Prescription Processing
From paper to patient — the full workflow.
Module overview
Every prescription moves through the same pipeline: receive → enter → verify → fill → check → dispense. Mastering each step — and the abbreviations that drive it — is what makes a technician fast and accurate.
What you'll learn
- 01Reading prescriptions
- 02SIG codes and abbreviations
- 03Data entry and workflow
- 04Patient communication basics
Lessons
Anatomy of a prescription
A valid Rx contains prescriber info, patient info, drug, strength, form, quantity, SIG, refills, date written, and signature.
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Top SIG abbreviations
SIG codes are the Latin shorthand on prescriptions. Knowing them cold is essential for fast, accurate translation.
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Data entry workflow
Accurate data entry is the foundation of a safe fill. The right NDC, the right SIG, and the right days' supply prevent most errors and most insurance rejections.
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Patient communication
How you talk to patients shapes their adherence, satisfaction, and the pharmacy's reputation.
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Key terms
- SIG
- Latin signa — the directions for use written on a prescription.
- DUR
- Drug Utilization Review — automated check for interactions, duplications, and dosing.
- NDC
- National Drug Code — unique 10/11-digit identifier for each drug product.
- Days' supply
- Number of days a dispensed quantity will last based on the SIG.
Study tool
Flashcards
01 / 16
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Practice questions
- Q1Translate: 'i tab po bid pc x 10d'.
- Q2What does qhs mean?
- Q3Which trailing-zero notation should be avoided?
Weekly study rhythm
- • Watch the module lecture video
- • Complete guided notes and flashcards
- • Take the end-of-lesson quiz
- • Practice pharmacy calculations daily
- • Take a mock exam every two modules