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
U
Units
#Do NOT use# Can be mistaken for "0" or "4" (e.g., 10U could be misread as 100).Use"unit"instead.
AD
Right ear
#Do NOT use# Can be confused with "OD" (right eye).Use"right ear"instead.
AU
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 References: