Application should include general medication-related terminology and abbreviations, such as

Application should avoid handwritten abbreviations per TJC’s official “Do Not Use” list, as follows:

Avoid U as an abbreviation; write “unit” instead.
Avoid IU as an abbreviation; write “International Unit” instead.
Avoid Q.D., QD, q.d., qd as an abbreviation; write “daily” instead.
Avoid Q.O.D., QOD, q.o.d., qod as an abbreviation; write “every other day” instead.
Avoid a trailing zero (X.0 mg); write “X mg” instead.
Avoid the omission of a leading zero; write “0.X mg” instead.
Avoid the abbreviations and formulas MS, MSO4, MgSO4; write “morphine sulfate” or “magnesium sulfate” instead, as appropriate.

Process/Skill Questions:

Why is it important to use medical terminology when referring to medications or related issues?
When are abbreviations acceptable? When are they not acceptable?
Why has TJC developed an official “Do Not Use” list for certain medication terminology abbreviations?
What additional abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols are on the TJC’s list for possible future inclusion in the “Do Not Use” list? Why are they problematic for medical practitioners?