The "Script" (Abbreviations)
100: This common abbreviation tells the patient to take their medication twice a day
What is bid? (bis in die)
To convert a patient's weight from pounds (lbs) to kilograms (kg), you divide the weight by this number.
What is 2.2?
If a doctor writes this on a prescription for an inhaler or pain med, it means it should be taken as needed.
What is prn? (pro re nata)
This is the equivalent number of milliliters (mL) in one standard teaspoon (tsp).
What is 5mL?
This abbreviation indicates the medication should be taken after meals.
What is pc? (post cibum: Latin)
If a physician orders 500 mg of a drug and the "on hand" dose is 250 mg tablets, the MA should administer this many tablets.
What is 2?
This instruction tells the patient to take their medication at bedtime.
What is hs? (hora somni: hour of sleep )
This is the total number of milligrams (mg) in 1 gram (g).
What is 1,000 mg?
To ensure safety, the ISMP recommends writing out "daily" instead of using this abbreviation, which is often mistaken for "four times a day."
What is qd? (quaque die: "once a day" or "every day"
Using the formula (Desired / Have) x Quantity, calculate how many mL to give if the order is for 75 mg and the vial is labeled 50 mg / 2 mL.
What is 3 mL? (75 รท 50 = 1.5; 1.5 x 2 = 3)