MCQ Quiz: The Prescription

The prescription is the most critical legal document in pharmacy, serving as the direct link between the prescriber, pharmacist, and patient. For B.Pharm students, mastering the parts of a prescription, understanding the professional handling process, and being able to identify potential errors are fundamental skills. This knowledge is paramount to ensuring patient safety, providing accurate medication, and upholding the legal and ethical standards of the pharmacy profession.

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1. Which part of the prescription contains the Rx symbol?
   • Inscription
   • Subscription
   • Superscription
   • Signatura
   Answer: Superscription
2. The main body of the prescription, which includes the names and quantities of the ingredients, is called the:
   • Superscription
   • Inscription
   • Subscription
   • Signatura
   Answer: Inscription
3. The directions given to the pharmacist for preparing the prescription are known as the:
   • Inscription
   • Subscription
   • Signatura
   • Prescriber’s signature
   Answer: Subscription
4. The “Signa” or “Sig.” on a prescription represents the:
   • Directions for the patient
   • Directions for the pharmacist
   • Name of the drug
   • Name of the prescriber
   Answer: Directions for the patient
5. What does the Latin abbreviation “b.i.d.” stand for?
   • Three times a day
   • Four times a day
   • Twice a day
   • Once a day
   Answer: Twice a day
6. The study of dosage or the quantity of drugs which can be administered to a patient to get the desired pharmacological action is called:
   • Pharmacology
   • Posology
   • Pharmacokinetics
   • Pharmacognosy
   Answer: Posology
7. An error of omission in a prescription would be:
   • Prescribing the wrong drug
   • Forgetting to include the dose
   • Prescribing an overdose
   • Incorrect instructions for the patient
   Answer: Forgetting to include the dose
8. The first step in handling a prescription is:
   • Compounding
   • Labeling
   • Receiving
   • Pricing
   Answer: Receiving
9. Which of the following is NOT an essential part of a prescription?
   • Date of prescribing
   • Name and address of the patient
   • Name of the pharmacy
   • Signature of the prescriber
   Answer: Name of the pharmacy
10. The Latin term “Rx” is a symbol for:
    • Take thou (Recipe)
    • Mix
    • Let it be made
    • Dispense
    Answer: Take thou (Recipe)
11. Which factor is considered when calculating a pediatric dose?
    • Age
    • Body weight
    • Body surface area
    • All of the above
    Answer: All of the above
12. The abbreviation “q.i.d.” means:
    • Every day
    • At bedtime
    • Four times a day
    • When necessary
    Answer: Four times a day
13. Clark’s rule for pediatric dose calculation is based on the child’s:
    • Age in years
    • Age in months
    • Body surface area
    • Weight in pounds (lb)
    Answer: Weight in pounds (lb)
14. Which part of the prescription is crucial for the pharmacist to check for potential overdoses?
    • Superscription
    • Inscription
    • Subscription
    • Patient’s address
    Answer: Inscription
15. A prescription error involving the wrong dosage form is an error of:
    • Omission
    • Commission
    • Transcription
    • Interpretation
    Answer: Commission
16. The Latin abbreviation “h.s.” stands for:
    • Before meals
    • After meals
    • Immediately
    • At bedtime
    Answer: At bedtime
17. Young’s rule for calculating a child’s dose is based on:
    • Age (in years) / (Age + 12) × Adult Dose
    • Weight (in kg) / 70 × Adult Dose
    • Age (in months) / 150 × Adult Dose
    • BSA (in m²) / 1.73 × Adult Dose
    Answer: Age (in years) / (Age + 12) × Adult Dose
18. The final step before dispensing a prescription to a patient is:
    • Reading and checking the prescription
    • Compounding and labeling
    • Checking the final product
    • Receiving payment
    Answer: Checking the final product
19. If a prescription has an unclear instruction, the pharmacist should:
    • Guess the prescriber’s intent
    • Ask the patient what they think it means
    • Contact the prescriber for clarification
    • Refuse to dispense the prescription
    Answer: Contact the prescriber for clarification
20. The term ‘posology’ is derived from the Greek words ‘posos’ and ‘logos’, meaning:
    • How much & science
    • How often & study
    • What dose & logic
    • How to take & rule
    Answer: How much & science
21. The Latin term “stat.” means:
    • At bedtime
    • When necessary
    • Immediately
    • With food
    Answer: Immediately
22. Which of the following is a factor related to the patient that can affect the dose of a drug?
    • Route of administration
    • Time of administration
    • Sex
    • Formulation type
    Answer: Sex
23. The part of the prescription that identifies the patient is the:
    • Inscription
    • Subscription
    • Patient’s name and address
    • Signatura
    Answer: Patient’s name and address
24. A prescription for a narcotic drug requires which additional piece of information?
    • Patient’s age
    • Prescriber’s registration number
    • Time of day written
    • Name of the pharmacy
    Answer: Prescriber’s registration number
25. The abbreviation “p.r.n.” stands for:
    • After meals
    • By mouth
    • As needed / When necessary
    • Every morning
    Answer: As needed / When necessary
26. Dilling’s rule is a pediatric dose calculation formula based on:
    • Age in years
    • Weight in kg
    • Body surface area
    • Weight in pounds
    Answer: Age in years
27. Prescribing two drugs that interact negatively with each other is what type of error?
    • Therapeutic error
    • Omission error
    • Labeling error
    • Compliance error
    Answer: Therapeutic error
28. The date on a prescription is important for:
    • Determining the patient’s age
    • Ensuring the prescription is not outdated
    • Calculating the price
    • Identifying the prescriber
    Answer: Ensuring the prescription is not outdated
29. The abbreviation “a.c.” means:
    • At bedtime
    • After meals
    • Before meals
    • In the morning
    Answer: Before meals
30. The most accurate method for calculating pediatric doses, especially for potent drugs, is based on:
    • Age
    • Weight
    • Body Surface Area (BSA)
    • Height
    Answer: Body Surface Area (BSA)
31. Which part of the prescription provides the legal validation for its dispensing?
    • The Rx symbol
    • The date
    • The prescriber’s signature and registration number
    • The patient’s name
    Answer: The prescriber’s signature and registration number
32. The Latin term “sos” (si opus sit) means:
    • Immediately
    • If necessary
    • With water
    • Every hour
    Answer: If necessary
33. An illegible handwriting in a prescription can lead to a(n):
    • Dispensing error
    • Omission error
    • Pricing error
    • Compliance error
    Answer: Dispensing error
34. Which of the following is NOT part of the ‘Signatura’?
    • The quantity of medication to be taken
    • The route of administration
    • The frequency of administration
    • The quantity of each ingredient to be compounded
    Answer: The quantity of each ingredient to be compounded
35. The abbreviation “p.c.” means:
    • Before meals
    • After meals
    • By mouth
    • Per day
    Answer: After meals
36. The part of the inscription that specifies the main therapeutic agent is the:
    • Basis
    • Adjuvant
    • Corrective
    • Vehicle
    Answer: Basis

3_7_. An ingredient included to increase the palatability or elegance of the preparation is the: * Basis * Adjuvant * Corrective * Vehicle

**Answer:** Corrective

38. What is the first thing a pharmacist should check when receiving a prescription?
    • The price of the drug
    • The legality and completeness of the prescription
    • The patient’s insurance details
    • The availability of the stock
    Answer: The legality and completeness of the prescription
39. The abbreviation “o.d.” stands for:
    • Left eye
    • Right eye
    • Once a day
    • Every day
    Answer: Once a day
40. Which factor is NOT typically considered part of posology?
    • Age of the patient
    • Pathological state of the patient
    • Cost of the medication
    • Route of administration
    Answer: Cost of the medication
41. A prescription written with a generic drug name allows the pharmacist to:
    • Refuse to fill the prescription
    • Dispense any brand of that drug
    • Call the doctor to ask for a brand name
    • Charge a higher price
    Answer: Dispense any brand of that drug
42. The abbreviation “gtt.” stands for:
    • Grams
    • A grain
    • A drop
    • A gallon
    Answer: A drop
43. A female patient may require a different dose due to factors like:
    • Body weight
    • Pregnancy or lactation
    • Hormonal differences
    • All of the above
    Answer: All of the above
44. Which part of a prescription is now largely historical due to the prevalence of prefabricated dosage forms?
    • Inscription
    • Signatura
    • Subscription
    • Superscription
    Answer: Subscription
45. A prescription that has a “refill” section indicates:
    • The number of times it can be dispensed
    • That it cannot be dispensed again
    • The number of tablets to take
    • The strength of the medication
    Answer: The number of times it can be dispensed
46. The abbreviation “p.o.” on a prescription means the medication should be administered:
    • Rectally
    • By mouth
    • Topically
    • By injection
    Answer: By mouth
47. An error in which a pharmacist dispenses a medication that has a similar name to the one prescribed is a:
    • Look-alike, sound-alike (LASA) error
    • Dosing error
    • Omission error
    • Formulation error
    Answer: Look-alike, sound-alike (LASA) error
48. An ingredient added to increase the therapeutic action of the main ingredient is the:
    • Basis
    • Vehicle
    • Corrective
    • Adjuvant
    Answer: Adjuvant
49. The final check of a prepared prescription should ideally be done by:
    • The patient
    • A second pharmacist or by the same pharmacist after a break
    • The prescriber
    • The pharmacy technician
    Answer: A second pharmacist or by the same pharmacist after a break
50. The primary responsibility for the accuracy and appropriateness of a prescription lies with the:
    • Patient
    • Pharmacist
    • Prescriber
    • Both the prescriber and the pharmacist
    Answer: Both the prescriber and the pharmacist