Simple Medical Prescription Terms You Must Know

Ever received a prescription and found yourself staring at a sea of unfamiliar abbreviations and medical jargon? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Doctors love their abbreviations, and that can leave nurses feeling confused. 

This blog is your guide to understanding common medical terms you’ll find on prescriptions.

Together, let’s look into the intricacies of drug formations, administration instructions, and treatment durations.

Understanding Prescription Components

Prescriptions serve as essential guides for medication management, comprising several key components that convey vital information about the prescribed drug. 

As nurses, we know the importance of clear communication when it comes to patient care. But prescriptions, often riddled with abbreviations and medical jargon, can be a source of confusion. This can lead to medication errors and hinder patient understanding of their treatment plan. 

Let’s take a look into each component to gain a comprehensive understanding:

Drug Form

The first thing you’ll encounter on a prescription is the drug form, indicated by an abbreviation. Here’s a quick breakdown of some frequently used terms:

• Tab: Tablet – the most common form, taken orally.
• Cap: Capsule – another oral medication, often containing powder or liquid.
• IM: Intramuscular – injected into a muscle, typically the deltoid, gluteal, or femoral.
• IV: Intravenous – injected directly into a vein, often used for faster or more potent medications.
• Inf: Infusion – medication delivered slowly through a vein, ideal for fluids or continuous treatment.
• PR: Rectal – medication inserted into the rectum, used for suppositories or when oral administration is not possible.
• PV: Vaginal – medication inserted into the vagina, often used for creams or suppositories.

Drug Name and Dosage

The prescription begins with the name of the prescribed drug, often accompanied by its dosage strength. For example, “Aspirin 81 mg” indicates the drug (Aspirin) and its dosage (81 milligrams).

Route of Administration

This component specifies how the medication should be administered. Common abbreviations include:

• Oral (PO): Indicates the drug is to be taken by mouth.
• Intramuscular (IM): Indicates the drug is to be injected into a muscle.
• Intravenous (IV): Indicates the drug is to be administered directly into a vein.
• Topical (Top): Indicates the drug is to be applied to the skin.

Grasping Administration Instructions

Once you’ve decoded the drug name, form, dosage, and route of administration; it’s essential to understand how and when the medication should be administered. Administration instructions provided in prescriptions guide patients and healthcare professionals on the proper dosage schedule. 

Frequency of Administration

BD (Bis in Die): This Latin abbreviation translates to “twice a day.” Medications indicated as BD are typically taken once in the morning and once in the evening.

TDS (Ter Die Sumendus): Also Latin, TDS means “three times a day.” Medications labelled TDS are usually taken in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

QDS (Quater Die Sumendus): QDS signifies “four times a day.” Medications prescribed as QDS are administered four times throughout the day.

Stat (Statim): Statim is Latin for “immediately.” Medications labelled stat are to be administered without delay, often in urgent or emergency situations.

PRN (Pro Re Nata): PRN denotes “as needed” or “when necessary.” Medications prescribed as PRN are taken only when the specific symptoms or conditions arise.

Nocte (Noctu): Nocte means “at night” in Latin. Medications indicated as Nocte are administered before bedtime.

Duration of Treatment

Understanding the duration for which a medication should be taken is essential for ensuring the effectiveness of treatment and avoiding potential complications. Prescription abbreviations and numerical indicators provide valuable insights into the duration of treatment. Let’s look into some common indicators and their interpretations:

One Over Seven (1/7): This abbreviation indicates a duration of one week. Medications prescribed with a duration of one over seven are typically taken for seven consecutive days.

Four Over Fifty-Two (4/52): Indicating a duration of one month, medications prescribed with a duration of four over fifty-two are typically taken for 4 weeks.

Additional Duration Indicators

Days (D): Some prescriptions may simply indicate the duration in days. For example, “Take medication for 10D” means the medication should be taken for 10 days.

Weeks (W): Similarly, prescriptions may specify the duration in weeks. For instance, “Continue treatment for 2W” indicates a treatment duration of two weeks.

Months (M): Prescription durations may also be expressed in months. For example, “Complete course for 3M” denotes a treatment duration of three months.

Wrapping Up

Empowering patients with a clear understanding of their prescriptions is a vital part of your role as a nurse. By deciphering the drug form, frequency, and duration, you can ensure patients take their medication correctly and feel confident in their treatment plan.

Remember, a little explanation goes a long way. Don’t hesitate to break down the components of a prescription in simple terms and answer any questions your patients may have. After all, a well-informed patient is an active participant in their own healthcare journey.