| Abbreviation
| Meaning
|
| ad |
Right ear (“right ear” is preferred to ad) |
| as |
Left ear (“left ear” is preferred to as) |
| au |
Each ear (“each ear” is preferred to au) |
| IM |
Intramuscular(ly) |
| IV |
Intravenous(ly) |
| IVP |
Intravenous push |
| IVPB |
Intravenous piggyback |
| od |
Right eye (“right eye” is preferred to od) |
| os |
Left eye (“left eye” is preferred to os) |
| ou |
Each eye (“each eye” is preferred to ou) |
| po |
By mouth or orally |
| PR |
Rectal(ly) |
| PV |
Vaginal(ly) |
| SC or SQ |
Subcutaneous(ly) (“subcutaneous” is preferred to SC or SQ) |
| SL |
Subligual(ly) (“under the tongue” is a more patient-friendly translation) |
| S/S |
Swish and spit |
| top |
Topical(ly) “on the skin” is a more patient-friendly translation) |