Abbreviations used in Prescriptions

Question 1

p.o.

Answer 1

through the mouth, orally

Question 2

SL

Answer 2

sublingual

Question 3

PR

Answer 3

through the rectum, rectally

Question 4

PV

Answer 4

through the vagina, vaginally

Question 5

ID

Answer 5

intradermal

Question 6

IM

Answer 6

intramuscular

Question 7

IV

Answer 7

intravenous

Question 8

SC (Sub-Q)

Answer 8

subcutaneous

Question 9

ad

Answer 9

to, up to

Question 10

ad lib.

Answer 10

at pleasure (as desired)

Question 11

alt.h.

Answer 11

every other hour

Question 12

ā

Answer 12

before

Question 13

a.c.

Answer 13

before food

Question 14

a.m.

Answer 14

before midday (morning)

Question 15

aq.

Answer 15

water

Question 16

aur.; a

Answer 16

ear

Question 17

a.d.

Answer 17

right ear

Question 18

a.s.

Answer 18

left ear

Question 19

a.u.

Answer 19

each ear

Question 20

bis

Answer 20

twice

Question 21

b.i.d.

Answer 21

twice a day

Question 22

c with a bar on top

Answer 22

with

Question 23

c.c.

Answer 23

with food

Question 24

d

Answer 24

day

Question 25

d/c

Answer 25

discharge, discontinue

Question 26

Dx

Answer 26

diagnosis

Question 27

et

Answer 27

and

Question 28

h.

Answer 28

hour

Question 29

h.s.

Answer 29

hour of sleep (at bedtime)

Question 30

noc.

Answer 30

at night

Question 31

NPO

Answer 31

nothing by mouth

Question 32

o.d.

Answer 32

right eye

Question 33

o.s.

Answer 33

left eye

Question 34

o.u.

Answer 34

each eye (both)

Question 35

o.m.

Answer 35

every morning

Question 36

o.n.

Answer 36

every night

Question 37

p with a bar on top

Answer 37

after

Question 38

per

Answer 38

through

Question 39

p.c.

Answer 39

after meal

Question 40

p.m.

Answer 40

after midday (afternoon)

Question 41

p.r.n.

Answer 41

under the present circumstance (as needed)

Question 42

q

Answer 42

every

Question 43

q.d. (q.2d., q.3d.)

Answer 43

every day (every 2 days, every 3 days)

Question 44

q.h. (q.2h., q.3h.)

Answer 44

every hour (every 2 hours, every 3 hours)

Question 45

q.i.d.

Answer 45

four times a day

Question 46

Rx

Answer 46

prescription

Question 47

s with a bar on top

Answer 47

without

Question 48

ss with a bar on top

Answer 48

one half

Question 49

S, Sig.

Answer 49

indicate (on label)

Question 50

stat.

Answer 50

immediately

Question 51

t.i.d.

Answer 51

three times a day