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Abbreviations
Basic List
Abbrev. | Meaning |
---|---|
ā | before |
aa | of each |
ac | before meals |
ad | up to |
AD | right ear |
Ad. Lib. | as much as desired |
am, AM | morning |
APAP | acetaminophen, Tylenol |
AQ, aq | water |
AS | left ear |
ASA | aspirin |
ASAP | as soon as possible |
atc | around the clock |
AU | each ear, both ears |
bid, BID | twice a day |
c (line above c) | with |
Ca | Calcium |
cap | capsule |
Cl | Chloride |
comp. | compound |
Cr | Chromiun |
CVA | cerebrovascular accident |
D/NS | dextrose in normal saline |
D/W | dextrose in water |
d, D | day |
D/C | discontinue, discharge |
DAW | dispense as written |
disp. | dispense |
DSS | docusate |
DX, dx | diagnosis |
elix | elixir |
ETOH | alcohol |
ext | external |
Fe | Iron |
fl | fluid |
fx | fracture |
g | gram |
gtt(s) | drop(s) |
h, H | hour |
H2O | water |
H2O2 | hydrogen peroxide |
HA, H/A | headache |
HC | hydrocortisone |
HCTZ | hydrochlorothiazide |
hs, HS | at bedtime |
IM | intramuscular |
INH | isoniazid |
IPPB | intermittent positive pressure breathing |
K | potassium |
KCl | potassium chloride |
kg | kilogram |
L | liter |
m, M | meter |
mcg | microgram |
mEq | milliequivalent |
mg | milligram |
mL, ml | milliliter |
mm | millimeter |
MOM | milk of magnesia |
MR | may repeat, may refill |
MVI | multivitamin injection |
N&V | nausea & vomiting |
N/V, nv | nausea & vomiting |
Na | sodium |
NaHCO3 | sodium bicarbonate |
NKA | no known allergies |
nmt | no more than |
noc | night |
NPO | nothing by mouth |
NR | no refills, no repeat |
NS | normal saline |
NTG | nitroglycerin |
OD | right eye |
oint | ointment |
ophth | eye, ophthalmic |
OS | left eye |
OTC | over-the-counter |
otic | ear |
OU | both eyes, each eye |
oz | ounce |
p (with line above) | after |
pb, PB | phenobarbital |
pc | after meals |
PCN | penicillin |
pm, PM | afternoon, evening |
PO, po | by mouth, orally |
PO4 | phosphate |
post | after |
pr, PR | rectally, per rectum |
pv, PV | vaginally, per vagina |
prn, PRN | as needed, if needed, as necessary, if necessary |
pt | patient |
q, Q | each, every |
qd, QD | every day |
qh, QH | every hour |
qid, QID | four times a day |
qs | sufficient quantity |
qsad | to make sufficient quantity |
Rx | prescription, "recipe", take thou |
s (with line above s) | without |
Sc, SQ, subq | subcutaneous |
sig | directions |
sl, SL, subl | sublingual, under the tongue |
soln, sol | solution |
ss (with line above ss) | half |
SS | saturated solution |
SSKI | saturated solution of potassium iodide |
STAT | now, immediately |
supp | suppository |
susp | suspension |
tab | tablet |
TAR | treatment authorization request |
TCN | tetracycline |
tid, TID | three times a day |
TKO | to keep open |
top | topical |
tr | tincture |
tx | treatment |
ud, UD | as directed |
ung | ointment |
USP | US Pharmacopeia |
Zn | zinc |
i | one |
ii | two |
iii | three |
iv | four |
/ | per |
ʒ | dram, teaspoonful |
< | less than |
≤ | less than or equal to |
↑ | increase |
> | greater than |
≥ | greater than or equal to |
↓ | decrease |
Δ | change |
BE | barium enema |
BM | bowel movement |
BUN | blood urea nitrogen |
C&S | culture & sensitivity |
CBC | complete blood count |
FBS | fasting blood sugar |
GTT | glucose tolerance test |
hct | hematocrit |
Hgb | hemoglobin |
IV | intravenous |
IVP | intravenous push |
IVPB | intravenous piggyback |
KVO | keep vein open |
R/O | rule out |
S/P | status post |
SMA 20 | sequential multiple analysis 20 |
SS enema | soap suds enema |
T&C | type & crossmatch |
TE | trace elements |
TPN | total parenteral nutrition |