Term | Definition |
aa | of each |
AAA | Apply to Affected Area |
ad | right ear |
ad lib | freely, as desired |
admov | apply |
agit | stir, shake |
alt. h. | alternating hours, every other hour |
a.m.m. | at doctor's hand |
am | morning, before noon |
amp | ampule |
amt | amount |
aq | water |
a.l. or a.s. | left ear |
ATC | around the clock |
a.u. | both ears |
BDS/b.d.s. | twice daily |
bis | twice |
bid/b.d. | twice daily |
BM | bowel movement |
bol. | as a large single dose (usually intravenously) |
B.S. | blood sugar |
B.S.A. | body surface area |
b.t. | bedtime |
BUCC | inside cheek |
cap. caps. | capsule, |
c | with (usually written with a bar on top) |
cib. | with food |
cc | can mean cubic centimeter or with food |
cf | with food |
comp | compound |
cr. crm. | cream |
CST | continue same treatment |
d, D | days, or can mean doses |
D5W | dextrose 5% solution |
D5SN | dextrose 5% in normal saline (0.9%) |
D.A.W. | dispense as written (i.e., no generic substitution) |
dc, D/C, disc | discontinue or discharge |
dieb. alt. | every other day |
dil | dilute |
disp | dispersible or dispense |
div | divide |
dL | deciliter` |
d.t.d. | give of such doses |
DTO | deodorized tincture of opium, Laudanum |
D.W. | distilled water |
elix | elixir |
e.m.p. | as directed |
emuls. | emulsion |
et | and |
eod | every other day |
ex aq | in water |
fl. fld. | fluid |
ft | make, let it be made |
g | gram |
gr | grain |
gtt(s) | drop(s) |
H | hypodermic |
h, hr | hour |
hs | at bed time (can also mean half strength) |
ID | intradermal |
IJ, inj | injection |
IM | intramuscular |
IN | intranasal |
IP | intraperitoneal |
IT | intrathecal (shouldn't be used) |
IU | international unit (shouldn't be used) |
IV | intravenous |
IVP | intravenous push |
IVPB | intravenous piggy back |
k.g. | kilogram |
L.A.S. | label as such |
LCD | coal tar solution |
lin | liniment |
liq | solution |
lot. | lotion |
MAE | Moves All Extremities |
mane | in the morning |
M. | mix |
m. min | a minimum |
mcg | microgram |
m.d.u. | use as directed |
m.E.q. | milliequivalent |
mg | milligram |
mg/dL | milligrams per deciliter |
MgSO4 | magnesium sulfate, not to be used |
mist. | mix |
mitte | send |
mL | milliliter |
MS | can mean either morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate, spell out either |
MSO4 | morphine sulfate, not to be used |
nebul | a spray |
N.M.T. | not more than |
noct | at night |
non rep | no repeats |
NPO | nothing by mouth |
NS | normal saline, (0.9%) |
1/2NS | one half normal saline, (0.45%) |
N.T.E. | not to exceed |
n.r. | no refills |
o2 | both eyes |
o.d. | right eye, or every day |
o.m. | every morning |
o.n. | every night |
o.p.d. | once per day |
o.s. | left eye |
o.u. | both eyes |
oz | ounce |
per | per or through |
p.c. | after meals |
pig./pigm | paint |
p.m. | afternoon, evening |
p.o. | by mouth, orally |
p.r., PR | by rectum |
PRN, p.r.n. | as needed |
pulv. | powder |
PV | per vagina |
q | every, per |
q.a.d. | every other day |
q1d, q.d. | every day |
q.d.s | four times a day |
q.p.m. | every after noon |
q.h. | ever hour |
q.h.s. | every night at bedtime |
q.1h, q1° | every one hour (one can be replaced with other numbers) |
q.i.d. | four times daily |
q.o.d. | every other day (do not use) |
q.q.h. | every 4 hours |
q.s. | a sufficient quantity |
QWK | every week |
PR | rectal |
rep. rept | repeats |
RL. R/L | Ringer's lactate |
s | without (usually written with a bar on top of the "s") |
s.a. | according to the art (accepted practice); use your judgement |
SC, subc, subcut, subq, SQ, | subcutaneous (not to be used) |
sig | write on label |
SL | sublingually, under the tongue |
S.O.B, SOB | shortness of breath |
sol | solution |
s.o.s., si op. sit | if there is a need |
ss | one half, or sliding scale |
SSRI, SSI | sliding scale insulin, or sliding scale regular insulin |
SNRI | Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (class of antidepressant) |
SSRI | selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (class of antidepressant) |
stat | immediately |
SubQ | subcutaneously |
supp | suppository |
susp | suspension |
syr | syrup |
tab | tablet |
tal. t | such |
tbsp | tablespoon |
t.s.d/TSD | three times a day |
t.i.w. | three times a week |
top | topical |
T.P.N. | total parenteral nutrition |
tr, tinc., tinct. | tincture |
troche | lozenge |
tsp | teaspoon |
U | unit (do not use) |
u.d., ut. dict. | as directed |
ung | ointment |
U.S.P. | United States Pharmacopeia |
vag. | vaginally |
w | with |
w/a | while awake |
wf | with food, with meals |
w/o, s | without |
X | times |
Y.O. | years old |