Common Pharmacy Sig Codes and Abbreviations

 

a, an	before, without, ear
aa	of each, affected area
aaa	apply to affected area
ac	before a meal
ad	right ear or as directed or up to
ADD	attention deficit disorder
ADHD	attention deficit & hyperactivity disorder
ad lib	as often or as much needed
aft	afternoon
AIDS	acquired immune deficiency syndrome
am	morning
amt	amount
amp, inh	inhale nebs
ap	apply
APAP	acetaminophen (tylenol)
apl, app	applicatorful or applicator
aq, H20	water
as	left ear
ATC	around the clock
au	both ears
BBB	blood brain barrier
BC	birth control
bid	twice daily
biw	twice a week, every 2 weeks
bm	bowel movement
BP	blood pressure
BSA	body surface area
c	with
C	100
ca	calcium, cancer
CaCO3	calcium carbonate
CAD	coronary artery disease
cap	capsule
C & C	cough and congestion
cc	cubic centimeter
cd	cycle days (menstral)
CDC	centers for disease control and prevention
cf	cystic fibrosis, with food
cg	cough
CHF	congestive heart failure
cid	five times a day
CL	chlorine, chloride
cm	centimeter
cmpd, cpd	compound
CNS	central nervous system
CO2	carbon dioxide
COD	codiene
COPD	chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CP	chest pain
CPR	cardiopulmonary resuscitation
cr	controlled release
cr, crm	cream
d	daily, right
D51/2NS	5% dextrose & 0.45 NS
D5W	5% dextrose in water
DAW	dispense as written (provider) no generic
DAW2	dispense as written (patient) no generic
dex	dextrose
d/c	discontinue, discharge
dis, disp	dispense
DS	double strength
DM	diabetes mellitus
DNS	do not substitute
DOB	date of birth
dtd	dispense as such doses
dx	diagnosis
EC	enteric coated (like aspirin) safe for stomach lining
ED	emergency department, erectile dysfunction
EDS	estimated days supply
EES	erythromycin ethylsuccinate
elix	elixir
EMS	emergency medical service
ENT	ear, nose and throat
eq	equivalent
ERT	estrogen replacement therapy
et	and
ETOC	alcohol (you drink)
FDA	food and drug administration
FE	iron
FeSo4	ferrous sulfate (iron)
fid	five times a day
5x/d	five times a day
fl oz	fluidounce
g, gm	gram
gal	gallon
gen	generic
GERD	gastroesophageal reflux disease
GH	grow hormone
GSW	gun shot wound
gr	grain, about 60 mg
gtt	drops
h, hr	hour
H20	water
ha	headache
HBP	high blood pressure
HCL	hydrochloride (easy to mix w/other drugs)
HCTZ	hydrochlorothiazide
HD	high dose
hs	bedtime
ic	before meals
ID	intradermal
IDDM	insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (use diag code)
IM	intramuscularly (for injectables)
inf	infection
inh	inhale nebs
inj	inject
IU	international unit, intrauterine
IV	intravenously
IVPB	iv piggyback
ivp	iv push
K, K+	potassium
k, kg	kilogram
kg	kilogram
l	liter
la	long acting
lb	pounds
liq	liquid
lot	lotion
LWI	lower respiratory infection
m	mix
max	maximum
MDI	metered dose inhaler
m ft	mix & make
meq, mEq	milliequivalent
mcg, ug	microgram
mg	milligram
min	minute
ml	milliliter
mm	millimeter
m	month
mo	month
na	nausea
neb	nebulizer
NKA	no know allergies
NKDA	no know drug allergies
no	number
noc, noct, pm	night
npo NPO	nothing by mouth
nr	no refill
NS	normal solution
NSAID	non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
NTE	not to exceed
NTG	nitroglycerin
o	eye
02	oxygen
OC	oral contraceptive
od	right eye, once daily
OM	otitis media
os	left eye
OTC	over the counter
ou	both eyes
oz	ounce
p	after
pa	pain
pc	aftermeals
pcn	penicillin
PDR	physician’s desk reference
per	by, in (neb), per (time frame)
pm	evening, night
po	by mouth
pp	as needed for pain
pr, r, rec	rectally
pt	patient
prn	per requested need
pv, vag	vaginally, in the vagina
pulv	powder
q	every
qam, qm	every morning
qd	every day
qh	every hour
qhs	every night
q 4 h	every four hours
qsad	add to amount needed
q 7 pm	every day at 7 pm
qid	fours times a day
qn	every night
qod	every other day
qs	quantity suffient
qt	quart
r,rec, pr, PR	rectally
rept	repeat
rf	refill
rx	you take
s	left, without
sc	subcutaneous
sid	once daily (mostly vets)
sig	directions
sl	dissolve under the tongue (sublingually)
SMZ/TMP	sulfamethoxazile & trimethoprim
SMX/TMP	sulfamethoxazile & trimethoprim
sob	shortness of breathe
sol	solution
sq, sub-c	subcutaneous (for injectables)
SR	slow or sustained release
ss	one half, sliding scale (for insulin)
s/s	signs & symptoms
stat	immediately
subq, sub q	subcutaneous (for injectables)
supp	suppository
susp	suspension
sx	symptoms
syr	syrup
tab	tablet (s)
TAC	triamcinolone
tad	take as directed
tat	until all is taken
tea	teaspoonful, 5ml
tbs	tablespoonful, 15ml
tcn	tetracycline
td	transdermal
tid	three times daily
tinct	tincture
tiw	three times weekly
tpn	total parental nutrient
tsp	teaspoonful, 5ml
tr	time release
tx	treatment
u, U	unit, both
ud	as directed
ug	until gone
ung	ointment
URI	upper respiratory infection
vag, pv	vaginally, in the vagina
x3d	for 3 days
xl	extended release
xr	extended release
w	with, week
w/	with
WBC	white blood count
wc	with meals
w/f	with food
wk	weekly
w/o	without
wt	weight
YO	years old
/	per
<	less than
>	great than
i	one
ii	two
iii	three
iv	four
v	five

Q & A #4

1. Colors could indicate urinary disorder?
Answer: yellow-brown or yellow-green, red or reddish brown, orange-red
(Note: Normal color of urine is Yellow)

2. When catheter is removed the pt. should expect?
Answer: No discomport

3. Urinalysis test strips should be stored?
Answer: At room temperature, tightly sealed

4. First morning urine specimen iis often used for?
Answer: Pregnancy test

5. Urinary System includes?
Answer: Kidneys,Ureters,Bladder (KUB)

6. Example of electrolytes include?
Answer: Hydrogen, Sodium, Potassium

7. Characteristic odor of urine in DM?
Answer: sweet and fruity

8. Dialysis is a?
Answer: treatment for kidney disease and temporary treatment while a donor is located

9. Outer layer of kidney?
Answer: Cortex

10. Substances typically excreted in urine?
Answer: electrolytes, sugars, amino acids, vitamins, hormones, and nitrogenous waste

Q & A #3

1. When lifting box, you should?
Answer: Lift with your legs

2. Tube used for obtaining blood for blood cultures?
Answer: Yellow

3. Tube used for hematology testing?
Answer: Lavender

4. Arterial blood gases are obtained to provide information with what condition?
Answer: Respiratory

5. Vein that is the first choice in performing venipuncture?
Answer: Median Cubital

6. Personal protective equipment(PPE) must be available?
Answer: to all employees at no cost to the employee

7. Heelstick is typically on the medial and ________ surfaces of the heel?
Answer: Plantar

8. Medical assistants must always be alert to the safety of?
Answer: patients, themselves, and the office

9. Disposed items should not be?
Answer: Reused

10. Specific Gravity is a measurement of urine compared to an equal volume of?
Answer: Water

Routes of Drug Administration

1. Oral (swallowing)

2. Sublingual ( under the tongue )

3. Transdermal ( patches)

4. Parenteral ( intradermal, subcutaneousm intramascular, intravenous, buccal, inhalation, irrigation, instillation, rectal, topical)

Parts of the Prescription

1. Only a physician can sign Schedule I, II, III and IV drugs (Highest strength is Schedule I )
2. Patient’s name and address, and the prescription date3. Superscription: the symbol (Rx) which means (take)
4. Inscription : (main part of the prescription) “drug name, form, and strength”
5. Subscription : directions to the pharmacist for the amount of drug to be dispensed
6. Signature : patient instructions (Sig:) to be placed on label
7. Refill information : (“REPETATUR 0 1 2 3 PRN”) refill instructions for the physician to circle
8. Physician’s signature and “Dispense as written” or “Substitute Generic Medication”

Uses of Medication,The Controlled Substances/Schedule Drugs & Dosage

1. Therapeutic Effect – desired effect of a drug.

2. Side Effect – adverse reactions to medications

3. Toxic Effect – overdose, allergic reaction, interactions with other drugs

4. Idiosyncratic Effect– cannot be explained or predicted

5. Contraindications – reasons against prescribing or administering a drug

***Controlled substances are also called schedule drugs – They include drugs with potential abuse such as narcotics, depressants, stimulants or hallucinogenics.

***All schedule drugs must be accounted for at all times.

***Those drugs administered to patients must be recorded in a log with the date, time, patient name, dosage, and amount dispensed.

***Formulas are used to calculate adult abd pediatric drug dosages.

Dosage Calculations:

Available strength (Ordered strength) = Available amount ( Amount to give)

Note: The Controlled Substances or Schedule Drugs is enforced by the DEA.

The body processes drugs by:

1. Absorption – in stomach and small intestine

2. Distribution– bloodstream

3. Metabolism– liver

4. Excretion – urine and feces

Role in Administering and Dispensing Medication

Medical Assistant must understand:
1. DEA ( Drug Enforcement Agency) legal guidelines
2. Read medication orders or prescriptions
3. How to administer medications under physicians’ orders

As a Medical Assistant you must:
1. Know and recognize side effects
2. Instruct patients about their medication
3. Search credible resources for additional informations

Note: Always refer to the latest Medical Assistant scope of practice to avoid errors.

Write Prescriptions for the following drugs:

Example 1: Neurontin 300mg tablet PO 3 times daily.

Write as: Rx Neurontin 300mg tabs PO

                          90 (ninety)

                          Sig. take 1 tab tid

Example 2: Cipro 500mg tablet PO 2 times for 10 days.

Write as: Rx Cipro 500mg tabs PO

                           20 (twenty)

                           Sig. take 1 tab bid for 10 days