CMT - Certified Medication Technician Medical Abbreviations and Terminology Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident's Medication Administration Record (MAR) has an order for a medication to be given 'q.i.d.'. How should the Certified Medication Technician interpret this abbreviation?
- Every other day
- Four times a day (Correct answer)
- Every four hours
- Once daily at bedtime
Correct answer: Four times a day
The Latin abbreviation 'q.i.d.' (quater in die) translates to 'four times a day'. It is a standard medical abbreviation for medication frequency. 'Every other day' is q.o.d., 'every four hours' is q4h, and 'once daily at bedtime' is hs.
Question 2: A physician's order states to administer a medication 'a.c.'. When should this medication be given to the resident?
- Before meals (Correct answer)
- After meals
- At bedtime
- In the morning
Correct answer: Before meals
The abbreviation 'a.c.' stands for the Latin term 'ante cibum', which means 'before meals'. Medications given a.c. are typically those that should be taken on an empty stomach for better absorption or to have an effect before food is ingested.
Question 3: A resident is prescribed eye drops with the instruction '2 gtt O.D. q12h'. Which of the following correctly describes the administration of this medication?
- Instill 2 drops in the left ear every 12 hours.
- Instill 2 drops in both eyes every 12 hours.
- Instill 2 drops in the right eye every 12 hours. (Correct answer)
- Instill 2 drops in the left eye every 12 hours.
Correct answer: Instill 2 drops in the right eye every 12 hours.
In medical abbreviations, 'gtt' means drops, 'O.D.' (oculus dexter) means right eye, and 'q12h' means every 12 hours. Therefore, the instruction is to instill 2 drops in the right eye every 12 hours. 'O.S.' (oculus sinister) would indicate the left eye, and 'O.U.' (oculus uterque) would indicate both eyes.
Question 4: A CMT is reviewing a new order for a resident that reads 'Furosemide 20 mg PO b.i.d.'. What does the abbreviation 'PO' indicate?
- As needed
- By rectum
- By mouth (Correct answer)
- Under the tongue
Correct answer: By mouth
The abbreviation 'PO' comes from the Latin term 'per os', which means 'by mouth' or orally. This is the most common route for medication administration. 'PRN' means as needed, 'PR' means by rectum, and 'SL' means sublingual or under the tongue.
Question 5: A resident has a skin condition and is prescribed a topical cream. The order indicates the cream should be applied 'aa'. What does this abbreviation mean?
- Before activities
- After application
- As desired
- Of each (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Of each
The abbreviation 'aa' comes from the Latin term 'ana', which means 'of each'. In the context of a topical cream, it often implies applying it to each affected area. While 'apply to affected area' is sometimes abbreviated 'AAA', 'aa' itself means 'of each'.
Question 6: While reviewing a resident's MAR, a CMT sees an order for a medication to be given 'h.s.'. This medication should be administered at what time?
- Immediately
- With meals
- In the morning
- At bedtime (Correct answer)
Correct answer: At bedtime
The abbreviation 'h.s.' stands for the Latin term 'hora somni', which translates to 'hour of sleep' or 'at bedtime'. This is used for medications that are intended to be taken before the resident goes to sleep. 'Stat' means immediately, 'p.c.' means with meals, and 'q.a.m.' means in the morning.
CMT - Certified Medication Technician Medical Abbreviations and Terminology Questions and Answers 1
A resident's Medication Administration Record (MAR) has an order for a medication to be given 'q.i.d.'.
How should the Certified Medication Technician interpret this abbreviation?