MS Pharmacology & Drug Administration 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which abbreviation correctly indicates a medication should be given every 8 hours?
- q8h (Correct answer)
- q8d
- b.i.d.
- t.i.d.
Correct answer: q8h
q8h means 'every 8 hours' in Latin-based medical shorthand.
Question 2: A physician orders 'metoprolol 25 mg PO q12h.' What does 'PO' indicate?
- By mouth (orally) (Correct answer)
- Per order
- Post-operative
- Parenteral only
Correct answer: By mouth (orally)
PO is the Latin abbreviation for 'per os,' meaning by mouth or orally.
Question 3: When documenting a patient's medication allergy, which detail is MOST important to record alongside the drug name?
- Type of reaction experienced (Correct answer)
- Date the allergy was diagnosed
- Name of prescribing physician
- Cost of the medication
Correct answer: Type of reaction experienced
Recording the reaction type (e.g., anaphylaxis, rash) helps clinicians assess risk severity and choose safe alternatives.
Question 4: Which drug classification includes medications such as lisinopril and enalapril?
- ACE inhibitors (Correct answer)
- Beta-blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- ARBs
Correct answer: ACE inhibitors
Lisinopril and enalapril are ACE inhibitors that block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II.
Question 5: A scribe sees the notation 'NPO after midnight' in a pre-op order. What does NPO mean?
- Nothing by mouth (Correct answer)
- No pain observed
- Normal perfusion only
- Non-parenteral orders
Correct answer: Nothing by mouth
NPO stands for 'nil per os,' Latin for nothing by mouth, often required before surgery or procedures.
Question 6: Which route of drug administration delivers medication directly into a vein?
- Intravenous (IV) (Correct answer)
- Intramuscular (IM)
- Subcutaneous (SC)
- Intradermal (ID)
Correct answer: Intravenous (IV)
Intravenous administration delivers drugs directly into the bloodstream via a vein for immediate effect.
Question 7: The term 'contraindication' in pharmacology means a drug should NOT be used because:
- It may cause harm in a specific situation (Correct answer)
- It is not covered by insurance
- It requires refrigeration
- It is available only by injection
Correct answer: It may cause harm in a specific situation
A contraindication is a specific condition or factor that makes a drug potentially harmful and unsuitable for use.
MS Pharmacology & Drug Administration 2
Which abbreviation correctly indicates a medication should be given every 8 hours?