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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

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