Nurs 207 - Dangerous Abbreviations

Question 1

U

unit

Answer 1

Mistaken for “0” (zero), “4” (four), or cc.

Use “unit”.

Question 2

IU

international unit

Answer 2

Mistaken for “IV” (intravenous) or “10” (ten).

Use “unit”

Question 3

Abbreviations for drug names

Answer 3

Misinterpreted because of similar abbreviations for multiple drugs; e.g., MS, MSO4 (morphine sulphate), MgSO4 (magnesium sulphate) may be confused for one another.

Do not abbreviate drug names.

Question 4

QD/QOD

Every day or every other day

Answer 4

QD and QOD have been mistaken for each other, or as ‘qid’. The Q has also been misinterpreted as “2” (two).

Use “daily” and “every other day”.

Question 5

OD

every day

Answer 5

Mistaken for “right eye” (OD = oculus dexter).

Use “daily”.

Question 6

OS, OD, OU

Left eye, right eye, both eyes

Answer 6

May be confused with one another.

Use “left eye”, “right eye” or “both eyes”.

Question 7

D/C

Discharge

Answer 7

Interpreted as “discontinue whatever medications follow” (typically discharge medications).

Use “discharge”.

Question 8

cc

cubic centimetre

Answer 8

Mistaken for “u” (units).

Use “mL” or “millilitre”.

Question 9

μg

microgram

Answer 9

Mistaken for “mg” (milligram) resulting in one thousand-fold overdose.

Use “mcg”.

Question 10

@

at

Answer 10

Mistaken for “2” (two) or “5” (five).

Use “at”.

Question 11

> <

Greater than Less than

Answer 11

Mistaken for “7”(seven) or the letter “L” .
Confused with each other.

Use “greater than”/”more than” or “less than”/”lower than”.

Question 12

Dose Designation:
Trailing Zero
X.0 mg

Answer 12

Decimal point is overlooked resulting in 10-fold dose error.

Never use a zero by itself after a decimal point.
Use “X mg”.

Question 13

Dose Designation:
Lack of a leading zero
. X mg

Answer 13

Decimal point is overlooked resulting in 10-fold dose error.

Always use a zero before a decimal point.
Use “0.X mg”.