q5min
Medical abbreviation · Prescription
| Stands for | Every 5 minutes |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
q5min stands for Every 5 minutes, a prescription abbreviation.
Short repeat interval used for emergency and rescue medications, most often sublingual nitroglycerin for chest pain (up to three doses) and repeated vital sign checks during titrations.
Example: Nitroglycerin 0.4 mg SL q5min x 3 PRN chest pain; call 911 if pain persists after first dose.
Usage notes
Patients with angina are now told to call emergency services if pain is not improved five minutes after the first nitroglycerin dose, rather than waiting for all three. In resuscitation, epinephrine is repeated every 3 to 5 minutes during cardiac arrest, written q3-5min. Writing "every 5 minutes" avoids misreading "min" as "max" or "mL".
Related abbreviations
More prescription abbreviations
- q24h – Every 24 hours
- q2h – Every 2 hours
- q2wk – Every 2 weeks
- q3h – Every 3 hours
- q4-6h – Every 4 to 6 hours
- q4h – Every 4 hours
- q6h – Every 6 hours
- q72h – Every 72 hours
- q8h – Every 8 hours
- qAM – Every morning
- QD – Quaque die (every day, once daily)
- qds – Quater die sumendum (to be taken four times a day)
See all 77 prescription abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.