Prescription Abbreviations
This abbreviation means “twice per day.”
What is BID.
This abbreviation stands for “blood pressure.”
What is BP.
Transcribe in full: “PE: RR 14 BPM.”
What is “During the physical exam, the respiration rate was 14 breaths per minute.”
How would you verbally tell a client the meaning of “BP 120/80” in one clear sentence?
What is “Your blood pressure is 120 over 80, which is a normal reading.”
What does “IM” stand for?
What is Intramuscular.
This abbreviation indicates “by mouth.”
What is PO.
This pair of abbreviations represent tests that examine the heart’s electrical activity.
What is ECG or EKG = Electrocardiogram.
Transcribe in full: “Rx: 2 Cap BID, Ac.”
What is “The prescription is two capsules twice per day before meals.”
Rewrite this for a client: “The UA was WNL.”
What is “Your urinalysis was within normal limits.”
What does “NPO” stand for?
What is Nothing by mouth.
If a prescription reads “2 Cap BID, AC,” how would you write the full instruction in plain English?
What is “Take two capsules twice per day before meals.”
What does “UA WNL” mean when written in a diagnostic report?
What is Urinalysis within normal limits.
Transcribe in full: “Dx: UA WNL, EKG NAF.”
What is “The diagnostic results showed the urinalysis was within normal limits, and the electrocardiogram had no abnormal findings.”
A client hears the clinician say “NPO.” What does that mean, and how would you explain why it might be required?
Nothing by mouth. Explain: “NPO means the patient should not eat or drink for a period before the procedure to reduce the risk of complications like vomiting or aspiration.”
Decode: “HR 88, TPR normal.” Explain each abbreviation.
What is HR = Heart rate; TPR = Temperature, pulse, and respiration. Example explanation: “Heart rate 88 beats per minute; TPR refers to taking the temperature, pulse, and respiration.”
What does “PRN” mean and give one example of when it might be used.
What is As needed. Example: pain medication given PRN for pain.
Decode “BCS” and explain briefly what it assesses.
What is Body Condition Score — assesses an animal’s fat and muscle to determine nutritional status.
Transcribe in full: “Rx: 5cc Inj IM, EOD.”
What is “The prescription is to inject 5 cc intramuscularly every other day.”
A patient’s chart reads “Hx: asthma; Rx: albuterol inhaler PRN.” How would you explain this to the owner in two sentences?
What is Example: “The history shows the patient has asthma. We’ve prescribed an albuterol inhaler to use as needed for shortness of breath or wheezing.”
What does “SQ or SC” refer to and give one example of a medication given this way.
What is SQ or SC = Subcutaneous (under the skin). Example: a small-volume vaccine or insulin given subcutaneously.
Decode: “Rx: 5cc Inj IM, EOD.” Write the full prescription instruction.
What is “Inject 5 cubic centimeters intramuscularly every other day.”
Explain the meaning of “WNL” and why that is important in a diagnostic summary.
What is Within normal limits; indicates findings are in expected, healthy ranges.
Transcribe in full: “O patient is ADR, requests PE.”
What is “The owner says something isn’t right with the patient and requests a physical examination.”
Communicate the following note smoothly and professionally: “PE: RR 14 BPM, BP 182/79; Dx: EKG NAF; Rx: 2 Cap BID, AC.”
What is “During the physical exam, the respiration rate was 14 breaths per minute and the blood pressure was 182 over 79. The electrocardiogram showed no abnormal findings. I’m prescribing two capsules to be taken twice daily before meals.”
The chart lists: “DOB 06/14/2010; Hx: Fx left forearm; Sx scheduled QID.” Identify and write out the full meanings for DOB, Fx, and QID; then correct any inappropriate use in that sentence.
What is DOB = Date of birth; Fx = Fracture; QID = Four times per day. Correction note: Sx usually stands for surgery; if the sentence intended QID for dosing, write “Rx scheduled QID” rather than “Sx scheduled QID,” or change Sx to Rx if prescription was meant.