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Refrain from using these abbreviations, symbols or other error prone designations on this list for any handwritten, preprinted, and electronic forms of medication orders, transcriptions or communications.
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Abbreviations |
Intended Meaning |
Misinterpretation |
Correction |
---|---|---|---|
µg |
Microgram |
Mistaken as mg |
Use "mcg" or "micrograms" |
cc |
Cubic centimeters |
Mistaken for u (units) |
Use "ml" |
IU |
International units |
Mistaken for IV or 10 |
Use "units" |
QD or qd |
Every day |
Mistaken for QID |
Use "daily" |
QOD or qod |
Every other day |
Mistaken for QID or QD |
Use "every other day" |
QID or qid |
Four times a day |
Mistaken for QD or QOD |
Use "four times a day" |
U or u |
Units |
Mistaken for the number 0 or 4, causing a 10-fold error in dose (e.g, 4u seen as 40) |
Use "unit" |
Trailing zero after decimal (e.g., 1.0 mg) |
1 mg |
Mistaken for 10 mg if decimal is not seen |
Do not use trailing zero for doses expressed in whole numbers |
No leading zero before a decimal dose (e.g. .5 mg) |
0.5 mg |
Mistaken as 5 mg if the decimal point is not seen |
Use zero before a decimal point when the dose is less than a whole unit. |
MgSO4 |
Magnesium Sulfate |
Mistaken for morphine sulfate |
Use complete drug name |
MS, MSO4 |
Morphine Sulfate |
Mistaken for magnesium sulfate |
Use complete drug name |
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