Parts of a prescription MCQs With Answer

Introduction: Understanding the parts of a prescription is essential for B. Pharm students to ensure safe dispensing, accurate transcription, and legal compliance. A complete prescription includes patient details, prescriber details, date, superscription (Rx), inscription (drug name, strength, dosage form), subscription (directions to pharmacist and quantity), and signa (directions to patient: dose, route, frequency, duration). Key concepts include refills, generic substitution/DAW, auxiliary labeling, decimal safety (leading zero, no trailing zero), pediatric weight, and e-prescription authentication. Mastery of these components supports rational pharmacotherapy, minimizes medication errors, and aligns with regulatory requirements for controlled and non-controlled medicines. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which part of a prescription is referred to as the superscription?

• The “Rx” symbol that precedes the order
• Patient’s demographic information
• Directions to the patient
• Directions to the pharmacist

Correct Answer: The “Rx” symbol that precedes the order

Q2. What is primarily included in the inscription of a prescription?

• Drug name, strength, and dosage form
• Quantity to dispense
• Directions to the patient
• Prescriber’s signature

Correct Answer: Drug name, strength, and dosage form

Q3. The subscription of a prescription provides:

• Authorization for generic substitution
• Directions to the pharmacist, including compounding instructions and quantity to dispense
• Patient counseling points
• Diagnosis and clinical indication

Correct Answer: Directions to the pharmacist, including compounding instructions and quantity to dispense

Q4. “Sig.” (signa) on a prescription refers to:

• Instructions to the patient for labeling and use
• Prescriber’s license number
• Refill authorization
• Schedule of the drug

Correct Answer: Instructions to the patient for labeling and use

Q5. The primary legal function of the prescriber’s signature on a prescription is to:

• Identify the patient definitively
• Authorize the dispensing of the prescribed medicine
• Indicate insurance eligibility
• Specify therapeutic substitution

Correct Answer: Authorize the dispensing of the prescribed medicine

Q6. Which practice minimizes decimal dosing errors on prescriptions?

• Using a leading zero before decimal values (e.g., 0.5 mg)
• Using trailing zeros (e.g., 2.0 mg)
• Writing doses in µg without clarification
• Abbreviating “units” as “U”

Correct Answer: Using a leading zero before decimal values (e.g., 0.5 mg)

Q7. Which patient-specific detail is most critical on pediatric prescriptions?

• Patient’s weight
• Patient’s blood group
• Patient’s email
• Patient’s occupation

Correct Answer: Patient’s weight

Q8. Which instruction is safest to write on a prescription to indicate frequency?

• QD
• OD
• Once daily
• QOD

Correct Answer: Once daily

Q9. The notation “Do Not Substitute” or “DAW” directly affects which part of dispensing?

• Permission for generic substitution
• Refill authorization
• Choice of dosage form
• Patient address recording

Correct Answer: Permission for generic substitution

Q10. The quantity to dispense (e.g., “Dispense #30”) is typically written in the:

• Superscription
• Inscription
• Subscription
• Signa

Correct Answer: Subscription

Q11. Which element is generally required to validate the prescription’s timeliness?

• Pharmacist’s initials
• Date of issue
• Patient’s diagnosis code
• Patient’s insurance policy number

Correct Answer: Date of issue

Q12. Which combination best serves as two patient identifiers on a prescription?

• Full name and date of birth
• Full name and favorite color
• Full name and prescriber’s name
• Phone number only

Correct Answer: Full name and date of birth

Q13. In a compounded prescription, “M. ft. ung.” would appear in the:

• Superscription
• Inscription
• Subscription
• Signa

Correct Answer: Subscription

Q14. Which item would NOT appear in the inscription?

• Amoxicillin 500 mg capsules
• Metformin XR 500 mg tablets
• Take one tablet twice daily
• Hydrocortisone cream 1%

Correct Answer: Take one tablet twice daily

Q15. Which abbreviation specifies a route of administration rather than a frequency?

• PO
• BID
• HS
• QID

Correct Answer: PO

Q16. “Refills: 0” communicates that:

• No further dispensing is permitted without a new prescription
• One refill is allowed
• Only partial fills are permitted
• Generic substitution is required

Correct Answer: No further dispensing is permitted without a new prescription

Q17. Which element most directly informs auxiliary labels such as “May cause drowsiness”?

• Warnings and special instructions in the signa
• Superscription
• Prescriber’s address
• Refill section

Correct Answer: Warnings and special instructions in the signa

Q18. For high-alert medications, including which detail on the prescription enhances safety?

• Patient’s blood type
• Clinical indication (reason for use)
• Pharmacy logo
• Patient’s middle name

Correct Answer: Clinical indication (reason for use)

Q19. “Sig.” is derived from the Latin term meaning:

• Signa (write on the label/directions to patient)
• Sine (without)
• Signet (seal)
• Signatura (prescriber’s title)

Correct Answer: Signa (write on the label/directions to patient)

Q20. What is the safest way to express a microgram dose on a prescription?

• µg
• mcg
• U
• g

Correct Answer: mcg

Q21. For controlled drugs, which additional prescriber detail is typically required on the prescription?

• Prescriber’s professional registration/license number
• Pharmacy license number
• Patient’s insurance plan ID
• Pharmacist’s registration number

Correct Answer: Prescriber’s professional registration/license number

Q22. The primary purpose of the superscription (“Rx”) is to:

• Denote that the following text constitutes a prescription order
• Authorize generic substitution
• Specify the route of administration
• State the drug’s indication

Correct Answer: Denote that the following text constitutes a prescription order

Q23. Which patient detail is especially important in dose selection for geriatric and pediatric patients?

• Age
• Email address
• Postal code
• Marital status

Correct Answer: Age

Q24. The part of a prescription that may specify “tablet, capsule, ointment” is the:

• Superscription
• Inscription
• Subscription
• Signa

Correct Answer: Inscription

Q25. In e-prescribing, which element replaces the handwritten signature to ensure authenticity?

• Electronic (digital) signature
• Pharmacist’s initials
• Barcode only
• Refill count

Correct Answer: Electronic (digital) signature

Q26. Which instruction is an example of a subscription?

• Dispense 30 tablets
• Take one tablet twice daily
• Rx
• Patient: John Smith

Correct Answer: Dispense 30 tablets

Q27. On many prescription forms, the instruction “No substitution” is documented in the:

• Substitution authorization line (DAW)
• Signa
• Superscription
• Inscription

Correct Answer: Substitution authorization line (DAW)

Q28. To avoid confusion, which wording is preferred for alternate-day dosing?

• QOD
• Every other day
• OD
• ALT D

Correct Answer: Every other day

Q29. Which pairing correctly matches the prescription part to its purpose?

• Inscription — lists drug, strength, and dosage form
• Superscription — gives directions to the patient
• Subscription — records the patient’s address
• Signa — indicates the prescriber’s license number

Correct Answer: Inscription — lists drug, strength, and dosage form

Q30. Which item is essential to verify from the signa before dispensing?

• Dose, route, and frequency
• Prescriber’s marital status
• Patient’s social media handle
• Pharmacy branding

Correct Answer: Dose, route, and frequency

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