What does mcg stand for in medical dosing?

The abbreviation mcg stands for microgram, which is a unit of measurement commonly used in medical dosing. A microgram is one-millionth of a gram. It is important in pharmaceuticals and healthcare because many medications are prescribed in very small doses, particularly those with potent effects. For example, certain hormones, vitamins, and central nervous system medications may only require microgram quantities to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.

Understanding this unit is crucial for medication aides and healthcare providers to ensure accurate dosing, maintain safety, and prevent possible adverse effects from overdosing or underdosing. The other options represent different units of measure: milligram (mg) is one-thousandth of a gram, milliliter (mL) is a volume measurement, and macrogram is not a standard unit used in medical dosing.