If a patient's medication order includes "sub q," what does this refer to?

The term "sub q" refers to subcutaneous injection, which is a method of administering medication into the layer of fat and tissue just beneath the skin. This route is commonly used for medications such as insulin and certain vaccines, allowing for gradual absorption into the bloodstream.

In contrast to other routes of administration, subcutaneous injections are typically less invasive and can be self-administered, making them convenient for patients needing regular medication. The choice of this method over others, like intravenous or intradermal routes, is often based on the desired onset of action, the volume of medication needed, and the specific characteristics of the drug being administered.

For clarity, intravenous infusions involve delivering medication directly into the bloodstream, which is different from the subcutaneous route that does not enter the circulatory system as quickly. Intradermal injections are used primarily for allergy tests and tuberculin skin tests, targeting the dermis rather than the subcutaneous tissue. Oral administration involves ingesting medications, which is not what is indicated by the term "sub q." Hence, the correct interpretation of "sub q" leads to recognizing it as a subcutaneous injection.