Pharmacy Abbreviations
Terms
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- a, ante
- before
- aa
- of equal parts
- ac
- before meals
- ad(*)
- right ear
- ad lib
- as much as desired
- ADI
- American Drug Index
- adm
- admission
- ADR
- adverse drug reaction
- Af, a fib
- atrial fibrilation; rapid, ineffectual atrial heart rate
- AHFS
- American Hospital Formulary Service
- AIDS
- acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
- alb
- albumin
- am
- morning
- amb
- ambulatory
- amt
- amount
- anabolism
- protein synthesis
- anaphylaxis
- hypersensitivity reaction
- ANDA
- Abbreviated New Drug Application
- antitussive
- cough reliever
- APAP
- acetaminophen
- APT
- Association of Pharmacy Technicians
- APHA
- American Pharmacists Association
- ARC
- AIDS-related complex
- aq
- aqueous
- as(*)
- left ear
- ASA
- aspirin
- ASHP
- American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists
- au(*)
- both ears
- AZT
- azidothymidine, zidovudine
- BBVD
- bloodborne viral disease
- bid
- twice daily
- biw
- twice weekly
- BM
- bowel movement
- BMR
- basal metabolic rate
- BP
- blood pressure
- BUN
- blood urea nitrogen; a kidney function test
- c
- with
- Ca
- calcium
- CAD
- coronary artery disease
- caps
- capsules
- CAT
- computerized axial tomography
- cath
- catheter
- CBC
- complete blood count
- CC
- chief complaint
- cc(*)
- cubic centimeter (millimeter)
- CCU
- coronary care unit
- CDC
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- CHF
- congestive heart failure
- Cl
- chloride
- cm
- centimeter
- CNS
- central nervous system
- CO2
- carbine dioxide
- COPD
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- CPR
- cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- C&S
- culture and sensitivity
- CQI
- continuing quality improvement
- CSF
- cerebral fluid
- CTU
- cardiac transition unit
- CV
- cardiovascular
- CVA
- cerebral vascular event (stroke)
- CVP
- central venous pressure
- dc, d/c (*)
- discontinue
- DEA
- Drug Enforcement Agency
- decubitus
- bedsore
- DIC
- Drug Information Center
- diag
- diagnosis
- Disp
- dispense
- DTD
- let such doses be given
- DM
- diabetes mellitus; disease affecting carbohydrate metabolism
- DME
- durable medical equipment
- DNA
- deoxyribonucleic acid
- DO
- doctor of osteopathy
- DPT
- diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus vaccine
- DRG
- diagnosis related group
- D5W
- dextrose 5% in water
- D5/0.33
- dextrose 5% in 0.33% sodium chloride
- D5/0.45
- dextrose 5% in 0.45% sodium chloride
- D5/0.9
- dextrose 5% in 0.9% sodium chloride
- DRL
- dextrose 5% in Ringer's lactate
- DR
- delivery room
- dx
- diagnosis
- ECG or EKG
- electocardiogram
- ECT or EST
- electroconvulsive therapy
- EEG
- eletroencephalogram
- embolism
- traveling blood clot
- ENT
- ear, nose and throat
- ER
- emergency room
- FBS
- fasting
- FDA
- Food and Drug Administration
- febrile
- elevated body temperature
- fuo
- fever of unknown origin
- g, gm
- gram
- GI
- gastrointestinal
- gr
- grain
- gtt
- drop
- GU
- genitourinary
- GYN
- gynecology
- h, hr
- hour
- H20
- water
- Hct
- hematocrit
- Hgb
- hemoglobin
- HIV
- human immunodeficiency virus
- H&P
- history and physical
- hs (*)
- hours of sleep, bedtime
- hx
- history
- ICU
- intensive care unit
- ILL
- international unit
- IM
- intramuscular
- IND
- investigational new drug
- INH
- isoniazid
- I&O
- intake and output
- IV
- intravenous
- IVPB
- intravenous piggyback; small volume parenteral
- IVSS
- intravenous soluset; small volume parenteral
- JCAHO
- Joint Commission for Acreditation of Healthcare Organizations
- K
- potassium
- KCl
- potassium chloride
- kg
- kilogram
- kvo
- keep vein open
- l
- liter
- lb
- pound
- LPN
- licensed practical nurse
- LR
- lactated Ringer's solution
- mcg, ug
- microgram
- MD
- medical doctor
- mEq
- milliequivalent
- Mg
- magnesium
- MI
- myocardial infarction
- ml
- milliliter
- MOM
- milk of magnesia
- ms
- morphine sulfate, multiple
- mvi
- multivitamin
- NARD
- National Association of Retail Druggists
- Na
- sodium
- NDA
- new drug application
- NF
- National Formulary
- ngt
- nasogastric tube
- non rep (nr)
- do not repeat
- NPH
- neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin
- npo
- nothing by mouth
- NS
- normal saline; 0.9% sodium chloride
- NSAID
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
- NTG
- nitroglycerin
- n/v
- nausea & vomiting
- O2
- oxygen
- OB
- obsterics
- od (*)
- right eye
- oob
- out of bed
- OPD
- outpatient department
- OR
- operating room
- os
- left eye
- ostomy
- surgical opening
- ou
- both eyes
- p
- after
- PA
- physicians assistant
- PACU
- post anethesia care unit
- pathogen
- disease-causing organism
- pb
- piggyback
- pc
- after meals
- PDR
- physicians desk reference
- pH
- hydrogen ion concentration
- PharmD
- doctor of pharmacy
- PID
- pelvic inflammatory disease
- pm
- afternoon, evening
- PMU
- pain mamagement unit
- po
- by mouth
- PPD
- purified protein derivative
- premi
- premature
- prep
- prepare for
- prn
- as needed
- PT
- physical therapy
- PVC
- premature ventricular contraction
- PZI
- protaimine zinc insulin
- q
- every, each
- QA
- quality assurance
- qam
- every morning
- qd (*)
- daily
- q_h
- every_hour(s)
- qhs (*)
- every bedtime
- qid (*)
- four times a day
- qod (*)
- every other day
- qs
- quantity sufficient
- rbc
- red blood cell
- RL
- Ringer's lactate
- RN
- registered nurse
- r/o
- rule out
- rt, R
- right
- Rx
- prescription
- s
- without
- sc, sub Q (*)
- subcutaneous
- SDS
- same day surgery
- sig
- let it be printed, label
- sl
- sublingual
- sos
- if necessary
- ss
- half, sliding scale
- SSE
- soap suds enema
- SSKI
- saturated solution of potassium iodide
- stat
- immediately and once only
- STD
- sexually transmitted disease
- syncope
- fainting
- tab(s)
- tablets
- TB
- tuberculosis
- tid
- three times daily
- tiw (*)
- three times weekly
- thrombus
- blood clot
- t.o.
- telephone order
- TPN
- total parenteral nutrition
- tr
- tincture
- TWE
- tap water enema
- U (*)
- unit
- ug (*)
- microgram
- ung
- ointment
- USP
- United States Pharmacopoeia
- USPDI
- United States Pharmacopoeia Drug Information
- ut, dict,ud
- as directed
- UTI
- urinary tract infection
- VA
- Veteran's Administration
- V fib
- ventricular fibrillation
- vertigo
- dizziness
- vs
- vital signs
- vss
- vital signs stable
- WBC
- white blood cell count; leukocyte
- WDWN
- well-developed,well-nourished