1. CHAPTER 4: INTERPRETATION OF
PRESCRIPTIONS & MEDICATION
ORDERS
Dr. Bridg’ette Israel

2. 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.

3. VOCABULARY
 Prescription
 Medication Order
 Tamper-resistant Prescription Pads
 e-prescribing
 e-prescription
 Military Time
 Medication Scheduling
 Patient Compliance
 Patient Noncompliance

4. SAMPLE PRESCRIPTION

5. SAMPLE MEDICATION ORDER

6. SAMPLE PEDIATRIC PRESCRIPTION

7. SAMPLE PRESCRIPTION FOR A GENERIC
DRUG

8. SAMPLE PRESCRIPTION REQUIRING
COMPOUNDING

9. SAMPLE HOSPITAL MEDICATION ORDER

10. SAMPLE NURSING HOME MEDICATION ORDER

11. 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

12. REGULAR VS MILITARY TIME

13. PRESCRIPTIONS WRITTEN IN SI UNITS

14. ERRORS & OMISSIONS

15. ERRORS & OMISSIONS

16. ERRORS & OMISSIONS
 Error: Drug name incorrect
 Omission: Directions incomplete

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

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

19. 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)

20. ABBREVIATIONS & SYMBOLS

21. ABBREVIATIONS & SYMBOLS

22. PATIENT COMPLIANCE

23. 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?

24. 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?

25. 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?