Question | Answer |
aa | of each |
abd | abdomen,adominal |
a.c. | before meals |
a.d. | right ear |
ADR | adverse drug reaction |
a.m. | morning, before noon |
amp | ampule |
ANS | autonomic nervous system |
aq | water |
ASA | acetylsalicyclic acid (asprin) |
ASAP | as soon as possible |
a.t.c. | around the clock |
a.u. | both ears |
AWP | average wholesale price |
bc | birth control |
bcp | birth control pills |
BM | bowel movement |
bp | blood pressure |
bs | blood sugar |
c | with |
ca | carcinoma (cancer) |
cap | capsule |
cath | catheter |
cc | cubic centimeter |
CCU | coronary care unit |
CHF | congestive heart failure |
Cm | centimeter |
CNS | central nervous system |
conc | concentrate |
CVA | cerebral vascular accident (stroke) |
DAW | dispense as written (can't substitute generic) |
dc | discontinue |
d/c | discontinue |
DEA | drug enforcement agency |
dx | diagnosis |
diag | diagnosis |
disp | dispense |
ds | double strength |
DTD | dispense of such a dose |
DUR | drug utilization review |
D5W | dextrose 5% in water (used as IV to feed thru veins |
ec | enteric coated |
ECG | electrocardiogram (records electrical activity in the heart) |
EKG | electrocardiogram (records electrical activity in the heart) |
EEG | electroencephalogram (records the electrical activity in the brain) |
el | elixir |
elix | elixir |
EtOH | alcohol |
OH | alcohol |
FBS | fasting blood sugar |
g | gram |
gm | gram |
GI | gastrointestinal (pertaining to the stomach and intestines) |
gr | grain |
gtt | drop |
GU | genitourinary (pertaining to genital and urinary organs) |
h | hour |
hr | hour |
HA | headache |
HC | hydrocortisone |
h.s. | at bedtime |
ICU | intensive care unit |
IPPB | intermittent positive pressure breathing |
IV | intravenous |
IVP | intravenous push (usually given in a few minutes) |
IVPB | intravenous piggyback |
Kg | kilogram (1000 grams) |
Lb | pound (16 ounces) |
LCD | coal tar solution |
MAC | maximum allowable cost |
mcg | microgram (1 millionth of a gram) |
MDI | metered dose inhaler |
mEq | milliequivalent |
mg | milligram (1 thousandth of a gram) |
ml | milliliter (1 thousandth of a liter) |
mm | millimeter |
MS | morphine sulfate |
n&v | nausea and vomiting |
NR | no repeat - no refill |
NPO | nothing by mouth |
N.S. | normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) |
NSAID | nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (asa, ibuprofen) |
ntg | nitroglycerine |
o.d. | right eye |
OD | over dose |
o.j. | orange juice |
oph | ophthalmic (relating to eye, ocular) |
opth | ophthalmic (relating to eye, ocular) |
o.s | left eye |
o.u. | both eyes |
OTC | over the counter |
oz | ounce (30ml) |
p.c. | after meals |
pcn | penicillin |
pm | afternoon, evening |
po | by mouth, orally |
PPO | preferred provider organization |
PPI | patient package insert |
PR | per rectum, to be placed (inserted) in rectum |
prn | as needed, only if needed |
q. | every |
q.d. | every day |
q.h. | every hour |
q.hs. | at bedtime |
q.i.d | four times a day |
q.o.d | every other day |
qs | quantity sufficient |
Rx | take (perscription) |
s | without |
sat | saturated |
s.q. | subcutaneous (inject under the skin) |
SC | subcutaneous (inject under the skin) |
s.l. | sublingual (under the tongue) |
sol | solution |
ss | one half (Roman Numeral for 1/2) |
stat | at once, immediately |
sub-q | subcutaneous (inject under the skin) |
supp | suppository |
susp | suspension |
tbsp | tablespoonful (15ml or 3 teaspoonfuls) |
t.i.d | three time a day |
TPA | tissue plasminogen activator (clot busting drug) |
tr. | tincture |
tsp | teaspoonful (5ml) |
tx | treatment |
ugt | ointment |
ung | ointment |
USP | United State Phramcopeia |
Ut: dict | as directed |
URI | upper respiratory infection |
UTI | urinary tract infection |
Vag | vaginal |
Vit | vitamin |
w | week |
wk | week |