Discuss PTCB PTCE Exam Topic 4 Question 120

According to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), which of the following is an approved abbreviation?

AU for units

BAD for right ear

CAU for both ears

Dgtt for drop

Suggested Answer: D

TheInstitute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)maintains a list oferror-prone abbreviationsthat shouldnot be usedin medication orders to prevent misinterpretation and medication errors.

Analysis of the Answer Choices:Abbreviation

Meaning

ISMP Recommendation

Units

Do NOT use Can be mistaken for '0' or '4' (e.g., 10U could be misread as 100).Use'unit'instead.

Right ear

Do NOT use Can be confused with 'OD' (right eye).Use'right ear'instead.

Both ears

Do NOT use Can be confused with 'OU' (both eyes).Use'both ears'instead.

gtt

Drop

Accepted Common and not considered error-prone.

Since'gtt' for drop is not on ISMP's 'Do Not Use' list, it is the correct answer.

ISMP List of Error-Prone Abbreviations-- Confirms that 'U,' 'AD,' and 'AU' should not be used in prescriptions.

Joint Commission 'Do Not Use' List-- Prohibits 'U' and similar abbreviations to prevent dosing errors.

PTCB PTCE Exam Content Outline-- Covers error prevention strategies, including abbreviation safety.

Key Reference:

Get Premium PTCE Questions as Interactive Web-Based Practice Test or PDF Real Exam Format Detailed Explanations Instant Access Get Your Practice Test

27 comments · newest first

Socorro 5 months ago

C is also good, but not as common as D.

Fernanda 5 months ago

A is risky. U can be confused with zero.

Karina 5 months ago

I agree, D makes sense. It's clear and commonly used.

Peggy 6 months ago

I think D is the best choice. gtt is widely accepted.

Hoa 6 months ago

Agreed, D is the safest choice!

Jackie 6 months ago

Wait, are we really still using gtt? Seems outdated.

Luisa 6 months ago

Definitely not A, that's a big no-no.

Marge 6 months ago

I thought AD was okay too?

Isidra 6 months ago

D is the only approved one!

Melinda 7 months ago

C) AU for both ears, easy peasy.

Grover 7 months ago

Haha, "gtt" for drop? What is this, the 1800s?

Junita 7 months ago

Seriously, who uses "AD" for right ear? That's just weird.

Helga 8 months ago

A) U for units is the way to go, no doubt about it.

Ciara 8 months ago

D) gtt for drop is the approved abbreviation according to ISMP.

Alisha 8 months ago

C) AU for both ears is the correct answer.

Kattie 8 months ago

I thought "AU" for both ears was okay, but I can't recall if it was on the list of approved ones.

Merilyn 8 months ago

I practiced a question like this where "gtt" for drop was mentioned as acceptable. I hope that’s still true!

Frederic 8 months ago

I’m not sure about "AD" for right ear, but I feel like it’s one of those abbreviations that can lead to errors.

Jettie 9 months ago

I think I remember that "U" for units is actually not approved because it can be confused with "0" or "4."

Bulah 9 months ago

Ugh, I'm a bit unsure here. I'll have to use the process of elimination to narrow it down.

Blair 9 months ago

Ah, I'm pretty confident about this one. The ISMP guidelines should have covered these common abbreviations.

Sylvie 9 months ago

This seems straightforward, but I want to double-check my knowledge. I better not rush into an answer.

Georgene 9 months ago

Okay, I know the ISMP has guidelines for safe abbreviations. I'll have to review those to make sure I pick the right one.

Madalyn 10 months ago

Hmm, I think I remember learning about approved medical abbreviations in class. Let me think this through carefully.

Joanna 3 months ago

↳ replying to Madalyn

I remember AD and AU are not recommended anymore.

Leandro 3 months ago

↳ replying to Madalyn

Yeah, I agree. A lot of people use that abbreviation.

Haydee 4 months ago

↳ replying to Madalyn

I think D is the right one. gtt for drop is commonly used.

PTCB PTCE Exam - Topic 4 Question 120 Discussion