Mispronouncing medications

Nurses General Nursing

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Do you know how to pronounce EVERY drug and even if you've looked up the drugs you don't know, what do you do when you're going over pt. home meds. and there's a ton of atypical meds. you are unfamiliar with and don't know how to pronounce them. (I do my best, but some I don't say perfectly and I feel really stupid when my patient corrects me.)

You can always blame it on differences of regional dialect, or you nursing school instructor's dialect. :D

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
Not only that but people still have different opinions on how things are pronounced...

for example.. some people pronounce

"Levaquin"

Lev-uh-quin

others pronounce it like

Leev-uh-quin

This is a pet peeve of mine...as I am strongly sided on the "lev-uh-quin" side....and every time someone says "Leev-uh-quin" I cringe a little inside.

But different people have learned it different ways..

Just spout off your best shot at the word and learn as you go! :)

I also pronounce it with the short e sound, however, proper pronounciation IS with the long e, as denoted by the mark over the e on the packaging.

I would also recommend the Davis Drug Guide if you want assistance with pronounciation of meds....it gives a great break down of the drug as well as where the emphasis should fall.

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I am still in nursing school but also have trouble with the pronunciation of drugs AND with medical terminology in general. I did find something that is helpful to me. I use Webster’s Medical dictionary. It allows you to listen to the pronunciation of terms. I have been able to look up many of the drugs to help teach myself.

Here is the link…http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical

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Thanks everyone!:D

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Interesting timing . . there is an active thread about this very subject! :D

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/mispronouncing-word-makes-380619.html

steph

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

goodness , i've been a nurse for a long time and i don't pronounce them all right. i was corrected on something by another nurse she was snippy and said " this is how it's pronounced " i said " who cares ?? " she shut up right away.

who cares how it's said .. the main point is that you give it correctly.

p.s i say " lev-aah -quin" .. i love that old song " you say tomato and i say tom-oto" lol

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goodness , i've been a nurse for a long time and i don't pronounce them all right. i was corrected on something by another nurse she was snippy and said " this is how it's pronounced " i said " who cares ?? " she shut up right away.

who cares how it's said .. the main point is that you give it correctly.

p.s i say " lev-aah -quin" .. i love that old song " you say tomato and i say tom-oto" lol

We say "lev-aah-quin" too . . .Not the long "E" sound. As in Leave . . .

steph

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Specializes in LTC.

Just my two cents but I say Lev-a-quin, as well. I have heard NO ONE in my region say Leev-a-quin; not even the pharmacists!

I heard one today that made me cringe though. A nurse I was working with said Luv-a-nox. I have always pronounced this Lov-a-nox.

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Just my two cents but I say Lev-a-quin, as well. I have heard NO ONE in my region say Leev-a-quin; not even the pharmacists!

I heard one today that made me cringe though. A nurse I was working with said Luv-a-nox. I have always pronounced this Lov-a-nox.

There is an ad on tv - from lawyers - regarding "Leave-a-quin" . . .

steph

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Don't feel bad. I'm sure the etymology of medications goes back to Mars. :bugeyes:

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