MT Drug Names & Dosage Notation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When transcribing a prescription for metformin 500 mg twice daily, which abbreviation correctly indicates the dosing frequency?
- b.i.d. (Correct answer)
- q.i.d.
- t.i.d.
- q.d.
Correct answer: b.i.d.
b.i.d. (bis in die) means twice daily, which correctly reflects a twice-daily dosing schedule.
Question 2: Which format is preferred when transcribing drug dosages according to AHDI guidelines?
- Use numerals with the unit spelled out (e.g., 10 mg) (Correct answer)
- Spell out numbers under ten with abbreviated units (e.g., five mg)
- Use Roman numerals for all dosages
- Spell out both the number and the unit (e.g., ten milligrams)
Correct answer: Use numerals with the unit spelled out (e.g., 10 mg)
AHDI recommends using Arabic numerals followed by abbreviated units for clarity and consistency in drug dosage transcription.
Question 3: The physician dictates 'Lasix forty milligrams.' How should the medical transcriptionist render this?
- furosemide 40 mg
- Lasix 40 mg (Correct answer)
- lasix 40 mg
- furosemide forty mg
Correct answer: Lasix 40 mg
Brand names such as Lasix are capitalized; the numeral form is used for dosage amounts in transcription.
Question 4: Which of the following correctly transcribes a subcutaneous insulin dosage of 10 units?
- 10 u subcut
- 10 units subcut (Correct answer)
- 10U SC
- ten units Sub-Q
Correct answer: 10 units subcut
The word 'units' must be spelled out to prevent dangerous misreading of the abbreviation 'U' as a zero.
Question 5: A drug label reads 'amoxicillin-clavulanate 875/125 mg.' What does the slash notation signify?
- The drug is given every 875 to 125 minutes
- The ratio of two active ingredients in one tablet (Correct answer)
- The drug must be diluted 875 parts to 125 parts
- Alternate doses of 875 mg and 125 mg
Correct answer: The ratio of two active ingredients in one tablet
Slash notation in combination drug names represents the milligram strength of each active ingredient per dose unit.
Question 6: When the dictating physician says 'Tylenol,' the transcriptionist should verify the generic name is:
- ibuprofen
- aspirin
- acetaminophen (Correct answer)
- naproxen
Correct answer: acetaminophen
Tylenol is the brand name for acetaminophen, and knowing generic equivalents is essential for accurate transcription.
Question 7: The dictation states 'hydrocodone-acetaminophen 5/325.' In context, what does '5/325' represent?
- Dosing interval in minutes
- Total daily dose in milligrams
- Milligrams of hydrocodone and acetaminophen per tablet respectively (Correct answer)
- Tablet count per prescription
Correct answer: Milligrams of hydrocodone and acetaminophen per tablet respectively
In combination opioid products, the slash separates the opioid dose from the acetaminophen dose per tablet.
MT Drug Names & Dosage Notation 2
When transcribing a prescription for metformin 500 mg twice daily, which abbreviation correctly indicates the dosing frequency?