Question | Answer |
ABC | Airway/Breathing/Circulation |
abd | abdomen, abduction |
ABG | arterial blood gases |
ABX | Antibiotics |
ADA | American Diabetic Association |
add | adduction |
ADL | Activities of Daily Living |
ad lib | as much as needed, as desired |
Adm. | Admission |
AKA | Above the knee amputation |
a.m. | morning |
AMA | against medical advice |
AMB, amb | Ambulatory |
amp | ampule |
Ant. | Anterior |
AP | anterior-posterior |
ARF | Acute renal failure |
AROM | Active range of motion |
ASAP | as soon as possible |
ASA | aspirin |
ASSMT | Assessment |
as tol | as tolerated |
Ax | Axillary |
BBS | bilateral breath sounds |
BCX | blood culture |
BE | barium enema |
BG | blood glucose |
bid | twice daily |
bil | bilateral |
BKA | Below the Knee Amputation |
Bld | blood |
BLE | bilateral lower extremity |
bm | bowel movement |
BMR | basal metabolic rate |
BP, B/P | blood pressure |
BPM, bpm | beats per minute |
bs | bowel sounds |
bs | bedside |
BS | blood sugar |
BS | breath sounds |
BSA | body surface area |
BUE | Bilateral Upper Extremity |
BUN | blood urea nitrogen |
Bx | biopsy |
C | Degrees Centigrade C |
Ca | Calcium |
CA | Cancer, carcinoma |
Cal. | calorie |
CT | computerized axial tomography |
cath | catheter, catherization |
CBC | complete blood count |
CBR | Complete bed rest |
CDC | Center for Disease Control |
CEA | carcinoembryonic antigen |
CHD | congenital heart disease |
CHF | congestive heart failure |
CHO | carbohydrate |
cl liq | clear liquid |
cm | centimeter |
CNS | central nervous system |
c/o | complains of |
C02 | Carbon dioxide |
Cont. | continued |
CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
CRF | chronic renal failure |
CRTT | Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician |
C/S | C-section |
C | culture and sensitivity |
CSF | cerebral spinal fluid |
CTA | clear to auscultation |
CV | Cardiovascular |
CVA | Cerebrovascular |
CVL | Central Venous Line |
Cx | Culture |
CXR | Chest x-ray |
DAT | diet as tolerated |
DI | diabetes insipidus |
Diab. | diabetes |
DM | Diabetes mellitus |
DNR | do not resuscitate |
D5NS | Detrose 5% normal saline |
DOA | dead on arrival |
DOB | date of birth |
Dr. | Doctor |
Drsg | dressing |
dx | diagnosis |
EKG | electrocardiogram |
Echo | echocardiogram |
EEG | electroencephalogram |
e.g. | for example |
ENT | ear, nose and throat |
EOM | extraocular muscles, movement |
ESR | erythrocyte sedimentation rate |
ESRD | End-stage renal disease |
et | and |
E.T. | Expiratory Time |
ETT | endotracheal tube |
F | Female |
F | Degrees Fahrenheit |
FBS | fasting blood sugar |
Fe | iron |
FEV | Forced Expiratory volume |
FHX - | Family history |
fl | fluid |
FNP | Family Nurse Practitioner |
FREQ | frequent |
FROM | full range of motion |
FS | full strength |
F/U | Follow-up |
FUO | fever of undetermined origin |
FWB | full weight bearing |
Fx | fracture |
GFR | glomerular filtration rate |
GI | gastrointestinal |
gm | gram |
GT | Gastrostomy tube |
GTC | generalized tonic clonic |
GTT | Glucose Tolerance Test |
gtts | drops |
GU | genitourinary |
GYN | gynecology |
HBG | Glycolated hemoglobin |
Hct | hematocrit (to be used by laboratory only) |
HEENT | head, eyes, ears, nose and throat |
Hgb | hemoglobin |
HOB | head of bed |
H & H | hemoglobin and hematocrit |
H | history and physical |
hr | hour |
HR | heart rate |
hs, h.s. | hour of sleep |
Ht. | height |
HTN | hypertension |
hx | history |
I | Independent |
IBW | ideal body weight |
ICU | intensive care unit |
I | incision and drainage |
IDDM | Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus |
IM | intramuscular |
IMM | immunization |
Inj | injection |
I | intake and output |
IPPB | intermittent positive pressure breathing |
IS | Incentive spirometry |
IV | intravenous (write continuous or push) |