A Line Over C: What Does It Mean?

Have you ever seen a "c" with a line over it in a doctor's prescription and wondered what does it mean? Do you see other odd jargons and abbreviations in the prescription that you cannot understand? Do you know what the meaningof "a.c." in your prescriptionis? Some doctors use abbreviations to communicate the medical information with their patients but patients feel difficulty in reading them. But don’t worry! After reading this article you will find it much easier to understand your prescription.

What Does C with a Line over It Mean?

If a doctor writes a "c" with a line over it and you are getting all confused, thinking it is a secret code; please don’t panic. In medical language, "c" with a line over it is synonymous to "with." Abbreviations and short forms like these are used frequently for doctors to describe the information more quickly and effectively. The other two letters that are often used with a line over it in medical prescriptions include:

  • S: a lowercase "s" with a line over it means "without." In other words, s with a line over it is apparently the opposite of c with a line over it.
  • P: If you a see a line over a lowercase "p", then you should know that it means "after."

Common Medical Abbreviations You Should Know

Most healthcare professionals' writing prescription is hard tounderstand, not only because of the hand-writing, but in most cases it is also difficult to know what exactly your doctor is trying to communicate to you, such as a c with a line over it. However, most individuals are reluctant or shy to ask the doctor directly.This is why we have prepared a list for your convenience so that you can take medication as suggested by your doctor rightly or get better understanding of what your doctor means.

Abbreviations in Prescription

These abbreviations are commonly seen in doctors' prescription, which are very important since you will use the drugs accordingly.

ABX

Antibiotics

AC

Take before meal

PC

Take after meal

MDD

Maximum daily dose that can be taken

OTC

Over the counter, for which medications prescriptions aren’t required

PNV

Pre-natal vitamins

PRN

As required

q2h

After every 2 hours

q3h

After every 3 hours

qam

Each morning

qd

1 medicine a day

qh

1 medicine in an hour

TIW

3 times in a week

qhs

At bedtime

qid

4 doses in a day

qod

Every other day

RDI

Daily intake is recommended

Rx

Treatment, prescription

TAB

Tablet

CAP

Capsule

Abbreviations in Body Description

These are common abbreviations to reflect/define your body parts or organs.

ABD

Abdomen

AD

Right ear

AL

Left ear

AU

Both airs

BMD

Bone mass density, test that checks mass in bones

BMI

Body mass index, ratio of person's weight and height

CBD

Common bile duct, a tube joining hepatic and cystic duct

CBF

Cerebral blood flow, blood supplied to brain in specific time

HC

Head circumference

IBW

Ideal body weight

OD

Right eye

OS

Left eye

OU

Both eyes

TLC

Total lung capacity

WT

Weight total

UE

Upper extreme

LLL

Lower left lobe

LUL

Lower upper lobe

LLQ

Lower left quadrant

LUQ

Left upper quadrant

Abbreviations in General Terms

Most of us use some of these abbreviations in our daily language. It is imperative to understand that sometimes more than one meaning exist for one abbreviation. Below are some common terms that reflect complex medical jargon.

ASAP

As soon as possible

ALS

Advance life support

DNR

Do not resuscitate

DO

Disorder

DOB

Date of birth

DOT

Directly observed therapy

ER

Emergency room

H&P

History & physical information

ICU

Intensive care unit

IQ

Intelligence quotient

SX

Signs and symptoms

VS

Vital signs

VSS

Vital signs stable

WNL

With normal limits

PA/PT

Patient

PCP

Physician of primary care

OPD

Outpatient department

NKDA

No known drug allergy

ID

Infectious disease

C/O

Complain of

Abbreviations in Testing and Care

If you need to do some other tests or stay long time in a hospital in some conditions, you may often see these abbreviations.

AXR

Abdominal x-ray

BC

Birth control

BMT

Bone marrow transplant

BRP

Privileges for bathroom

CXR

Chest x-ray

US

Ultrasound

IV

Intravenous

IM

Intramuscular

GTT

Glucose tolerance test

In vivo

In body

In vitro

In laboratory

ECC

Emergency cardiac care

ECT

Electroconvulsive therapy

FB

Foreign body (external body)

I&D

Incision & drainage

I&O

Intake & output

Bx

Biopsy

ECG/ EKG

Electrocardiogram

FNA

Fine needle aspiration

GLT

Glucose loading test

Abbreviations in Diagnosis or Conditions

With some understanding of this kind of medical abbreviation, you can know directly about the problems or diseases you are suffering.

BP

Blood pressure

CA

Cancer

CAD

Coronary artery disease, when plaque builds in the coronary arteries

BM

Bowel movement

CP

Chest pain

CV

Cardiovascular

Dx

Diagnosis

DTR

Deep tendon reflex

EBL

Estimated blood loss

EC

Eye contact

EGC

Early gastric cancer

FHR

Fatal heart rate

GH

Growth hormone

GI

Gastrointestinal

HA

Headache

HR

Heart rate

LBP

Lower back pain

NM

Neuromuscular

VB

Vaginal bleeding

UTI

Urinary tract infection

 
 
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