Pharmacy Technician Comprehensive Practice
Questions and Correct Answers plus Rationale |
New Update 2026-2027 | Already Graded A+
PRESCRIPTION INTERPRETATION AND CALCULATIONS
Question 1
If a physician writes a prescription for Coumadin that indicates "brand name
medically necessary" on the prescription, what DAW code should be used in
submitting a prescription claim?
A. DAW 0
B. DAW 1
C. DAW 2
D. DAW 3
Correct Answer: B. DAW 1
Expert Rationale: DAW (Dispense As Written) code 1 is used when the prescriber
indicates "brand name medically necessary" or "dispense as written" on the
prescription. This tells the pharmacy to dispense the brand-name product and not
substitute a generic equivalent. DAW 0 = no substitution, DAW 2 = patient
requested brand, DAW 3 = pharmacist requested brand.
Question 2
If a physician prescribes 250 mg qid for 10 days, how many milliliters of
amoxicillin oral suspension containing 250 mg/5 mL should be dispensed?
A. 75 mL
B. 100 mL
C. 150 mL
D. 200 mL
,Correct Answer: D. 200 mL
Expert Rationale: qid = four times a day. 5 mL × 4 times/day = 20 mL/day. 20
mL/day × 10 days = 200 mL total. The patient receives 250 mg per dose (5 mL),
which matches the prescription strength.
Question 3
How many 250 mg capsules are needed to fill the following prescription?
amoxicillin 500 mg tid for 10 days
A. 20
B. 40
C. 60
D. 80
Correct Answer: C. 60 capsules
Expert Rationale: tid = three times a day. Each dose requires 500 mg. Since
capsules are 250 mg, the patient needs 2 capsules per dose. 2 capsules × 3
times/day = 6 capsules/day. 6 capsules/day × 10 days = 60 capsules.
Question 4
A prescription has the following directions: "1 tab po bid X 14d for URI." How
should it appear on the prescription label?
A. Take one tablet by mouth twice a day for 14 doses for URI.
B. Take one tablet twice a day for 14 days for URI.
C. Take one tablet by mouth twice a day for 14 days for upper respiratory
infection.
D. Take one tablet by immediately; then one tablet twice a day for 14 days for
upper respiratory infection.
Correct Answer: C. Take one tablet by mouth twice a day for 14 days for upper
respiratory infection.
,Expert Rationale: "1 tab po bid X 14d for URI" translates to: one tablet by mouth
twice daily for 14 days for upper respiratory infection. The directions should be
written in clear, patient-friendly language. "URI" should be spelled out as "upper
respiratory infection." "bid" is written as "twice a day."
Question 5
A prescription has the following directions: "1 sup pr qd." How should it be
taken by the patient?
A. Applied to the skin
B. By mouth
C. By rectum
D. By vagina
Correct Answer: C. By rectum
Expert Rationale: "pr" stands for per rectum (by rectum). "sup" means
suppository. "qd" means once daily. The patient should insert one suppository
rectally once daily. "po" is by mouth, "top" is topical, "vag" is vaginal.
Question 6
A prescription order has the following directions: "4 gtt in each ear tid." How
many drops will a patient use each day?
A. 8
B. 12
C. 16
D. 24
Correct Answer: D. 24
Expert Rationale: 4 drops in each ear = 8 drops per dose. tid = 3 times per day. 8
drops × 3 = 24 drops per day. "gtt" is the abbreviation for drops.
Question 7
, What is the meaning of the abbreviation of "ut dict"?
A. As directed
B. As needed
C. If there is need
D. Ointment
Correct Answer: A. As directed
Expert Rationale: "ut dict" stands for ut dictum (as directed). "prn" = as needed.
"ung" = ointment. "si opus sit" = if there is need. "ut dict" means the patient
should take the medication according to the prescriber's instructions.
Question 8
What is the meaning of the suffix -dipsia?
A. Discharge
B. Hardening
C. Pain
D. Thirst
Correct Answer: D. Thirst
Expert Rationale: The suffix -dipsia means thirst. Examples: polydipsia (excessive
thirst), oligodipsia (decreased thirst). -rrhea = discharge, -sclerosis = hardening, -
algia = pain.
Question 9
What does the pharmacy abbreviation 'Rx' mean?
A. Generic substitution
B. Number of refills
C. Take this drug
D. Write on label
Correct Answer: C. Take this drug
Questions and Correct Answers plus Rationale |
New Update 2026-2027 | Already Graded A+
PRESCRIPTION INTERPRETATION AND CALCULATIONS
Question 1
If a physician writes a prescription for Coumadin that indicates "brand name
medically necessary" on the prescription, what DAW code should be used in
submitting a prescription claim?
A. DAW 0
B. DAW 1
C. DAW 2
D. DAW 3
Correct Answer: B. DAW 1
Expert Rationale: DAW (Dispense As Written) code 1 is used when the prescriber
indicates "brand name medically necessary" or "dispense as written" on the
prescription. This tells the pharmacy to dispense the brand-name product and not
substitute a generic equivalent. DAW 0 = no substitution, DAW 2 = patient
requested brand, DAW 3 = pharmacist requested brand.
Question 2
If a physician prescribes 250 mg qid for 10 days, how many milliliters of
amoxicillin oral suspension containing 250 mg/5 mL should be dispensed?
A. 75 mL
B. 100 mL
C. 150 mL
D. 200 mL
,Correct Answer: D. 200 mL
Expert Rationale: qid = four times a day. 5 mL × 4 times/day = 20 mL/day. 20
mL/day × 10 days = 200 mL total. The patient receives 250 mg per dose (5 mL),
which matches the prescription strength.
Question 3
How many 250 mg capsules are needed to fill the following prescription?
amoxicillin 500 mg tid for 10 days
A. 20
B. 40
C. 60
D. 80
Correct Answer: C. 60 capsules
Expert Rationale: tid = three times a day. Each dose requires 500 mg. Since
capsules are 250 mg, the patient needs 2 capsules per dose. 2 capsules × 3
times/day = 6 capsules/day. 6 capsules/day × 10 days = 60 capsules.
Question 4
A prescription has the following directions: "1 tab po bid X 14d for URI." How
should it appear on the prescription label?
A. Take one tablet by mouth twice a day for 14 doses for URI.
B. Take one tablet twice a day for 14 days for URI.
C. Take one tablet by mouth twice a day for 14 days for upper respiratory
infection.
D. Take one tablet by immediately; then one tablet twice a day for 14 days for
upper respiratory infection.
Correct Answer: C. Take one tablet by mouth twice a day for 14 days for upper
respiratory infection.
,Expert Rationale: "1 tab po bid X 14d for URI" translates to: one tablet by mouth
twice daily for 14 days for upper respiratory infection. The directions should be
written in clear, patient-friendly language. "URI" should be spelled out as "upper
respiratory infection." "bid" is written as "twice a day."
Question 5
A prescription has the following directions: "1 sup pr qd." How should it be
taken by the patient?
A. Applied to the skin
B. By mouth
C. By rectum
D. By vagina
Correct Answer: C. By rectum
Expert Rationale: "pr" stands for per rectum (by rectum). "sup" means
suppository. "qd" means once daily. The patient should insert one suppository
rectally once daily. "po" is by mouth, "top" is topical, "vag" is vaginal.
Question 6
A prescription order has the following directions: "4 gtt in each ear tid." How
many drops will a patient use each day?
A. 8
B. 12
C. 16
D. 24
Correct Answer: D. 24
Expert Rationale: 4 drops in each ear = 8 drops per dose. tid = 3 times per day. 8
drops × 3 = 24 drops per day. "gtt" is the abbreviation for drops.
Question 7
, What is the meaning of the abbreviation of "ut dict"?
A. As directed
B. As needed
C. If there is need
D. Ointment
Correct Answer: A. As directed
Expert Rationale: "ut dict" stands for ut dictum (as directed). "prn" = as needed.
"ung" = ointment. "si opus sit" = if there is need. "ut dict" means the patient
should take the medication according to the prescriber's instructions.
Question 8
What is the meaning of the suffix -dipsia?
A. Discharge
B. Hardening
C. Pain
D. Thirst
Correct Answer: D. Thirst
Expert Rationale: The suffix -dipsia means thirst. Examples: polydipsia (excessive
thirst), oligodipsia (decreased thirst). -rrhea = discharge, -sclerosis = hardening, -
algia = pain.
Question 9
What does the pharmacy abbreviation 'Rx' mean?
A. Generic substitution
B. Number of refills
C. Take this drug
D. Write on label
Correct Answer: C. Take this drug
