Dangerous abbreviations (do not use) Flashcards
IU (for international unit)
write international unit
MS, MSO4, MgSO4
write morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate
G.D QD q.D qd (daily) G.O.D. QOD q.o.d qod (every other day)
write daily and every other day
trailing zero (X.O mg), lack of leading zero (.X mg)
never write a zero by itself after a decimal point (X mg), and always use a zero before a decimal point (O.X mg)
ug (for migrogram)
write mcg
A.S A.D A.U.; O.S. O.D O.U
write left ear, right, ear or both ears, left eye, write eye, or both eyes
c.c. or cc (for cubic centrimeter)
write mL for milliliter
D/C (for discharge)
write discharge
H.S. (for half-strength or bedtime)
write out half-strength or at bedtime
S.C. or S.Q. (for subcutaneuous)
write sub-Q, subQ or 3 times weekly
T.I.W (for 3 times a week)
write 3 times weekly or three times weekly
3 (for dram)
use the metric system
> and< (for greater than and less then)
use greater than or less than
/ (slash mark for separating 2 doses or to indicate per)
do not use as slash mark to separate elements in doses. Use per
x3d (for 3 days)
use for 3 days
ARAA ara-V (for vidarabine)
write out drug name)
AU (for aurio uterque meaning each ear)
do not use this abbreviation
AZT (for zidovudine or retrovir)
write out the drug name
BT (for bedtime)
use hs
cc (for cubic centimeters)
use mL
CPZ (for compazine)
write out drug name
IU (for international unit)
use units
ss (for sliding scale, insulin, or 1/2 apothecary)
spell out sliding scale. Use one-half or use 1/2
sub q (for subcutaneous)
use sbcut or write subcutaneous
U or u (for unit)
Unit has no acceptable abbreviation. Use unit
name letters and dose numbers run together
always use space between drug name, dose, and unit of measure
