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 a.m. mean?

A
morning
B
of each
C
before meals
D
right ear
Question 2

What does p.c. mean?

A
through
B
at bedtime
C
after meals
D
as needed
Question 3

What does DAW mean?

A
dispense as written
B
distilled water
C
5% dextrose in water
D
divide
Question 4

What does b.i.d. mean?

A
twice daily
B
before meals
C
by mouth
D
four times per day
Question 5

What does DW mean?

A
dispense as written
B
distilled water
C
dextrose in water
D
divide with
Question 6

What does a.u. mean?

A
left ear
B
both eyes
C
left eye
D
both ears
Question 7

What does t.i.d. mean?

A
three times a day
B
two times a day
C
take as directed
D
every other day
Question 8

What does q.4h mean?

A
every 4 hours
B
at 4pm
C
4 times per day
D
every day before 4 pm
Question 9

What does u.d. mean?

A
a sufficient quantity
B
until done
C
as directed
D
once daily
Question 10

What does supp mean?

A
support
B
supper
C
suppository
D
suspension
Question 11

What does prn mean?

A
as needed
B
every other day
C
through
D
immediately
Question 12

What does a.d. mean?

A
left eye
B
right eye
C
left ear
D
right ear
Question 13

What does SL mean?

A
sublingually
B
solution
C
left ear
D
if there is a need
Question 14

What does D.W. mean?

A
dextrose 5% solution
B
dispense as written
C
divide
D
distilled water
Question 15

What does IV mean?

A
injection
B
intravenous
C
intradermal
D
international unit
Question 16

What does gr. mean?

A
gram
B
grain
C
grow
D
granular
Question 17

What does q.h. mean?

A
every night at bedtime
B
a sufficient quantity
C
every hour
D
every day
Question 18

What does p.o. mean?

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

What does q.s. mean?

A
every second
B
a sufficient quantity
C
every night at sunset
D
quantified self
Question 20

What does q.i.d. mean?

A
twice a day
B
three times per day
C
four times per day
D
as desired
Question 21

What does sol mean?

A
only
B
solvent
C
solution
D
without
Question 22

What does inj mean?

A
intradermal
B
intravenous
C
injury
D
injection
Question 23

What does gtt mean?

A
not more than
B
drop
C
grain
D
three times a day
Question 24

What does o.s. mean?

A
left ear
B
right eye
C
right ear
D
left eye
Question 25

What does g mean?

A
grain
B
gallon
C
gram
D
glucose
Question 26

What does sig mean?

A
significant
B
write on label
C
signature
D
if there is a need
Question 27

What does cap. mean?

A
cover
B
capacity
C
inside cheek
D
capsule
Question 28

What does a.c. mean?

A
around the clock
B
after meals
C
before meals
D
each ear
Question 29

What does IM mean?

A
intramuscular
B
metered-dose inhaler
C
injection
D
intradermal
Question 30

What does aa mean?

A
after
B
before
C
of each
D
up to
Question 31

What does ad lib. mean?

A
around the clock
B
as needed
C
after meals
D
as desired
Question 32

What does tsp mean?

A
tablespoon
B
teaspoon
C
tincture
D
immediately
Question 33

What does o.u. mean?

A
by rectum
B
both eyes
C
both ears
D
by mouth
Question 34

What does NPO mean?

A
not to exceed
B
nothing by mouth
C
no repeats
D
shortness of breath
Question 35

What does stat mean?

A
unchanged
B
status
C
immediately
D
as needed
Question 36

What does ung. mean?

A
spray
B
lozenge
C
syrup
D
ointment
Question 37

What does p.r. mean?

A
as needed
B
after meals
C
by rectum
D
by mouth
Question 38

What does d.t.d. mean?

A
three times a day
B
as desired
C
give of such doses
D
discontinue
Question 39

What does NS mean?

A
not sufficient
B
nitroglycerin
C
normal saline
D
nausea
Question 40

What does disp. mean?

A
discontinue
B
dispense
C
dispense as written
D
ointment
Question 41

What does div. mean?

A
dilute
B
divert
C
divide
D
dispense as written
Question 42

What does SL mean?

A
solution
B
subliminally
C
sublingually
D
subcutaneously
Question 43

What does mEq mean?

A
milligram
B
milliequivalent
C
microgram
D
milliosmole
Question 44

What does top. mean?

A
teaspoon
B
topical
C
as needed
D
total parenteral nutrition
Question 45

What does pulv. mean?

A
powder
B
pulmonary
C
compound
D
pelvis
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