Medical Abbreviations: 2025 PTCB Exam

Q.S.

Quantity Sufficient

ss

one-half

dr

one dram (5mL)

fl oz

one fluid ounce (30mL)

t, tsp

teaspoonful (5mL)

T, Tbsp

tablespoonful (15mL)

cc, cm3

cubic centimeter

gtt(s)

drop(s)

IU

international units

mcg, ug

microgram = 0.000001 g, or 0.001 mg

mEq

milliequivalent

gr

grain

g

gram

mg

milligram

kg

kilogram

L

liter

oz

ounce (in terms of weight)

pv

in the vagina; vaginally

mL

milliliter

qod

every other day

qd

every day

bid

twice daily

tid

three times daily

qid

four times daily

am

morning

pm, noc

at night; in the evening

hs

at bedtime

qh

every hour

q4h

every 4 hours

q6h

every 6 hours

q4-6h

every 4-6 hours

qw

every week

ud, ad, ut dict

as directed

stat, asap

immediately

c

with

s

without

ac

before meals

pc

after meals

p

after

prn

as needed

ad

right ear

as

left ear

au

both ears

od

right eye

os

left eye

ou

both eyes

po

by mouth

ien

in each nostril

pr

rectally

vag

vaginally

IM

intramuscular

IV

intravenous

SC, subQ, SQ

subcutaneous

neb

nebulizer

loc

locally

aa

affected area(s)

top

topically

sl

under the tongue

amp

ampule

cap

capsules

tab

tablet

cr

cream

elix

elixir

lot

lotion

soln, sol

solution

susp

suspension

syr

syrup

ung, oint

ointment

spr

spray

aff

affected

aq, aqua

water

dist aq

distilled water

bc

birth control

bp

blood pressure

cmpd

compound

HA

headache

sob

shortness of breath

Hbp

high blood pressure

nka, nkda

no known allergies, no known drug allergies

nr

no refills

cwr

call when ready

n/v

nausea and vomiting

apap

acetaminophen

asa

aspirin

Ca

calcium

epi

epinepherine

Fe

iron

FeSO4

ferrous sulfate

HCTZ

hydrochlorothiazide

ibu

ibuprofen

K

potassium

KCl

potassium chloride

MSO4

morphine sulfate

MgSO4

magnesium sulfate

MOM

milk of magnesia

Na

sodium

NaCl

sodium chloride

NaF

sodium flouride

NS

normal saline 0.9% NaCl

ntg

nitroglycerine