Common Medical Abbreviations and Their Meanings

These flashcards cover commonly used medical abbreviations and their meanings, aiding in understanding medical terminology.

a

before

aa

of each

a.c.

before meals

ad lib.

as desired, freely

am

morning, before noon

pm

evening, before midnight

ODT

orally disintegrating tablet

p.o.

by mouth, oral

p.c.

after meals

p.r.

by rectum

b.i.d.

twice a day

b.i.w.

twice a week

prn

when necessary/required, as needed

q.a.m.

every morning

q.h.

every hour

q.i.d.

four times a day

q2h/q4h/q6h/q8h/q12h

every 2 hours/every 4 hours/every 6 hours/every 8 hours/not every 12 hours

c

with

cup (C)

common volume measure

ds

double strength

dil.

dilute

EC

enteric coated

ER

extended release

fl/fld.

fluid

GT

gastrostomy tube

gtt

drop

h/hr

hour

ID

intradermal

IM

intramuscular

IV

intravenous

IVPB

intravenous piggyback

IVSS

intravenous Soluset

KVO

keep vein open

LA

long acting

min

minute

NAS

intranasal

NPO

nothing by mouth

S.O.S.

may be repeated once if necessary

S&S

signs and symptoms

S

a sufficient amount/as much as needed

susp

suspension

syp/syr

syrup

tab

tablet

t.i.d.

three times a day

ung/ointment

ointment

vag/v

vaginally

XL/XR

long acting/extended release