Term | Definition |
ac | before meals--0730, 1130, 1630 |
pc | after meals--1000, 1400, 1800 |
daily | each day--1000 |
bid | twice a day--1000 and 2200 |
tid | three times a day--1000, 1400, 1800 |
qid | four times a day--1000, 140, 1800, 2200 |
qh | every hour--24 times in one day |
at bedtime | at bedtime, at hour of sleep--2200 |
stat | immediately--now |
every night | every night--2200 |
q2h or q2* | every two hours--12 times in 24 hours |
q4h or q4* | every four hours--6 times in 24 hours |
q6h or q6* | every six hours--0600, 1200, 1800, 0000 |
q8h or q8* | every eight hours--0600, 1400, 2200 |
q12h or q12* | every twelve hours--0600, 1800 |
every other day | every other day--odd or even days of the week |
prn | as needed--when it's needed |
3 times weekly | three times per week--M,W,F |
biw | twice per week-M,TH |
right ear | right ear |
left ear | left ear |
HHN | hand held nebulizer--spray for inhalation |
IM | intramuscularly--injection into muscle |
IV | intravenously--fluid into a vein |
IVP | intravenous push--med directly into vein |
IVPB | intravenous piggy back--med attached to IV |
subcut | subcutaneously--injection into fatty tissue |
MDI | metered dose inhaler--aerosol med for inhalation |
NEB | nebulizer--spray for inhalation |
NGT or NG | nasogastric tube--tube placed in stomach from nose |
in the right eye | in the right eye |
in the left eye | in the left eye |
in both eyes | in both eyes |
po or PO | by mouth--in the mouth |
NPO | nothing by mouth |
pr or PR | in the rectum |
SL | sublingual--under the tongue |
S & S | swish and swallow--coat mouth with med, then swallow |