What is A.U in medication administration?

Appeared in: DSSSB 12 August 2024

Explanation

The abbreviation A.U. is derived from the Latin term Auris Utraque.
Translated, Auris means 'ear' and Utraque means 'both' or 'each'.
Therefore, A.U. is the standard medical shorthand for 'both ears' in the context of medication administration.

Option A: The abbreviation for the right ear is A.D., which stands for Auris Dextra.
Option B: The abbreviation for both eyes is O.U., which stands for Oculus Uterque.
Option C: The abbreviation for the left ear is A.S., which stands for Auris Sinistra.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Medical abbreviations for medication administration routes as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A primary nursing responsibility is the safe administration of medications, which includes the correct interpretation of prescriptions. Misinterpreting an abbreviation like A.U. can lead to significant patient harm.
The Joint Commission and ISMP strongly recommend against using these abbreviations due to their high potential for error. Best practice is to write out the full name (e.g., 'both ears') to avoid confusion between 'otic' (ear) and 'optic' (eye) medications.
What if? If a prescription read 'A.D.' instead of 'A.U.', the nurse would administer the medication only to the right ear. This highlights how a single letter change completely alters the treatment plan and underscores the need for meticulous attention to detail.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the question as a factual recall question about a standard medical abbreviation.
Break down the abbreviation 'A.U.' by recalling the Latin roots used in medicine.
Recall that 'A' or 'Auris' refers to the ear, while 'O' or 'Oculus' refers to the eye.
Recall the directional components: 'D' (Dextra) for right, 'S' (Sinistra) for left, and 'U' (Utraque) for both.
Combine the parts: Auris (ear) + Utraque (both) equals 'both ears'.
Select the option that matches this translation.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 1 p. 85-87

Practise the full DSSSB 12 August 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.