Page 1163 - Basic _ Clinical Pharmacology ( PDFDrive )

CHAPTER 65 Rational Prescribing & Prescription Writing 1149

TABLE 65–1 Abbreviations used in prescriptions and chart orders.

Abbreviation Explanation Abbreviation Explanation
ā before PO by mouth
ac before meals PR per rectum
agit shake, stir prn when needed
Aq water q every
Aq dest distilled water qam, om every morning
bid twice a day qd (do not use) every day (write “daily”)
c with qh, q1h every hour
cap capsule q2h, q3h, etc every 2 hours, every 3 hours, etc
D5W, D 5 W dextrose 5% in water qhs every night at bedtime
dil dissolve dilute qid four times a day
disp, dis dispense qod (do not use) every other day
elix elixir qs sufficient quantity
ext extract rept, repet may be repeated
g gram Rx take
gr grain s without
gtt drops SC, SQ subcutaneous
h hour sid (veterinary) once a day
hs at bedtime Sig, S label
IA intra-arterial sos if needed
IM intramuscular ss, ss one-half
IV intravenous stat at once
IVPB IV piggyback sup, supp suppository
kg kilogram susp suspension
mcg, μg (do not use) microgram (always write out “microgram”) tab tablet
mEq, meq milliequivalent tbsp, T (do not use) tablespoon (always write out “15 mL”)
mg milligram tid three times a day
no number Tr, tinct tincture
non rep do not repeat tsp (do not use) teaspoon (always write out “5 mL”)
OD right eye U (do not use) units (always write out “units”)
OS, OL left eye vag vaginal
OTC over-the-counter i, ii, iii, iv, etc one, two, three, four, etc
OU both eyes (do not use) dram (in fluid measure 3.7 mL)
p after (do not use) ounce (in fluid measure 29.6 mL)
pc after meals

All prescription orders should be legible, unambiguous, dated OMISSION OF INFORMATION
(and timed in the case of a chart order), and signed clearly for
optimal communication between prescriber, pharmacist, and Errors of omission are common in hospital orders and may include
nurse. Furthermore, a good prescription or chart order should instructions to “resume pre-op meds,” which assumes that a full
contain sufficient information to permit the pharmacist or and accurate record of the “pre-op meds” is available; “continue
nurse to discover possible errors before the drug is dispensed or present IV fluids,” which fails to state exactly what fluids are to be
administered. given, in what volume, and over what time period; or “continue
Certain types of prescribing errors are particularly common. eye drops,” which omits mention of which eye is to be treated
These include errors involving omission of needed information; as well as the drug, concentration, and frequency of administra-
poor writing perhaps leading to errors of drug dose or timing; and tion. Chart orders may also fail to discontinue a prior medication
prescription of drugs that are inappropriate for the specific situation. when a new one is begun; may fail to state whether a regular or