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
