Question | Answer |
a | before (for Latin, ante) |
aa | of each (for Latin, ana) |
abd | abdominal |
a.c. | before meals (for Latin, ante cibum) |
ADL | activity of daily living |
ad lib | as desired |
a.m. | morning (for Latin, ante meridiem) |
amt | amount |
AROM | active range of motion |
AX | axillary (temperature under the arm) |
BID | two times a day (for Latin, bis in die) |
BM | bowel movement |
BP | blood pressure |
BRP | bathroom privileges |
C | Celsius |
c (small c with line over top) | with |
cal | calorie |
cath | catheter (tubular instrument that allows passage of fluid from or into a body cavity) |
CBR | complete bed rest |
cc | cubic centimeter (equal to a ml) |
CHF | congestive heart failure |
cm | centimeter |
CN | charge nurse |
CNS | central nervous system |
c/o | complains of |
DC | discontinue |
DON | director of nursing |
Dr. | doctor |
DX | diagnosis |
F | Farenheit |
fx | fracture |
GI | gastrointestinal |
gtt | drop (used in ref to liquid meds; for Latin, gutta) |
GU | genitourinary (ref to urinary & genital organs) |
h | hour |
H2O | water (hydrogen and oxygen) |
HOB | head of bed |
HOH | hard of hearing |
HS | hour of sleep (ref to meds taken at bedtime) |
I/O | intake and output |
IV | intravenous |
kg | kilogram |
L | liter |
lb./lbs. | pound(s)(for Latin, libra) |
LE/LLE/LUE | lower extremity; left extremity; left upper extremity (left arm, leg, hand or foot) |
Lt. | left |
MI | myocardial infarction (heart attack) |
mm | millimeter |
noc | night (for Latin, nocte) |
NPO | nothing by mouth (nothing per oral) |
N/V | nausea and vomiting |
O.D. | right eye (for Latin, oculus dexter);also abbr. for OVERDOSE |
OOB | out of bed |
O.S. | left eye (for Latin, oculus sinister) |
O.U. | both eyes (for Latin, oculus uterque) |
oz. | ounce |
p (lower case p with line over top) | after (post) |
P | pulse |
p.c. | after meals (for Latin, post cibum) |
PO | by mouth (for Latin, per os) |
p.m. | evening (for Latin, post meridiem) |
prn | as needed (for Latin, pro re nata) |
PROM | passive range of motion |
pt. | patient |
qd | every day (for Latin, quaque die) |
qh | every hour (for Latin, quaque hora) |
q2h | every 2 hours (for Latin, quaque hora) |
qid | 4 times a day (for Latin, quater in die) |
qod | every other day (for Latin, quaque outro die) |
QNS | quantity not sufficient |
QS | quantity sufficient |
R (capital R with circle around it) | rectal (reference to temperature) |
R | respirations (measured in breaths per minute) |
RE/RUE/RLE | right extremity; right upper extremity; right lower extremity (right arm, leg, hand or foot) |
ROM | range of motion |
Rx | prescription (recipe of prescription) |
s (lowercase s with line over top) | without (for Latin, sine) |
sig. | write; to be labeled (msg from Dr. to Pharmacist to label med with spec. instructions) |
SOB | shortness of breath |
ss | half (for Latin, solo semi), in reference to medication |
SSE | soap suds enema |
staph | staphylococcus (for Latin, staphylo - meaning bunch of grapes) |
strep | streptococcus (for Latin, strepto - meaning twisted) |
syr | syrup (referring to liquid prescriptions) |
T | temperature |
tab | tablet |
tbsp. | tablespoon |
tid | three times a day (for Latin, ter in die) |
TO | telephone order |
TPR | temperature, pulse, respiration |
tsp. | teaspoon |
UP | universal precautions |
URI | upper respiratory infection |
UTI | urinary tract infection |
v.o. | verbal order |
v.s. | vital signs (blood pressure, temp, pulse, respiration) |
W/C | wheelchair |
wt. | weight |