What Does RL Mean in Medical Terms?

RL stands for Ringer's lactate. Intravenous fluid containing salts and lactate.

Where you will see RL

You will most often see RL in medication orders and prescriptions, operation notes and surgical ward charts.

Example

A medication order might be written with “RL” as shorthand for Ringer's lactate.

Related abbreviations

• 3% saline — three percent saline (hypertonic)
• 5-FU — fluorouracil
• 6-MP — mercaptopurine
• 6-TG — thioguanine
• 7+3 — seven plus three induction
• 90-90 traction — ninety-ninety traction (femur)
• a.c. — ante cibum (before meals)
• AAA — abdominal aortic aneurysm

Browse the full Medical Abbreviations guide — 5,715 entries, searchable A–Z and by specialty.