What does this LOINC code represent?

This LOINC code identifies a lab observation, measurement, question, or clinical concept in a standardized format.

Is this enough to understand my test result?

No. The code identifies the test or observation, but the interpretation depends on the actual result, reference range, and clinical context.

LOINCActive

LOINC Code 68517-2: How many times in the past year have you have X or more drinks in a day

Name: LOINC Code 68517-2: How many times in the past year have you have X or more drinks in a day
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-21T08:59:48.041Z

68517-2 is a LOINC code used to identify How many times in the past year have you have X or more drinks in a day in laboratory and clinical observation data. You may see this code in lab systems, lab reports, EHR exports, interoperability feeds, or other structured clinical data exchanges. LOINC codes identify tests, measurements, observations, survey items, and clinical questions in a standardized way. It is associated with the component How many times in the past Y have you have X or more drinks in a D. It is commonly used with the system or sample type ^Patient.

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 21 May 2026

What is this code?

LOINC codes identify tests, measurements, observations, survey items, and clinical questions in a standardized way. It is associated with the component How many times in the past Y have you have X or more drinks in a D. It is commonly used with the system or sample type ^Patient.

When is it used?

Used in lab systems, EHRs, and clinical data exchange.
May identify a test, observation, survey item, or clinical document request rather than a diagnosis.
Status: ACTIVE

What it does not mean

The code identifies the observation or test, not the actual result.

Key facts

How many times in the past year have you have X or more drinks in a day
How many times in the past Y have you have X or more drinks in a D
Where X is 5 for men and 4 for women, and a response of greater than, or equal to, 1 is positive.
Count/time; Dextro; Last; nRate; Number rate; Number Rate = Count/Time; QNT; Quan; Quant; Quantitative; Survey; SURVEY.SAMHSA; Trouble with police freq; X or more drinks in a D past Y

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in lab systems, lab reports, EHR exports, interoperability feeds, or other structured clinical data exchanges.

Common synonyms

How many times in the past year have you have X or more drinks in a dayHow many times in the past Y have you have X or more drinks in a DSURVEY.SAMHSANRat1Y^PatientQn

Frequently asked questions

Code details

Code68517-2

SystemLOINC

Display nameHow many times in the past year have you have X or more drinks in a day

DescriptionHow many times in the past Y have you have X or more drinks in a D

ComponentHow many times in the past Y have you have X or more drinks in a D

PropertyNRat

Timing1Y

System (specimen)^Patient

ScaleQn

ClassSURVEY.SAMHSA

Example units#/year

StatusACTIVE

Flags

BillableNo

Valid clinical useNo

Source

SourceLOINC

Version2.82

Releasemain

First released2.38

Last changed2.70

Part names

How many times in the past Y have you have X or more drinks in a DNRat1Y^PatientQnHow many times in the past year have you have X or more drinks in a dayNumber Rate1 year

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from LOINC. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.