Medical Abbreviations N-Z + Symbols

N

Nitrogen

N/A

not applicable

Na

Sodium

NG, ng

nasogastric

NGT

nasogastric tube

NH3

ammonia (gas)

NICU

neonatal intensive care unit

NIDDM

non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

NIH

National Institutes of Health

NK

natural killer (specialized white blood cell)

NKA

no known allergies

NPO, n.p.o.

nothing by mouth

NS

normal saline

NSAID

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

NSR

normal sinus rhythm

N&V, N/V

nausea and vomiting

O2

Oxygen

OB

obstetrics

OCD

obsessive compulsive disorder

O.D.

right eye

OOB

out of bed

OR

operating room

ORIF

open reduction with/and internal fixation

O.S.

left eye

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OT

occupational therapy

OTC

over the counter

O.U.

both eyes

oz

ounce

p

after

PaCO2

Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in alveolar gas

PACU

post anesthesia care unit

PAD

peripheral arterial disease

PALS

pediatric advanced life support

Pap, Pap test

Papanicolaou smear

p.c.

after meals

PCA

patient controlled analgesia

PCO2

carbon dioxide pressure

PCOS

polycystic ovarian syndrome

PCP

primary care provider; pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

PDA

patent ductus arteriosus

PDR

Physician's Desk Reference

PE

physical examination; pulmonary embolism

PEEP

positive end expiratory pressure

PEG

percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

per

by; through

PERRLA

pupils equal, regular, react to light and accommodation

PET

positron emission tomography

PFT

pulmonary function test

pH

hydrogen ion concentration

Pharm., Phar.

pharmacy

PICC

peripherally inserted central catheter

PID

pelvic inflammatory disease

PIH

pregnancy induced hypertension

PKU

phenylketonuria

PM

afternoon/evening

PMH

past medical history

PMS

premenstrual syndrome

PNS

peripheral nervous system

PO, p.o.

orally

post.

posterior

PPD

purified protein derivative (TB test)

p.r.

per rectum

PRBCs

packed red blood cells

p.r.n.

as needed

pro time, PT

prothrombin time

PSA

prostate-specific antigen

PT

physical therapy

Pt

Platinum; patient

pt

pint

PTT

partial thromboplastin time

PVC

premature ventricular contraction

PVR

peripheral vascular resistance

q

every

qh

every hour

q2h

every 2 hours

q3h

every 3 hours

q4h

every 4 hours

q.i.d.

four times a day

qt

quart

RA

rheumatoid arthritis

RBC

red blood cell; red blood count

RDA

recommended daily/dietary allowance

RDS

respiratory distress syndrome

RE

right eye

REM

rapid eye movement

RFT

renal function test

Rh

rhesus factor; Rhodium

RHD

rheumatic heart disease

RLE

right lower extremity

RLL

right lower lobe

RLQ

right lower quadrant

RML

right middle lobe of lung

RNA

ribonucleic acid

R/O

rule out

ROM

range of motion; rupture of membranes

RR

recovery room; respiratory rate

RSV

respiratory syncytial virus

RT

radiation therapy; respiratory therapy

R/T

related to