Which statement about the abbreviation 'IU' is accurate?

• A. Intravenous unit; it can be mistaken for 'IV' or '10'
• B. International unit; it can be mistaken for 'IV' or '10'
• C. International unit; it is never confused with other terms
• D. Insulin unit; it can be mistaken for 'IV' or '10'

Answer: (B)

IU stands for International Unit, a measure of biological activity rather than a fixed amount. Because the letters I and U can be written or read in ways that resemble IV (intravenous) or the numeral 10, this abbreviation is prone to misinterpretation. That is why the statement that IU is International Unit and can be mistaken for IV or 10 is accurate. Other formulations like Insulin unit or Intravenous unit aren’t standard terms, and claiming it’s never confused contradicts known safety concerns about this abbreviation.