Quantity Interpretation - Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Ptce

1. What does "UD" (as directed) imply about calculating the exact days' supply?

   Days' supply may be indeterminate; follow prescriber directions. UD indicates patient follows prescriber's verbal instructions, making precise supply calculation impossible without more details.

2. What does "DAW" affect: the quantity dispensed or the product selection (generic substitution)?

   Product selection (dispense as written; affects substitution). DAW means 'dispense as written,' mandating the brand-name drug and preventing generic substitution.

3. If directions are "Instill 1 drop in each eye twice daily" and quantity is 1 bottle, what is needed to compute days' supply?

   Bottle volume and drops per mL (or labeled drops per bottle). Calculation requires converting bottle volume to total drops using drops per mL, then dividing by daily usage.

4. Identify the meaning of "NR" on a prescription label or hard copy.

   No refills. NR abbreviates 'no refills,' restricting the prescription to the original dispensing only.

5. Which value controls if quantity is written as "#30 (thirty-five)": the numeric or the spelled-out amount?

   Spelled-out amount controls (resolve discrepancy before dispensing). In prescription discrepancies, the spelled-out quantity prevails, but clarification with the prescriber is required.

6. What does "1 bottle" most directly describe on a prescription: dosage strength or dispensing quantity?

   Dispensing quantity (container quantity). Specifying '1 bottle' indicates the container quantity to dispense, not the medication's potency.

7. If directions are "Take 1 tablet daily" and quantity is #30, what is the days' supply?

   $30\ \text{days}$. Days' supply is calculated by dividing total tablets by daily usage: $30 / 1 = 30$.

8. What does the abbreviation "QS" mean on a prescription quantity instruction?

   Quantity sufficient (dispense enough to cover the directions). QS, from Latin 'quantum sufficiat,' directs dispensing an adequate amount to fulfill the sig without excess.

9. What does "RF" mean when listed as "RF: 2" on a prescription?

   Two refills authorized after the original fill. RF stands for refills, indicating the number of additional dispensings allowed beyond the original fill.

10. If directions are "Take 1 capsule every 8 hours" and quantity is #90, what is the days' supply?

    $30\ \text{days}$. Every 8 hours implies 3 doses per day, so days' supply is $90 / 3 = 30$.

11. If directions are "Take 1 tablet twice daily" and quantity is #60, what is the days' supply?

    $30\ \text{days}$. With twice-daily dosing, days' supply is total tablets divided by 2: $60 / 2 = 30$.

12. What is the quantity to dispense if the prescription reads "Dispense: one (1) inhaler"?

    Dispense 1 inhaler. The instruction explicitly states to provide one complete inhaler unit as the dispensing quantity.

13. What is the quantity to dispense if the prescription reads "#90 (ninety)"?

    Dispense 90 units. The # symbol followed by 90 directs dispensing exactly 90 individual units of the medication.

14. What does "prn refills" mean on a noncontrolled prescription if permitted by law and policy?

    Refills as needed (no specific number stated). PRN refills allow indefinite refills as needed for noncontrolled drugs, subject to legal and pharmacy limits.

15. Which quantity term indicates the amount to dispense in the original fill: "quantity" or "refills"?

    Quantity. Quantity refers to the initial amount dispensed, distinct from refills which authorize additional dispensings.

16. If a prescription is written for "Amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL, Disp: 150 mL," what is the dispense quantity?

    Dispense $150\ \text{mL}$. The Disp field directly specifies the total volume of suspension to provide in milliliters.

17. If directions are "Apply 1 patch daily" and quantity is #10, what is the days' supply?

    $10\ \text{days}$. Daily application means days' supply matches the number of patches: 10 patches for 10 days.

18. If directions are "Take 2 tablets daily" and quantity is #60, what is the days' supply?

    $30\ \text{days}$. Days' supply equals total tablets divided by daily dose: $60 / 2 = 30$.

19. If a prescription states "Refills: 3," what is the maximum number of fills allowed?

    Four fills total (1 original + 3 refills). The refill number specifies additional dispensings, so total fills equal the original plus the stated refills.

20. What does "#" mean when it appears before a number on a prescription (for example, #30)?

    Quantity (number of units) to dispense. The # symbol specifies the exact number of dosage units, such as tablets or capsules, for the initial dispense.

21. What does "partial fill" most directly change: the authorized refills count or the quantity dispensed today?

    Quantity dispensed today (remaining quantity may be owed if allowed). Partial fills adjust only the amount given now, with balance potentially dispensed later without using a refill.

22. What does "Disp" indicate on a prescription (for example, Disp: 1 bottle)?

    Dispense quantity (the amount to be provided). Disp abbreviates 'dispense,' denoting the specific amount or container of medication to provide to the patient.

23. If a prescription states "Refills: 0," what is the maximum number of fills allowed?

    One fill total (original only). Refills: 0 limits the prescription to only the initial dispensing, prohibiting any further fills.

Study these flashcards