3
Developing Prescription and Medication Order Literacy Skills
Learning Objectives
1 Define prescription and understand the types of prescriptions. (Sections 3.1, 3.3, 3.4)
2 Identify the components of a prescription. (Sections 3.1, 3.3, 3.4)
3 Perform the check digit verification process. (Sections 3.1, 3.4)
4 Calculate days’ supply and quantity to dispense.(Section 3.1)
5 Define medication order and understand the types of medication orders. (Sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.4)
For a key to the body system icons that appear in each chapter of this textbook, refer to the Preface
6 Identify the components of a medication order. (Sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.4)
7 Convert between standard time and 24-hour time. (Section 3.2)
8 List common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols used in prescriptions and medication orders. (Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4)
9 Apply calculation operations in handling prescriptions and medication orders. (Section 3.4)
ASHP/ACPE Accreditation Standards
To view the ASHP/ACPE Accreditation Standards addressed in this chapter, refer to Appendix D.
In both community and institutional pharmacy settings, you will be receiving, interpreting, calculating, and filling prescriptions and medication orders routinely. In light of these responsibilities, this chapter addresses the types and components of prescriptions and medication orders as well as the common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols that prescribers use as shorthand communication tools in these orders. Your correct interpretation of prescriptions and medication orders and your accurate pharmacy calculations based on these orders are critical to the health and safety of patients.