Abbreviations

IM

intramuscular

IV

intravenous

IVPB

intravenous piggyback

IVP

intravenous push

Subq, sub-q, sq

subcutaneous

PO

by mouth (oral/swallowed)

SL

sublingual (held under tongue)

ac

before meals

pc

after meals

ad lib

as desired/ freely

prn

as needed

stat

immediately

bid

twice a day

tid

three times a day

qid

four times a day

qh

every hour

q2h

every 2 hours

a

before

p

after

c

with

s

without

ss

one half

NPO

nothing by mouth

q3h

every 3 hours

q6h

every 6 hours