Common Medical Abbreviations

Question 1

IM

Answer 1

Intramuscular

Question 2

IV

Answer 2

Intravenous

Question 3

ID

Answer 3

Intradermal

Question 4

Subcut

Answer 4

Subcutaneous

Question 5

GT

Answer 5

Gastrostomy tube

Question 6

NG

Answer 6

Nasogastric tube

Question 7

NJ

Answer 7

Nasojejunal tube

Question 8

PO

Answer 8

By mouth (orally)

Question 9

pr

Answer 9

Per rectum (rectally)

Question 10

sl

Answer 10

Sublingual

Question 11

Buccal adminitration

Answer 11

Cheek and gums

Question 12

top

Answer 12

Topical

Question 13

CR

Answer 13

Controlled release

Question 14

ER / XR / XL

Answer 14

Extended relesase

Question 15

EC

Answer 15

Enteric coated

Question 16

IR

Answer 16

Immediate release

Question 17

LA

Answer 17

Long-acting

Question 18

SR

Answer 18

Sustained release

Question 19

TR

Answer 19

Time-release

Question 20

ac

Answer 20

Before meals

Question 21

pc

Answer 21

After meals

Question 22

ad lib

Answer 22

As desired, freely

Question 23

prn

Answer 23

When necessary

Question 24

stat

Answer 24

Immediately, at once

Question 25

BID

Answer 25

Twice a day

Question 26

TID

Answer 26

Three times a day

Question 27

QID

Answer 27

Four times a day

Question 28

hs

Answer 28

At bedtime

Question 29

min

Answer 29

Minute

Question 30

h / hr

Answer 30

Hour

Question 31

qh / qhr

Answer 31

Every hour

Question 32

q2h

Answer 32

Every two hours

Question 33

q3h

Answer 33

Every three hours

Question 34

q4h

Answer 34

Every four hours

Question 35

q6h

Answer 35

Every six hours

Question 36

q8h

Answer 36

Every eight hours

Question 37

q12h

Answer 37

Every twelve hours

Question 38

q

Answer 38

Every

Question 39

NPO

Answer 39

Nothing by mouth

Question 40

gtt

Answer 40

Drop

Question 41

tab

Answer 41

Tablet

Question 42

ung

Answer 42

Ointment

Question 43

supp

Answer 43

Suppository

Question 44

x4

Answer 44

Four applications

Question 45

R

Answer 45

Right

Question 46

L

Answer 46

Left

Question 47

Other name for brand names

Answer 47

Trade names

Question 48

Which titles on drug labels are capitalized?

Answer 48

Trade / Brand names

Question 49

Name for a drug that is not owned by a company.

Answer 49

Generic

Question 50

Seven essential components of a medication order:

Answer 50

1) Name of patient
2) Name of drug
3) Dose of drug
4) Route of administration
5) Frequency and time (instructions for administration times)
6) Date and time order was written
7) Signature of prescriber

Question 51

Rights of safe medication administration (10).

Answer 51

1) Right patient
2) Right time
3) Right reason
4) Right amount
5) Right route
6) Right site
7) Right frequency
8) Right to refuse
9) Right education
10) Right documentation