Help
Options
Didn't know it?
click below
click below
Knew it?
click below
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
retry
shuffle
restart
0:00
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Rx Abbreviations
| Term | Meaning | Caution |
|---|---|---|
| ac & hs | before meals and at bedtime | no warning |
| ad | right ear | "a" can be mistaken as an "o" which could read "o.d.", meaning right eye |
| am | morning, before noon | no warning |
| amp | ampule (ampul, ampoule) | no warning |
| amt | amount | no warning |
| as | left ear | "a" can be mistaken as an "o" which could read "o.s." or "o.l", meaning left eye |
| au | both ears | "a" can be mistaken as an "o" which could read "o.u.", meaning both eyes |
| bid | twice daily | AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation (spell out "twice a day") |
| BM | bowel movement | no warning |
| BS | blood sugar | no warning |
| BSA | body surface area | no warning |
| bucc | buccal (inside cheek) | no warning |
| cap | capsule | no warning |
| c | with (usually written with a bar on top of the "c") | no warning |
| cc | cubic centimeter | use mL instead-less confusing |
| d | days [or] doses | ambiguous meaning, write out "days" or "doses" |
| D5LR | dextrose 5% in lactated Ringer's solution (intravenous sugar solution) | no warning |
| D5NS | dextrose 5% in normal saline (0.9%) (intravenous sugar solution) | no warning |
| D5W | dextrose 5% in water (intravenous sugar solution) | no warning |
| D10W | dextrose 10% in water (intravenous sugar solution) | no warning |
| DAW | dispense as written (i.e., no generic substitution) | no warning |
| DC | discontinue [or] discharge | ambiguous meaning |
| disp | dispense | no warning |
| g | gram (modern SI symbol is g, not gm) | no warning |
| garg | gargle | no warning |
| gr | grain | no warning |
| gtt(s) | drop(s) | no warning |
| h | hour | no warning |
| hs | at bedtime [or] half-strength | ambiguous (2 meanings, easily conflated); spell out |
| IBW | ideal body weight (for dosing based on clearance estimation) | no warning |
| inj | injection | mistaken for "IV", meaning intravenously |
| IM | intramuscular | no warning |
| IN | intranasal | mistaken for "IM", meaning intramuscular, or "IV", meaning intravenously |
| i | Roman Numeral for 1 | no warning |
| ii | Roman Numeral for 2 | no warning |
| iii | Roman Numeral for 3 | no warning |
| IT | intrathecal | mistaken for other abbreviations; spell out |
| IU | international unit | RED ALERT: mistaken for "IV" or "10", spell out "international unit" |
| IV | intravenous | no warning |
| IVP | intravenous push | no warning |
| IVPB | intravenous piggyback | no warning |
| kg | kilogram | no warning |
| lb | pound | no warning |
| max | maximum | no warning |
| mcg | microgram | Recommended replacement for "µg" which may be confused with "mg" |
| mEq | milliequivalent | no warning |
| mg | milligram | no warning |
| MgSO4 | magnesium sulfate | RED ALERT: may be confused with "MSO4", spell out "magnesium sulfate" |
| mL | milliliter | no warning |
| MS | morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate | RED ALERT: can mean either morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate, spell out either |
| MSO4 | morphine sulfate | RED ALERT: may be confused with "MgSO4", spell out "morphine sulfate" |
| nebul | a spray (such as for insufflation) | no warning |
| NMT | not more than | no warning |
| noct | at night | no warning |
| non rep or NR | no repeats (no refills) | no warning |
| NPO | nothing by mouth | AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation (spell out "nothing by mouth") |
| NS | normal saline (0.9%) | no warning |
| 1/2NS | half-normal saline (0.45%) | no warning |
| NTE | not to exceed | no warning |
| od | right eye | "o" can be mistaken as an "a" which could read "a.d.", meaning right ear, confusion with "omni die" |
| os | left eye | "o" can be mistaken as an "a" which could read "a.s.", meaning left ear |
| ou | both eyes | "o" can be mistaken as an "a" which could read "a.u.", meaning both ears |
| oz | ounce | no warning |
| pm | evening or afternoon | no warning |
| po | by mouth or orally | AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation (spell out "orally") |
| pr | rectally | no warning |
| prn | as needed | no warning |
| pv | vaginally | no warning |
| q | every, per | no warning |
| q 1 h | every 1 hour (can replace "1" with other numbers) | no warning |
| q4PM | at 4 pm (can replace "4" with other numbers) | mistaken to mean every 4 hours |
| q am | every morning (every day before noon) | no warning |
| q d | every day | mistaken for "QOD" or "qds," spell out "every day" or "daily". AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation (spell out "every day") |
| q hs | every night at bedtime | can be mistaken as "q.h.r." (every hour) |
| qid | 4 times a day | can be mistaken for "qd" or "qod," write out "4 times a day". AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation (spell out "4 times a day") |
| qod | every other day | RED ALERT: mistaken for "QD," spell out "every other day". AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation (spell out "every other day") |
| qs | a sufficient quantity | no warning |
| QWK | every week | no warning |
| rep | repeats | no warning |
| RL | Ringer's lactate | no warning |
| ℞ | take (often effectively a noun meaning "prescription"—medical prescription or prescription drug) | no warning |
| rep | let it be repeated | no warning |
| SC | subcutaneous | "SC" can be mistaken for "SL," meaning sublingual. See also SQ |
| sig | write (write on the label) | no warning |
| s | without (usually written with a bar on top of the "s") | no warning |
| sl | sublingually, under the tongue | no warning |
| SOB | shortness of breath | no warning |
| sol | solution | no warning |
| ss | one-half [or] sliding scale | mistaken for "55" or "1/2" |
| SSI | sliding scale insulin or sliding scale regular insulin | mistaken to mean "strong solution of iodine" or "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor". See also SSRI |
| SQ | subcutaneously | "SQ" can be mistaken for "5Q" meaning "5 every dose". See also SC |
| SSRI | selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor [or] sliding scale regular insulin | ambiguous. Do not abbreviate |
| stat | immediately | no warning |
| SubQ | subcutaneously | no warning |
| supp | suppository | no warning |
| susp | suspension | no warning |
| syr | syrup | no warning |
| tab | tablet | no warning |
| tbsp | tablespoon | no warning |
| tid | 3 times a day | AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation (spell out "3 times a day") |
| tinct | tincture | no warning |
| tiw | 3 times a week | mistaken for "twice a week" |
| TPN | total parenteral nutrition | no warning |
| tinc | tincture | no warning |
| trit | grind to a powder | no warning |
| troch | lozenge | no warning |
| tsp | teaspoon | no warning |
| U | unit | RED ALERT: mistaken for a "4", "0" or "cc", spell out "unit" |
| ud or ut dict | as directed | no warning |
| ung | ointment | no warning |
| USP | United States Pharmacopeia | no warning |
| vag | vaginally | no warning |
| w | with | no warning |
| w/a | while awake | no warning |
| wf | with food (with meals) | no warning |
| w/o | without | no warning |
| x | times | no warning |
| yo | years old | no warning |
| μg | microgram | mistaken for "mg", meaning milligram |
| > | greater than | mistaken for a "7" |
| < | less than | mistaken for an "L" |
| ℔ | pound | no warning |
| ℥ | ounce | RED ALERT: apothecary symbol confusing |
| ʒ | dram (drachm) | RED ALERT: apothecary symbol confusing |
| ℈ | scruple | RED ALERT: apothecary symbol confusing |
| ug | until gone | no warning |
Created by:
mchugh100
Popular Pharmacology sets