PTCE Order Interpretation and Medication Preparation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A prescription reads 'Metformin 500 mg po BID ac.' What does 'ac' mean?
- After meals
- Before meals (Correct answer)
- At bedtime
- Every other day
Correct answer: Before meals
'ac' is the Latin abbreviation for 'ante cibum,' meaning before meals.
Question 2: A physician orders 'Amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL suspension — give 10 mL BID.' What is the total daily dose?
- 250 mg
- 500 mg (Correct answer)
- 750 mg
- 1000 mg
Correct answer: 500 mg
Each 10 mL dose contains 500 mg (10 mL × 250 mg/5 mL), and BID means twice daily, so 500 mg × 2 = 1000 mg — wait, 10 mL × (250/5) = 500 mg per dose × 2 = 1000 mg; correct answer is 1000 mg.
Question 3: A prescription reads 'Atenolol 50 mg — i tab PO QD × 30d.' How many tablets should be dispensed?
- 7
- 14
- 30 (Correct answer)
- 60
Correct answer: 30
One tablet daily (QD) for 30 days requires exactly 30 tablets.
Question 4: Which abbreviation on a medication order indicates the drug should be given sublingually?
- PO
- SL (Correct answer)
- PR
- INH
Correct answer: SL
SL stands for sublingual, meaning the medication is placed under the tongue for absorption.
Question 5: A technician receives an order for 'KCl 20 mEq in NS 100 mL IVPB.' What does IVPB stand for?
- Intravenous push bolus
- Intravenous piggyback (Correct answer)
- Intravenous peripheral bolus
- Intravenous partial bag
Correct answer: Intravenous piggyback
IVPB stands for intravenous piggyback, a small-volume IV bag infused through a primary IV line.
Question 6: A prescription reads 'GTT ii OS TID.' What does 'OS' indicate?
- Right eye
- Both eyes
- Left eye (Correct answer)
- Left ear
Correct answer: Left eye
'OS' is the Latin abbreviation for 'oculus sinister,' meaning left eye.
Question 7: An order reads 'Heparin 25,000 units in 250 mL D5W — infuse at 1000 units/hr.' What rate (mL/hr) should the pump be set to?
- 5 mL/hr
- 10 mL/hr (Correct answer)
- 15 mL/hr
- 20 mL/hr
Correct answer: 10 mL/hr
Concentration = 25,000 units / 250 mL = 100 units/mL; rate = 1000 units/hr ÷ 100 units/mL = 10 mL/hr.
PTCE Order Interpretation and Medication Preparation 2
A prescription reads 'Metformin 500 mg po BID ac.' What does 'ac' mean?