Does someone know how to read prescriptions?

[jngo2]

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This is for a case I have to solve:
Iron 325mg PO bid X10 years

What does that means????

 

[DocVirk]

PO= by mouth
BID= twice a day

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

For future reference:

http://www.emcparadigm.com/college_resource_centers/resourcelist.php?GroupID=1644

 

[Samoa]

and they've been taking it for 10 years. typical duration of iron therapy is 3 mos. for iron-deficiency anemia. If this therapy is correct, and not a mistake, then this person probably has long-standing renal insufficiency and possibly end-stage renal disease. Or else some freakish zebra disease. Or a psych condition. I'd bet on bad kidneys, though.

 

[jngo2]

and they've been taking it for 10 years. typical duration of iron therapy is 3 mos. for iron-deficiency anemia. If this therapy is correct, and not a mistake, then this person probably has long-standing renal insufficiency and possibly end-stage renal disease. Or else some freakish zebra disease. Or a psych condition. I'd bet on bad kidneys, though.

Well I can give you the profile of the patient:
HPI:

Patient is a 39yo Caucasian female presenting with ongoing episodes of diarrhea, fatigue and abdominal discomfort. She states the diarrhea is intermittent, malodorous and "oily" and notes when she eats less it "tends to get better." She denies any fevers, recent travel or sick contacts. There is no blood in her stool that she is aware of and comments that she once had a "slightly positive stool card" a few years ago but the repeat studies were negative. Her usual PCP is now suggesting a medication for irritable bowel syndrome but she comes to you today for a second opinion.

Her fatigue coincides with the amount of abdominal symptoms she is experiencing. Her sleep is adequate, but occasionally interrupted with abdominal cramping or need to stool. She denies current depressive symptoms but notes her symptoms do become severe enough 1-2 times per month that it "affects her mood."

PMHx (past medical history)

? Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Anemia
Osteopenia (1st DexaScan – last year T-Score -1.9)
H/O (History of) Irregular menstruation/dysmenorrhea (painful menstration)

PSHx (past surgical history):

Appendectomy at age 12

Medications:
Ortho TriCyclen Lo daily (birth control pill)
Iron 325mg PO (by mouth) bid (twice daily) X10 years
Calcium/Vit D vitamins daily
Maalox and Pepto-Bismol PRN daily
Tylenol PRN (taken as needed)

FamHx:

Mother – Compression fracture of spine 1994 and 1997, HTN (hypertension)
Father – CHF (congestive heart failure)
Siblings – Brother, age 47, healthy
Brother, age 38, anemia
Sister, age 42, HTN (hypertension)
SocHx:

Works as a sales manager at a manufacturing firm in Costa Mesa. Reports stress in the workplace but enjoys her career. She is living at home with her husband of 10 years. No children. +smoker 1ppd X 6years stopped in 1990 once her abdominal symptoms started. No ETOH or illicit drug use noted.

Physical Exam:

Vitals: afebrile, 127/74, 12, 72

Gen: A+OX4 (alert and oriented x4), NAD (no acute distress)
HEENT: EOMI (extra ocular muscles intact), PERRLA (pupils equal, round and reactive to light accommodation), anicteric sclera (no jaundice), TM (tympanic membrane) WNL bilaterally, No erythema (redness) on pharynx, good dentition
Neck: No JVD (jugular venous distention), No bruits (nose bleed), FROM (free range of motion), No LAD (LymphADenopathy, swollen lymph nodes)
Heart: RRR (regular rate and rhythm), S1S2, no murmur
Lungs: CTA B (clear to auscultation bilaterally) without wheeze
Abd: Thin, NT (non tender), NABS (normal active bowel sounds), No HSM (hepatosplenomegaly) appreciated
Back: subtle kyphosis (change in neck angle), FROM, no CVA (costovertebral angle, where the kidney is located) tenderness
Ext: FROM, No edema, 5/5 strength in all extremities
Neuro: CN (cranial nerves) 2-12 intact. No sensory deficits appreciated

Pre-visit Labs:

10.4 135 | 102 | 15
6.9 >-----< 462 -----------------------------< 79
30.6 4.6 | 24 | 1.0

RBC: 3.36 (3.8 &#8211; 5.5)
MCV: 71.4 (78-101)
RDW: 15.2 (11.5-14.5)

Albumin: 3.1 (3.5-4.8)
Calcium: 8.2 (8.9-10.4)
Total Chol: 164 (120-200)
LDL: 88
HDL: 41

URINALYSIS: WNL

I appreciate the reply...can you explain to me all these numbers:
[PRE]
10.4 135 | 102 | 15
6.9 >-----< 462 -----------------------------< 79
30.6 4.6 | 24 | 1.0
[/PRE]