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 t.i.d. mean?

A
two times a day
B
three times a day
C
take as directed
D
every other day
Question 2

What does supp mean?

A
suppository
B
suspension
C
supper
D
support
Question 3

What does gr. mean?

A
granular
B
grow
C
grain
D
gram
Question 4

What does D.W. mean?

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

What does d.t.d. mean?

A
three times a day
B
give of such doses
C
as desired
D
discontinue
Question 6

What does IV mean?

A
injection
B
intravenous
C
international unit
D
intradermal
Question 7

What does mEq mean?

A
milliequivalent
B
milliosmole
C
microgram
D
milligram
Question 8

What does ung. mean?

A
spray
B
lozenge
C
ointment
D
syrup
Question 9

What does o.s. mean?

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

What does a.m. mean?

A
right ear
B
before meals
C
morning
D
of each
Question 11

What does q.4h mean?

A
4 times per day
B
every 4 hours
C
at 4pm
D
every day before 4 pm
Question 12

What does o.u. mean?

A
by rectum
B
by mouth
C
both eyes
D
both ears
Question 13

What does DAW mean?

A
dispense as written
B
5% dextrose in water
C
distilled water
D
divide
Question 14

What does top. mean?

A
total parenteral nutrition
B
teaspoon
C
as needed
D
topical
Question 15

What does a.u. mean?

A
both ears
B
both eyes
C
left ear
D
left eye
Question 16

What does DW mean?

A
dextrose in water
B
distilled water
C
divide with
D
dispense as written
Question 17

What does disp. mean?

A
dispense
B
ointment
C
discontinue
D
dispense as written
Question 18

What does q.i.d. mean?

A
as desired
B
four times per day
C
twice a day
D
three times per day
Question 19

What does p.r. mean?

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

What does stat mean?

A
as needed
B
unchanged
C
immediately
D
status
Question 21

What does aa mean?

A
up to
B
before
C
after
D
of each
Question 22

What does gtt mean?

A
three times a day
B
drop
C
grain
D
not more than
Question 23

What does a.d. mean?

A
left ear
B
right ear
C
right eye
D
left eye
Question 24

What does div. mean?

A
dilute
B
dispense as written
C
divert
D
divide
Question 25

What does q.h. mean?

A
every night at bedtime
B
a sufficient quantity
C
every day
D
every hour
Question 26

What does tsp mean?

A
immediately
B
teaspoon
C
tincture
D
tablespoon
Question 27

What does a.c. mean?

A
around the clock
B
before meals
C
each ear
D
after meals
Question 28

What does NS mean?

A
normal saline
B
not sufficient
C
nitroglycerin
D
nausea
Question 29

What does sig mean?

A
write on label
B
signature
C
if there is a need
D
significant
Question 30

What does q.s. mean?

A
every night at sunset
B
a sufficient quantity
C
every second
D
quantified self
Question 31

What does p.c. mean?

A
through
B
after meals
C
at bedtime
D
as needed
Question 32

What does pulv. mean?

A
pulmonary
B
powder
C
pelvis
D
compound
Question 33

What does b.i.d. mean?

A
twice daily
B
four times per day
C
before meals
D
by mouth
Question 34

What does SL mean?

A
left ear
B
sublingually
C
if there is a need
D
solution
Question 35

What does IM mean?

A
metered-dose inhaler
B
intramuscular
C
injection
D
intradermal
Question 36

What does prn mean?

A
every other day
B
through
C
as needed
D
immediately
Question 37

What does sol mean?

A
solvent
B
solution
C
without
D
only
Question 38

What does p.o. mean?

A
after meals
B
powder
C
as needed
D
by mouth
Question 39

What does cap. mean?

A
capsule
B
inside cheek
C
cover
D
capacity
Question 40

What does SL mean?

A
solution
B
sublingually
C
subcutaneously
D
subliminally
Question 41

What does u.d. mean?

A
until done
B
as directed
C
a sufficient quantity
D
once daily
Question 42

What does g mean?

A
glucose
B
gallon
C
grain
D
gram
Question 43

What does inj mean?

A
injection
B
injury
C
intravenous
D
intradermal
Question 44

What does ad lib. mean?

A
as needed
B
around the clock
C
as desired
D
after meals
Question 45

What does NPO mean?

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