Common Drug Measurement

Abbreviation Meaning Abbreviation Meaning

cc cubic centimeter kg Kilogram
mL milliliter gr grain
L Liter gtt drop
Mcg, μg microgram μgtt microdrop
mg milligram tbsp tablespoon
g gram tsp teaspoon
mEq milliequivalent u unit

Route of Drug Administration

Abbreviation Meaning Abbreviation Meaning
PO, po By mouth NGT Nasogastric tube
IM intramuscular R right
ID intradermal L left
IV Intravenous A.D., ad right ear
SC, subc, sc subcutaneous A.S., as left ear
SL, sl, subl sublingual A. U., au Both ears
Vag vaginal O.D., od right eye
IVPB Intravenous piggyback O.S., os left eye
KVO Keep vein open O.U., ou Both eyes

Times of Drug Administration

Abbreviation Meaning Abbreviation Meaning
AC, ac (ante cibum or cibos) Before meals noct (nocte or noctu) At night
PC, pc (post cibum or cibos) After meals stat. (statim) immediately
PRN, p.r.n. (pro re nata) Whenever necessary, as q (quaque) every
needed qd, od every day
NPO Nothing by mouth qh (quaque hora) every hour
PO (per os) by mouth q2h (quaque segunda hora) every 2 hours
Bid, bid (bis in die) twice a day q4h (quaque quarta hora) every 4 hours
Qid, qid (quarter in die) four times a day q6h every 6 hours
Tid, tid (tur in die) tree times a day q8h every 8 hours
hs hour of sleep qid (quarter in dei) Four times a day
ad lib (ad libitum) Freely, as desired C (cum) with
S (sine) without

Drug forms
Abbreviation Meaning Abbreviation Meaning
elix elixir tab tablet
sup or supp suppository Tr or tinct tincture
susp suspension fl fluid
cap capsule tinct tincture

1
 Liquids Solid Distance
1,000,000 mcl- microliter 1 L - liter 1,000,000 mcg- micrograms 1g- gram 1,000,000 mcm- micrometer 1m
1000 ml – milliliter or CC 1 L - liter 1000 mg- milligrams 1g- gram 1000 mm- millimeter 1m
100 cl- centiliter 1 L - liter 100 cg- centigrams 1 g-gram 100 cm- centimeters 1m
10 dl- deciliter 1 L - liter 10 dg-decigrams 1g- gram 10 dm- decimeters 1m
10 L - Liters 1 dkL - dekaliter 10 g- grams 1 dkg-dekagram 10 m- meter 1 dkm-dekameter
100 L - Liters 1 hL - hectoliter 100 g- grams 1 hg- hectogram 100 m - 1 hm-hectometer
1000 - Liters 1 KL- kiloliter 1000 g- gram 1 Kg- kilogram 1000 m- 1 Km-kilometer
Unit, equivalent, mole

1 gtt = 1 Mx minim 1 ml= 1 cc = 15-16 gtt 1 tsp = 5 ml 1 tbs= 15 ml

1 cup = 240 – 250 ml 1 pint = 500 ml 1 quart = 1 L 1 gallon = 4 L
15 gr = 1 g 2.2 lbs = 1 Kg 1 in = 2.54 cm 1 ft= 12 in

Fried’s Rule---< 1 year old, assumes that adult = 12.5 (150 months)

CHILD DOSE (< 1Y.O.) = INFANT’S AGE (in month) X AVERAGE ADULT DOSE
150 MONTHS
Young’s Rule --- 1-12 Y.O.

CHILD DOSE (1-12 Y.O.) = CHILD’S AGE (in year) X AVERAGE ADULT DOSE
CHILD’S AGE (in year) +12
Clark’s Rule – use child’s weight to calculate the appropriate dose and assumes that the
adult dose is based on 150 lbs.
CHILD DOSE = WEIGHT OF CHILD (in lb) X AVERAGE ADULT DOSE
150 pounds
Body Surface Area
CHILD DOSE = CHILD’S BSA(in m ² ) X AVERAGE ADULT DOSE
1.73 m ²
IV calculations
1. Amount of solution or fluid ( in mL ) X DF of the Iv set = drops / minute ( gtt/min)
Hours to administer X 60 minutes
Or

2. Amount of solution or fluid ( in mL ) X DF of the Iv set = drops / minute ( gtt/min)

Time in minutes

( D= desired, ordered │ V= vehicle, ex. tablet/capsule/mL etc │ H= hand, drug at hand or

the available drug )

D x V = amount to be used or administered

H

2
 D x V = amount to be used or administered
H

D x V = amount to be used or administered

H

If: D=3, V=4, H=2

D x V = amount to be used or administered

H

Ex.

3 x 4 = 12 = 6
2 2

If: D=3, V=4, H=2

D x V = amount to be used or administered

H

Ex.

3 X 4 = 1.5X 4= 6
2

D x V = amount to be used or administered

H
Ex.

3 X 4 = 3 X 2= 6
2