PTCB / PTCE Vocabulary Study List

Exam-focused vocabulary checklist covering core concepts, prescription terms, pharmacology, compounding, calculations, safety, regulations, and drug classes for the PTCE.

Rx

Prescription

Sig

Directions

PO

By mouth

PR

Rectally

SL

Sublingual

IM

Intramuscular

IV

Intravenous

SubQ/SC

Subcutaneous

top

Topical

inh

Inhalation

OD

Right eye

OS

Left eye

OU

Both eyes

AD

Right ear

AS

Left ear

AU

Both ears

q

Every

q4h

Every 4 hours

q6h

Every 6 hours

BID

Twice daily

TID

Three times daily

QID

Four times daily

qAM

Every morning

qPM

Every evening

HS

At bedtime

PRN

As needed

AC

Before meals

PC

After meals

stat

Immediately

NPO

Nothing by mouth

UD

As directed

qs

Quantity sufficient

aa

Affected area

gtt

Drop

tab

Tablet

cap

Capsule

mL

Milliliter

mg

Milligram

mcg

Microgram

g

Gram

ADME

Pharmacokinetic processes consisting of Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion.

DEA Form 222

Form used in pharmacy operations for ordering Schedule I and Schedule II controlled substances.

DEA Form 106

Form used to report theft or significant loss of controlled substances.

DEA Form 41

Form used to document the destruction or disposal of controlled substances.

USP

General chapter establishing practice standards for sterile compounding to ensure patient safety and product quality.

USP

General chapter establishing standards for handling hazardous drugs in healthcare settings.

USP

General chapter establishing practice standards for nonsterile compounding preparations.

Tall Man lettering

Patient safety practice using mixed-case lettering to highlight differences in look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) drug names.

Look-alike/sound-alike (LASA)

Medications that have similar written spellings or spoken names, posing a risk for medication errors.

DAW — dispense as written

Code or designation indicating whether a generic substitution is permitted or if the brand-name product must be dispensed.

Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act (CMEA)

Federal legislation regulating the sales restrictions and recordkeeping for pseudoephedrine (PSE) products.

Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA)

Federal regulation requiring child-resistant containers for most oral prescription and OTC medications.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Federal law protecting patient privacy and confidential protected health information (PHI).

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA '90)

Federal legislation requiring prospective drug utilization review (DUR) and offering patient counseling.

Durham-Humphrey Amendment

Federal law creating the distinction between OTC medications and prescription (legend) drugs.

Kefauver-Harris Amendment

Federal law requiring drug manufacturers to prove products are safe and effective prior to marketing approval.

Hatch-Waxman Act

Federal legislation streamling generic drug approvals while extending patent protections for original brand-name drugs.

Prescription Drug Marketing Act (PDMA)

Federal regulation prohibiting the reimportation of drugs and regulating prescription drug sample distribution.

Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA)

Federal law establishing product tracing requirements throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain.

MedWatch

FDA voluntary reporting program for reporting serious adverse drug reactions and product safety issues.

70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA)

Disinfectant agent used for cleansing surfaces and critical items in sterile compounding environments.

Closed-system transfer device (CSTD)

Transfer device used in compounding hazardous drugs that prevents the escape of drug vapors or aerosols.

Geometric dilution

Compounding technique used to blend a small amount of potent active ingredient evenly with a larger volume of diluent.

Trituration

Nonsterile compounding process of grinding coarse powders into fine particles using a mortar and pestle.

Levigation

Compounding technique of reducing particle size by grinding with a small amount of viscous liquid (levigating agent).

Pulverization by intervention

Compounding technique of reducing powder particle size with the help of a volatile solvent that is later evaporated.

Spatulation

Blending powders or semi-solids on an ointment slab using a spatula.