What it means
Often shortened to LASA. Pairs such as hydroxyzine and hydralazine, or Celebrex and Celexa, have been mixed up when ordering, dispensing or giving drugs. ISMP keeps a list of confused drug names. Safeguards include "tall man" lettering (hydrOXYzine, hydrALAZINE), storing such drugs apart, and adding the purpose of the drug to orders.
For the nurse
Read the label carefully at every check, scan barcodes, and confirm that the drug makes sense for the client's diagnosis. Question any order that does not fit.
At a glance
| Also written | LASA, look-alike/sound-alike drugs, look alike-sound alike |
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Related terms
read-back
Writing down a spoken order or test result and reading it back to the person who gave it, so they can confirm it is right.
high-alert medication
A drug that can cause serious harm to a client if it is used in error; also called a high-risk medication.