What Does D5W Mean in Medical Terms?

D5W stands for dextrose 5% in water. Intravenous fluid containing five percent sugar.

Where you will see D5W

You will most often see D5W in medication orders and prescriptions, nursing notes, care plans and handovers.

Example

A medication order might be written with “D5W” as shorthand for dextrose 5% in water.

Related abbreviations

• 1:1 — one-to-one observation
• 2g Na diet — two-gram sodium diet
• 3% saline — three percent saline (hypertonic)
• 4-point restraints — four-point restraints
• 5-FU — fluorouracil
• 6-MP — mercaptopurine
• 6-TG — thioguanine
• 7+3 — seven plus three induction

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