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 top. mean?

A
teaspoon
B
topical
C
total parenteral nutrition
D
as needed
Question 2

What does o.s. mean?

A
left eye
B
left ear
C
right ear
D
right eye
Question 3

What does u.d. mean?

A
until done
B
a sufficient quantity
C
once daily
D
as directed
Question 4

What does g mean?

A
glucose
B
gram
C
gallon
D
grain
Question 5

What does a.m. mean?

A
right ear
B
before meals
C
of each
D
morning
Question 6

What does q.h. mean?

A
every day
B
a sufficient quantity
C
every hour
D
every night at bedtime
Question 7

What does sig mean?

A
significant
B
signature
C
write on label
D
if there is a need
Question 8

What does disp. mean?

A
ointment
B
dispense
C
dispense as written
D
discontinue
Question 9

What does b.i.d. mean?

A
before meals
B
twice daily
C
four times per day
D
by mouth
Question 10

What does div. mean?

A
divide
B
dispense as written
C
divert
D
dilute
Question 11

What does gtt mean?

A
grain
B
drop
C
three times a day
D
not more than
Question 12

What does sol mean?

A
without
B
solution
C
solvent
D
only
Question 13

What does stat mean?

A
status
B
as needed
C
unchanged
D
immediately
Question 14

What does NPO mean?

A
shortness of breath
B
no repeats
C
nothing by mouth
D
not to exceed
Question 15

What does q.i.d. mean?

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

What does p.c. mean?

A
at bedtime
B
as needed
C
through
D
after meals
Question 17

What does ad lib. mean?

A
as desired
B
after meals
C
as needed
D
around the clock
Question 18

What does NS mean?

A
nausea
B
not sufficient
C
normal saline
D
nitroglycerin
Question 19

What does gr. mean?

A
grain
B
granular
C
gram
D
grow
Question 20

What does mEq mean?

A
milliequivalent
B
microgram
C
milligram
D
milliosmole
Question 21

What does p.r. mean?

A
as needed
B
after meals
C
by rectum
D
by mouth
Question 22

What does a.u. mean?

A
left ear
B
left eye
C
both eyes
D
both ears
Question 23

What does pulv. mean?

A
compound
B
pulmonary
C
powder
D
pelvis
Question 24

What does inj mean?

A
injury
B
injection
C
intradermal
D
intravenous
Question 25

What does DAW mean?

A
divide
B
dispense as written
C
5% dextrose in water
D
distilled water
Question 26

What does IM mean?

A
intramuscular
B
intradermal
C
injection
D
metered-dose inhaler
Question 27

What does d.t.d. mean?

A
as desired
B
give of such doses
C
discontinue
D
three times a day
Question 28

What does cap. mean?

A
inside cheek
B
cover
C
capacity
D
capsule
Question 29

What does prn mean?

A
immediately
B
as needed
C
through
D
every other day
Question 30

What does t.i.d. mean?

A
three times a day
B
take as directed
C
two times a day
D
every other day
Question 31

What does q.4h mean?

A
every day before 4 pm
B
at 4pm
C
every 4 hours
D
4 times per day
Question 32

What does SL mean?

A
solution
B
sublingually
C
subliminally
D
subcutaneously
Question 33

What does a.d. mean?

A
right ear
B
left eye
C
right eye
D
left ear
Question 34

What does supp mean?

A
support
B
supper
C
suspension
D
suppository
Question 35

What does DW mean?

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

What does ung. mean?

A
ointment
B
spray
C
syrup
D
lozenge
Question 37

What does tsp mean?

A
tablespoon
B
immediately
C
teaspoon
D
tincture
Question 38

What does IV mean?

A
intradermal
B
international unit
C
injection
D
intravenous
Question 39

What does p.o. mean?

A
after meals
B
powder
C
as needed
D
by mouth
Question 40

What does aa mean?

A
before
B
of each
C
after
D
up to
Question 41

What does q.s. mean?

A
quantified self
B
every second
C
every night at sunset
D
a sufficient quantity
Question 42

What does o.u. mean?

A
by mouth
B
both eyes
C
both ears
D
by rectum
Question 43

What does D.W. mean?

A
divide
B
dextrose 5% solution
C
distilled water
D
dispense as written
Question 44

What does a.c. mean?

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

What does SL mean?

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