Questions and Answers
What does ASAP stand for?
What does BID represent in medication dosing?
What does the abbreviation 'q' mean in medical terms?
What does qAM stand for?
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What does the abbreviation 'qh' mean?
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What does 'qhs' mean in terms of medication scheduling?
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What does 'qid' indicate?
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What does 'qPM' refer to in medication instructions?
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What does 'stat' mean when seen in medical prescriptions?
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What does 'ad lib' mean?
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What does 'p.m.' refer to?
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What does 'ac' stand for in medication timing?
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What does 'IV' stand for?
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What does 'tab(s)' refer to in medication?
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What is the meaning of 'CC' in healthcare?
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What does 'gm' signify?
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What does 'HA' stand for in medical terms?
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What is indicated by the term 'S&S'?
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Study Notes
Pharmacy Sig Codes and Their Definitions
- ASAP means "as soon as possible," indicating urgency in medication administration.
- bid (BID) stands for "twice a day," often used for medication schedules.
- q is an abbreviation for "every," frequently used in dosage instructions.
- qAM is used for "every morning," indicating the time of day for medication.
- qh denotes "every hour," suggesting frequent dosing.
- qhs indicates "every night at bedtime," typically used for nighttime medications.
- qid means "four times a day," suggesting a regular dosing schedule.
- qPM stands for "every evening," indicating nighttime administration.
- qshift refers to medication administration "every shift," common in inpatient settings.
- q4h means "every 4 hours," indicating regular intervals for dosing.
- q6h denotes "every 6 hours," a common instruction for time-sensitive medications.
- q8h means "every 8 hours," indicating a more flexible medication schedule.
- q12h stands for "every 12 hours," commonly used for twice-daily medication.
- q24h indicates "every 24 hours," typically referring to daily medication.
- tid means "three times a day," used for frequent medications.
- stat means "immediately," for urgent medication administration.
- Wa stands for "while awake," indicating to take medication during waking hours.
- a.m. refers to "morning," and p.m. denotes "evening," specifying time of administration.
- ac means "before meals," suggesting timing related to eating.
- ad lib means "as desired," providing flexibility in dosing.
- ATC stands for "around the clock," used for constant medication needs.
- c indicates "with," used to clarify instructions involving food or other medications.
- d refers to "day," commonly used in dosage calculations.
- hr or h stands for "hour," a unit of time for medication schedules.
- hs means "bedtime," indicating when to take the medication at night.
- Noc, N, or n means "night," indicating nighttime medications.
- p means "after," used in timing instructions.
- pc stands for "after meals," indicating timing post-food consumption.
- prn means "as needed," providing flexibility based on patient condition.
- s denotes "without," indicating something to avoid or exclude in instructions.
- ud means "as directed," ensuring adherence to specific physician instructions.
- AAA means "apply to affected area," common in topical treatment instructions.
- AD, AS, and AU refer to "right ear," "left ear," and "both ears," respectively, in otic medications.
- ID means "intradermal," referring to injections below the skin.
- IM stands for "intramuscular," a commonly used injection route.
- IPPD refers to "intermittent positive pressure breathing," a form of inhalation therapy.
- IV indicates "intravenous," commonly used for fluids and medications.
- IVP denotes "intravenous push," a method for administering medication quickly.
- IVPB refers to "intravenous piggyback," a method for adding another medication to an IV line.
- OD, OS, and OU refer to "right eye," "left eye," and "both eyes," respectively, in ophthalmic instructions.
- po means "by mouth" or "orally," the most common route of medication administration.
- pr denotes "rectally," specifying the route of administration.
- SL stands for "sublingual," indicating medications placed under the tongue.
- SQ, sq, sc, or subq means "subcutaneous," referring to injections into the fatty tissue.
- S&S or S/S indicates "swish and swallow" or "swish and spit," methods for administering certain medications.
- amp refers to "ampule," a sealed container for medicaments.
- cap(s) stands for "capsule(s)," a common dosage form.
- CR means "controlled release," describing a medication that releases over time.
- DA indicates "delayed release," a formulation designed to dissolve at a later time.
- DR also denotes "delayed release."
- DS stands for "double strength," indicating a higher concentration of a drug.
- EC refers to "enteric coated," a formulation designed to resist stomach acid.
- gtt or gtts means "drop or drops," commonly used in liquid medications.
- inh refers to "inhalation" or "inhaler," devices for administering aerosolized medications.
- inj denotes "injection," a route for administering medications.
- liq means "liquid," often in reference to the dosage form.
- MDI stands for "metered dose inhaler," a device for delivering fixed doses of medication.
- ophth refers to "ophthalmic," indicating medications intended for the eye.
- otic specifies medications "pertaining to the ear."
- pwd stands for "powder," a common dosage form.
- SA means "sustained action," indicating prolonged medication effects.
- soln or sol denotes "solution," referring to liquid preparations.
- SR means "sustained release," prolonging the drug's action over time.
- supp refers to "suppository," a medication designed for rectal administration.
- susp means "suspension," referring to a liquid mixture of solid particles.
- tab(s) stands for "tablet(s)," another common dosage form.
- TPN indicates "total parenteral nutrition," used for providing nutrients intravenously.
- ung or oint refers to "ointment," a semi-solid preparation for topical use.
- @ means "at," commonly used in instructions.
- & stands for "and," used in writing instructions.
- ABX denotes "antibiotics," medications for treating bacterial infections.
- ad means "up to," often in dose calculations.
- ASO refers to "automatic stop order," specifying medication stop criteria.
- bm stands for "bowel movement," often noted in patient records.
- BP indicates "blood pressure," a vital sign measurement.
- CI through CV refer to "controlled substance" schedules I to V, with varying restrictions.
- cc means "cubic centimeter," equivalent to mL for volume measurement.
- Cath stands for "catheter," a tube for medical procedures.
- Cont means "continued," often used in patient care instructions.
- CP denotes "chest pain," a common symptom requiring assessment.
- CS means "controlled substance," indicating regulated medications.
- DBP indicates "diastolic blood pressure," the lower number in a BP reading.
- DC, D/C, or DC'd means "discontinued or discharge," indicating a medication stop.
- disp refers to "dispense," the act of providing medication to a patient.
- fs or FS stands for "floor stock" or "finger stick," related to medication availability or glucose testing.
- gm refers to "gram," a unit of mass.
- gr stands for "grain," a unit of weight in pharmacy.
- HA denotes "headache," often documented in patient assessments.
- H.O. means "house officer," referring to medical staff in training.
- HR indicates "heart rate," a critical vital sign to monitor.
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Test your knowledge of common pharmacy sig codes with these flashcards. Each card features an abbreviation along with its definition, helping you to remember important dosing instructions. Perfect for pharmacy students or professionals looking to refresh their skills.
