Which abbreviation stands for Nitrous oxide?

Which abbreviation stands for Nitrous oxide?

• A. D5W
• B. N2O
• C. Dx
• D. min

Answer: (B)

Abbreviations for chemicals often reflect the actual molecular makeup. Nitrous oxide is composed of two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, so the standard shorthand is N2O, mirroring its formula. This makes N2O the clear identifier for nitrous oxide in medical and pharmacology contexts. The other options point to something else entirely: D5W is 5% dextrose in water, a common IV fluid; Dx is a general shorthand for diagnosis; min stands for minutes, a unit of time. None of these describe nitrous oxide, so N2O is the correct abbreviation.

Abbreviations for chemicals often reflect the actual molecular makeup. Nitrous oxide is composed of two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, so the standard shorthand is N2O, mirroring its formula. This makes N2O the clear identifier for nitrous oxide in medical and pharmacology contexts.

The other options point to something else entirely: D5W is 5% dextrose in water, a common IV fluid; Dx is a general shorthand for diagnosis; min stands for minutes, a unit of time. None of these describe nitrous oxide, so N2O is the correct abbreviation.