{
  "schema": "upg.factor.v1",
  "id": "ptce/order/sig-codes",
  "exam": [
    "PTCE"
  ],
  "confidence": 0.9,
  "updated_at": "2026-09-07",
  "token_cost_hint": 220,
  "integrity": "practice_only",
  "domain": "Order Entry & Processing",
  "title": "Common sig codes (directions)",
  "claim": "Sig abbreviations encode directions (e.g., BID twice daily, TID three times daily, QHS at bedtime, PRN as needed, PO by mouth). Prefer clear language on labels; treat ambiguous or error-prone abbreviations as a safety risk and expand them.",
  "plain": "BID=2\u00d7/day, TID=3\u00d7/day, QHS=at bedtime, PRN=as needed, PO=by mouth. When unclear, expand \u2014 don\u2019t guess.",
  "citations": [
    {
      "authority": "PTCB PTCE Content Outline (2026) \u2014 Order Entry & Processing",
      "url": "https://ptcb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PTCE-Content-Outline.pdf",
      "pin": "Order Entry & Processing \u2014 sig / directions",
      "retrieved_at": "2026-09-07",
      "quote": "[Domain pin \u2014 verify exact wording in the current PTCB PTCE Content Outline PDF before paste.] Order Entry & Processing \u2014 sig / directions"
    },
    {
      "authority": "ISMP \u2014 List of Error-Prone Abbreviations",
      "url": "https://www.ismp.org/recommendations/error-prone-abbreviations-list",
      "pin": "ISMP error-prone abbreviations (safety context)",
      "retrieved_at": "2026-09-07",
      "quote": "ISMP publishes a List of Error-Prone Abbreviations, Symbols, and Dose Designations that should not be used in medication communications."
    }
  ],
  "html": "/factors/ptce/order/sig-codes",
  "json": "/factors/ptce/order/sig-codes.json"
}