32. Undesirable Abbreviations (cont.) Do Not Use Potential Problem Use Instead > (greater than) < (less than) Misinterpreted as the number “7” (seven) or the letter “L” Confused for one another Write “greater than” Write “less than” Abbreviations for drug names Misinterpreted due to similar abbreviations for multiple drugs Write drug names in full Apothecary units Unfamiliar to many practitioners Confused with metric units Use metric units @ Mistaken for the number “2” (two) Write “at” cc Mistaken for U (units) when poorly written Write "mL" or “milliliters” µg Mistaken for mg (milligrams) resulting in one thousand-fold overdose Write "mcg" or “micrograms”
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35. Prescription Form Drug and dose Quantity to dispense Instructions to appear on the label Number of refills permitted Patient’s full name Date Physician name
44. Sample Times for Medication Administration Frequency Ordered Times to Administer qd 0800 bid 0800 – 2000 tid 0800 – 1400 – 2000 qid 0800 – 1200 – 1600 – 2000 q 12 hrs 0800 – 2000 q 8 hrs 2400 – 0800 – 1600 q 6 hrs 2400 – 0600 – 1200 – 1800 Every night at bedtime 2000
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48. Practice Is the following MAR complete? If not, what is missing? Date init. Medication, dose, duration, frequency, route D/C date init Admin time 2/5 CS Synthroid 50 mcg PO Bid 0800 x x x 2/5 CS Erythromycin tab i po q6h 0800 x 2000 x 2/5 CS Persantine 75 mg po q6h 2400 0800 1600 x 2/5 CS heparin 10,000 units q 8 hr 2400 0800 1600