Pharmacy technician ✨

Sig code to know if you are taking the PTCB or PTCE exam 📚✏️

2024/12/31 Edited to

... Read moreHey everyone! As a pharmacy tech, I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel when you first encounter SIG codes. They're literally the secret language of prescriptions! When I was studying for my PTCB/PTCE exam, these abbreviations felt like a huge hurdle, but mastering them is absolutely crucial for patient safety and your success in the field. What Exactly Are SIG Codes and Why Are They So Important? SIG codes, short for 'Signa' (Latin for 'to write' or 'to mark'), are those shorthand instructions found on prescriptions. They tell the patient how and when to take their medication. Think about it: 'take one tablet by mouth twice a day' becomes '1 tab po bid'. Much faster for pharmacists and prescribers! But for us techs, understanding every single abbreviation and its meaning is non-negotiable. The OCR mentioned 'abbreviations and their corresponding meanings, used for prescription instructions,' and that's exactly what we need to internalize. My own experience taught me that misinterpreting just one code could lead to a serious medication error, so precision is key! Breaking Down Common SIG Code Categories When you're studying, it helps to categorize them. Here are some common groups I focused on: Frequency: bid (twice daily), tid (three times daily), qid (four times daily), qh (every hour), qh (every hours), prn (as needed). Route: po (by mouth), top (topically), ou (both eyes), od (right eye), os (left eye), pr (per rectum), sl (sublingually). Quantity/Dose: tab (tablet), cap (capsule), gtt (drop), ml (milliliter), tsp (teaspoon), tbsp (tablespoon), applicatorful (as mentioned in the queries, a specific measurement for certain creams/gels). Special Instructions: ac (before meals), pc (after meals), hs (at bedtime), stat (immediately), ud (as directed). My Top Tips for Memorizing SIG Codes for Your Exam Flashcards are your best friend: Seriously, write the abbreviation on one side and the full meaning on the other. Go through them constantly. Create Mnemonics: For example, 'tid' (three times daily) can be linked to 'T.I.D. = Three In Day'. Or 'prn' (as needed) sounds like 'P.R.N. = Please Remember Needs'. Get creative! Practice, Practice, Practice: Don't just passively read them. Try writing out full prescription instructions from SIG codes, or vice versa. Contextual Learning: Understand why certain codes are used. Knowing that 'po' means 'per os' (by mouth) helps solidify the meaning. Use a Cheat Sheet (responsibly!): While you can't use one during the exam, having a 'pharmacy sig codes cheat sheet' during your study sessions, much like the 'comprehensive list' mentioned in the OCR, is invaluable for quick reference and reinforcement. Make your own or use a reliable resource. Beyond the Exam: Real-World Application It's not just about passing the PTCB or PTCE. Once you're working, you'll be constantly interpreting these codes to accurately fill prescriptions, answer patient questions, and ensure safe medication practices. Whether you're at Walgreens, a hospital, or an independent pharmacy, 'prescription sig codes' are a daily part of the job. Understanding them deeply will make you a more confident and competent pharmacy technician. Keep practicing, and you'll master this essential skill!

16 comments

Nae0's images
Nae0

What are good online schools I could go to for this

See more(2)
Stephanie's images
Stephanie

omg ty

See more comments

Related posts

I Became a Certified Pharmacy Tech for Free!👩🏼‍⚕️💊
When I started working at the pharmacy, I had no prior experience—just a willingness to learn. I picked things up quickly and ended up becoming really good at what I do 💊✨ 📘 PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician My pharmacy paid for my PTCB exam (which normally costs around $129), and I passed on
Gabriella 🎀

Gabriella 🎀

1599 likes

Phlebotomist technician
few slides on how I remembered the order of draw! passed with high score ❤️ #phlebotomystudent #phlebotomist #phlebotomy #pharmacytechnician #rnstudent
Jackieee

Jackieee

388 likes

The image features a blurred background of pharmacy shelves, with a black rectangular overlay containing the white text "Pharmacy YouTubers" and "i recommend" below it. Sparkle graphics are around the text box.
A YouTube channel page for Phedra Dee, showing her profile picture, 89K subscribers, and 53 videos. Two video thumbnails are visible: "productive vlog busy DAYS IN SUMMER" and "try on haul 2024 THAT GIRL PINK SUMMER HAUL."
A YouTube channel page for Breanna Quan, displaying her profile picture, 1.02M subscribers, and 174 videos. Two video thumbnails are shown: "introvert diaries productive days getting my life together" and "slice of life days in my life."
Pharmacy YouTubers I Love
YouTubers to watch if you’re in PrePharm, Pharmacy School, have your PharmD, or are a Pharmacy Technician! 🫶🏽 #pharmacytechnician #certifiedpharmacytechnician #girlsinmedicine #pharmacy #pharmacyschool #youtuberecommendations
🫶🏽

🫶🏽

52 likes

Life as A Pharmacy Technician ✨
come to work with me 🫶🏻 Scrubs: @MedCouture #lifestyle #lifestylecreator #pharmacy #pharmacytechnician #scrublife #work #workwithme #momlife #asmr
Jocelyn L.

Jocelyn L.

33 likes

Pharmacy tech digital study guide
Pharmacy tech prep simplified Tips to prepare for the exam: •understand exam format •use study guide • create study schedule • take practice exam • seek help when needed Digital study guide contains: Pharmacy law /ethics Pharmacology Dosage forms Prescription processing Calculations
Treona S

Treona S

75 likes

A tablet displays a digital guide titled 'Traveling Pharmacy Tech' by Pharmacy Girl, highlighting 'Highest Paid Pharmacy Techs' and 'Premium Download'. The cover features a pink money background with pharmacy-related icons, promoting a career guide.
Traveling Pharmacy Tech: Highest PAID ✨
Ready to take your pharmacy career to the next level? 🚀 Learn how to become a traveling pharmacy technician and unlock the highest-paying opportunities in the industry! 💊 This premium guide includes everything you need to know about starting your journey, finding assignments, and maximizing your in
Pharmacy Girl ™

Pharmacy Girl ™

36 likes

Pharmacy Technician 💊💉📚
Something new 😊😊📚 #wfhmom #pharmacytechnician #becomingher #studywithme 🤔Cons: Work..School and FT single mommy of 3 😮‍💨😮‍💨! #OVERLYLOADED
Mi Amour- Da Donn

Mi Amour- Da Donn

80 likes

A person in blue scrubs, with dreadlocks and glasses, takes a mirror selfie with a phone. A red ID badge is visible on their top, suggesting they are a pharmacy technician.
Ju pharmacy technician
#pharmacytechnician #pharmacygirl
Julanda ✨

Julanda ✨

43 likes

The image features a person in scrubs and clogs, holding a stethoscope and syringe, with text overlayed: '4 Healthcare Jobs No College NEEDED'. It highlights career opportunities in healthcare that do not require a traditional college degree.
This image lists two healthcare jobs: Medical Assistant and Pharmacy Technician. For Medical Assistant, it describes tasks, requirements (high school diploma, training/certificate), and an average salary of around $36,930. For Pharmacy Technician, it details duties, requirements (high school diploma, training/certificate, possible certification), and an average salary of approximately $36,740.
This image presents two healthcare jobs: Phlebotomist and Medical Biller and Coder. For Phlebotomist, it outlines drawing blood, requirements (high school diploma, training, preferred certification), and an average salary of approximately $36,320. For Medical Biller and Coder, it describes managing billing/coding, requirements (high school diploma, program completion), and an average salary of around $44,090.
Healthcare Careers that don’t require a Degree✨
Hey Girlies🎀 I’ve noticed that my healthcare posts get quite the attention so I figured I would share a little more career information on it! So here are some healthcare jobs that don't require a college degree but still offer good pay and job satisfaction: 🩺Medical Assistant: Descr
Emilyyy

Emilyyy

1924 likes

A gray tabby cat peeks from a cardboard box with the text "Pharmacy Technician - what's in my work coat? -" overlaid, along with the Lemon8 logo and username.
A collection of items including a nametag for Abby, a registered pharmacy technician, two fun pins, an encouraging button that says "You Matter," and a flu shot badge.
A brown notebook with a dinosaur design, two pink sticky note pads, and three writing utensils, including two markers and a pen, laid out on a teal fabric surface.
What’s in my Pharmacy Tech Work Coat?💊🥼
Hey yall! If you didn’t know, I’m a licensed pharmacy tech, and actually have my test tomorrow to become certified! I’ve wanted to show yall for a while now what I keep in my coat, but it’s always so much effort to take everything out/off, so I figured I’d make this post while it’s in the was
✨Abby✨

✨Abby✨

46 likes

Pharmacy tech digital study guide
Pharmacy tech prep simplified Tips to prepare for the exam: •understand exam format •use study guide • create study schedule • take practice exam • seek help when needed Digital study guide contains: Pharmacy law /ethics Pharmacology Dosage forms Prescription processing Calculations
Treona S

Treona S

10 likes

My Honest Review Working As A Pharmacy Technician
I worked as a Pharmacy Technician for over one year for healthcare experience and patient care hours, and here is my honest review! Overall, I rate this job a 3.5/5! I learned a lot about pharmaceuticals and basic patient care/customer service during this time. As a Pharmacy Technician my job was t
annie🎀⭐️👼🏼

annie🎀⭐️👼🏼

65 likes

Pharmacy Technicians💊
any advice for taking the exCPT exam ? i take mine on tuesday & i don’t feel confident at all about it. i’ve purchased an online study guide & practice tests. as you can see, i already failed the first one. any pharmacy techs have advice, please comment below !😭 #pharmacytechnician
Nakia

Nakia

18 likes

We are swifties at this pharmacy ✨🥰
#gettoknowme #mikespharmacy3 #pasadenamaryland #thedena #pharmacy #pharmacy technician
mikespharmacy3

mikespharmacy3

1 like

I Quit CVS As a Pharmacy Technician - Here’s Why
Rating job: 1/10 for the management, toxic environment 8/10 for pay, hours and benefits etc So I joined CVS in 2021 during Covid as a Covid vaccine tech. My initial pay rate was $13/hrs. The hiring process was very confusing as they didn’t communicate with me at all. The HR was super slow a
Tasnia Islam 💕

Tasnia Islam 💕

771 likes

Pharmacy technician!
Starting my pharmacy technician journey today ! As a 26 year old who never went to school after graduating high school, I honestly can’t even remember HOW to study for my #pharmacytechnician license. If anyone has any tips or if you’re also working on this let me know ! Maybe we can study togethe
Lizzie

Lizzie

28 likes

Pill Talk: Confessions of Pharmacy Technician
Out now on Kindle! For anyone who works in the medical field this book is total must read! And right now it's only $1.00! #nurseswhoread #pharmacytechnician #indieauthor #pharmacy
Evelyn Reese Fashion

Evelyn Reese Fashion

3 likes

💊Pros & Cons of Being a College Pharmacy Major💊
Here are some pros and cons of my major, pharmacy! Pros: •Pharmacy has a high job growth projection meaning that there will be an increase in need for pharmacists •Pharmacist also make a lot of money! •Pharmacy gives you many opportunities to go into other fields of pharmacy such as retail
addie swift

addie swift

684 likes

Mini Vlog: First Day as a Hospital Pharmacy Tech |
After years of praying, applying, and pushing through rejection…I finally landed a job as a Hospital Pharmacy Technician II — exactly one month post-grad. 🙏🏽 This is my first mini vlog as I start easing into content creation here on Lemon8 (and maybe even YouTube 👀). Just documenting this soft m
Kendall | UGC Creator

Kendall | UGC Creator

48 likes

Pharmacy tech 💊
Love my job and the people I work with; this is literally a daily task lol. #pharmacytechnician #pharmacytechlife #medicalfield #pharmacygirl
Star

Star

55 likes

Pharmacy Technician
I went back to school did you? #BackToSchool #lemon8challenge #pharmacytechnician
Makayla Sneed

Makayla Sneed

3 likes

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Pharmacy School 🎓💊
Pharmacy school is an exciting but intense journey! Looking back, here are five things I wish I knew before starting. #pharmacystudent #pharmacy #motivation #wednesday #healthcare
Tori Whatley

Tori Whatley

46 likes

Five pharmacy technicians, wearing blue uniforms and face masks, pose for a group selfie in a pharmacy with shelves of medications in the background.
A person wearing a purple t-shirt with a heart-shaped design that reads "compassionate caring dedicated Pharmacy Technician" around a mortar and pestle symbol.
A collage of images showing pharmacy technicians celebrating "Tech Day" with a cake decorated with a syringe and group photos of staff in their workplace.
Pharmacy Technician
I choice to be a pharmacy technician because I wanted something different and something that was going to challenge me. Almost 5 years later and I’m still there and I love it #pharmacytechnician #scrublife #Lemon8 #lemon8career
Strawberry

Strawberry

30 likes

Pharmacy Root Word Flashcards
If you are a student who is learning pharmacy with the top 200 drugs, I created some flash cards🎀✨ To get access, comment below to get the link! #kranay #pharmacy #pharmacystudent #pharmacology #pharmacy technician
Kranay

Kranay

31 likes

2017 Walmart Auto Technician
Transformation within 8 years of being in the United States of America! I am not done yet, still want more because I can do more with God’s help! . #nurse #nursingstudent #motivational #nursesoflemon8 #walmart
Liberian Eddie BSN, RN

Liberian Eddie BSN, RN

2252 likes

A person in a teal scrub top takes a mirror selfie. Text overlay reads "Pros and Cons PHARMACY TECHNICIAN EDITION" with a pill and syringe icon, introducing the topic of the article.
A person in a purple scrub top takes a mirror selfie. Text overlay lists the pros of being a pharmacy technician: working in different settings, quick entry into healthcare, skill development, job stability, and advancement opportunities.
A person in a blue scrub top takes a mirror selfie, making a peace sign. Text overlay lists the cons of being a pharmacy technician: physically demanding, stressful, limited pay for certain roles, and sometimes underappreciated.
Pros and Cons: Pharmacy Technician Edition💊🏥
Pros for being a pharmacy technician: ✅ Working in Different Settings: There are so many options for work place settings as technician! You could work in a hospital, retail chain, long term care, specialty pharmacies, etc. The options are endless, I’ve worked in all settings & I appreciate th
ja.zlynnn

ja.zlynnn

55 likes

A remote pharmacy technician's desk setup featuring three monitors, a laptop, an ergonomic keyboard, mouse, and various office supplies. The desk is organized with decorative items and a whiteboard with notes, under the title "A day in the Life of a Remote Pharmacy Technician."
A close-up of desk decorations, including three black cat figurines, a pen holder with colorful pens, and stacks of sticky notes. A coaster with "You are AWESOME" is also visible, with the text "Gotta have fun decorations!" overlaid.
A section of a remote work desk showing a computer monitor, a laptop, a pen holder, and small decorative figurines. A white mug with "Mom" is also visible, alongside a yellow device.
A Day in my Life as a Remote Pharmacy Technician!
#healthcare #lemon8challenge Don’t tell me this is not a real healthcare position!! My role as a remote pharmacy technician means that I get to call at least 70 members of a certain insurance company per day and have adherence conversations with them or get them ready to do a comprehensive me
Girl Who Loves Too Much

Girl Who Loves Too Much

77 likes

How to Become a Forensic Technician🚨🔬🔍
Hey Girlies!✨ I’ve decided to start a new section called “How to Become a” Im starting with professions that I’m personally interested in, but feel free to comment down below what you’d like to see and Id love to do yours next! This time is How to Become a Forensic Technician🚨🔍🔬 Educationa
Emilyyy

Emilyyy

742 likes

Phlebotomy Technician Student👩🏽‍⚕️
Watch me do my first blood draw I was nervous but I got it right on the first try😁💉🩸 #futurephlebotimist #phlebotomystudent #phlebotomy
Alhamdulillah 🎀

Alhamdulillah 🎀

575 likes

Day in my life as Pharmacy tech & college student✨
Hey ladies! I wanted to give you a glimpse into my journey into healthcare as a pharmacy technician, while - college student, specifically in sterile compounding at a 503b pharmacy. I 10/10 recommend this job if you’re looking for good pay with NO COLLEGE DEGREE. For some context, a 503b pharmacy m
Jay Thomas

Jay Thomas

428 likes

Pharmacy Tech.
i finished my internship w walgreens & i got the hang of where certain medications were based off how often people are prescribed to it. i’m supposed to be having a clinical rotation w a hospital soon. hopefully that’ll be better. but idk what to expect going in. i’ve been slacking on st
Nakia

Nakia

94 likes

Pharmacy Technician
@Bird & Beads @Walgreens Tuesday
Bird & Beads

Bird & Beads

3 likes

A person takes a mirror selfie in a bathroom, with 'LEM-N8 DIARY PHARMACY TECH' text overlays and decorative bubbles. The person is wearing a dark top, reflecting a pharmacy technician's work life.
Shelves are filled with numerous prescription medication bottles in a pharmacy setting, with a digital tablet visible on the counter. This image depicts a typical pharmacy environment.
A laptop and tablet display study materials on diabetes medications, including handwritten notes on drug classes and insulin types. A sparkling drink can is also on the table, showing a student's study session.
work life/doctors of pharmacy student
#work #collegelife #pharmacystudent #pharmacytechnician #medicalstudentlife
Kayla♡︎

Kayla♡︎

60 likes

A 'Vet Technician 101 Anesthesia Monitoring' guide displays normal ranges for heart rate, respiration, temperature, SPO2, and blood pressure for canines and felines. It also explains eye positions during sedation and gum color interpretations, illustrated with medical tools and cartoon animals.
Vet Technician 101
#lemon8tea #lemon8contest 🐾 heart rate 🐾resp 🐾spo2 🐾Gum color 🐾Temperature 🐾BP #veterinary #techlife what do you like about the work that you do on a daily
Yanna 💐🌷🌸🌻

Yanna 💐🌷🌸🌻

115 likes

A smiling person with dark skin and long dreadlocks, wearing a black headband and a blue scrub top, looking directly at the camera. The attire suggests a professional role like a pharmacy technician.
Pharmacy technician
#pharmacytechnician #certifiedpharmacytechnician
Ju💞

Ju💞

3 likes

Another day at the pharmacy
#pharmacytechnician #girlsinmedicine
Julanda ✨

Julanda ✨

38 likes

An iPad displaying digital notes with a diagram, next to an open physical planner, illustrating a pharmacy student's note-taking setup.
A close-up of an iPad screen showing handwritten digital notes on 'DIABETES Classifications' in Goodnotes, highlighting Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
An iPad screen displaying colorful handwritten notes on 'Controlled Substance Prescriptions,' using various highlighters to emphasize key information.
HOW I TAKE NOTES IN PHARMACY SCHOOL💊
#pharmacystudent #pharmacyschool #notetaking #graduatestudent #graduateschool #goodnotes #canva
lynden :)

lynden :)

257 likes

Happy Pharmacy Technician Day🫶🏽
#Lemon8Diary #pharmacytechnician
Julanda ✨

Julanda ✨

54 likes

Another day at the pharmacy
#pharmacytechnician #pharmacygirl #pharmacylife #pharmacylife💊 #blackgirlinmedicine
Julanda ✨

Julanda ✨

45 likes

Studying Tax Preparer/ Pharmacy Technician
#studying #stepfulprogram #pharmacytechnician #taxpreparer
Piñita𒉭

Piñita𒉭

5 likes

Pharmacy technician
Compression socks from Amazon #lemon8diarychallenge #pharmacytechnician #pharmacystudent #Lemon8Diary
Lamiaalg

Lamiaalg

95 likes

A flat lay of various French pharmacy skincare and beauty products, including cleansers, serums, creams, and hair care items, on a white background. The image has a text overlay about a pharmacy haul.
Two bottles of micellar cleansing water with red caps, one indicating a promotional deal. The labels mention dermatological cleansing and recyclable packaging.
A light blue and white box for a hyaluronic acid cream, designed for skin restoration. The box indicates it contains hyaluronic acid.
FRENCH PHARMACY HAUL
What to get at the French Pharmacy?! Sharing with you all some TOP NOTCH products to grab at a French pharmacy when in Paris as well as what their benefits are. What are some of your favs?! Drop a comment below! 🇫🇷 Bioderma Micellar Water - good makeup remover 🇫🇷 ialuset Hyaluronic Acid
Shelby

Shelby

602 likes

Pharmacy Technician to Operations Manager 👩🏼‍🔬💊💉
I started as a certified pharmacy technician just over a year ago—and now I’m the Pharmacy Operational Manager. The jump felt fast, but getting certified and diving into everything early on really helped me grow into the role quickly! I still handle a lot of tech work—like scanning in and unpack
Gabriella 🎀

Gabriella 🎀

19 likes

A clear counting tray holds various colorful pills and capsules, with a metal spatula and blue pill counter. A white pill bottle containing red pills is also visible, along with text on the spatula.
Purple and pink speckled capsules (Verapamil) are on a counting tray, with a bottle labeled 'Verapamil Hydrochloride 300 mg'. Text overlay states 'Verapamil Calcium Channel Blocker High Blood Pressure'.
Numerous small, round, pink tablets (Amitriptyline) are on a counting tray, with a bottle labeled 'Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 10 mg'. Text overlay states 'Amtitriptyline TCA Antidepressant'.
Pharmacy Aesthetics Behind The Counter 💊🎨
Working as a certified pharmacy technician, I handle hundreds of prescriptions daily and over time, I’ve come to notice just how unique and aesthetic some pills can be. 👀 From vibrant tabs to soft toned capsules, these aren’t just eye catching but their shapes and colors actually help me recognize
Gabriella 🎀

Gabriella 🎀

606 likes

See more