10 X or x or times?
General Rule
Only use x or X with a numeral, otherwise use ‘times.’
Examples
He states that this has happened several times over the past year.
This patient has had a history of myocardial infarction x3.
Uppercase X
X (uppercase) is used to express magnification.
Example: Using X10 magnification, I was able to view the lesion.”
Lowercase x
Use x (lowercase) for size or dimensions (use it instead of the words ‘by’ or ‘times’)
Example: A 3 x 3 cm mass was seen on the left lobe of the liver. (notice the spaces between the x and the numerals!)
Use x (lowercase)as the multiplication symbol in an equation.
Use x (lowercase)instead of the word ‘times’ when you are referring to the number of times something happened.
Examples:
The patient reports seizures x4 in the past month.
Urinalysis was negative x2. (notice there is no space between the x and the numeral!)
Medication Dosages
Use the word ‘for’ instead of ‘times’ when transcribing medication dosages.
Example
Voice file or original report says “Augmentin 500 mg b.i.d. times 9 days”
Transcribe “Augmentin 500 mg b.i.d. for 9 days”
References
Sims, L. M. (2008). The Book of Style for Medical Transcription (3rd ed.). Modesto, California, United States of America: Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity.
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