Abbrevations for Prescriptions
1g
=1000 mg
1 mg
=1000 mcg
MDI
metered-dose-inhaler an aerosol device delivers medication by inhalation.
Do not use these but this is what they mean
AD is right ear AL is left ear AU is each ear OD is right eye OS is left eye OU is both eyes
Discontinue
Discontinue Discontinue ampicillin
Do Not Use: Dangerous Abbreviations, Symbols, and Dose Designations (should NEVER be used when communicating medication information)
Do Not Use: U use "unit" IU use "unit" Abbreviations for drug names use actual drug name in full QD use "daily" QOD use "every other day" OD use "daily" OS, OD, OU use "left eye", "right eye" or "both eyes" D/C use "discharge" cc use "mL" or "millilitre" ug use "mcg" @ use "at" > use "greater than" or "more than" < use "less than" or "lower than" Trailing zero never use a zero by itself after a decimal point use "x mg" Lack of leading zero use a zero before a decimal point "0.x mg"
military time
The 24-hour clock begins at midnight 0000. The hours from 1 AM to 12 noon are the same as traditional time; colons and terms AM and PM are omitted. The hours from 1 PM continue numerically; 1 PM becomes 1300. To change traditional time to military time from 1 PM on, add 12
SI
The International System of Units (abbreviated SI from systeme internationale , the French version of the name) is a scientific method of expressing the magnitudes or quantities of important natural phenomena. There are seven base units in the system, from which other units are derived.
Metric and SI Abbreviations
The meaning and abbreviations for weight and volume are the same. Weight measures are based on the gram;volume measures are based on the litre.
weight
a body's relative mass or the quantity of matter contained by it, giving rise to a downward force; the heaviness of a person or thing.
cap, caps
capsule medication is encased in a gelatin shell.
pc
after meals
pm
as needed
at bedtime
at bedtime, hour of sleep
ac
before meals
po (PO)
by mouth
IV
intravenously the injection is given into a vein.
KVO
keep vein open
CR
controlled release These abbreviations indicate that the drug has been prepared in a form that allows extended action. Therefore, the drug is given less frequently.
cc
cubic centimetre This measure of volume usually reserved for measuring gases. However, you may still find it used as a liquid measure. (One cubic centimetre is approximately equal to 16 drops from a medicine dropper.)
kg
kilogram
kg
kilogram This is a weight measure. (One kilogram equals 2.2 pounds.)
L
litre
L
litre This is a liquid measure. (One litre is a little more than a quart.)
LA
long acting
DS
double strength
el, elix
elixir A drug is dissolved in a hydroalcoholic sweetened base.
EC
enteric coated The tablet is coated with a substance that will not dissolve in the acid secretions of the stomach; instead, it dissolves in the alkaline secretions of the intestines.
q12h
every 12 hours
q2h
every 2 hours
q4h
every 4 hours
q6h
every 6 hours
q9h
every 8 hours
daily
every day, daily
qh
every hour
every other day
every other day
qid
four times a day
g
gram
g
gram This is a solid measure of weight. (One gram is approximately equal to the weight of two small paper clips.)
stat
immediately
pr (PR)
in the rectum
ID
intradermal
IM
intramuscularly the injection is given at a 90 degree angle into a muscle.
IVPB
intravenous piggyback medication is prepared in a small volume of fluid is attached to an IV (which is already infusing fluid into a patient's vein) at specific times.
IVP
intravenous push medication is injected directly in a vein
mcg
microgram
mcg
microgram This is a measure of weight. (One thousand micrograms make up 1 milligram: 1000 mcg=1 mg.)
mEq
milliequivalent No equivalent necessary. Drugs are prepared and ordered in this weight measure.
mg
milligram
mL
millilitre
mg
millilitre This is a liquid measure. The terms cubic centimetre (cc) and millilitre (mL) are interchangeable in dosage (1 cc = 1 mL).
NGT (ng)
nasogastric tube medication is placed in the stomach through a tube in the nose.
NEB
nebulizer medication is placed in a device that produces a fine spray for inhalations.
NKA
no known allergies This is an important assessment that is noted on the medication record of a patient.
NKDA
no known drug allergies This is an important assessment that is noted on the medication record of a patient.
metric
of or based on the meter as a unit of length; relating to the metric system. a system or standard of measurement.
ung, oint.
ointment This is a semisolid drug preparation that is applied to the skin (for external use only).
SR
slow release
sol
solution The drug is contained in a clear liquid preparation.
sp
spirit This is an alcoholic solution of a volatile substance (e.g. spirit of ammonia).
Sub-Q or Sub Q
subcutaneously the injection is usually given at a 45 degree angle into subcutaneous tissue.
SL
sublingual, under the tongue
sup, supp
suppository This is a solid, cylindrically shaped drug that can be inserted into a body opening (e.g. the rectum or vagina).
susp
suspension Small particles of drug are dispersed in a liquid base and must be shaken before being poured, gels and magmas are also suspensions.
SA
sustained action
syr
syrup A sugar is dissolved in a liquid medication and flavored to disguise the taste.
tap, tabs
tablet Medication is compressed or molded into a solid form; additional ingredients are used to shape and colour the tablet.
measurement
the action of measuring something. the size, length, or amount of something, as established by measuring.
volume
the amount of space that a substance or object occupies, or that is enclosed within a container, especially when great.
nomenclature
the devising or choosing of names for things, especially in a science or other discipline. the body or system of names in a particular field. plural noun: nomenclatures "the nomenclature of chemical compounds"
size
the relative extent of something; a thing's overall dimensions or magnitude; how big something is.
tid
three times a day
3 times weekly
three times per week
tr, tinct.
tincture This is a liquid alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solution of a drug.
bid
twice a day
unit
unit This is a measure of biologic activity. Nurses do not calculate this measure. ex. penicillin potassium 300,000 units