Abbreviations

ABG

Arterial blood gas

ABX

Antibiotics

a.c.

Before meals

ADH

Antidiuretic hormone

aeb

As evidenced by

AKI

Acute kidney injury

AMA

Against medical advice

b.i.d.

Twice a day

BM

Bowel movement

BP

Blood pressure

BPM

Beats per minute

BUN

Blood urea nitrogen

c̄ ("c" with a bar over it)

With

CABG

Coronary artery bypass graft

CAD

Coronary artery disease

CBC

Complete blood count

CHF

Congestive heart failure

CKD

Chronic kidney disease

CNS

Central nervous system

c/o

Complains of

CO

Cardiac output

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder

CPK

Creatine phosphokinase

CSF

Cerebrospinal fluid

CVA

Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

CVP

Central venous pressure

d/c

Discontinue/discharge

DM

Diabetes mellitus

Dx

Diagnosis

EC

Enteric coated

ECG/EKG

Electrocardiogram

EEG

Electroencephalogram

GFR

Glomerular filtration rate

Hgb

Hemoglobin

HR

Heart rate

h.s.

Before bed

HTN

Hypertension

Hx

History

ICP

Intracranial pressure

IM

Intramuscular

IV

Intravenous

IVPB

Intravenous piggyback

LLQ

Left lower quadrant

LMP

Last menstrual period

LOC

Level of consciousness

LR

Lactated ringers

LUQ

Left upper quadrant

MI

Myocardial infarction (heart attack)

NC

Nasal cannula

NG

Nasogastric

NKA or NKDA

"No known allergies" or "no known drug allergies"

NPO

Nothing by mouth

NS

Normal saline

N/V

Nausea/vomiting

OTC

Over the counter

PO

By mouth

POC

Plan of care

PRN

As needed or when necessary

PT

Prothrombin time or physical therapy

PTT

Partial thromboplastin time

Q

Every

RBC

Red blood cell

RLQ

Right lower quadrant

R/O

Rule out

ROM

Range of motion

R/T

related to

RUQ

Right upper quadrant

Rx

Prescription

SC

Subcutaneous

SR

Sustained release

S/S

Signs and symptoms

Stat

Immediately

Sx

Symptoms

t.i.d.

3 times a day

UTI

Urinary tract infection

VS

vital signs

WBC

White blood count