What term refers to the frequency of medication prescribed to be taken every hour?

The term that refers to the frequency of medication prescribed to be taken every hour is "q1hr." This abbreviation comes from the Latin phrase "quaque hora," which translates to "every hour." In medical prescriptions, clarity and precision are critical, and this specific abbreviation is used to communicate that the medication should be administered once each hour throughout the day.

In contrast, other terms such as "q4h" indicate a four-hour frequency, meaning the medication would be taken every four hours, not every hour. "qod" stands for "every other day," highlighting a completely different dosing schedule. "sig." is short for the Latin "signa," which means "write" in terms of indicating the instructions for use on a prescription but does not refer to frequency of dosage. Thus, "q1hr" is clearly the correct choice for indicating that a medication should be taken once every hour.