Saturday, 10 March 2012

Abbreviations in Prescritption (5 of 7): DIRECTIONS TO THE PATIENT OR INSTRUCTIONS TO CARE PROVIDERS CONCERNING DOSE AND DOSING FREQUENCY (Signa)



Abbreviations used in the directions to the patient or instructions to care providers concerning Dose and Dosing Frequency - The Signa


ad lib., prn
use when or as needed. Ex. 1 cap hs prn sleep     
a.
before                                                                        
a.c.
before meals.  Take before meals.  Usually  used in conjunction with q.d., tid etc.
a.m.
morning, before midday                                                        
h.
hour                                                                           
d.
day                                                                           
q.
every                                                                         
q4h
every 4 hours, Also specified by the degree symbol. Ex. q 4deg.               
q.d.
every day, take one dose a day                                                
q.o.d.
every other day, Take one dose every other day                                
bid
twice a day, Take one dose twice a day.  N.B. does not mean every 12 hours. Loosely means morning and evening.                                            
Tid
three times a day,  NB. Take one dose three times a day.  N.B. does not mean very 8 hours.  Loosely means morning, evening, and night.                     
Qid
four times a day.  NB.  Take one dose four times a day.  N.B. does not mean every 6 hours.  Loosely means morning, afternoon, evening, and night.         
t.i.w.
three times a week,  Take a dose three times a week.  For example M, W, F (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
h.s.
at bed time.  Take at bedtime                                                 
ATC
around the clock,  Doses administered at equal time intervals.  Ex: q. 6 h. ATC.
m2, M2
square meter                                                                   
BSA
body surface area                                                             
p.
after                                                                         
p.c.
after meals.  Take after meals.  Usually used in conjunction with q.d., bid, tid etc.
p.m.
evening, afternoon, after midday                                              
noct.
night                                                                         
STAT
immediately, give at once                                                     
s.o.s.
if there is need.  Administer again if required.  Example:  MS 2 mg IV STAT and q 30 min s.o.s. bucking ventilator                                        





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