Dimensional Analysis Abbreviations

µg

Intended meaning: microgram

Substitution: mcg

DO NOT USE

cc

Intended meaning: cubic centimeter

Substitution: mL

DO NOT USE

hs

Intended meaning: hour of sleep (at bedtime)

Substitution: at bedtime

DO NOT USE

q.d.

Intended meaning: everyday

Substitution: daily

DO NOT USE

q.o.d.

Intended meaning: every other day

Substitution: every other day

DO NOT USE

SC, sq, or sub q

Intended meaning: subcutaneous

Substitution: SUBQ or subcutaneous

DO NOT USE

U, u, or IU

Intended meaning: units

Substitution: units or international units

DO NOT USE

Trailing zeros (e.g., 3.0g)

Intended meaning: 3 g

Substitution: Avoid trailing zeros after whole numbers

DO NOT USE

Lack of leading decimal point (e.g., .5 mg)

Intended meaning: 0.5mg

Substitution: Place a zero in front of any numbers that are less than a whole number

DO NOT USE

Drug name abbreviations such as MgSO4, MS, MSO4

Intended meaning: MgSO4= magnesium sulfate

MS= morphine sulfate

MSO4= morphine sulfate

Substitution: Use the complete drug name

DO NOT USE

3

Intended meaning: dram

Substitution: Use the metric system

DO NOT USE

Mx

Intended meaning: minim

Substitution: Use the metric system

DO NOT USE

>and<

Intended meaning: greater or less than

Substitution: greater than or less than

DO NOT USE

@

Intended meaning: at

Substitution: at

DO NOT USE

0 (e.g., every 2⁰) hour(s)

Intended meaning: hour(s)

Substitution: hr, h, or hour

DO NOT USE

l, ml

Intended meaning: liter, milliliter

Substitution: L, mL

DO NOT USE

½ tablet

Intended meaning: half tablet

Substitution: use text “half tablet” or typed font ½ tablet

DO NOT USE

ac

Meaning: Before meals

ACCEPTABLE

pc

Meaning: after meals

ACCEPTABLE

ad lib

Meaning: As desired

ACCEPTABLE

IV

Meaning: Intravenous

ACCEPTABLE

SUBQ

Meaning: Subcutaneous

ACCEPTABLE

IM

Meaning: Intramuscular

ACCEPTABLE

ID

Meaning: Intradermal

ACCEPTABLE

SL

Meaning: Sublingual

ACCEPTABLE

STAT

Meaning: Immediately

ACCEPTABLE

PRN or prn

Meaning: As needed

ACCEPTABLE

IVP

Meaning: Intravenous push

ACCEPTABLE

IVPB

Meaning: Intravenous piggyback

ACCEPTABLE

PEG

Meaning: Percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy

ACCEPTABLE

NG

Meaning: Nasogastric

ACCEPTABLE

PR

Meaning: Per rectum

ACCEPTABLE

PO

Meaning: Per os (by mouth)

ACCEPTABLE

supp

Meaning: suppository

ACCEPTABLE

NPO

Meaning: Nothing by mouth

ACCEPTABLE

b.i.d.

Meaning: Twice daily

ACCEPTABLE

t.i.d.

Meaning: Three times a day

ACCEPTABLE

q

Meaning: every

ACCEPTABLE

q2hr

Meaning: Every 2 hours

ACCEPTABLE

q4h

Meaning: Every 4 hours

ACCEPTABLE

gtt

Meaning: drop

ACCEPTABLE

ER

Meaning: Extended release

ACCEPTABLE

SR

Meaning: sustained release

ACCEPTABLE

CR

Meaning: controlled release

ACCEPTABLE

g

Meaning: gram

ACCEPTABLE

mg

Meaning: milligram

ACCEPTABLE

kg

Meaning: kilogram

ACCEPTABLE

mcg

Meaning: microgram

ACCEPTABLE

tsp

Meaning: teaspoon

ACCEPTABLE

NKA

Meaning: no known allergies

ACCEPTABLE

NKDA

Meaning: No known drug allergies

ACCEPTABLE