Common Medication-Related Abbreviations

Question 1

Ac

Answer 1

before meals: e.g., 0700, 1100, 1700 hours

Question 2

ad lib

Answer 2

as desired

Question 3

a.m.

Answer 3

morning

Question 4

bid

Answer 4

twice a day: e.g., 0900, 2100 hours

Question 5

c (with line on top)

Answer 5

with

Question 6

fl oz

Answer 6

fluid ounce

Question 7

g, gm, or GM

Answer 7

gram

Question 8

gtt

Answer 8

drop

Question 9

h, hr

Answer 9

hour

Question 10

IM

Answer 10

intramuscular

Question 11

IV

Answer 11

intravenous

Question 12

IVPB

Answer 12

intravenous piggyback

Question 13

Kg or kg

Answer 13

kilogram

Question 14

KVO

Answer 14

Keep vein open

Question 15

L or l

Answer 15

liter

Question 16

mEq

Answer 16

milliequivalent

Question 17

mL or ml

Answer 17

milliliter

Question 18

OTC

Answer 18

over-the-counter

Question 19

oz

Answer 19

ounce

Question 20

pc

Answer 20

after meals: e.g., 0900, 1300, 1900 hours

Question 21

p.m.

Answer 21

evening

Question 22

po or PO

Answer 22

by mouth

Question 23

prn

Answer 23

as needed

Question 24

qh, (q1h, q1hr)

Answer 24

every hour

Question 25

q2h, q2hr

Answer 25

every 2 hours: e.g., 0800, 1000, 1200 hours, etc.

Question 26

q3h, q3hr

Answer 26

every 3 hours: e.g., 0900, 1200, 1500 hours, etc.

Question 27

q4h, q4hr

Answer 27

every 4 hours: e.g., 0200, 0600, 1000, 1400, 1800, 2200 hours

Question 28

q6h, q6hr

Answer 28

every 6 hours: e.g., 0600, 1200, 1800 hours, 2400

Question 29

qid or QID

Answer 29

four times a day: e.g., 1000, 1400, 1800, 2200

Question 30

qs

Answer 30

sufficient quantity

Question 31

s (with line on top)

Answer 31

without

Question 32

stat or STAT

Answer 32

at once

Question 33

sup or supp

Answer 33

suppository

Question 34

susp

Answer 34

suspension

Question 35

tab

Answer 35

tablet

Question 36

Tbsp

Answer 36

tablespoon

Question 37

tid or TID

Answer 37

three times a day: e.g., 1000, 1400, 1800 hours

Question 38

T or tsp

Answer 38

teaspoon