A

aa – of each
ac – before meals
ad – right ear
ad lib – as desired
am – morning
amp – ampule
as – left ear
au – both ears

B

ba – barium

bac – bacteria

BID – twice a day (from Latin bis in die)

bid – twice daily

BM – bowel movement or bone marrow

BP – blood pressure

bpm – beats per minute

BSA – body surface area

BUN – blood urea nitrogen

buc – buccal (inside cheek)

BID – twice a day (bis in die)

BID – two times a day

b.i.d. – twice daily

biw – twice a week

b.i.w. – twice a week

b.i.d. – twice daily

b.i.d – two times a day

bilat – bilateral (both sides)

bl – blood

bl.cult – blood culture

BKA – below the knee amputation

BL – burkitt’s lymphoma

bld – blood

BPM – beats per minute

BRB – bright red blood

brpm – breath per minute

BS – blood sugar or bowel sounds

bsq – biopsy

BSO – bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy

BUN – blood urea nitrogen

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C

cap – capsule
cc – cubic centimeter
c – with
cr – cream

D

disp – dispense
DAW – dispense as written
dc – discontinue
dL – deciliter
dr – delayed release

E

EC – enteric-coated
ER – extended release

G

g – gram
gm – gram
gr – grain
gtt – drop

H

hs – at bedtime
H2O – water

I

IM – intramuscular
IV – intravenous
inj – injection
inst – instill

M

mcg – microgram
mg – milligram
mL – milliliter

O

od – right eye
os – left eye
ou – both eyes
OTC – over the counter

P

pc – after meals
po – by mouth
prn – as needed
pt – pint

Q

q – every
qam – every morning
qd – daily
qid – four times daily
qs – sufficient quantity

R

Rx – prescription
rep – repeat
RF – refill

S

sc, sq, subq – subcutaneous
sig – directions
sl – sublingual
sol – solution
SR – sustained release
ss – half
stat – immediately
supp – suppository
susp – suspension
syr – syrup

T

tab – tablet
tid – three times daily
top – topical
tsp – teaspoon

U

ud – as directed
ung – ointment
USP – United States Pharmacopeia

V

v or V – 5 (Roman numeral)

vaginally – administration through the vagina

VA – while awake

VO – verbal order

VP or VPAT – ventilator-associated pneumonia (clinical term)

VT – ventilator therapy

VS or V/S – vital signs

vt – drop (from Latin "guttae")

vol – volume

v.o. – verbal order

VRE – vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (infection control term)

v.d. – via ductus (medical anatomy term)

Vanc – vancomycin (antibiotic abbreviation)

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W

w/ – with
w/o – without

X

x – times
XL/XR – extended release

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