Glossary of medical time
When to do treatments:
- ac: “ante cibum” means before meals
- pc: “post cibum” means after meals
- am: “ante-meridian” means before noon, such as morning
- pm: “post-meridian” means after noon, such as evening
- prn: “pro re nata” means as the thing is needed
- ud: “ut dictum” means as directed
- qs: “quantum sufficit” means as much as is sufficient
- asa: “as soon as possible”
When to repeat treatments:
- o: once
- q: every
- d: day
- h: hour
- od: once per day
- oh: once per hour
- o2d: once per 2 days
- o2h: once per 2 hours
- qd: every day
- qh: every hour
- q2d: every 2 days
- q2h: every 2 hours
- qod: every other day a.k.a. alternating days
- qoh: every other hour a.k.a. alternating hours
How many times:
- i: 1 time, such as 1 item, tablet, pill, etc.
- ii: 2 times, such as 2 items, tablets, pills, etc.
- iii: 3 times, such as 3 items, tablets, pills, etc.