Question

When using abbreviations in an order,

a preprinted form, or medication-related documentation, you may use a trailing zero only in which of the following circumstances?

A. It is never acceptable to use a trailing zero.

B. A trailing zero may be used only when required to demonstrate the level of precision of the value being reported, such as for laboratory results, imaging studies that report the size of lesions, or catheter/tube sizes.

C. A trailing zero may be used only
when included in the organization's
standardized list of dose designations,
terminology, and other symbols.

Answer 1

The use of a trailing zero is appropriate only when it is required to demonstrate the level of precision of the value being reported, such as in laboratory results, imaging studies, or measurements of catheter sizes. Otherwise, to avoid medication errors, trailing zeros should not be used.

Step-by-step explanation:

When considering the use of trailing zeros in medical documentation such as orders, preprinted forms, or medication-related documentation, it is essential only to use them when specific criteria are met. According to the rules of significant figures, a trailing zero can contribute to possible misinterpretation of a dosage and cause medication errors. Therefore, a trailing zero should only be used when it is necessary to accurately represent the precision of a measurement and to reduce the risk of confusion.

The correct circumstance to use a trailing zero is: B. A trailing zero may be used only when required to demonstrate the level of precision of the value being reported. This can include situations such as laboratory results, imaging studies that report the size of lesions, or when indicating catheter or tube sizes, where the accuracy and precision of the measurement are critical. In any other situation, it may be prudent to avoid the use of a trailing zero to prevent any potential medication error or misunderstanding.