Dictionary

q.d. Seen on a prescription, one per day. Also known as quotid. See also Appendix A, “Prescription Abbreviations.”

q.h. On a prescription, every hour. See also Appendix A, “Prescription Abbreviations.”

q.i.d. On a prescription, four times daily. See also Appendix A, “Prescription Abbreviations.”

q.n.s. On a lab report, insufficient quantity of sample.

QRS complex The deflections in an electrocardiogram (EKG) tracing that represent the ventricular activity of the heart.

q.s. On a prescription, as needed. See also Appendix A, “Prescription Abbreviations.”

q.3h. On a prescription, every 3 hours. See also Appendix A, “Prescription Abbreviations.”

q.2h. On a prescription, every 2 hours. See also Appendix A, “Prescription Abbreviations.”

quack 1 A practitioner who suggests for prevention or treatment of disease substances or devices that are known to be ineffective. 2 Someone who pretends to be able to diagnose or heal people but is unqualified and incompetent.

quackery Deliberate misrepresentation of the ability of a substance, a device, or a person to prevent or treat disease.

quadrant A quarter of an area. For example, the liver is in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.

quadriceps 1 Any four-headed muscle. 2 The large muscle of the thigh that comes down the bone of the upper leg (femur) and over the kneecap (patella), and then anchors into the top of the large bone in the lower leg (tibia). The function of the quadriceps is to straighten (extend) the leg. Also known…