See the hyperlinks below to view the Joint Commission “Do Not Use List” and the Institute of Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) list of abbreviations to avoid. In fact, several abbreviations have been deemed unsafe by the Joint Commission and have been put on a “do not use” list. However, it is considered safe practice to avoid other abbreviations and include the full words in prescriptions to avoid errors. Standard abbreviations of metric measurement are frequently used regarding the dosage, such as mg (milligram), kg (kilogram), mL (milliliter), mcg (microgram), or L (liter). Examples of standard dosage are 5 mL (milliliters) or 1 teaspoon. ![]() The metric system is the most commonly accepted system internationally. The dosage of a drug is prescribed using either the metric or the household system. The generic name is considered the safest method to use and allows for substitution of various brand medications by the pharmacist. The name of the drug may be ordered by the generic name or brand name. If a pertinent piece of information is not included, the nurse must contact the prescribing provider to clarify and correct the order. When reviewing a medication order, the nurse must ensure these components are included in the prescription before administering the medication.
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