Error-Prone Abbreviations Flashcards
(200 cards)
1
Q
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation μg? Microgram
A
2
Q
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation μg? Mistaken as ‘mg’
A
3
Q
What is the correction for the abbreviation μg? Use ‘mcg’
A
4
Q
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation AD
A
AS
AU? Right ear
left ear
each ear
5
Q
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation AD
A
AS
AU? Mistaken as OD
OS
OU (right eye
left eye
each eye)
6
Q
What is the correction for the abbreviation AD
A
AS
AU? Use ‘right ear
’ ‘left ear
’ or ‘each ear’
7
Q
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation OD
A
OS
OU? Right eye
left eye
each eye
8
Q
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation OD
A
OS
OU? Mistaken as AD
AS
AU (right ear
left ear
each ear)
9
Q
What is the correction for the abbreviation OD
A
OS
OU? Use ‘right eye
’ ‘left eye
’ or ‘each eye’
10
Q
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation BT? Bedtime
A
11
Q
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation BT? Mistaken as ‘BID’ (twice daily)
A
12
Q
What is the correction for the abbreviation BT? Use ‘bedtime’
A
13
Q
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation cc? Cubic centimeters
A
14
Q
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation cc? Mistaken as ‘u’ (units)
A
15
Q
What is the correction for the abbreviation cc? Use ‘mL’
A
16
Q
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation D/C? Discharge or discontinue
A
17
Q
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation D/C? Premature discontinuation of medications if D/C (intended to mean ‘discharge’) has been misinterpreted as ‘discontinued’ when followed by a list of discharge medications
A
18
Q
What is the correction for the abbreviation D/C? Use ‘discharge’ and ‘discontinue’
A
19
Q
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation IJ? Injection
A
20
Q
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation IJ? Mistaken as ‘IV’ or ‘intrajugular’
A
21
Q
What is the correction for the abbreviation IJ? Use ‘injection’
A
22
Q
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation IN? Intranasal
A
23
Q
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation IN? Mistaken as ‘IM’ or ‘IV’
A
24
Q
What is the correction for the abbreviation IN? Use ‘intranasal’ or ‘NAS’
A
25
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation HS? Half-strength
at bedtime
## Footnote
hours of sleep
26
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation HS? Mistaken as bedtime
mistaken as half-strength
27
What is the correction for the abbreviation HS? Use 'half-strength' or 'bedtime'
28
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation IU? International unit
29
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation IU? Mistaken as IV (intravenous) or 10 (ten)
30
What is the correction for the abbreviation IU? Use 'units'
31
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation o.d. or OD? Once daily
32
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation o.d. or OD? Mistaken as 'right eye' (OD-oculus dexter)
leading to oral liquid medications administered in the eye
33
What is the correction for the abbreviation o.d. or OD? Use 'daily'
34
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation OJ? Orange juice
35
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation OJ? Mistaken as OD or OS (right or left eye); drugs meant to be diluted in orange juice may be given in the eye
36
What is the correction for the abbreviation OJ? Use 'orange juice'
37
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation Per os? By mouth
orally
38
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation Per os? The 'os' can be mistaken as 'left eye' (OS—oculus sinister)
39
What is the correction for the abbreviation Per os? Use 'PO
' 'by mouth
## Footnote
' or 'orally'
40
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation q.d. or QD? Every day
41
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation q.d. or QD? Mistaken as q.i.d.
especially if the period after the 'q' or the tail of the 'q' is misunderstood as an 'i'
42
What is the correction for the abbreviation q.d. or QD? Use 'daily'
43
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation qhs? Nightly at bedtime
44
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation qhs? Mistaken as 'qhr' or every hour
45
What is the correction for the abbreviation qhs? Use 'nightly'
46
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation qn? Nightly or at bedtime
47
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation qn? Mistaken as 'qh' (every hour)
48
What is the correction for the abbreviation qn? Use 'nightly' or 'at bedtime'
49
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation q.o.d. or QOD? Every other day
50
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation q.o.d. or QOD? Mistaken as 'q.d.' (daily) or 'q.i.d.' (four times daily) if the 'o' is poorly written
51
What is the correction for the abbreviation q.o.d. or QOD? Use 'every other day'
52
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation q1d? Daily
53
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation q1d? Mistaken as q.i.d. (four times daily)
54
What is the correction for the abbreviation q1d? Use 'daily'
55
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation q6pm
etc.? Every evening at 6 pm
56
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation q6pm
etc.? Mistaken as every 6 hours
57
What is the correction for the abbreviation q6pm
etc.? Use 'daily at 6 PM' or '6 PM' o daily
58
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation SC
SQ
## Footnote
sub q? Subcutaneous
59
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation SC
SQ
## Footnote
sub q? SC mistaken as SL (sublingual); SQ mistaken as '5 every'; the 'q' in 'sub q' has been mistaken as 'every' (e.g.
a heparin dose ordered 'sub q 2 hours before surgery' misunderstood as every 2 hours before surgery)
60
What is the correction for the abbreviation SC
SQ
## Footnote
sub q? Use 'subcut' or 'subcutaneously'
61
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation ss? Sliding scale (insulin) or ½ (apothecary)
62
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation ss? Mistaken as '55'
63
What is the correction for the abbreviation ss? Spell out 'sliding scale;' use 'one half' or '½'
64
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation SSRI? Sliding scale regular insulin
65
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation SSRI? Mistaken as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
66
What is the correction for the abbreviation SSRI? Spell out 'sliding scale (insulin)'
67
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation SSI? Sliding scale insulin
68
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation SSI? Mistaken as Strong Solution of Iodine (Lugol’s)
69
What is the correction for the abbreviation SSI? Spell out 'sliding scale insulin'
70
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation TIW or tiw? Three times a week
71
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation TIW or tiw? Mistaken as '3 times a day' or 'twice in a week'
72
What is the correction for the abbreviation TIW or tiw? Use '3 times weekly'
73
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation U or u? Unit
74
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation U or u? Mistaken as the number 0 or 4
causing a 10-fold overdose or greater (e.g.
## Footnote
4U seen as '40' or 4u seen as '44'); mistaken as 'cc' so dose given in volume instead of units (e.g.
4u seen as 4cc)
75
What is the correction for the abbreviation U or u? Use 'unit'
76
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation UD? As directed ('ut dictum')
77
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation UD? Mistaken as unit dose (e.g.
diltiazem 125 mg IV infusion 'UD' misinterpreted as meaning to give the entire infusion as a unit [bolus] dose)
78
What is the correction for the abbreviation UD? Use 'as directed'
79
What is the intended meaning for the abbreviation i/d? One daily
80
What is the misinterpretation of the abbreviation i/d? Mistaken as 'tid' (three times daily)
81
What is the correction for the abbreviation i/d? Use '1 daily'
82
What is the intended meaning for trailing zero after decimal point (e.g.
1.0 mg)? 1 mg
83
What is the misinterpretation of trailing zero after decimal point (e.g.
1.0 mg)? Mistaken as 10 mg if the decimal point is not seen
84
What is the correction for trailing zero after decimal point (e.g.
1.0 mg)? Do not use trailing zeros for doses expressed in whole numbers
85
What is the intended meaning for 'naked' decimal point (e.g.
.5 mg)? 0.5 mg
86
What is the misinterpretation of 'naked' decimal point (e.g.
.5 mg)? Mistaken as 5 mg if the decimal point is not seen
87
What is the correction for 'naked' decimal point (e.g.
.5 mg)? Use zero before a decimal point when the dose is less than a whole unit
88
What is the intended meaning for abbreviations such as mg. or mL. with a period following the abbreviation? mg
mL
89
What is the misinterpretation of abbreviations such as mg. or mL. with a period following the abbreviation? The period is unnecessary and could be mistaken as the number 1 if written poorly
90
What is the correction for abbreviations such as mg. or mL. with a period following the abbreviation? Use mg
mL
## Footnote
etc. without a terminal period
91
What is the intended meaning for drug name and dose run together (e.g.
Inderal 40 mg)? Inderal 40 mg
92
What is the misinterpretation of drug name and dose run together (e.g.
Inderal 40 mg)? Mistaken as Inderal 140 mg
93
What is the intended meaning for drug name and dose run together (e.g.
Tegretol 300 mg)? Tegretol 300 mg
94
What is the misinterpretation of drug name and dose run together (e.g.
Tegretol 300 mg)? Mistaken as Tegretol 1
## Footnote
300 mg
95
What is the correction for drug name and dose run together (e.g.
Inderal 40 mg)? Place adequate space between the drug name
## Footnote
dose
and unit of measure
96
What is the intended meaning for numerical dose and unit of measure running together (e.g.
10 mg
## Footnote
100 mL)? 10 mg
100 mL
97
What is the misinterpretation of numerical dose and unit of measure running together (e.g.
10 mg
## Footnote
100 mL)? The 'm' is sometimes mistaken as a zero or two zeros
risking a 10- to 100-fold overdose
98
What is the correction for numerical dose and unit of measure running together (e.g.
10 mg
## Footnote
100 mL)? Place adequate space between the dose and unit of measure
99
What is the intended meaning for large doses without properly placed commas (e.g.
100000 units
## Footnote
1000000 units)? 100
000 units
1
0
000 units
100
What is the misinterpretation of large doses without properly placed commas (e.g.
100000 units
## Footnote
1000000 units)? 100000 has been mistaken as 10
000 or 1
0
000; 1000000 has been mistaken as 100
0
101
What is the correction for large doses without properly placed commas (e.g.
100000 units
## Footnote
1000000 units)? Use commas for dosing units at or above 1
0
or use words such as 100 'thousand' or 1 'million' to improve readability
102
What is the intended meaning of APAP? acetaminophen
103
What is the misinterpretation of APAP? Not recognized as acetaminophen
104
What is the correction for APAP? Use complete drug name
105
What is the intended meaning of ARA A? vidarabine
106
What is the misinterpretation of ARA A? Mistaken as cytarabine (ARA C)
107
What is the correction for ARA A? Use complete drug name
108
What is the intended meaning of AZT? zidovudine (Retrovir)
109
What is the misinterpretation of AZT? Mistaken as azathioprine or aztreonam
110
What is the correction for AZT? Use complete drug name
111
What is the intended meaning of CPZ? Compazine (prochlorperazine)
112
What is the misinterpretation of CPZ? Mistaken as chlorpromazine
113
What is the correction for CPZ? Use complete drug name
114
What is the intended meaning of DPT? Demerol-Phenergan-Thorazine
115
What is the misinterpretation of DPT? Mistaken as diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (vaccine)
116
What is the correction for DPT? Use complete drug name
117
What is the intended meaning of DTO? diluted tincture of opium
or deodorized tincture of opium (Paregoric)
118
What is the misinterpretation of DTO? Mistaken as tincture of opium
119
What is the correction for DTO? Use complete drug name
120
What is the intended meaning of HCl? hydrochloric acid or hydrochloride
121
What is the misinterpretation of HCl? Mistaken as potassium chloride (The 'H' is misinterpreted as 'K')
122
What is the correction for HCl? Use complete drug name unless expressed as a salt of a drug
123
What is the intended meaning of HCT? hydrocortisone
124
What is the misinterpretation of HCT? Mistaken as hydrochlorothiazide
125
What is the correction for HCT? Use complete drug name
126
What is the intended meaning of HCTZ? hydrochlorothiazide
127
What is the misinterpretation of HCTZ? Mistaken as hydrocortisone (seen as HCT250 mg)
128
What is the correction for HCTZ? Use complete drug name
129
What is the intended meaning of MgSO4? magnesium sulfate
130
What is the misinterpretation of MgSO4? Mistaken as morphine sulfate
131
What is the correction for MgSO4? Use complete drug name
132
What is the intended meaning of MS
MSO4? morphine sulfate
133
What is the misinterpretation of MS
MSO4? Mistaken as magnesium sulfate
134
What is the correction for MS
MSO4? Use complete drug name
135
What is the intended meaning of MTX? Methotrexate
136
What is the misinterpretation of MTX? Mistaken as mitoxantrone
137
What is the correction for MTX? Use complete drug name
138
What is the intended meaning of NoAC? Novel/new anticoagulant
139
What is the misinterpretation of NoAC? Mistaken as 'no anticoagulant'
140
What is the correction for NoAC? Use complete drug name
141
What is the intended meaning of PCA? procainamide
142
What is the misinterpretation of PCA? Mistaken as patient-controlled analgesia
143
What is the correction for PCA? Use complete drug name
144
What is the intended meaning of PTU? propylthiouracil
145
What is the misinterpretation of PTU? Mistaken as mercaptopurine
146
What is the correction for PTU? Use complete drug name
147
What is the intended meaning of T3? Tylenol with codeine No. 3
148
What is the misinterpretation of T3? Mistaken as liothyronine
149
What is the correction for T3? Use complete drug name
150
What is the intended meaning of TAC? triamcinolone
151
What is the misinterpretation of TAC? Mistaken as tetracaine
Adrenalin
## Footnote
cocaine
152
What is the correction for TAC? Use complete drug name
153
What is the intended meaning of TNK? TNKase
154
What is the misinterpretation of TNK? Mistaken as 'TPA'
155
What is the correction for TNK? Use complete drug name
156
What is the intended meaning of TPA or tPA? tissue plasminogen activator
Activase
## Footnote
(alteplase)
157
What is the misinterpretation of TPA or tPA? Mistaken as TNKase (tenectaplase) or as another tissue plasminogen activator
Retavase (retaplase)
158
What is the correction for TPA or tPA? Use complete drug name
159
What is the intended meaning of ZnSO4? zinc sulfate
160
What is the misinterpretation of ZnSO4? Mistaken as morphine sulfate
161
What is the correction for ZnSO4? Use complete drug name
162
What is the intended meaning of 'Nitro' drip? nitroglycerin infusion
163
What is the misinterpretation of 'Nitro' drip? Mistaken as sodium nitroprusside infusion
164
What is the correction for 'Nitro' drip? Use complete drug name
165
What is the intended meaning of 'Norflox'? norfloxacin
166
What is the misinterpretation of 'Norflox'? Mistaken as Norflex
167
What is the correction for 'Norflox'? Use complete drug name
168
What is the intended meaning of 'IV Vanc'? intravenous vancomycin
169
What is the misinterpretation of 'IV Vanc'? Mistaken as Invanz
170
What is the correction for 'IV Vanc'? Use complete drug name
171
What is the intended meaning of 'Dram'? Symbol for dram
172
What is the misinterpretation of 'Dram'? Mistaken as '3'
173
What is the correction for 'Dram'? Use the metric system
174
What is the intended meaning of 'Minim'? Symbol for minim
175
What is the misinterpretation of 'Minim'? Mistaken as 'mL'
176
What is the correction for 'Minim'? Use the metric system
177
What is the intended meaning of 'x3d'? For three days
178
What is the misinterpretation of 'x3d'? Mistaken as '3 doses'
179
What is the correction for 'x3d'? Use 'for three days'
180
What is the intended meaning of '>' and '<'? Greater than and less than
181
What is the misinterpretation of '>' and '<'? Mistaken as opposite of intended; mistakenly use incorrect symbol; '<10' mistaken as '40'
182
What is the correction for '>' and '<'? Use 'greater than' or 'less than'
183
What is the intended meaning of '/' (slash mark)? Separates two doses or indicates 'per'
184
What is the misinterpretation of '/' (slash mark)? Mistaken as the number 1 (e.g.
'25 units/10 units' misread as '25 units and 110 units')
185
What is the correction for '/' (slash mark)? Use 'per' rather than a slash mark to separate doses
186
What is the intended meaning of '@'? At
187
What is the misinterpretation of '@'? Mistaken as '2'
188
What is the correction for '@'? Use 'at'
189
What is the intended meaning of '&'? And
190
What is the misinterpretation of '&'? Mistaken as '2'
191
What is the correction for '&'? Use 'and'
192
What is the intended meaning of '+'? Plus or and
193
What is the misinterpretation of '+'? Mistaken as '4'
194
What is the correction for '+'? Use 'and'
195
What is the intended meaning of '°'? Hour
196
What is the misinterpretation of '°'? Mistaken as a zero (e.g.
'q2°' seen as 'q20')
197
What is the correction for '°'? Use 'hr
' 'h
## Footnote
' or 'hour'
198
What is the intended meaning of 'Φ' or? Zero
null sign
199
What is the misinterpretation of 'Φ' or? Mistaken as numerals 4
6
## Footnote
8
and 9
200
What is the correction for 'Φ' or? Use 0 or zero
or describe intent using whole words
