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Q

1. quality factor; quantity. 2. Symbol for coulomb.

q

Symbol for long arm of a chromosome.

Q10

coenzyme Q10.

QA

Quality assurance.

QALY

quality-adjusted life-year.

Q angle

SEE: under angle.

Qco2

The number of microliters of CO2 given off per milligram of dry weight of tissue per hour.

qd

L. quaque die, every day.

image Most experts in the prevention of health care errors recommend that the abbreviation q.d. be written out as "daily" in order to prevent communication errors. q.d. may be confused with q.i.d (four times a day), a mistake that could result in an unintentional overdose.

qh, q1h

L. quaque hora, every hour.

image For safety, hourly medications are almost always written as q1h.

qi, ch'i

(chē) [Chinese qì, breath, air, spirit] In traditional Chinese medicine, the vital force or energy of life.

q.i.d.

L. quater in die, four times a day.

image To avoid medication errors, this order should be written "four times daily."

qi gong, qigong, chi kung

(chē goong) [Chinese qì, breath, air, spirit + gōng, work, practice] An ancient Chinese practice that combines internal energy, movement, breathing exercises, meditation, and relaxation.

QIV

quadrivalent.

Qo2

The number of microliters of O2 taken up per milligram of dry weight of tissue per hour.

qod

Every other day. This abbreviation appears on the Joint Commission's "Do not use" list.

image The "o" may be misinterpreted as a period or an "i."

QRS complex

SEE: under complex.

QRST complex

SEE: under complex.

q.s.

L. quantum sufficit, as much as suffices.

Qsart

quantitative sudomotor axon reflex.

qt

quart.

QTc

In electrocardiography, the duration of the QT interval adjusted for the patient's heart rate. SEE: QTc prolongation.

QTcF

In electrocardiography, the QT interval divided by the cube root of the RR interval (the measured time between one QRS complex and the next).

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