In clinical orders, q.h. indicates dosing at which frequency?

• A. Every Day
• B. Every Four Hours
• C. Every Six Hours
• D. Every Hour

Answer: (D)

This question tests how to interpret common dosing abbreviations. q.h. stands for quaque hora, Latin for every hour, so a medication ordered q.h. is given once each hour. For example, if the first dose is given at 0700, subsequent doses would be at 0800, 0900, and so on, until the order ends or timing is changed. This is different from other frequencies like once daily (q.d.), four times a day (q.i.d.), or every few hours (q4h, q6h). Knowing that q.h. means hourly dosing helps prevent misreading the instruction and dosing too slowly or too quickly.