The PTCE content outline effective January 6, 2026 includes sig codes in Order Entry and Processing, alongside calculations and medical terminology. The outline assigns a percentage to that whole domain, but does not give sig codes a separate weighting.
Recognize abbreviations that should not be used
The Joint Commission’s current abbreviation guidance includes QD and QOD on its prohibited list. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices list explains how these forms can be misread and recommends writing the frequency in words.
| Abbreviation to avoid | Write instead |
|---|---|
| QD | daily |
| QOD | every other day |
Keep the meaning and the safety guidance together
For each abbreviation in your course material, record its meaning and any restriction on its use. Keeping both beside the same entry helps you avoid treating an old shorthand list as a model for documentation.
If a practice question is ambiguous, check the explanation and its source. At work, follow your pharmacy’s clarification procedure whenever prescription wording is unclear.
Practice with the two examples
Answer before opening each explanation. These are Atlas Library study questions, not official PTCE items or instructions for interpreting a live prescription.
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Which wording should replace QD in your study example?
Show answer 1
Write “daily” to avoid the error-prone abbreviation.
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A flashcard gives QOD as “daily.” What needs correcting?
Show answer 2
QOD means “every other day.” Correct the meaning and use those words in the example.
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Does recognizing an abbreviation mean it is suitable for medication documentation?
Show answer 3
No. Check the applicable safety guidance and your organization’s procedures before using it.
Correction to an earlier version
The earlier version described sig codes as heavily weighted and presented unsafe shorthand without enough context. Those claims and the unqualified list have been removed.