Term | Definition |
APAP | acetaminophen |
ASA | acetylsalicylic acid |
cap | capsule |
elix | elixir |
FDA | Food and Drug Administration |
INH | Inhalor, Inhalation, isoniazid (anti-tubercular drug) |
NSAID(s) | nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug(s) |
OTC | over-the-counter |
PDR | Physicians' Desk Reference |
Rx | prescription |
supp | suppository |
susp | suspension |
tab | tablet |
tinct | tincture |
USP | United States Pharmacopeia |
ung | ointment (unguent) |
ac | before meals (ante cibum) |
ad lib | as desired (ad libitum) |
aq | water (aqua) |
bid | twice a day, (bis in die) |
gtt, gtts | drop(s) (gutta) |
hs | at bedtime (hora somni) |
IM | intramuscular(ly) |
IU | international unit |
IV | intravenous(ly) |
IVPB | IV piggyback |
NS | normal saline |
p | after, post |
pc | after meals (post cibum) |
po | by mouth (per os) |
prn | as needed (pro re nata) |
qd | every day (quaque die) |
qh | every hour (quaque hora) |
q______h | every_____hours |
qid | four times a day (quater in die) |
qm | every morning (quaque matin) |
qod | every other day (quaque [other]die) |
SC, sub-Q, SQ | subcutaneous(ly) |
tid | three times a day (ter in die) |
U | unit(s) |
x | times, for |
ASAP | as soon as possible |
bm | bowel movement |
BP | blood pressure |
cc | cubic centimeter |
C02 | carbon dioxide |
CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
d/c | discontinue, discharge |
ECG, EKG | electrocardiogram |
ER | emergency room |
F | Fahrenheit |
hr | hour |
H20 | water |
i | 1 |
ii | 2 |
iii | 3 |
iv | 4 |
v | 5 |
IDDM | insulin dependent diabetes mellitus |
mg | milligram |
ml | milliliter |
NPO | nothing by mouth |
NTG | nitroglycerin |
O2 | oxygen |
OD | right eye |
OS | left eye |
OU | both eyes |
pt | patient, pint |
s | without |
sx | symptoms |
s/s | signs and symptoms |
stat | immediately, Now |
SOB | shortness of breath |
tab | tablet |
> | greater than |
< | less than |
am | morning |
amt | amount |
NPO | Nothing by mouth |
CBC | complete blood count |
CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
/ | per (example - "Max 5/12 h" = "maximum of 5 per 12 hours") |
↑ | Increase |
↓ | Decrease |
µ | Micro |
µg | MicroGram |
¼ NS | 0.22% Normal Saline |
½ NS | 0.45% Normal Saline |
Q12° | every 12 hours |
Q4° | every 4 hours |
5x/d | five times a day |
a | before |
AMA | American Medical Association |
AA | Affected Area, Amino Acids |
ACE Inhibitors | angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (medication classification) |
AD | Right Ear |
ADD | attention deficit disorder |
ADHD | attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder |
Aft | Afternoon |
AIDS | Acquired immune deficiency syndrome |
Amp | Ampule, Ampoule |
AS | Left Ear |
ATC | Around the Clock |
AU | Both Ears |
BBB | Blood Brain Barrier |
BC | Birth Control |
BSA | Body Surface Area |
c | with |
C & C | Cough and Congestion |
Ca | Calcium, Cancer |
CaCO3 | calcium carbonate |
CAD | coronary artery disease |
CDC | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
CF | cystic fibrosis |
CHF | congestive heart failure |
CL | Chlorine, Chloride |
CM | Centimeter |
CMPD | Compound |
CNS | Central Nervous System |
CO2 | Carbon Dioxide |
COD | Codiene |
COPD | chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
CP | Chest pain |
CR | Cream. Controled Release |
d | day, daily |
D51/2NS | 5% Dextrose & 0.45% NS |
D5W | 5% dextrose in water |
Dex | Dextrose |
DAW | Dispense as Written (no generic) |
Disp | Dispense |
DM | diabetes mellitus |
DNS | Do Not Substitute |
DOB | Date of Birth |
DS | Double Strength, Days Supply |
Dx | Diagnosis |
EC | Enteric Coated |
ED | Emergency Department, Erectile Dysfunction |
EDS | Estimated Days Supply |
EES | erythromycin ethylsuccinate |
Elix | Elixer |
EMS | emergency medical service |
ENT | Ear nose throat |
EPO | epoietin alfa, erythropoietin, Epogen, Procrit |
ER | emergency room, Extended Release |
ETOH | (ethyl) alcohol (alcohol you drink) |
FE | Iron |
FeSO4 | ferrous sulfate (iron) |
fl. oz. | fluid ounce |
G | Gram |
GM | Gram |
gr | grain |
gal | Gallon |
GERD | gastroesophageal reflux disease |
GH | Growth Hormone |
GI | Gastrointestinal |
GI Tube | Gastrointestinal Tube |
GSW | Gun Shot Wound |
h | hour |
Hx | History |
H2O2 | hydrogen peroxide |
HA | Headache |
HBP | High Blood Pressure |
HCTZ | hydrochlorothiazide |
HD | High Dose |
HIV | Human Immunodeficiency Virus |
HPV | Human Papilloma Virus |
HRT | Hormone replacement therapy |
ERT | Estrogen Replacement Therapy |
HTN | Hypertension |
HCl | Hydrochloride |
IBW | Ideal Body Weight |
ICU | Intensive Care Unit |
ID | Intadermal |
Inf | Infection |
Inj | injection |
IT | Intrathecal |
IUD | intrauterine device |
IVPB | Intravenous Piggy Back |
K, K+ | Potassium |
K, KG | Kilogram |
L | Liter |
LA | Long Acting |
LB | Pound |
# | quantity, pound |
Liq | Liquid |
Lot | Lotion |
LR | lactated Ringer’s solution |
M | Meter |
MAOI's | monoamine oxidase inhibitors |
mcg | Microgram |
MDI | metered dose inhaler |
mEq | Milliequivalent |
Mg, Mg++ | magnesium |
MgSO4 | magnesium sulfate |
MI | myocardial infarction |
Min | Minimum, Minute |
mL | Milliliter |
MOM | milk of magnesia |
MSO4 | morphine sulfate |
MTX | Methotrexate (anti cancer drug) |
MVI | Multi-Vitamin Injection |
N/V, N&V | nausea and vomiting |
Na, Na+ | Sodium |
NaCl | Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline) |
Neb | Nebulizer |
NG Tube | Nasal Gastric Tube |
NKA | No Known Allergies |
NKDA | No Known Drug Allergies |
NOCT | Evening, Night |
NR | No Refills (Do not repeat) |
NS | 0.9% Normal Saline (Sodium Chloride ) |
NTE | Not to Exceed |
O2 | Oxygen |
OC | oral contraceptive |
Oint | Ointment |
OM | Otitis Media |
OR | Operating Room |
OTC | Over the Counter |
oz | Ounce |
pr | Rectaly |
pv | Vaginally |
pcn | penicillin |
tcn | tetracycline |
PM | Evening |
PTU | propylthiouracil |
Q | every |
QS | Quantity sufficient (Give/add enough to equal) |
qam | every morning |
QHS | at bedtime (every night at bedtime) |
QT | quart |
ROA | Route of Administration |
RBC | Red Blood Cell |
Sig | Directions, Signature |
SL | Sublingually (Under the tongue) |
SMX/TMP, SMZ/TMP | sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim |
SOL | Solution |
SR | Slow or Sustained Release |
ss | 1/2, single strength |
SSRI | selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors |
STD | sexually transmitted disease |
Supp | Suppository |
Susp | Suspension |
Syp, Syr | Syrup |
TAC | triamcinolone |
Tbs, tble, T | Tablespoonful |
BIW | Twice a week, every 2 weeks |
TIW | Three times a week |
Top | Topically |
TPN | total parenteral nutrition |
TR | Time Release |
tsp, t | Teaspoonful |
Tx | Treatment |
UD | As Directed |
URI | upper respiratory infection |
LWi | Lower respiratory infection |
UTI | Urinary Tract Infection |
W, Wk | Week, Weekly |
W/ | With |
W/O | Without |
WBC | white blood cell (count) |
Wt | Weight |
x3d | for 3 days (or maybe 3 doses, caution) |
XL | extended release |
XR | extended release |
yr | year |
Zn | Zinc |
Δ | Change |