What does "q" followed by a number and "h" indicate in medication administration?

In medication administration, "q" is an abbreviation that stands for "quaque," which translates to "every" in Latin. When it is followed by a number and the letter "h," it specifies a dosing schedule that indicates how often a medication should be taken. For example, if the medication reads "q4h," it means the medication should be administered every 4 hours.

This dosing schedule is crucial for ensuring that medications are given at the correct intervals to maintain therapeutic levels in the patient's system and to optimize their effectiveness while minimizing the risk of adverse effects. Understanding this abbreviation is essential for proper medication management and patient safety.

Other options represent different aspects of medication administration that do not pertain specifically to the frequency of dosing, making them less relevant in this context.