What does 'q' or 'Q' indicate in medication administration?

The abbreviation 'q' stands for "quaque," which is Latin for "every." In the context of medication administration, 'q' is typically followed by a time frame to indicate how often a medication should be taken.

In this case, 'q' followed by 'd' signifies "once a day." Therefore, the correct interpretation is that the medication should be administered once every 24 hours. Understanding this abbreviation is critical for both administering medications correctly and ensuring patient safety. Each of the other options references different frequencies for medication administration, but they do not align with the meaning of 'q,' making them less applicable in this context.

Always ensure that you are familiar with medical abbreviations and their implications to provide safe and effective care.