PTCE Order Interpretation and Medication Preparation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A prescription for a pediatric patient reads 'Ibuprofen 10 mg/kg PO q6h PRN pain.' The child weighs 22 lbs. What is the correct dose?
- 50 mg
- 100 mg (Correct answer)
- 150 mg
- 200 mg
Correct answer: 100 mg
22 lbs ÷ 2.2 = 10 kg; 10 kg × 10 mg/kg = 100 mg per dose.
Question 2: Which sig code instructs the patient to take medication every 8 hours?
- QID
- TID (Correct answer)
- BID
- Q12H
Correct answer: TID
TID (ter in die) means three times daily, which equals every 8 hours when spaced evenly.
Question 3: A technician is preparing a 1:1000 epinephrine solution. How many mg of epinephrine are in 1 mL?
- 0.1 mg
- 1 mg (Correct answer)
- 10 mg
- 100 mg
Correct answer: 1 mg
A 1:1000 ratio means 1 g per 1000 mL, which equals 1 mg per mL.
Question 4: A prescription reads 'Prednisone — taper: 40 mg QD × 3d, then 30 mg QD × 3d, then 20 mg QD × 3d, then 10 mg QD × 3d.' What is the total quantity of 10 mg tablets to dispense?
- 12 tablets
- 24 tablets
- 30 tablets (Correct answer)
- 36 tablets
Correct answer: 30 tablets
In 10 mg tabs: 40mg=4 tabs × 3d=12, 30mg=3 tabs × 3d=9, 20mg=2 tabs × 3d=6, 10mg=1 tab × 3d=3; total = 12+9+6+3 = 30 tablets.
Question 5: An order reads 'Vancomycin 1 g IVPB q12h.' The drug is available as 500 mg powder vials. How many vials are needed per dose?
- 1 vial
- 2 vials (Correct answer)
- 3 vials
- 4 vials
Correct answer: 2 vials
1 g = 1000 mg; 1000 mg ÷ 500 mg/vial = 2 vials per dose.
Question 6: The abbreviation 'DAW' on a prescription means the pharmacist must dispense:
- A generic equivalent
- The brand-name drug as written (Correct answer)
- Any available formulation
- A different drug class
Correct answer: The brand-name drug as written
DAW (Dispense As Written) instructs the pharmacy to dispense the exact brand-name drug ordered, without substituting a generic.
Question 7: A medication order reads 'Morphine 4 mg IV q4h PRN pain — max 3 doses in 12 hours.' What is the maximum 24-hour dose?
- 12 mg
- 16 mg
- 24 mg (Correct answer)
- 48 mg
Correct answer: 24 mg
Max 3 doses per 12 hours × 2 periods = 6 doses per 24 hours; 6 × 4 mg = 24 mg maximum.
PTCE Order Interpretation and Medication Preparation 3
A prescription for a pediatric patient reads 'Ibuprofen 10 mg/kg PO q6h PRN pain.' The child weighs 22 lbs.
What is the correct dose?