Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS):(CMS Number CMS-P-0015A)

Created 08/4/05

Glossary of Prescribed Medicine Abbreviations
Medicine Form
Amp. = Ampules (elongated glass container of liquid medication)

Cap. = Capsules (gel caps, time release caps, solid caplets)

Elix. = Elixir (liquid)

hypo. = hypodermically (injection)

I.D. = intradermal (injection in skin)

I.M. = intramuscular (injection in muscle)

inf. = infusion (I.V. infusion)

Inhalant = medication administered per nose and/or mouth via mist

I.V. = intravenously (in vein)

patche = skin cover for medication or for test

per os/P.O. = by mouth

P.R. = per rectum

Pulv = powder

S.L. = Sublingual (under the tongue)

s.q./subq/S.C. = subcutaneous (under the skin)

syr = syrup

Tab = Tablet

tr = tincture

ung = ointment

vial = container (small) of sealed liquid medication usually for injections

When or How Often a Medicine is Administered
a.c. = before meals
ad. lib = as desired
b.d. = twice a day
b.i.d. = twice a day
b.i.n. = twice a night
H. = hour
h.s. = at bedtime
non rep. = don't repeat
noxt. = at night
p.c. = after food (after meals)
p.r.n. = as needed (as desired)
q.h. = every hour
q = every
q 2h = every 2 hours
q.d. = every day
q.i.d = four times a day
q.o.d. = every other day
rep. = let it be repeated
stat. = immediately
t.i.d. = three times a day

Created 08/4/05

Dosage or Strength of a Medicine
cc. = cubic centimeter (injections and liquid medications are measured in cc.)
dr. = drams 27 gr = 1 dram 8 drams = 1 oz.
fl. oz. = fluid ounce
gm or g = gram
gr = grain
gtt = drops
Kg = Kilogram
M2 = square meter
mEq = milliequivalent (weight of substance in 1 milliliter)
mg = milligram 1000 mg = 1 gm
mcg = microgram
ml = milliliter 1000 ml = 1 Liter
mm = millimeter 1000 mm = 1 meter
L. = Liter 1.0567 quarters = 1 Liter

Miscellaneous
a or aa = of each
AP = apical pulse
aq. = water
ASAP = as soon as possible
C = centigrade
c = with
CO2 = carbon dioxide
comp = compound
dil = dilute
et = and
F = Fahrenheit
Fx = fracture
G = gauge
GI = gastrointestinal
I.O. = intake and output

lauage = to wash out cavities (wounds)

Na = sodium

NG tube = nasal gastric tube for feeding [sizes in French (i.e., French 18]

NS/NA C1 = normal saline (Sodium Chloride Solution)

O2 = oxygen

o.d. = right eye
o.s. = left eye
o.u. = both eyes
pads = sterile or non-sterile coverings
s = without
S.O.B. = short of breath
sp. gr. = specific gravity
ss = half
 = one tablet
T
T = temperature
T.O. = telephone order
T T = two tablets