Molly Craker, Ed.S., M.Ed.; Chanda Janke, M.Ed.

bioavailability: The proportion of the drug that enters the circulation when introduced into the body and so is able to have an active effect..
b.i.d: Two times per day
Bolus: Refers to the administration of a single dose of a substance
Concentration or Final Concentration: The strength of the reconstituted solution, often expressed in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL)
Dilution: Adding additional liquid (usually normal saline) to achieve the desired concentration
Gram (g): Base unit for mass in the metric system
gtt: drop
half-life: The time it takes for the concentration of the drug in the blood plasma to reduce by half.
IM: Inject the medicine into the muscle
Inotropic: Modifying the force or speed of contraction of muscles
Intradermal (ID): Given directly into middle layer of skin (dermis)
Intramuscular (IM): Injected deep into a muscle
Intravenous (IV): Administered into a vein using a syringe or IV infusion
IV Bolus: A medical technique that delivers necessary fluid or medication directly into the bloodstream
IV Push: An even quicker method than IV Bolus. The syringe's content is delivered within seconds directly into the bloodstream.
Liter (L): Base unit for volume in the metric system
Meter (m): Base unit for length in the metric system
microdrip: 60 gtt/mL
Normal Saline (NS): A sterile solution containing 0.9% sodium chloride (salt) in water
PO: By mouth
prn: Latin for "pro re nata" means depending on the pain
stat: Immediately
Sterile Water (SW): A purified liquid used for reconstitution
Subcutaneous (SC or subcut): Injected into the innermost layer of skin (subcutis or hypodermis)
t.i.d: Three times a day
therapeutic range: The concentration of the drug in the blood serum that produces the desired effect without causing toxicity.
Vial: The container holding the powdered medication

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