| A | B |
|---|
| APAP | acetaminophen |
| ASA | acetylsalicylic acid |
| cap | capsule |
| elix | elixir |
| FDA | Food and Drug Administration |
| INH | Inhalor, Inhalation, isoniazid (anti-tubercular drug) |
| NSAID(s) | nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug(s) |
| OTC | over-the-counter |
| PDR | Physicians' Desk Reference |
| Rx | prescription |
| supp | suppository |
| susp | suspension |
| tab | tablet |
| tinct | tincture |
| USP | United States Pharmacopeia |
| ung | ointment (unguent) |
| ac | before meals (ante cibum) |
| ad lib | as desired (ad libitum) |
| aq | water (aqua) |
| bid | twice a day, (bis in die) |
| gtt, gtts | drop(s) (gutta) |
| hs | at bedtime (hora somni) |
| IM | intramuscular(ly) |
| IU | international unit |
| IV | intravenous(ly) |
| IVPB | IV piggyback |
| NS | normal saline |
| p | after, post |
| pc | after meals (post cibum) |
| po | by mouth (per os) |
| prn | as needed (pro re nata) |
| qd | every day (quaque die) |
| qh | every hour (quaque hora) |
| q______h | every_____hours |
| qid | four times a day (quater in die) |
| qm | every morning (quaque matin) |
| qod | every other day (quaque [other]die) |
| SC, sub-Q, SQ | subcutaneous(ly) |
| tid | three times a day (ter in die) |
| U | unit(s) |
| x | times, for |
| ASAP | as soon as possible |
| bm | bowel movement |
| BP | blood pressure |
| cc | cubic centimeter |
| C02 | carbon dioxide |
| CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
| d/c | discontinue, discharge |
| ECG, EKG | electrocardiogram |
| ER | emergency room |
| F | Fahrenheit |
| hr | hour |
| H20 | water |
| i | 1 |
| ii | 2 |
| iii | 3 |
| iv | 4 |
| v | 5 |
| IDDM | insulin dependent diabetes mellitus |
| mg | milligram |
| ml | milliliter |
| NPO | nothing by mouth |
| NTG | nitroglycerin |
| O2 | oxygen |
| OD | right eye |
| OS | left eye |
| OU | both eyes |
| pt | patient, pint |
| s | without |
| sx | symptoms |
| s/s | signs and symptoms |
| stat | immediately, Now |
| SOB | shortness of breath |
| tab | tablet |
| > | greater than |
| < | less than |
| am | morning |
| amt | amount |
| NPO | Nothing by mouth |
| CBC | complete blood count |
| CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
| / | per (example - "Max 5/12 h" = "maximum of 5 per 12 hours") |
| ↑ | Increase |
| ↓ | Decrease |
| µ | Micro |
| µg | MicroGram |
| ¼ NS | 0.22% Normal Saline |
| ½ NS | 0.45% Normal Saline |
| Q12° | every 12 hours |
| Q4° | every 4 hours |
| 5x/d | five times a day |
| a | before |
| AMA | American Medical Association |
| AA | Affected Area, Amino Acids |
| ACE Inhibitors | angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (medication classification) |
| AD | Right Ear |
| ADD | attention deficit disorder |
| ADHD | attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder |
| Aft | Afternoon |
| AIDS | Acquired immune deficiency syndrome |
| Amp | Ampule, Ampoule |
| AS | Left Ear |
| ATC | Around the Clock |
| AU | Both Ears |
| BBB | Blood Brain Barrier |
| BC | Birth Control |
| BSA | Body Surface Area |
| c | with |
| C & C | Cough and Congestion |
| Ca | Calcium, Cancer |
| CaCO3 | calcium carbonate |
| CAD | coronary artery disease |
| CDC | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| CF | cystic fibrosis |
| CHF | congestive heart failure |
| CL | Chlorine, Chloride |
| CM | Centimeter |
| CMPD | Compound |
| CNS | Central Nervous System |
| CO2 | Carbon Dioxide |
| COD | Codiene |
| COPD | chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| CP | Chest pain |
| CR | Cream. Controled Release |
| d | day, daily |
| D51/2NS | 5% Dextrose & 0.45% NS |
| D5W | 5% dextrose in water |
| Dex | Dextrose |
| DAW | Dispense as Written (no generic) |
| Disp | Dispense |
| DM | diabetes mellitus |
| DNS | Do Not Substitute |
| DOB | Date of Birth |
| DS | Double Strength, Days Supply |
| Dx | Diagnosis |
| EC | Enteric Coated |
| ED | Emergency Department, Erectile Dysfunction |
| EDS | Estimated Days Supply |
| EES | erythromycin ethylsuccinate |
| Elix | Elixer |
| EMS | emergency medical service |
| ENT | Ear nose throat |
| EPO | epoietin alfa, erythropoietin, Epogen, Procrit |
| ER | emergency room, Extended Release |
| ETOH | (ethyl) alcohol (alcohol you drink) |
| FE | Iron |
| FeSO4 | ferrous sulfate (iron) |
| fl. oz. | fluidounce |
| G | Gram |
| GM | Gram |
| gr | grain |
| gal | Gallon |
| GERD | gastroesophageal reflux disease |
| GH | Growth Hormone |
| GI | GERD gastroesophageal reflux disease |
| GI Tube | Gastrointestinal Tube |
| GSW | Gun Shot Wound |
| h | hour |
| Hx | History |
| H2O | Water |
| H2O2 | hydrogen peroxide |
| HA | Headache |
| HBP | High Blood Pressure |
| HCTZ | hydrochlorothiazide |
| HD | High Dose |
| HIV | Human Immunodeficiency Virus |
| HPV | Human Papilloma Virus |
| HRT | Hormone replacement therapy |
| ERT | Estrogen Replacement Therapy |
| HTN | Hypertension |
| HCl | Hydrochloride |
| IBW | Ideal Body Weight |
| ICU | Intensive Care Unit |
| ID | Intadermal |
| Inf | Infection |
| Inj | injection |
| IT | Intrathecal |
| IUD | intrauterine device |
| IVPB | Intravenous Piggy Back |
| K, K+ | Potassium |
| K, KG | Kilogram |
| L | Liter |
| LA | Long Acting |
| LB | Pound |
| # | quantity, pound |
| Liq | Liquid |
| Lot | Lotion |
| LR | lactated Ringer’s solution |
| M | Meter |
| MAOI's | monoamine oxidase inhibitors |
| mcg | Microgram |
| MDI | metered dose inhaler |
| mEq | Milliequivalent |
| Mg, Mg++ | magnesium |
| MgSO4 | magnesium sulfate |
| MI | myocardial infarction |
| Min | Minimum, Minute |
| mL | Milliliter |
| MOM | milk of magnesia |
| MSO4 | morphine sulfate |
| MTX | Methotrexate (anti cancer drug) |
| MVI | Multi-Vitamin Injection |
| N/V, N&V | nausea and vomiting |
| Na, Na+ | Sodium |
| NaCl | Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline |
| Neb | Nebulizer |
| NG Tube | Nasal Gastric Tube |
| NKA | No Known Allergies |
| NKDA | No Known Drug Allergies |
| NOCT | Evening, Night |
| NR | No Refills (Do not repeat) |
| NS | 0.9% Normal Saline (Sodium Chloride ) |
| NTE | Not to Exceed |
| O2 | Oxygen |
| OC | oral contraceptive |
| Oint | Ointment |
| OM | Otitis Media |
| OR | Operating Room |
| OTC | Over the Counter |
| oz | Ounce |
| pr | Rectaly |
| pv | Vaginally |
| pcn | penicillin |
| tcn | tetracycline |
| PM | Evening |
| PTU | propylthiouracil |
| Q | every |
| QS | Quantity sufficient (Give/add enough to equal) |
| qam | every morning |
| QHS | at bedtime (every night at bedtime) |
| QT | quart |
| ROA | Route of Administration |
| RBC | Red Blood Cell |
| Sig | Directions, Signature |
| SL | Sublingually (Under the tongue) |
| SMX/TMP, SMZ/TMP | sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim |
| SOL | Solution |
| SR | Slow or Sustained Release |
| ss | 1/2, single strength |
| SSRI | selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors |
| STD | sexually transmitted disease |
| Supp | Suppository |
| Susp | Suspension |
| Syp, Syr | Syrup |
| TAC | triamcinolone |
| Tbs, tble, T | Tablespoonful |
| BIW | Twice a week, every 2 weeks |
| TIW | Three times a week |
| Top | Topically |
| TPN | total parenteral nutrition |
| TR | Time Release |
| tsp, t | Teaspoonful |
| Tx | Treatment |
| UD | As Directed |
| URI | upper respiratory infection |
| LWi | Lowwer respiratory infection |
| UTI | Urinary Tract Infection |
| W, Wk | Week, Weekly |
| W/ | With |
| W/O | Without |
| WBC | white blood cell (count) |
| Wt | Weight |
| x3d | for 3 days (or maybe 3 doses, caution) |
| XL | extended release |
| XR | extended release |
| yr | year |
| Zn | Zinc |
| Δ | Change |
