Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
150
Unit 1 Health Informatics Career Pathway
Figure 5.2 Error-Prone Abbreviations and Symbols
Error-Prone Abbreviation
or Symbol
Intended
Meaning
Misinterpretation Solution
l lowercase l numeral 1
Write in block letters and provide
space between a word ending in
l and a number following it. l
1 numeral 1 lowercase l
When a quantity follows another
word, place the number on the
next line or provide enough space
between words and numbers.
0 numeral 0 letter o Use the word zero.
Z letter Z numeral 2 Use European-style letter (Z). Z
7 numeral 7 numeral 1 Use European-style seven (7). 7
/
slash to separate
items, meaning
per
numeral 1 Use the word per.
cc
cubic centimeters
(units)
numerals 00 or
letters oo
Use mL.
HS
or
hs
half-strength
or
hour of sleep
(bedtime)
hour of sleep (bedtime)
or
half-strength
Use the words half-strength or
bedtime.
QOD every other day Q.D. (every day) Use the words every other day.
no leading zero before a
decimal point
.5 mg
5 mg (if the decimal is
missed)
Write a zero to the left of the
decimal when a number is less
than a whole unit.
measurement
abbreviations with a period
following the abbreviation
mg. or mL.
period is unnecessary
and could be interpreted
as a number if writing is
messy
Use mg, mL, or etc, without the
period.
Figure 5.3 “Word trains” like these provide visuals to help you understand different parts of words.
Root Word
within the inflammation within of heart the
my-
o
muscle
Root Word
card-
heart
Suffix
-itis
inflammation
combinin
g
vowel
com
bi
n
i
n
g
vowe
l
Prefix
endo-
within
Medical Term
Word Part Definition
Medical Term Definition
Word Part