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Errors in Medical Terminology

Author: Sophia
PDF Version

what's covered
In this lesson, you will learn about common types of medical terminology errors and how to avoid them. You will learn about spelling errors, mispronunciation errors, abbreviation errors, and documentation errors, with notes about common problems. You will also learn about the consequences of these errors and why it is so important to avoid them. Finally, you will learn some strategies for avoiding and correcting medical errors. Specifically, this lesson will cover:

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Errors in Medical Terminology

Medical terminology errors include mistakes in spelling, pronunciation, abbreviation, and word usage. At the very least, these errors lead to problems in communication. They may cause misunderstandings and delay care. At worst, these errors can result in harm to both patients and clinicians. So, it is important to always do your best to avoid errors to ensure clear communication, avoid diagnostic and treatment errors, reduce medical risks, and avoid legal liability. While most errors can be caught and fixed, some errors can have tragic consequences. So always pay attention to your word usage and watch for errors introduced by others.

did you know
There are many ways in which healthcare facilities can try to reduce the risk of errors. Everyone makes mistakes, but there are ways that everyone can work together to avoid problems.

In healthcare, one approach is to use detailed checklists. You may have seen people running through a checklist before surgery, for example. Chew et al. (2016) proposed using mnemonics to avoid cognitive errors. For example, the mnemonic TWED reminds clinicians to consider Threat (to rule out), Wrong/What Else (to consider alternative explanations), Evidence (to review the evidence supporting their conclusions), and Dispositional Factors. Haugen et al. (2019) reviewed the use of the World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist, which is used globally to improve surgical safety. Haugen et al. (2019) found that the checklists led to improvements by reducing the risks of certain errors, with lowered mortality and complication rates shown in some studies. However, they also found that more was needed to implement the checklists as effectively as possible, without skipping steps.

1a. Spelling Errors

Spelling errors are a problem because they can completely change the meaning of a word. Especially when terms are unfamiliar, it is easy to make spelling errors. Learning word parts and remembering rules for word building will help in avoiding these errors.

Some spelling errors are due to confusing similar words.

It can be easy to confuse the following terms:

Hypertension (high blood pressure) vs. Hypotension (low blood pressure)

Ileum (part of the small intestine) vs. Ilium (hip bone)

Prostate (male gland) vs. Prostrate (lying down)

Lacrimal (tear-related) vs. Laryngeal (throat-related)

1b. Pronunciation Errors

Pronunciation errors can result in misunderstandings. Especially if you learn words by reading them, it can be easy to make mistakes when you have to say the words. So, make sure that you use the available audio to listen to words and look up pronunciations of other words if needed.

Be particularly careful of similar-sounding words that can easily be confused.

Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) vs. Dysphasia (difficulty speaking) vs. Dysplasia (abnormal cell growth)

Otic (related to the ear) vs. Optic (related to the eye)

Peritoneal (abdominal lining) vs. Perineal (area between the genitals and anus)

In particular, pay attention to common pronunciation challenges such as:

Words with silent letters (pneumonia, psychology)

Words with unexpected stress patterns (appendicitis – "uh-pen-di-SIGH-tis")

MS (Morphine Sulfate or Multiple Sclerosis?) → Write out the full term.

U (Unit) → Can be mistaken for "0" → Write "Unit" instead.

QD (once daily) vs. QID (four times daily) → Use "daily" instead.

Mg (milligrams) vs. Mcg (micrograms) → Confirm the correct dose.

The abbreviations ‘QD’ and ‘QID’ appear in large text at center screen, each inside a light gray box, side by side. ‘QD’ is on the left next to an image of a single circular pill, while ‘QID’ is on the right next to an image of four circular pills in a square pattern. The term ‘vs.’ is between the abbreviations ‘QD’ and ‘QID’ to indicate comparison. The abbreviation ‘QD’ and its corresponding single pill shifts upward on screen, and a red diagonal line is drawn through the abbreviation ‘QD’. Text appears underneath that says ‘Don’t use QD – write ‘daily’ instead’. This text and all prior images fade out, and new terms take their place, as the abbreviations ‘IU’ and ‘IV’ appear in large text at center screen, each inside a light gray box, side by side. ‘IU’ is on the left, with text to the left of it that says ‘International Unit’, and ‘IV’ is on the right, with text to the left of it that says ‘Intravenous’. The term ‘vs’ is between the abbreviations ‘IU’ and ‘IV’ to indicate comparison. The abbreviation ‘IU’ and its corresponding text shifts upward, and a red diagonal line is drawn through the abbreviation ‘IU’. Text appears underneath that says ‘Don’t use ‘IU’ – spell out ‘international unit’.

1c. Abbreviation Errors

In the lesson titled Common Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Eponyms, you learned about common problems with using medical abbreviations and about the JHCAO’s Do Not Use List. Make sure to pay attention to these easily confused abbreviations.

1d. Documentation Errors

When working with medical documentation, be especially careful that your word usage is accurate. Mistakes in transcription and charting can affect patient care.

Common examples of documentation errors include:

  • Omitting decimal points ("10.0 mg" vs. "100 mg" → Overdose risk)
  • Mistakes in units (“10.0 mg” vs. “10.0 mcg” → Overdose risk)
  • Illegible handwriting (risk of misreading medication names like Celebrex vs. Celexa).
  • Incomplete or ambiguous notes ("Pt. has SOB." – Does it mean "shortness of breath" or "side of bed"?)
try it
Let’s try an example. Find the mistakes in the medical documentation below.
The patient exhibits hyposensitivity to bee venom, producing a very strong response. When stung, she developed an anaphylactic reaction characterized by severe hypotension.
This documentation cannot be correct. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction. The patient must have responded very strongly (hypersensitivity) rather than not very strongly (hyposensitivity).

2. Consequences of Medical Terminology Errors

Medical terminology errors can lead to significant consequences. As you learned in another lesson, there are patient safety risks from these errors.

You previously learned about problems with medication errors due to similar sounding medication names.

EXAMPLE

Hydralazine (for hypertension) vs. Hydroxyzine (for allergies)

Celebrex (for pain) vs. Celexa (for depression)

Mistakes in diagnoses can lead to unnecessary procedures and unnecessary treatment, while patients may not get the treatment that they need.

EXAMPLE

There are very different approaches for patients with Aphasia (a speech disorder) versus Apnea (a breathing disorder).

There are also legal and ethical implications due to miscommunication and documentation errors. Patient rights can be violated due to incorrect or misleading records. Accurate documentation can be critical in showing that patients received appropriate care in the case of a lawsuit. There are also requirements to comply with regulatory standards. These regulations include requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and JCAHCO standards. It is essential to have documentation of compliance.

did you know
If you have gone to a doctor’s office or other medical facility, then you have been affected by HIPAA. Have you been asked to sign paperwork acknowledging receipt of their privacy policy? That paperwork explains exactly how your protected health information (PHI) can be used. This is required under HIPAA. This paperwork explains who can access your information and how it is used. It will often specify that medical information can be released to file insurance claims to receive payment for the service. You may be asked to sign a HIPAA release form letting them know who has your permission to discuss your medical records. The next time you are asked to do this, consider looking a little more closely. Remember, if you work in healthcare, you must carefully follow these privacy regulations to protect patients and also to protect yourself.  

3. Strategies for Avoiding and Correcting Medical Terminology Errors

To avoid medical errors and to correct them as quickly as possible if they occur, consider the following steps.

Step Example
Always review medical records before submission.
  • Proofread everything
  • Always double-check the spelling of medical terms in charts, prescriptions, and reports.
  • Use spell-checking software for electronic medical records (EMR).
Clarify medical abbreviations and acronyms.
  • Use only standard, approved abbreviations from hospital or national guidelines.
  • Avoid abbreviations from the JCAHCO Do Not Use list.
  • Avoid using homonyms (words that sound alike but have different meanings).
  • Ask for clarification if you are unsure about an abbreviation or symbol.
Use phonetic spelling for difficult words as needed.
  • Practice pronouncing terms correctly using phonetic spelling.
  • The more you use phonetic spellings, the more easily you will be able to understand them and use them to say words correctly.
Conduct regular audits of medical records to catch and correct errors.
  • Make sure to speak up if you notice a mistake by someone else.
Encourage and support a work culture where people are comfortable identifying and calling out errors.
  • Encourage people to question and verify medical terms as needed, rather than staying silent.
Keep learning and promote ongoing medical terminology training for your colleagues.
  • Look for training opportunities and encourage friends to share them with you.

EXAMPLE

Myocardial infarction → "My-o-KAR-dee-al in-FARK-shun"

Hepatomegaly → "Hep-a-to-MEG-a-lee"

Asthenia → "asˈTHēnēə"

The following are some scenarios with examples of possible errors and ways to fix them.

IN CONTEXT

Misinterpreted Orders
Scenario: A nurse reads "MS 10 mg" and administers morphine sulfate instead of magnesium sulfate.
Correction: Always write out the full drug name to avoid confusion. This abbreviation is on the JCAHCO Do Not Use List.

Charting Errors in Patient Records
Scenario: A physician notes "BP: 140/90" but forgets to include the unit (mmHg).
Correction: Always include measurement units for accuracy.

Incorrect Pronunciation Leading to Misunderstanding
Scenario: A medical student says "Dysphasia" when they mean "Dysphagia."
Correction: Learn and practice pronunciation using phonetic spelling guides.

Medication Dosage Errors
Scenario: A prescription says, "10 mg insulin" instead of "10 units insulin."
Correction: Clearly specify "units" vs. "mg" to prevent overdose.

terms to know
The table below lists terms that are especially important or that may be difficult to pronounce. Audio is provided to help you learn how to say these terms.

Term Definition Audio
Myocardial infarction Heart attack
Asthenia Physical weakness

summary
In this lesson, you received an introduction to errors in medical terminology. You learned about spelling errors, pronunciation errors, abbreviation errors, and documentation errors. After reviewing examples of types of errors, you learned about the potentially severe consequences of medical terminology errors and why it is so important to avoid them. Finally, you learned about strategies for avoiding and correcting medical errors that you can use now and in healthcare settings. By applying what you have learned, you can communicate effectively and clearly while providing the best care possible for patients.

Source: THIS TUTORIAL HAS BEEN ADAPTED FROM “OPEN RN | MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY – 2e” BY ERNSTMEYER & CHRISTMAN AT OPEN RESOURCES FOR NURSING (Open RN). ACCESS FOR FREE AT https://wtcs.pressbooks.pub/medterm/ LICENSING: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION 4.0 INTERNATIONAL.

REFERENCES

Chew, K. S., van Merriënboer, J., & Durning, S. J. (2016). A portable mnemonic to facilitate checking for cognitive errors. BMC research notes, 9(1), 445. doi.org/10.1186/s13104-016-2249-2

Haugen, A. S., Sevdalis, N., & Søfteland, E. (2019). Impact of the World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist on Patient Safety. Anesthesiology, 131(2), 420–425. doi.org/10.1097/ALN.0000000000002674

Terms to Know
Anaphylactic

Pertaining to a severe allergic reaction.

Anaphylaxis

A severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.

Aphasia

A speech disorder; involves difficulty finding, using, and understanding words.

Arthralgia

Joint pain.

Asthenia

Physical weakness.

Hydralazine

A medication used to treat hypertension.

Hydroxyzine

A medication used to treat allergies.

Hypersensitivity

Having an unusually strong reaction to something (being very sensitive).

Hyposensitivity

Having an unusually weak reaction to something (not being sensitive to it).

Myocardial Infarction

Heart attack (technically, death of heart muscle tissue due to lack of oxygen).

Optic

Pertaining to the eye.

Otic

Pertaining to the ear.

mg

Abbreviation for milligrams (a unit of measure).

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