7

What does top. mean?

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

What does SL mean?

A
left ear
B
if there is a need
C
solution
D
sublingually
Question 9

What does gtt mean?

A
grain
B
not more than
C
three times a day
D
drop
Question 10

What does NPO mean?

A
shortness of breath
B
nothing by mouth
C
not to exceed
D
no repeats
Question 11

What does a.u. mean?

A
both ears
B
left eye
C
both eyes
D
left ear
Question 12

What does ung. mean?

A
spray
B
syrup
C
ointment
D
lozenge
Question 13

What does sol mean?

A
solvent
B
solution
C
only
D
without
Question 14

What does SL mean?

A
solution
B
subliminally
C
sublingually
D
subcutaneously
Question 15

What does sig mean?

A
significant
B
signature
C
if there is a need
D
write on label
Question 16

What does o.u. mean?

A
both eyes
B
by rectum
C
both ears
D
by mouth
Question 17

What does g mean?

A
gram
B
grain
C
glucose
D
gallon
Question 18

What does q.4h mean?

A
every 4 hours
B
every day before 4 pm
C
at 4pm
D
4 times per day
Question 19

What does p.o. mean?

A
powder
B
after meals
C
as needed
D
by mouth
Question 20

What does a.m. mean?

A
of each
B
morning
C
before meals
D
right ear
Question 21

What does IM mean?

A
intradermal
B
injection
C
intramuscular
D
metered-dose inhaler
Question 22

What does IV mean?

A
injection
B
international unit
C
intradermal
D
intravenous
Question 23

What does gr. mean?

A
grain
B
grow
C
granular
D
gram
Question 24

What does stat mean?

A
unchanged
B
status
C
as needed
D
immediately
Question 25

What does o.s. mean?

A
left eye
B
right eye
C
left ear
D
right ear
Question 26

What does div. mean?

A
divide
B
dilute
C
dispense as written
D
divert
Question 27

What does DAW mean?

A
divide
B
dispense as written
C
5% dextrose in water
D
distilled water
Question 28

What does tsp mean?

A
tincture
B
tablespoon
C
immediately
D
teaspoon
Question 29

What does p.c. mean?

A
as needed
B
after meals
C
at bedtime
D
through
Question 30

What does prn mean?

A
immediately
B
every other day
C
through
D
as needed
Question 31

What does a.d. mean?

A
right eye
B
left ear
C
right ear
D
left eye
Question 32

What does d.t.d. mean?

A
discontinue
B
as desired
C
three times a day
D
give of such doses
Question 33

What does pulv. mean?

A
pulmonary
B
pelvis
C
powder
D
compound
Question 34

What does t.i.d. mean?

A
two times a day
B
three times a day
C
take as directed
D
every other day
Question 35

What does disp. mean?

A
ointment
B
discontinue
C
dispense
D
dispense as written
Question 36

What does ad lib. mean?

A
around the clock
B
after meals
C
as desired
D
as needed
Question 37

What does mEq mean?

A
milligram
B
milliosmole
C
milliequivalent
D
microgram
Question 38

What does u.d. mean?

A
once daily
B
as directed
C
a sufficient quantity
D
until done
Question 39

What does q.i.d. mean?

A
as desired
B
four times per day
C
three times per day
D
twice a day
Question 40

What does q.s. mean?

A
every second
B
a sufficient quantity
C
every night at sunset
D
quantified self
Question 41

What does a.c. mean?

A
after meals
B
before meals
C
each ear
D
around the clock
Question 42

What does DW mean?

A
divide with
B
dextrose in water
C
dispense as written
D
distilled water
Question 43

What does inj mean?

A
injection
B
injury
C
intravenous
D
intradermal
Question 44

What does cap. mean?

A
capsule
B
cover
C
capacity
D
inside cheek
Question 45

What does supp mean?

A
support
B
supper
C
suppository
D
suspension
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