Abbreviations Related to Medications
| Document Title | Formats | |
|---|---|---|
| Bid | Twice a day | |
| Prn | Whenever necessary | |
| Q | Every | |
| Qd | Every day | |
| Q2h | Every two hours | |
| Q3h | Every three hours | |
| Qid | Four times a day | |
| Qhs | Every night | |
| Qod | Every other day | |
| Tid | Three times a day | |
Important note: If you do not understand the directions for giving a medication to your child, call your child's health care provider or pharmacist.
Commonly Used Abbreviation
| Abbreviation | Definition |
|---|---|
| ADD | Attention Deficit Disorder |
| ADHD | Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder |
| ADL | Activities of Daily Living |
| AIDS | Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome |
| Arc | Advocates for the Rights of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities and their Families |
| AT | Assistive Technology |
| CAT Scan | Computerized Axial Tomography Scan |
| CBC | Complete Blood Count |
| CCM | Community Case Management |
| CP | Cerebral Palsy |
| CPR | Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation |
| CSHCN | Children with Special Health Care Needs |
| DD | Developmental Disability |
| DME | Durable Medical Equipment |
| DMH | Department of Mental Health |
| DMR | Department of Mental Retardation |
| DNR | Do Not Resuscitate |
| DO | Doctor of Osteopathy |
| DOE | Department of Education |
| DPH | Department of Public Health |
| DSS | Department of Social Services |
| DTA | Department of Transitional Assistance (Welfare) |
| Dx | Diagnosis |
| ECG or EKG | Electrocardiogram |
| EEG | Electroencephalogram |
| EI | Early Intervention |
| EMS | Emergency Medical Services |
| ENT | Ear, Nose, and Throat |
| EOHHS | Executive Office of Health and Human Services |
| EPSDT | Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment |
| FAPE | Free and Appropriate Public Education |
| FTT | Failure to Thrive |
| GI | Gastrointestinal |
| HHS | Health and Human Services |
| HMO | Health Maintenance Organization |
| I&O | Intake & Output |
| I&R | Information & Referral |
| IDEA | Individuals with Disabilities Education Act |
| IEP | Individualized Education Program |
| IFSP | Individualized Family Service Plan |
| IHCP | Individualized Health Care Plan |
| IV | Intravenous |
| IVH | Intraventricular Hemorrhage |
| LD | Learning Disability |
| LICSW/ LCSW | Licensed (Individual) Clinical Social Worker |
| LRE | Least Restrictive Environment |
| MCB | Massachusetts Commission for the Blind |
| MCDHH | Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing |
| MCH | Maternal and Child Health |
| MCO | Managed Care Organization |
| MD | Medical Doctor |
| MD | Muscular Dystrophy |
| MR | Mental Retardation |
| MRC | Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission |
| MRI | Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
| NICU | Neonatal Intensive Care Unit |
| NP | Nurse Practitioner |
| NPO | Nothing by Mouth |
| OCCS | Office of Child Care Services |
| ORL | Otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor) |
| OT | Occupational Therapy or Occupational Therapist |
| PA | Physician's Assistant |
| PA | Prior Authorization or Approval |
| PASS | Plan for Achieving Self Support |
| PCA | Personal Care Attendant or Assistan |
| PCC | Primary Care Clinician |
| PCP | Primary Care Provider or Primary Care Physician |
| PDD | Pervasive Developmental Disorder |
| PDN | Private Duty Nursing |
| Ph.D. | Doctor of Philosophy (a non-medical doctor) |
| PICU | Pediatric Intensive Care Unit |
| PL | Public Law |
| PPO | Preferred Provider Organization |
| PT | Physical Therapy or Physical Therapist |
| RN | Registered Nurse |
| Rx | Prescription or Treatmen |
| SIDS | Sudden Infant Death Syndrome |
| SLP | Speech-Language Pathologist (Therapist) |
| SPED | Special Education |
| SSA | Social Security Administration |
| SSI | Supplemental Security Income |
| TA | Technical Assistance |
| TAFDC | Transitional Assistance for Families with Dependent Children |
| TANF | Temporary Assistance for Needy Families |
| TDD | Telecommunications Device for the Deaf |
| TPN | Total Parenteral Nutrition |
| TTY | Telephone Typewriter |
| Tx | Treatment |
| URI | Upper Respiratory Infection |
| UTI | Urinary Tract Infection |
| WIC | Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program |
This information is provided by the Division of Perinatal, Early Childhood, and Special Health Needs within the Department of Public Health.