Veterinary Technician Practice Exam

When a vet prescribes a medication as "every other day," which abbreviation is used?

1. EOD

2. OSS

3. DOD

4. PO

The correct answer is: EOD

The abbreviation used for "every other day" in veterinary prescriptions is EOD. This stands for "every other day" and is commonly utilized to facilitate clear communication about the medication schedule to ensure correct dosing intervals. Using EOD helps prevent misunderstanding that may arise from verbal communication or longer phrases. For instance, if a veterinarian were to write out "every other day" on a prescription, it may be misinterpreted or mishandled. The abbreviation EOD offers a concise and standardized way to convey this specific instruction, thus streamlining the process for veterinary technicians and pet owners to follow. In contrast, the other options represent different meanings: OSS stands for "on sick leave" or can indicate "once at a specific time," DOD relates to "day of discharge," and PO stands for "by mouth" (per os), which refers to the route of administration of medication rather than scheduling. Therefore, EOD is the correct choice for indicating a dosing schedule of every other day.