CHAPTER 4: INTERPRETATION OF
PRESCRIPTIONS & MEDICATION
ORDERS
Dr. Bridg’ette Israel
CHAPTER 4: OBJECTIVES
 Demonstrate an understanding of the format and
  components of a typical prescription.
 Demonstrate an understanding of the format and
  components of a typical institutional medication
  order.
 Interpret correctly standard abbreviations and
  symbols used on prescriptions and medication
  orders.
 Differentiate between patient compliance and
  noncompliance and apply calculations to determine
  compliancy.
VOCABULARY
 Prescription
 Medication Order

 Tamper-resistant Prescription Pads

 e-prescribing

 e-prescription

 Military Time

 Medication Scheduling

 Patient Compliance

 Patient Noncompliance
SAMPLE PRESCRIPTION
SAMPLE MEDICATION ORDER
SAMPLE PEDIATRIC PRESCRIPTION
SAMPLE PRESCRIPTION FOR A GENERIC
DRUG
SAMPLE PRESCRIPTION REQUIRING
COMPOUNDING
SAMPLE HOSPITAL MEDICATION ORDER
SAMPLE NURSING HOME MEDICATION ORDER
PRESCRIPTION & MEDICATION ORDER ACCURACY

   Each medication should be:
       Therapeutically appropriate for the patient

       Prescribed at the correct dose

       Dispensed in the correct strength and dosage form

       Correctly labeled with complete instructions for the
        patient or caregiver

       The patient in a hospital or other health care facility:
        each medication must be administered to the correct
        patient , at the correct time, and by the correct rate &
        route of administration
REGULAR VS MILITARY TIME
PRESCRIPTIONS WRITTEN IN SI UNITS
ERRORS & OMISSIONS
ERRORS & OMISSIONS
ERRORS & OMISSIONS
 Error: Drug name incorrect
 Omission: Directions incomplete
ROMAN NUMERALS ON PRESCRIPTIONS
   Designate quantities of medication to be dispensed
    and/or

   Medication to be take by patient per dose
ROMAN NUMERALS ON PRESCRIPTIONS
   Designate quantities of medication to be dispensed
    and/or

   Medication to be take by patient per dose
RULES FOR ROMAN NUMERALS ON
PRESCRIPTIONS
   A letter repeated once or more, repeats its value
    (ex: xx = 20, xxx = 30)

   One or more letters placed after a letter of greater
    value increases the value of the greater number
    (ex: vi = 6, xij = 12, lx = 60)

   A letter placed before a letter of greater value
    decreases the value of the greater letter        (ex:
    iv =4, xl = 40)
ABBREVIATIONS & SYMBOLS
ABBREVIATIONS & SYMBOLS
PATIENT COMPLIANCE
PATIENT COMPLIANCE
   Example:

What is the percent compliance rate if a patient
 received a 30-day supply of medicine & returned in
 45 days for a refill?
PATIENT COMPLIANCE
   Example:

What is the percent compliance rate if a patient
 received a 30-day supply of medicine & returned in
 45 days for a refill?
PATIENT COMPLIANCE
   Example:

What is the percent compliance rate if a patient
 received a 30-day supply of medicine & returned in
 45 days for a refill?

Chap4 calculation