MT Drug Names & Dosage Notation 3

Question 1

Which of the following is an error-prone abbreviation that should NOT be used in medical transcription per ISMP guidelines?

Accepted Answer

μg

Answer

The symbol μg (microgram) can be misread as mg, so 'mcg' is the preferred safe abbreviation.

Question 2

A medication order reads 'warfarin 2.5 mg PO qHS.' What does 'qHS' indicate?

Accepted Answer

Every bedtime (hora somni)

Answer

qHS (quaque hora somni) means at bedtime, a common timing directive for anticoagulants.

Question 3

When transcribing 'Zofran 4 mg IV PRN nausea,' 'PRN' stands for:

Accepted Answer

Pro re nata — as needed

Answer

PRN (pro re nata) is a Latin term meaning 'as needed,' indicating the drug is given only when required.

Question 4

The physician dictates 'atenolol 25 milligrams by mouth every day.' How should the frequency be transcribed?

Accepted Answer

daily

Answer

ISMP and JCAHO recommend writing 'daily' rather than 'q.d.' to avoid confusion with 'q.i.d.' (four times daily).

Question 5

Which route abbreviation should be transcribed in full to avoid potential patient harm?

Accepted Answer

SC or SQ (subcutaneous)

Answer

SC/SQ can be misread as '5Q' or other characters; ISMP recommends spelling out 'subcutaneous.'

(MT) Certified Medical Transcription Practice Test