LOINCActiveObservation

LOINC Code 76662-6: Instructions [Text] Medication Narrative

76662-6 is a LOINC code used to identify Instructions [Text] Medication Narrative 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 Instructions. It is commonly used with the system or sample type Medication.

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 Instructions. It is commonly used with the system or sample type Medication.

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
  • Order vs observation: Observation

What it does not mean

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

Key facts

Instructions [Text] Medication Narrative
Instructions
Sig's are the provider's instructions on how to take a medication. They usually follow immediately after the drug name and strength on a written prescription. "Sig" is a shortened version of the Latin word Signetur, meaning "let it be labeled." The following prescriptions contain two examples of Sigs, starting with "take..."Thyroxin 150 ug, take one tab by mouth every morning or Azitrhrommcyin 5 day pack, take 500 mg (2 tabs) on day one and 1 tab (250 mg) on day 2 through 5. May take with food but not antacids This term was created for HL7's Consolidated CDA (C-CDA) to explicitly identify the free text Sig within each medication. The C-CDA is a library of clinical CDA templates named in Meaningful Use regulation to support transition of care. The availability of the free text Sig makes it easier for providers to write prescriptions and get a compact and readable list of their patients' active medications in a grid format with one column for the drug name and strength, another column for the sig, and (usually) fitting one active medication per row.
CLIN; Med; Narrative; Point in time; Random; Report; Text

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

Instructions [Text] Medication NarrativeInstructions MedicationInstructionsCLINTxtPtMedication

Frequently asked questions

Code details

Code76662-6
SystemLOINC
Display nameInstructions [Text] Medication Narrative
DescriptionInstructions
Short nameInstructions Medication
ComponentInstructions
PropertyTxt
TimingPt
System (specimen)Medication
ScaleNar
ClassCLIN
StatusACTIVE
Order/ObservationObservation

Flags

BillableNo
Valid clinical useNo

Source

SourceLOINC
Version2.82
Releasemain
First released2.52
Last changed2.52

Part names

InstructionsTxtPtMedicationNarTextPoint in time (spot)

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.

LOINC Code 76662-6 | HealthAssure