When doctors write a prescription, they use abbreviations. Pharmacy Technicians need to be able to interpret what the doctor writes.
FIND the medicine information. Then interpret the information to complete the chart below.
The drug name in manufacturer or generic format?
The doctor’s order for dosage amount (how much medication)?
The administration route (by mouth, IV, injection)?
The frequency with which the patient is to take the medication?
The duration, the number of days that the patient is to take the medication?
To help you with interpreting a prescription and filling in the chart, let’s break down each component:
1. Drug Name (Manufacturer or Generic): This is the name of the medication prescribed. It could be the brand name (like Tylenol) or the generic name (like acetaminophen).
2. Dosage Amount: This indicates how much of the medication the patient should take at one time. For example, a prescription might say “500 mg,” meaning the patient should take 500 milligrams of the medication.
3. Administration Route: This tells you how the medication is to be given. Common routes include:
– PO (by mouth): taken orally
– IV (intravenous): given through a vein
– IM (intramuscular): injected into a muscle
4. Frequency: This indicates how often the patient should take the medication (e.g., “twice a day,” “every 8 hours”).
5. Duration: This shows how long the patient should continue taking the medication, often noted in days (for example, “7 days”).
To complete your chart accurately, ensure you are looking at the specific prescription. If you have details about the prescription, feel free to share, and I can help you interpret it! If you need further assistance, be sure to check our extended services page for more in-depth help.