The nurse working in an extended care facility transcribes a prescription from the health care provider for a single daily dose of 150 mg of ranitidine; this is to be taken orally at bedtime for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Of the following prescriptions, which one is transcribed correctly?
A)Ranitidine 150 mcg daily by mouth
B)Ranitidine 150 mg per os qhs
C)Ranitidine 150 mcg po qd nightly
D)Ranitidine 150 mg PO at bedtime

Question

The nurse working in an extended care facility transcribes a prescription from the health care provider for a single daily dose of 150 mg of ranitidine; this is to be taken orally at bedtime for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.  Of the following prescriptions, which one is transcribed correctly?
A)Ranitidine 150 mcg daily by mouth
B)Ranitidine 150 mg per os qhs
C)Ranitidine 150 mcg po qd nightly
D)Ranitidine 150 mg PO at bedtime

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse has correctly transcribed the prescription using approved abbreviations and standard terminology. (Option A) The abbreviation mcg signifies microgram. This option is incorrect as the medication is to be given daily in units of milligrams and it must be taken specifically at bedtime. (Option B) The abbreviation per os is interpreted as by mouth. The United States Pharmacopeia Institute for Safe Medication Practices Medication Error Reporting Program recommends that per os not be used as it may be read mistakenly as left eye. It equally recommends that the abbreviation qhs not be used as it may be misinterpreted as qhr or every hour, leading to a potential medication administration error. (Option C) The abbreviation mcg signifies microgram, making this option incorrect. The abbreviation qd is on the do-not-use list of The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals; it may be mistakenly read as qid (four times daily), which may cause a serious medication administration error. Educational objective: Using approved abbreviations when transcribing health care provider prescriptions promotes client safety and prevents potential medication administration errors. Common abbreviations (per os, qhs, qd) can result in errors and should not be used.

The Nurse Working in an Extended Care Facility Transcribes a Prescription