Common Medical Abbreviations

Common Medical Abbreviations

• NPO

  • Definition: Nothing per oral
  • Usage: Refers to patients who should not take any food or drink by mouth.

• PRN

  • Definition: As needed
  • Usage: Indicates medication or treatment that should be administered only when necessary, not on a regular schedule.

• OTC

  • Definition: Over the counter
  • Usage: Refers to medications that can be purchased without a prescription.

• tab

  • Definition: Tablet
  • Usage: Common form of medication prescribed or over-the-counter.

• po

  • Definition: Per oral (by mouth)
  • Usage: Indicates that medication should be taken orally.

• hs

  • Definition: At hour of sleep
  • Usage: Medication that should be taken when going to bed.

• qhs

  • Definition: Daily at hour of sleep
  • Usage: Specifies that a dose is taken once daily at bedtime.

• ac

  • Definition: Before meals
  • Usage: Medication administration that occurs prior to eating.

• pc

  • Definition: After meals
  • Usage: Medication administration that occurs after eating.

• bid

  • Definition: Twice a day
  • Usage: Indicates dosage schedule, typically refers to medication taken two times in a 24-hour period.

• tid

  • Definition: Three times a day
  • Usage: Indicates dosage schedule for medication taken three times in a 24-hour period.

• qid

  • Definition: Four times a day
  • Usage: Indicates dosage schedule for medication taken four times in a 24-hour period.

• 92h

  • Definition: Every 2 hours
  • Usage: Indicates a frequency of administration or checks every 120 minutes.

• qam

  • Definition: Every morning
  • Usage: Refers to a schedule for taking medication in the morning.

• gtt

  • Definition: Drop
  • Usage: Refers to the measurement, often used in liquid medications administered in drops.

• IV

  • Definition: Intravenous
  • Usage: Refers to medication or treatment delivered directly into the vein, usually with a needle or catheter.