What does po on a prescription mean

This article is going to answer the question “what does PO mean in nursing.” Because we all know how frustrating nursing abbreviations can be.

So what does PO mean in nursing? PO in nursing is an abbreviation used to signify “by mouth.” The literal abbreviation PO is an abbreviation of the Latin term that means “per os.” Per os literally means by mouth.

It’s one of the multiple approved joint commission orders you’ll see as a nurse. 

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Table of Contents

• PO Meaning in Nursing
• Example of PO Orders
• Resources on Nursing Abbreviations
  • 1. Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms
  • 2. Medical Terminology by David Andersson
• Final Thoughts

PO Meaning in Nursing

Starting out medical abbreviations and terminologies used to confuse me. You might be in the same boat. Let me tell you it does get better with time. Part of that is because abbreviations are commonplace in healthcare to speed up repetitive orders.

Now that you understand what PO means, let me give you some examples. 

Example of PO Orders

Here are some prescription PO order examples of how you might see these orders written.

1. Colace 100mg PO qhs
2. Aspirin 81mg PO daily
3. Acetaminophen 325mg PO q8h PRN for pain
4. Metformin 500mg PO Daily

So in the case of the orders, this is how you would read them.

1. Give 100mg of the medication Colace by mouth at bedtime.
2. Would read give the medication aspiring 81mg by mouth daily.
3. Would read you can give 325mg of acetaminophen by mouth every 8 hours as needed for pain.
4. Give 500mg of the drug Metformin by mouth daily.

Resources on Nursing Abbreviations

I do want to point out that understanding nursing abbreviations is essential for your career as a nurse. To help you out I’ve compiled a list of some resources to help you get a grasp of nursing abbreviations.

1. Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms

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The medical abbreviations & acronyms quick study pamphlet from Amazon is an excellent way to check abbreviations and references on the fly if you need to.

This pamphlet also has a digital version you can get for the Kindle. Just glancing at the reviews will show you how satisfied other healthcare professionals or students have been after buying this guide.

2. Medical Terminology by David Andersson

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If you’re wanting an actual book to study and truly understand medical terminology than this medical terminology book from David Andersson is one you need to check out.

It has received countless good reviews, and there’s even a digital Amazon Kindle version also.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you found this article helpful. One last thing I would like to add is that if you don’t understand what an abbreviation means ask a senior nurse.

Do NOT just guess.

If the provider is using an abbreviation that’s not approved per joint commission, you need to clarify the order and/or have them rewrite it.

You may have seen letters like hs, q.i.d., or b.i.d. on your prescriptions. These are abbreviations for Latin phrases.

Centuries ago, all prescriptions were written in Latin. Today these abbreviations are only used in the drug's directions.

Your pharmacy will translate your healthcare provider's instructions on the medicine's label. Sometimes, though, a mistake can happen.

Many drugs, like arthritis medication or pain medication, can be dangerous if you take the wrong dose. Knowing how to read prescription abbreviations can protect you from dangerous errors.

This article will discuss the Latin abbreviations healthcare providers use on prescriptions and help you learn how to translate them. It will also discuss steps you can take to protect yourself from prescribing errors.

The Origins of "Rx" as an Abbreviation for "Prescription"

Rx is an abbreviation for "prescription." Most people think it comes from the Latin word "recipe," which means "take."

According to another theory, the Rx symbol is based on the Roman deity Jupiter. Jupiter's symbol looked similar to the Rx symbol. The symbol may have been placed on a prescription to invoke Jupiter's blessing.

An Example of Prescription Abbreviations

Here is an example of what a healthcare provider might write on a prescription:

Sig: 1 tab po qid pc & hs

These abbreviations are instructions for taking the medication. The pharmacist will translate them for the medication label. In this case, the instructions will read: "Take one tablet by mouth four times a day, after meals, and at bedtime."

The abbreviations may be written in capital letters or small letters, and may or may not include periods.

Common Latin Rx Terms

Some common Latin prescription abbreviations include:

• ac (ante cibum) means "before meals"
• bid (bis in die) means "twice a day"
• gt (gutta) means "drop"
• hs (hora somni) means "at bedtime"
• od (oculus dexter) means "right eye"
• os (oculus sinister) means "left eye"
• po (per os) means "by mouth"
• pc (post cibum) means "after meals"
• prn (pro re nata) means "as needed"
• q3h (quaque 3 hora) means "every three hours"
• qd (quaque die) means "every day"
• qid (quater in die) means "four times a day"
• Sig (signa) means "write"
• tid (ter in die) means "three times a day"

Declining Use of Abbreviations

The Latin terms are still in use, but some healthcare providers are retiring them. It is becoming more common for healthcare providers to write prescription instructions in plain language.

Readable prescriptions can help prevent medication errors. That is why many medical professionals think written instructions should be used instead of hard-to-read abbreviations.

For example, the abbreviation qd, which means "daily," could be mistaken for qid, which means "four times a day." It could also be confused for od, which means "right eye." Simply writing "daily" prevents confusion.

E-prescribing, or electronic prescribing, can also help prevent medication errors. Instructions sent directly to the pharmacy electronically are less prone to human error. If your healthcare provider uses electronic prescribing, you may never see the abbreviations.

E-prescribing improves patient safety in a number of ways:

• It eliminates hard-to-read prescriptions.
• It reduces the need for verbal communication, which can lead to mistakes.
• It can let the healthcare provider know if the patient has a drug allergy.
• It can alert the healthcare provider to possible drug interactions.
• The healthcare provider can easily view the patient's medication history.

Summary

Healthcare providers sometimes use Latin abbreviations on prescriptions. Understanding these abbreviations can help you avoid a medication error.

Some healthcare providers are moving away from Latin abbreviations and using plain language instead. Written instructions can help prevent medication errors. Electronic prescriptions can also reduce the chance of a mistake.

A Word From Verywell

If you receive a written prescription, make sure you understand the directions. If the directions are unclear or confusing, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to explain. Do not take your medication unless you understand the instructions. Take no chances.

If your medication is prescribed electronically, you may not see the instructions until they appear on the label. At that point, it is important to consult your pharmacist if you have questions. It is always a good idea to go over the instructions with your pharmacist. Do your part to avoid medication errors.