Hospital regulations now require that the nurse write out the name of the drug morphine sulfate instead of using the abbreviation MS.What is the best rationale for this requirement?

A) The hospital has placed MS on its list of do not use abbreviations.
B) Canadian Nurse Association (CNA) requires that the abbreviation MS not be used.
C) Using the abbreviation MS puts the client at risk of medication error.
D) Computerized charting systems will not accept the abbreviation MS.

Using abbreviations in medication orders can lead to medication errors, as different abbreviations can be easily confused with each other. Morphine sulfate can be mistaken for magnesium sulfate, for example, which can lead to serious adverse effects for the patient. Writing out the full name of the drug reduces the risk of such errors. The Joint Commission, responsible for accrediting hospitals in the US, has placed MS on its list of do not use abbreviations for this reason.