Abbreviations

ac before meals
ad lib use as much as one desires; use
freely
pc after meals
a.m. morning, before noon
Amp. ampule
Amt. amount
as  left ear
ad right ear
au both ears
bd/bid twice daily
cap./ caps. capsule
cc cubic centimeter
comp. compound
cr./crm cream
D/C discontinue
disp. dispersible or dispense
elix. Elixir
emuls. Emulsion
fl./fld. Fluid
g Gram
gr Grain
gtt(s) drop(s)
h/hr Hour
hs at bedtime
ID Intradermal
IM intramuscular (with respect to
injections)
inj. Injection
IP Intraperitoneal
IV Intravenous
ung. ointment
TPN total parenteral nutrition
Stat Immediately
qd every day
tid/tds three times a day
qid/qds four times a day
qid every other day
qh every hour
qhs every night at bedtime
q1h every 1 hour; can replace ‘1’ with
other numbers e.g. q4h- every 4
hours
mane in the morning
od right eye
os left eye
ou both eyes
PRN/prn as needed
po by mouth or orally
pr by rectum
PV via the vagina or per vagina
SC/SQ Subcutaneous
tsp. teaspoon

Calendar Related
1/7 one day (can replace 1 with
other numbers)
2/12 two months ( can replace 2
with other numbers)
4/52 four weeks (can replace 4 with
other numbers)

System of Measurements- Equivalence

1 ml 15 gtts
5 mls 1 teaspoon (tsp.)
15 mls 1 tablespoon (tbsp.)
30 mls 1 ounce (oz.)
30 grams 1 ounce
500 mls 1 pint
1000 mls 1 quart
4000 mls 1 gallon
60 mg 1 grain (gr)
500 grams 1.1 pound (lb.)
1000 g (1 kg) 2.2 lbs.

System of Measurements- Equivalence

1 kg 1000 g
1g 1000 mg
1 mg 1000 mcg
1000 ml / cubic centimeter 1 liter

System of Measurements- Conversion

Grams to kilograms divide by 1000
Kilograms to grams multiply by 1000
Kilograms to pounds multiply by 2.2
Pounds to kilogram divide by 2.2
Grams to milligram multiply by 1000
Milligram to grams divide by 1000
Microgram to milligram divide by 1000
Milligram to microgram multiply by 1000
Milliliter to liter divide by 1000
Liter to milliliter multiply by 1000