Deciphering Medspeak
Rx Riddles Solved!
Doctors, pharmacists, and others use a medical "shorthand."
What difference does it make if your doctor's handwriting isn't legible?
It might be the difference between AP and ap!
Shorthand |
Definition |
ãã
|
- ana, so much of each
|
a.c.
|
- ante cibum, before meals
|
ad effect
|
- until effective
|
ad lib
|
- as much as desired
|
AP
|
- ante partum, before childbirth
|
ap
|
- ante prandium, before dinner
|
aq
|
- aqua, water
|
bid
|
- bis en die, twice each day
|
c
|
- cum, with
|
dbl
|
- double
|
h.s.
|
- hora somni, at bedtime
|
i.d.
|
- idem, the same
|
IM
|
- intramuscular
|
k
|
- constant
|
mb
|
- misce bene, mix well
|
MDR
|
- minimum daily requirement
|
MED
|
- minimum effective dose
|
npo
|
- nil peros, nothing by mouth
|
õ
|
- nono, without
|
O.D.
|
- oculus dexter, right eye
|
O.S.
|
- oculus sinister, left eye
|
P
|
- post, after
|
per os
|
- by mouth
|
qd
|
- quaque die, every day
|
qh
|
- quaque hora, every hour
|
qid
|
- quater in die, four times a day
|
qv
|
- quatum vis, as much as you wish
|
Rx
|
- recipe, prescription
|
STAT
|
- statim, immediately
|
sum.
|
- sumat, let it be taken
|
T or T°
|
- temperature
|
t
|
- time
|
tid
|
- ter in die, three times each day
|
ut dict
|
- ut dictum, as directed
|
vid
|
- see
|
W
|
- weight
|
w/
|
- with
|
x
|
- unknown factor
|
|