Medical Abbreviations

Question 1

Oral

Answer 1

By mouth. p.o.

Question 2

Sublingual

Answer 2

Under the tongue. SL

Question 3

Buccal

Answer 3

Inside the cheek

Question 4

Parenteral

Answer 4

Administered by route other than by mouth or gastrointestinal tract. IV, IM, subcut, or ID

Question 5

Insertion

Answer 5

Placed into a body cavity.

Question 6

Instillation

Answer 6

Medication is introduced in liquid form into a body cavity.

Question 7

Inhalation

Answer 7

Medication is administered into the respiratory tract.

Question 8

Intranasal

Answer 8

A medication solution is instilled into the nostrils.

Question 9

Topical

Answer 9

A medication is applied to the external surface of the skin.

Question 10

c, C

Answer 10

cup

Question 11

g

Answer 11

gram

Question 12

gr

Answer 12

grain

Question 13

gt

Answer 13

drop

Question 14

gtt

Answer 14

drops

Question 15

kg

Answer 15

kilogram

Question 16

L

Answer 16

liter

Question 17

mcg

Answer 17

microgram (1/1000th of a milligram)

Question 18

mEq

Answer 18

milliequivalent

Question 19

mg

Answer 19

milligram (1/1000th of a gram)

Question 20

mL

Answer 20

milliliter

Question 21

oz

Answer 21

ounce

Question 22

pt

Answer 22

pint

Question 23

qt

Answer 23

quart

Question 24

T, tbs

Answer 24

tablespoon (15mL)

Question 25

t, tsp

Answer 25

teaspoon

Question 26

↑

Answer 26

Increase

Question 27

↓

Answer 27

Decrease

Question 28

▵

Answer 28

Change

Question 29

⩰

Answer 29

Approximate

Question 30

ā

Answer 30

before

Question 31

aa, āā

Answer 31

of each

Question 32

a.c., ac

Answer 32

before meals

Question 33

ad lib.

Answer 33

as desired, freely

Question 34

am, AM

Answer 34

morning before noon

Question 35

amp

Answer 35

ampule

Question 36

aq

Answer 36

aqueous, water

Question 37

b.i.d., bid

Answer 37

twice a day

Question 38

b.i.w.

Answer 38

twice a week

Question 39

č

Answer 39

with

Question 40

cap, caps

Answer 40

capsule

Question 41

CD

Answer 41

controlled dose

Question 42

CR

Answer 42

controlled release

Question 43

dil.

Answer 43

dilute

Question 44

DS

Answer 44

double strength

Question 45

EC

Answer 45

enteric coated

Question 46

elix.

Answer 46

elixir

Question 47

fl, fld.

Answer 47

fluid

Question 48

GT

Answer 48

gastrostomy tube

Question 49

h, hr

Answer 49

hour

Question 50

ID

Answer 50

intradermal

Question 51

IM

Answer 51

intramuscular

Question 52

IV

Answer 52

intravenous

Question 53

IVPB

Answer 53

intravenous piggyback

Question 54

IVSS

Answer 54

intravenous Soluset

Question 55

KVO

Answer 55

keep vein open (a very slow infusion rate)

Question 56

LA

Answer 56

long acting

Question 57

LOS

Answer 57

length of stay

Question 58

min

Answer 58

minute

Question 59

mix

Answer 59

mixture

Question 60

NAS

Answer 60

intranasal

Question 61

NG, NGT

Answer 61

nasogastric tube

Question 62

noc, noct

Answer 62

at night

Question 63

n.p.o., NPO

Answer 63

nothing by mouth

Question 64

NS, N/S

Answer 64

normal saline

Question 65

ṕ

Answer 65

after

Question 66

p.c., pc

Answer 66

after meals

Question 67

per

Answer 67

through or by

Question 68

pm, PM

Answer 68

evening, before midnight

Question 69

p.o.

Answer 69

by mouth

Question 70

p.r.

Answer 70

by rectum

Question 71

p.r.n., prn

Answer 71

when necessary/required, as needed

Question 72

q.

Answer 72

every

Question 73

q.a.m.

Answer 73

every morning

Question 74

q.h., qh

Answer 74

every hour

Question 75

q2h, q4h, q6h, q8h, q12h

Answer 75

every 2 hours, every 4 hours, every 6 hours, every 8 hours, every 12 hours

Question 76

q.i.d., qid

Answer 76

four times a day

Question 77

q.s.

Answer 77

a sufficient amount/ as much as needed

Question 78

rect

Answer 78

rectum

Question 79

ś

Answer 79

without

Question 80

sl, SL

Answer 80

sublingual

Question 81

sol, soln

Answer 81

solution

Question 82

s.o.s., SOS

Answer 82

may be repeated once if necessary

Question 83

SR

Answer 83

sustained release

Question 84

S&S

Answer 84

swish and swallow

Question 85

stat, STAT

Answer 85

immediately, at once

Question 86

subcut

Answer 86

subcutaneous

Question 87

supp

Answer 87

suppository

Question 88

susp

Answer 88

suspension

Question 89

syp, syr

Answer 89

syrup

Question 90

tab

Answer 90

tablet

Question 91

t.i.d., tid

Answer 91

three times a day

Question 92

tr., tinct

Answer 92

tincture

Question 93

ung., oint

Answer 93

ointment

Question 94

vag, v

Answer 94

vaginally

Question 95

XL

Answer 95

long acting

Question 96

XR

Answer 96

extended release