Certified Paraoptometric (CPO) Practice Exam 2026

The abbreviation that typically refers to "every" in medical prescriptions is "Q." This is derived from the Latin word "quaque," which means "every." In medical shorthand, "Q" is often used in prescriptions to imply that a medication should be taken or administered at regular intervals, such as “every hour” or “every day,” often followed by a time period (e.g., Q4h means every 4 hours).

The other letters do not carry this specific meaning in the context of prescriptions. C often refers to "with" (cum), P may suggest "after" (post), and H typically stands for "hour" but does not convey the idea of "every". Thus, understanding that "Q" signifies "every" is crucial for interpreting dosage instructions accurately in medical settings.