Introductory Pharmacology
Abbreviations Fall 2002
Ann MacLeod, RN, BScN, MPH
Objectives
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Identify components of a medication order
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Interpret the meaning of a medication order
Identify the meanings of standard abbreviations used in medication
administration
Reading Medication Labels
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*examine a variety of labels in your "Gray" text and describe what would be in
the container of these labels
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*dose
*strength
*route
*total volume
*directions
Understanding an order
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Colace 30 mg. PO QID
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Name Dose Route Frequency
The Order
 Pt. NAME: full name to avoid errors, pt.id #
 DATE OF ORDER: may tell you when to stop drug
 NAME OF DRUG: generic / trade name
 DOSE: exact strength
 ROUTE: how to give
 TIME/ FREQUENCY : BID, od
 SIGNATURE: MD, or midwife who wrote order
TYPES OF ORDERS
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Stat- drug given immediately only that time, not again with that order
PRN- nurse gives when pt. needs a particular drug
Self terminating - time limited order (until temp ) some drugs can only be
given for a certain # of days (ie. 72hrs. or 7 days)
Medical directives
3 () checks for meds
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 check when taking out
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patient
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patient
 when pouring
 when putting away
6 Rights of Med Admin
drug
amount
time
route
documentation
Administration Process The 6 rights
drug
amount or dose
route
time
documentation
E.THE SIX RIGHTS
RIGHT PATIENT- always  arm band or photo on MAR sheet, ask their name
RIGHT DRUG-check MAR sheet or kardex, do 3 checks
RIGHT DOSE (amount)- based on wt., tolerance, condition. never guess, you
may have to calculate
RIGHT ROUTE- can't change this, may be given a choice, if pt. can't tolerate
contact MD
6 RIGHTS Cont’d
RIGHT TIME - a part of the order see abbreviations for clarification
RIGHT DOCUMENTATION- chart where we should
PREPARING THE MEDS
 Meds are prepared in med room or at the pt. bedside with the cart, meds
should be locked when not using , some kept in fridge
 STEP 1- check MAR or med ticket with MD Rx or kardex
 STEP 2- ensure order is complete & you understand it
 STEP 3- prepare med (3 checks)
PREPARING THE MEDS cont’d
STEP 4- identify pt. & prepare to give (some pts. want more teaching info than
others)
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STEP 5- record : name, route, admin time, dose, signature, status
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always compare armband with MAR sheet or med card (don’t assume you
have the right pt.)
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if no arm band check photo id, ask another nurse to verify or ask pt. to state
their name
STEP 6- assess for adverse effects, check within hr. & record if req’d
Identifying the pt.
Right Patient
Abbreviations : Doses
 mL
 Meq
 L
 cc
 cm
 kg
 ii
 tab
 cap
 kvo keep vein open
 ss
 tsp.(t)
 u
 mcg ( microgram)
 mg ( milligram)
 g ( gram )
 tbsp. (T)
 gr.
 Gtt drop
 mEq milliequivalents
Abbreviations: Routes  PO - orally vs SL sublingual
 Parenteral
 IV - intravenous
 SC - subcutaneous
 IM - intramuscular
 Instillation - drops gtt - NG (Nasogastric tube)
 OD - right eye OS - left eye OU - both eyes
 Insertion - supp or pr (per rectum) or vag (vaginal)
 Topical - percutaneous ung or oint ( ointment) - transdermal patch
 Inhalation
 NPO nothing by mouth
Abbreviations - Time
 Od
once per day
 bid
twice per day
 tid
three times per day
 qid
4 times per day
 q
every
 qod
every other day
 q1h
every 1 hour
 q 4h
every 4 hours
 Stat
now
 prn
as needed
 ac
before meals
 pc
after meals
 hs
at bedtime
DOCUMENTATION
 the medication record is a legal document –nurse name & status signed for
each med given : drug, dosage, route,time, signature
 the record keeps team informed
 chart as soon as you give
 prn's, stats may be charted in 2 places
 response to med must be charted somewhere
Examples
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Zidovudine 200 mg po q4h
Synthroid 200 mcg po qd
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Regular Humulin insulin 5 U sc ac and hs
Mylanta 1 oz po q4h prn
Gentamycin 45 mg IVPB q 12h
Prednisone 10 mg po qod