PTCE Drug Classifications 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of the 'Five Rights' in medication administration?
- To prevent medication errors: right patient, drug, dose, route, time (Correct answer)
- To determine pricing
- To classify medications
- To organize inventory
Correct answer: To prevent medication errors: right patient, drug, dose, route, time
The Five Rights serve as a safety checklist to prevent medication errors during every administration.
Question 2: What does 'PRN' mean on a prescription?
- As needed (Correct answer)
- Twice daily
- Before meals
- At bedtime
Correct answer: As needed
PRN comes from Latin 'pro re nata' meaning 'as needed.'
Question 3: What is a drug contraindication?
- A condition that makes a particular treatment inadvisable (Correct answer)
- A positive drug interaction
- A drug recommendation
- A dosage calculation
Correct answer: A condition that makes a particular treatment inadvisable
A contraindication is a specific situation where a drug should not be used because it may be harmful to the patient.
Question 4: What is the difference between generic and brand-name drugs?
- Generic drugs have the same active ingredient but different name and typically lower cost (Correct answer)
- Generic drugs are less effective
- Brand names are always better
- There is no difference
Correct answer: Generic drugs have the same active ingredient but different name and typically lower cost
Generic drugs contain the same active ingredients, dosage, and route as brand-name drugs but are marketed under their chemical name at lower cost after patent expiration.
Question 5: What is a side effect?
- An unintended effect of a medication beyond its intended action (Correct answer)
- The intended therapeutic effect
- A dosing error
- An expired medication
Correct answer: An unintended effect of a medication beyond its intended action
Side effects are unintended responses to a medication that occur alongside the desired therapeutic effect.
Question 6: What does 'QID' mean in prescription abbreviations?
- Four times a day (Correct answer)
- Once a day
- Twice a day
- Every other day
Correct answer: Four times a day
QID stands for 'quater in die' (Latin), meaning four times a day.
PTCE Drug Classifications 1
What is the purpose of the 'Five Rights' in medication administration?