Medical Abbreviations A to Z

Axillary

armpit

Sodium

Na+

Active range of motion

AROM

Passive range of motion

PROM

No known allergies

NKA

Before meals

AC

After meals

PC

Nothing by mouth

NPO

At liberty / as desired

Ad lib

Oral or by mouth

PO or O

Morning (midnight to noon)

AM

Afternoon & evening (noon to midnight)

PM

Oxygen

O2

Bowel and bladder

B&B

Bowel movement

BM

Occupational Therapy

OT

Physical Therapy

PT

Below the knee amputation

BKA

Above the knee amputation

AKA

Perineal

Peri

Blood pressure

BP

Temperature, Pulse and Respirations

TPR

As needed

PRN

Bathroom privileges

BRP

Rectal

R

with

c͞

without

s͞

Right

Rt

Cubic centimeter (1 cc = 1 mL)

cc

milliliter

mL

ounce (1oz = 30mL/cc)

OZ

Stand by assist

SBA

Complains of

C/O

Shortness of breath

SOB

Color, motion, sensitivity

CMS

Immediately, do it now

STAT

Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

CVA

Turn, cough & deep breathe

TC&DB

Diet as tolerated

DAT

Treatment

Tx

Symptoms

Sx

Do not resuscitate

DNR

Vital signs

VS

Hour

h/hr

Wheelchair

W/C or W/ch

Water

H2O

Weight

WT

Head of bed

HOB

two times daily

BID

three times daily

TID

four times daily

QID

Hard of hearing

HOH

every

Q

every day

QD

every hour

QH

every 1 hour

Q1H

every 2 hours

Q2H

every 4 hours

Q4H

Bedtime / hour of sleep

HS

Greater than

˃ or ↑

Height

Ht

Less than

˂ or ↓

Intake and output

I&O