Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) Practice Exam

What does the common abbreviation "ss" stand for?

1. Safety service

2. Left ear

3. Left eye

4. One-half

The correct answer is: One-half

The abbreviation "ss" commonly stands for "one-half" in medical and pharmaceutical contexts. This abbreviation is derived from the Latin phrase "semis," which means half. It is important in prescribing and dosing instructions, where precision is crucial to ensure patients receive the correct amount of medication. In pharmacy practice, understanding and interpreting abbreviations correctly is vital to avoid dosage errors. For instance, if a prescription indicates a dosage of a certain medication as "ss," it signifies that the patient should take half of the standard dose. This is particularly relevant when dealing with potent medications where precise dosing is essential for patient safety. The other options do represent abbreviations that could be relevant in other medical contexts, but they do not pertain to the common abbreviation "ss" used in prescriptions or medication orders.