An order was written for 5 grams of a medication to be dispensed, how should this be written?

The most appropriate way to express the quantity of medication in this context is by using the word "grams." This format, "5 grams," is commonly preferred in written orders because it reduces the risk of misinterpretation that can arise when using abbreviations. While "5 g" is also scientifically accurate, opting for the full term "grams" helps ensure clarity, especially for those who may not be familiar with metric abbreviations.

In clinical settings, it is critical to prioritize clear communication to prevent medication errors. The full term eliminates any possibility of misunderstanding related to the abbreviation's meaning or potential confusion with other similar abbreviations.

Other formats like "5gm" or "5.0 g" introduce unnecessary variations that can complicate interpretation. The "5gm" format may not be universally recognized and could lead to confusion, while "5.0 g" presents a decimal that is often unnecessary in this context unless precision is specifically required. Therefore, "5 grams" is the safest and most universally understood choice for medication orders.