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Abbreviations and Meanings of Prescription Wordage

Quiz yourself by thinking what should be in each of the black spaces below before clicking on it to display the answer.
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Question
Answer
ac   Before Meals. -- Sample Time- 7:30 am, 11:30 am, 4:30 pm  
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pc   After Meals. -- Sample Time- 10 am, 2 pm. 6 pm  
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daily   Every Day, Daily  
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q.d. or qd   DO NOT USE!!! every day, daily  
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bid   Twice a day  
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tid   Three times a day  
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qid   Four times a day  
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qh How many times is this med given?   Every Hour. --This med will be given 24 times in one day.  
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at bedtime   At bedtime, hour of sleep. --Sample Time- 10 pm  
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hs or h.s.   DO NOT USE!!! at bed time, hour of sleep  
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qn   Every Night  
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stat   Immediately, Now!  
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q2h or q2°How many times is this med given?   Every 2 hours. --This med will be given 12 times in a 24 hour period.  
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q4h or q4°How many times is this med given?   Every 4 hours. --This med will be given 6 times in a 24 hour period.  
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q6h or q6°How many times is this med given?   Every 6 hours. --This med will be given 4 times in a 24 hour period.  
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q8h or q8°How many times is this med given?   Every 8 hours. --This med will be given 3 times in a 24 hour period. Ex: 6 am, 2 pm, 10 pm  
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q12h or q12°   Every 12 hours. --This med will be given 2 times in a 24 hour period.Ex: 6 am and 6 pm  
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every other day   Every other day.--Interpreted by days of the month- nurse writes on medication record: odd days of the month  
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qod or q.o.d   DO NOT USE!!! Every other day  
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prn   As Needed.--This abbreviation is usually combined with a time abbreviation.  
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3 times weekly   Three times per week.--With this abbreviation time relates to days of the week.  
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tiw or t.i.w.   DO NOT USE!!! Three times per week. Consfused with tid- three times per DAY.  
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biw   Twice per week.-- Sample Time: 10 am on Monday, Thursday  
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12 Midnight   0000 - Military Time  
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5 AM   0500  
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7:30 AM   0730  
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11:45 AM   1145  
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12:00 Noon   1200  
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1 PM   1300  
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2:30 PM   1430  
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11:59 PM   2359  
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Right Ear   Do Not Use: AD!!! Write out  
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Left Ear   Do Not Use: AL!!! Write out  
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Each Ear   Do Not Use: AU!!! Write out  
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HHN   Hand- held nebulizer: Medication is placed in a device that produces a fine spray for inhalation  
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IM   Intramuscularly: The injection is given at a 90° angle into a muscle.  
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IV   Intravenously: The injection is given into a vein.  
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IVP   Intravenous push: Medication is injected directly in a vein.  
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IVPB   Intravenous piggyback: Medication prepared in a small volume of fluid is attached to an IV (which is already infusing fluid into a patient's vein) at specified times.  
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MDI   Metered- dose inhaler: An aerosol device delivers medication by inhalation.  
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NEB   Nebulizer- Medication is placed in a device that produces a fine spray for inhalations.  
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NGT (ng)   Nasogastric tube- Medication is placed in the stomach through a tube in the nose.  
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In the Right Eye   Do Not Use: OD!!! WRITE OUT  
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In the Left Eye   Do Not Use: OS!!! WRITE OUT  
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In Both Eyes   Do Not Use: OU!!! WRITE OUT  
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po (PO)   By Mouth  
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pr (PR)   In the rectum (per rectum)  
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Sub-Q or Sub Q   Subcutaneously; Do Not Use: sc sq/s.c. s.q.!!!  
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SL   Sublingual, under the tongue  
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S & S   Swish and Swallow- By using tongue and cheek muscles, the patient coats his/her mouth with a liquid medication.  
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cc   cubic centimeter- this is a measure of volume usually reserved for measuring gases. However, may still find it used as a liquid measure. (1 cc approx = 16 drops from a medicine dropper). DO NOT USE "substitute mL", although they are equal.  
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g (gm, Gm)   Gram- solid measure of weight  
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kg (Kg)   Kilogram- weight measure (1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds)  
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L   Liter- liquid measure (1 liter is a little more than a quart)  
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mcg   Microgram- measure of weight (1,000 micrograms = 1 milligrams [mg]) DO NOT USE "µg"  
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mEq   Milliequivalent- no equivalent necessary. Drugs are preapered and ordered in this weight measure  
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mg   Milligram- measure of weight (1,000 milligrams = 1 gram [g])  
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mL (ml)   Milliliter- liquid measure. The terms cubic centimeter (cc) and militer are interchangeable in dosage. (1 cc = 1 milliliter).  
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unit   Do Not Use: U. This is a measure of a biologic activity. Nurses do not calculate this measure.  
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Apothecary Measures: Why discouraged?   Common in the US during colonial times. Discouraged from use due to: 1. Equivalency with metric system is not exact. 2. System requires Roman numerals and fractions 3. Apothecary symbols can easily be misinterpreted  
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m   minim- apothecary measure, found on some syringes. 16 Minim= 1 cubic centimeter (cc)  
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dr   dram- apothecary measure for liquids. 1 dram= 4 mL.  
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gr   grain- apothecary measure. Generally, 60 mg = 1 grain, EXCEPT acetaminophen (Tylenol) and aspirin: 65 mg = 1 grain. Should be written out "grain".  
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gtt   drop- apothecary measure for liquids; used for ordering eye medications. 1 drop= 1 m  
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i   This letter indicated "one" in Roman numerals, which are conveyed by letters of the alphabet. Roman numerals nerver have more than three of the same digit in a row.  
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pt   Pint: 1 pint =500 mL, 1 quart= 1 L= 100 mL  
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qt   Quart: 1/2 quart = 1 pt= 500 mL  
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tbsp   Tablespoon: 1 tablespoon = 15 mL  
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tsp   Teaspoon: 1 teaspoon = 5 mL  
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oz   Ounce: 1 ounce = 30 mL  
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cap, caps   Capsule: medications is encased in a gelatin shell  
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CR   Controlled Release  
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LA   Long Acting  
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SA   Sustained Action  
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SR   Slow Release  
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DS   Double Strength  
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EC   Enteric Coated - tablet coated with a substance that will not dissolve in the acid secretions of the stomachl instead it dissolves in the more alkaline secretions of the intestines.  
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el, elix   Elixir- drug is dissolved in hydroalcoholic sweetend base.  
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sol   Solution- drug is contained in a clear liquid preparation.  
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sp   Spirit- an alcholic solution of a volatile sunbstance  
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sup, supp   Suppository- this is a solid, cylindrically shaped drug that can be inserted into a body opening  
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susp   Suspension- small particles of a drug are dispersed in a liquid base and must be shaken before being poured; gels and magmas are also suspensions.  
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syr   Syrup- sugar is dissolved in a liquid medication and flavored to disguise the taste.  
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tab, tabs   Tablet- med is compressed or molded into a solid form; additional ingredients are used to shape  
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unit   Do Not Use: U. This is a measure of a biologic activity. Nurses do not calculate this measure.  
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Apothecary Measures: Why discouraged?   Common in the US during colonial times. Discouraged from use due to: 1. Equivalency with metric system is not exact. 2. System requires Roman numerals and fractions 3. Apothecary symbols can easily be misinterpreted  
🗑
m   minim- apothecary measure, found on some syringes. 16 Minim= 1 cubic centimeter (cc)  
🗑
dr   dram- apothecary measure for liquids. 1 dram= 4 mL.  
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gr   grain- apothecary measure. Generally, 60 mg = 1 grain, EXCEPT acetaminophen (Tylenol) and aspirin: 65 mg = 1 grain. Should be written out "grain".  
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gtt   drop- apothecary measure for liquids; used for ordering eye medications. 1 drop= 1 m  
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i   This letter indicated "one" in Roman numerals, which are conveyed by letters of the alphabet. Roman numerals nerver have more than three of the same digit in a row.  
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pt   Pint: 1 pint =500 mL, 1 quart= 1 L= 100 mL  
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qt   Quart: 1/2 quart = 1 pt= 500 mL  
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tbsp   Tablespoon: 1 tablespoon = 15 mL  
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tsp   Teaspoon: 1 teaspoon = 5 mL  
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oz   Ounce: 1 ounce = 30 mL  
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cap, caps   Capsule: medications is encased in a gelatin shell  
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CR   Controlled Release  
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LA   Long Acting  
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SA   Sustained Action  
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SR   Slow Release  
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DS   Double Strength  
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EC   Enteric Coated - tablet coated with a substance that will not dissolve in the acid secretions of the stomachl instead it dissolves in the more alkaline secretions of the intestines.  
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el, elix   Elixir- drug is dissolved in hydroalcoholic sweetend base.  
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sol   Solution- drug is contained in a clear liquid preparation.  
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sp   Spirit- an alcholic solution of a volatile sunbstance  
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sup, supp   Suppository- this is a solid, cylindrically shaped drug that can be inserted into a body opening  
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susp   Suspension- small particles of a drug are dispersed in a liquid base and must be shaken before being poured; gels and magmas are also suspensions.  
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syr   Syrup- sugar is dissolved in a liquid medication and flavored to disguise the taste.  
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tab, tabs   Tablet- med is compressed or molded into a solid form; additional ingredients are used to shape and color the tablet.  
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unit   Do Not Use: U. This is a measure of a biologic activity. Nurses do not calculate this measure.  
🗑
Apothecary Measures: Why discouraged?   Common in the US during colonial times. Discouraged from use due to: 1. Equivalency with metric system is not exact. 2. System requires Roman numerals and fractions 3. Apothecary symbols can easily be misinterpreted  
🗑
m   minim- apothecary measure, found on some syringes. 16 Minim= 1 cubic centimeter (cc)  
🗑
dr   dram- apothecary measure for liquids. 1 dram= 4 mL.  
🗑
gr   grain- apothecary measure. Generally, 60 mg = 1 grain, EXCEPT acetaminophen (Tylenol) and aspirin: 65 mg = 1 grain. Should be written out "grain".  
🗑
gtt   drop- apothecary measure for liquids; used for ordering eye medications. 1 drop= 1 m  
🗑
i   This letter indicated "one" in Roman numerals, which are conveyed by letters of the alphabet. Roman numerals nerver have more than three of the same digit in a row.  
🗑
pt   Pint: 1 pint =500 mL, 1 quart= 1 L= 100 mL  
🗑
qt   Quart: 1/2 quart = 1 pt= 500 mL  
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tbsp   Tablespoon: 1 tablespoon = 15 mL  
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tsp   Teaspoon: 1 teaspoon = 5 mL  
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oz   Ounce: 1 ounce = 30 mL  
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cap, caps   Capsule: medications is encased in a gelatin shell  
🗑
CR   Controlled Release  
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LA   Long Acting  
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SA   Sustained Action  
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SR   Slow Release  
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DS   Double Strength  
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EC   Enteric Coated - tablet coated with a substance that will not dissolve in the acid secretions of the stomachl instead it dissolves in the more alkaline secretions of the intestines.  
🗑
el, elix   Elixir- drug is dissolved in hydroalcoholic sweetend base.  
🗑
sol   Solution- drug is contained in a clear liquid preparation.  
🗑
sp   Spirit- an alcholic solution of a volatile sunbstance  
🗑
sup, supp   Suppository- this is a solid, cylindrically shaped drug that can be inserted into a body opening  
🗑
susp   Suspension- small particles of a drug are dispersed in a liquid base and must be shaken before being poured; gels and magmas are also suspensions.  
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syr   Syrup- sugar is dissolved in a liquid medication and flavored to disguise the taste.  
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tab, tabs   Tablet- med is compressed or molded into a solid form; additional ingredients are used to shape and color the tablet.  
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tr, tinct   Tincture- this is a liquid alcoholic orr hydroalcoholic solution of a drug.  
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ung, oint.   Ointment- this is a semisolid drug preparation that is applied to the skin (for external use ONLY).  
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KVO   Keep Vein Open; example order: 1000 mL dextrose 5% in water IV KVO. The nurse is to continue infusing this fluid.  
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TKO   To Keep Open  
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Discontinue   Discontinue- DO NOT USE D/C  
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NKA   No Known Allergie- this is an important assessment that is noted on the medication record of a patient.  
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NKDA   No Know Drug Allergies- this is an important assessment that is noted on the medication record of a patient.  
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