Order Interpretation and Medication Preparation Flashcards

A prescription reads 'Insulin glargine 20 units SC QHS.' When should this medication be administered?

Answer: At bedtime

QHS means 'hora somni,' or at bedtime/hour of sleep.

A physician writes 'Lisinopril 10 mg — i tab PO QD, titrate to BP <130/80.' The word 'titrate' on this order means:

Answer: Adjust the dose based on patient response

Titrate means to adjust the dose incrementally based on the patient's clinical response to reach a therapeutic goal.

A compounding prescription requires 1:200 coal tar solution — prepare 240 mL. How many mL of pure coal tar are needed?

Answer: 1.2 mL

1:200 means 1 mL per 200 mL; for 240 mL: 240 ÷ 200 = 1.2 mL of coal tar.

A medication order reads 'NS 0.9% 500 mL bolus STAT.' What does 'STAT' indicate?

Answer: Give immediately

STAT (from Latin 'statim') means immediately, indicating the medication should be given right away.

A prescription reads 'Metoprolol succinate 100 mg ER — do not crush.' Why is this instruction critical?

Answer: Crushing destroys the extended-release mechanism, releasing the full dose at once

Crushing an extended-release tablet destroys the controlled delivery system, causing dose-dumping and potential toxicity.

When interpreting a prescription, the technician sees 'Sig: i-ii caps PO q4-6h PRN.' The maximum daily dose if patient takes 2 capsules every 4 hours is:

Answer: 12 capsules/day

Every 4 hours = 6 doses in 24 hours; 6 doses × 2 capsules = 12 capsules maximum per day.

A hospital order reads 'Potassium Chloride 40 mEq PO QD — give in divided doses.' What is the most likely reason for divided dosing?

Answer: To reduce GI irritation associated with large KCl doses

Large single doses of oral potassium chloride can cause significant gastrointestinal irritation and are split to minimize this effect.