Question | Answer |
# | pound |
& | and |
S ̅ | without |
c ̅ | with |
p ̅ | post; after |
@ | at |
< | less than |
> | greater than |
∆ | change |
↑ | increase |
↓ | decrease |
® | rectal |
♀ | female |
♂ | male |
a | before |
aa | of each |
A & O | alert and oriented |
a.c. | before meals |
a.m. | morning |
ABD | abdominal |
ACP | acute care panel |
ad lib | as desired |
ADL | activities of daily living |
amt. | amount |
APAP | acetaminophen |
AROM | active range of motion |
ASA | aspirin |
AX | axillary (temp under the arm) |
BID | two times a day |
BM | bowel movement |
BP | blood pressure |
BRP | bathroom privileges |
BUN | blood urea nitrogen |
Bx | biopsy |
C | Celsius |
C&S | culture and sensitivity |
c/o | complains of |
CA | cancer |
Ca | calcium |
CAD | coronary artery disease |
cal | calorie |
cath | catheter |
CBC | complete blood count |
CBR | complete bed rest |
cc | cubic centimeter |
CC | chief complaint |
CCU | critical care unit; coronary care unit |
chem. | chemistry |
CHF | congestive heart failure |
CI | chloride |
cm | centimeter |
CN | charge nurse |
CNS | central nervous system |
CPR | cardio pulmonary resuscitation |
COPD | chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
CRE | creatinine |
CS | central supply |
CSF | cerebral spinal fluid |
CVA | cerebral vascular accident |
CXR | chest X-ray |
DC | discontinue |
DM | Diabetes mellitus |
DNR | do not resuscitate |
DOA | dead on arrival |
DOB | date of birth |
DON | Director of Nurses |
DPT | diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus |
Dr. | doctor |
DX | diagnosis |
EDC | estimated date of confinement |
EENT | eyes, ears, nose, and throat |
ENT | ear, nose, throat |
ER | emergency room |
ETOH | alcohol |
F | Fahrenheit |
FBS | fasting blood sugar |
Fe | iron |
f/u | follow up |
FUO | Fever unknown origin |
Fx | fracture |
GI | gastrointestinal |
Glu | glucose |
gtt | drop |
GU | genitourinary |
GYN | gynecology |
h | hour |
H2O | water |
HCT | hematocrit |
Hgb | hemoglobin |
HOB | head of bed |
HOH | hard of hearing |
HS | hour of sleep |
Ht | height |
Hx | history |
IDDM | insulin dependent diabetes mellitus |
I & D | incision and drainage |
I/O | intake and output |
IV | intravenous |
JVD | jugular vein distension |
K+ | potassium |
kg | kilogram |
KUB | kidneys ureter bladder |
KVO | keep vein open |
L | liter |
lab | laboratory |
lb. | pound |
LE/LLE/LUE | lower extremity/left lower extremity/left upper extremity |
LLQ | lower left quadrant |
LMP | Last menstrual period |
Lt. | left |
LUQ | left upper quadrant |
lytes | electrolytes |
MI | myocardial infarction |
MICU | medical intensive care unit |
mm | millimeter |
MVA | motor vehicle accident |
N/V | nausea and vomiting |
Na | sodium |
NaHCO3 | sodium bicarbonate |
NICU | neonatal intensive care unit;
neuro intensive care unit |
NKA | no known allergies |
NKDA | no known drug allergies |
noc | night |
NPO | nothing by mouth |
NVD | nausea, vomiting, diarrhea |
O&P | ova and parasites |
O.D. | right eye
[oculus dexter] |
O.S. | left eye
oculus sinister – left handed people were once considered evil |
OTC | over the counter |
O.U. | both eyes
[oculus uterque] |
O2 | Oxygen |
OB-GYN | obstetrics and gynecology, or obstetrician |
OOB | out of bed |
OR | operating room |
oz. | ounce |
P | pulse |
p.c. | after meals |
PCN | penicillin |
p.m. | evening |
pedi | pediatrics |
PO | by mouth |
PPE | personal protective equipment |
PRN | as needed |
PROM | passive range of motion |
PT | physical therapy |
pt. | patient |
q | every |
q2h | every 2 hours |
q4h | every 4 hours |
qd | every day |
qh | every hour |
qid | four times a day |
QNS | quantity not sufficient |
qod | every other day |
QS | quantity sufficient |
R | respirations |
RBC | red blood cells |
RE/RUE/RLE | right extremity/right upper extremity/right lower extremity |
RICE | rest, ice, compression, elevation |
RLQ | right lower quadrant |
r/o | rule out |
ROM | range of motion |
ROS | review of systems |
RT | respiratory therapy |
RUQ | right upper quadrant |
Rx | prescription |
SICU | surgical intensive care unit |
sig. | to be labeled; write |
SOAP | Subject objective assessment plan |
SOB | shortness of breath |
ss | half |
SSE | soap suds enema |
staph | staphylococcus |
stat | immediately |
strep | streptococcus |
syr | syrup |
T | temperature |
tab | tablet |
TAH | total abdominal hysterectomy |
TB | tuberculosis |
tbsp. | tablespoon |
TIA | transient ischemic attack
[mini stroke] |
tid | three times a day |
TO | telephone order |
TNTC | too numerous to count |
TPR | temperature, pulse, and respirations |
tsp. | teaspoon |
UA | urinalysis |
UP | universal precautions |
URI | upper respiratory infection |
UTI | urinary tract infection |
VO | verbal order |
VS | vital signs |
VSS | vital signs stable |
W/C | wheelchair |
WBC | white blood cells |
WNL | within normal limits |
wt. | weight |