Transcript LWW PPT Slide Template Master

Chapter 2
Interpreting the Language
of Prescriptions
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Abbreviating Time of Medications
• Come from Latin words
• Memorize abbreviations and their meaning
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Question
What is the abbreviation for after meals?
A. ac
B. pc
C. bid
D. tid
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Answer
B. pc
The abbreviation for after meals is pc. The abbreviation
for before meals is ac. The abbreviation for twice a day is
bid and the abbreviation for three times a day is tid.
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Military Time
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Question
Is the following statement true or false?
To change traditional time to military time from 1 pm on,
add 12.
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Answer
True
To change traditional time to military time from 1 pm on,
add 12. To change military time to traditional time from
1300 on, subtract 12.
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Routes of Administration
• Some based on Latin words
• Memorize the abbreviations
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Question
The patient is to receive Erythromycin 500 mg by mouth.
What is the correct abbreviation for by mouth?
A. po
B. pr
C. IVP
D. NGT
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Answer
A. po
The abbreviation for by mouth is po. The
abbreviation for in the rectum is pr. IVP is
administered intravenous push, and NGT is when a
medication is administered through a nasogastric
tube.
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Metric and SI Abbreviations
• Metric
– Relate to medication weight or volume
– Most common measures
• SI
– International System of Units
– Most developed countries except US use this system
– Standard language of measurement
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Apothecary Abbreviations
• Discouraged for several reasons
– Equivalency with metric system is not exact
– System requires Roman numerals and fractions
– Symbols can be easily misinterpreted
• Minimal use
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Roman Numerals
• Examples
– 2 = ii
– 4 = iv
– 5=v
– 10 = x
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Grain
• Generally 60 mg = 1 gr
• EXCEPTIONS 65 mg = 1 gr
– Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
– Aspirin
• Metric gram (g; gm; Gm) confused with grain (gr)
• WRITE OUT word “grain”
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Household Abbreviations
• Used for medications administered at home
• Examples
– Pint
– Quart
– Teaspoon
– Tablespoon
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Question
How would you write the following order in longhand?
“Morphine 2 mg IV q2h prn for pain.”
A. Morphine 2 micrograms intravenously every 2 hours as
needed for pain
B. Morphine 2 milligrams intravenously every 2 hours as needed
for pain
C. Morphine 2 milligrams intravenously every 2 days as needed
for pain
D. Morphine 2 milligrams intravenously every 2 hours with food
for pain
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Answer
B. Morphine 2 milligrams intravenously every 2 hours as
needed for pain
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