nursing abbreviations and acronyms

@

at

A&D (see Adm.)

admission and discharge

AAA

abdominal aortic aneurysm

ABC

airway, breathing, circulation

ABD, Abd, Adbo

abdominal, or abdomen

ABG

arterial blood gases

ACLS

advanced cardiac life support

AD

right ear

ad lib

freely, as desired, if the patient so desires

ADL

activities of daily living

ADN

associate degree nurse

AEB

as evidenced by

AF

atrial fibriliation

AFB

acid-fast bacillus

AICD

automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator

AIDS

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

AKA

above knee amputation

AMA

against medical advice

AMA

american medical association

Amt

amount

ANA

american nurses association

APRN

advanced practice registered nurse

AS

left ear

ASA

acetylsalicylic acid

ATC

around the clock

BD, bd, or bid

twice a day

BGL

blood glucose level

BKA

below knee amputation

BMI

body mass index

BSL

blood sugar level

BSN

bachelor of science in nursing

BUN

blood urea nitrogen

C

celsius

C & S

culture and sensitivity

C/O

complaint of

Ca

calcium or cancer

Ca++

calcium ion

CaBG

coronary artery bypass graft

CAD

coronary artery disease

Card

cardiac

Cath

catheter

CBC

complete blood count

CCF (see CHF)

congestive cardiac failure (see CHF)

CCU (see CICU)

coronary care unit, or cardiac care unit (see CICU)

CEU

continuing education unit

CHF (see CCF)

congestive heart failure (see CCF)

CICU (see CCU)

coronary care unit, or cardiac care unit (see CCU)

Cl

chlorine, chloride

CNA

certified nursing assistant

CNM

certified nurse midwife

CNS

clinical nurse specialist

CO2

carbon dioxide

COBRA

comprehensive omnibus budget reconciliation act

CPAP

continuous positive airway pressure

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CRNA

certified registered nurse anesthetist

C & S

culture and sensitivity

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid

CSM

circulation, sensation, motion

CT

computed tomography

CT scan

computerized axial tomography scan

CVA

cerebrovascular accident or stroke

CVC

central venous catheter

CXR

chest x-ray

CWMS

color, warmth, movement, sensation

D5W

dextrose 5% in water

D & C

dilation and curettage

DC or d/c

discontinue or discharge

DDS

doctor of dental surgery

DIC

disseminated intravascular coagulation

DO

doctor of osteopathy

DOB

date of birth

DTaP

diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis

DTP

diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis

DVT

deep vein thrombosis

DX

diagnosis

ECF

extracellular fluid

ECG (EKG)

electrocardiogram

ED

emergency department

EEG

electroencephalograph/electroencephalogram

EGD

esophagogastroduodenoscopy

EKG (ECG)

electrocardiogram

ELISA

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

EMS

emergency medical services

EMT

emergency medical technician

ER

emergency room

ESR

erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Fe

iron

FeSO4

iron sulfate

Fx

fracture

g

gram

GCS

glasgow coma scale

g/dL

grams per deciliter

GFR

glomerular filtration rate

GHB

glycosylated hemoglobin

GI

gastrointestinal

gr

grain

gtt

drop

GTT

glucose tolerance test

gtt/min

drops per minute