Prescription Abbreviations
|
| q | - EVERY |
| qH | - EVERY HOUR |
| qAM | - EVERY MORNING |
| qPM | - EVERY EVENING |
| qHS | - EVERY BEDTIME |
| qD | - EVERY DAY |
| qOD | - EVERY OTHER DAY |
| qWK | - EVERY WEEK |
| qMO | - EVERY MONTH |
| q__° | - EVERY___HOURS |
| q__H | - EVERY___HOURS |
| BID | - TWICE A DAY |
| TID | - THREE A DAY |
| QID | - FOUR A DAY |
| X_D | - TIMES__DAYS |
| TDS | - 3 TIMES A DAY |
| C | - WITH |
| AC | - BEFORE A MEAL |
| PC | - AFTER A MEAL |
| HS | - AT BEDTIME |
| PRN | - AS NEEDED |
| UD | - AS DIRECTED |
| AA | - OF EACH |
| QS | - QUANTITY SUFFICIENT |
| GTT | - DROP |
The most difficult pharmacy abbreviations to remember are the eyes and ears. They are very easy to mix up, especially because they seem to make no sense.
Try this:
When you see the O, think of an EYE which is round.
For the A, remember it as "Audio" which is heard through your EARS.
For S, think of "South" and Left handed boxers being dubbed southpaw.
When you see U, imagine it as a face, needing both eyes or ears.
More Prescription AbbreviationsTBSP - TABLESPOON TSP - TEASPOON OZ - OUNCE GM - GRAM KG - KILOGRAM LB - POUND ML - MILLILITER L - LITER G - GALLON OD - RIGHT EYE OS - LEFT EYE OU - BOTH EYES AD - RIGHT EAR AS - LEFT EAR AU - BOTH EARS PO - BY MOUTH / ORAL SL - SUB-LINGUAL NG - NASO GASTRIC BUCCAL - CHEEK/GUM PR - RECTALLY PV - VAGINALLY SUPP - SUPPOSITORY TAB - TABLET CAP - CAPSULE IM - INTRA MUSCULAR SQ - SUB-CUTANEOUS IV - INTRAVENOUS IC - INTRA CARDIAC INJ - INJECTION STAT - IMMEDIATELY
Again, it is vital to memorize prescription abbreviations in order to prepare for the PTCB or ExCPT exams. One of the most common tasks performed by pharmacy technicians is decoding prescription orders and translating them into dosages and directions to place on the patients medication packaging.
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