Fundamentals- Nursing bundle

AAO

Awake, alert, and oriented.

AKA

Above-knee amputation.

AMS

Altered mental status.

BKA

Below-knee amputation.

BM

Bowel movement.

BP

Blood pressure.

BPM

Beats per minute.

BS

Bowel sounds in this chart; can also mean blood sugar depending on context.

CVC

Central venous catheter.

I&O

Intake and output.

JVD

Jugular venous distention.

LBW

Low birth weight.

LMP

Last menstrual period.

LOC

Level of consciousness; can also mean loss of consciousness depending on context.

MAP

Mean arterial pressure.

NKDA

No known drug allergies.

NPO

Nothing by mouth.

NVD

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

OOB

Out of bed.

SOB

Shortness of breath.

VSS

Vital signs stable.

WNL

Within normal limits.

CAP

Capsule.

DR (drug preparation)

Delayed release.

EC

Enteric coated.

SR

Sustained release.

ELIX

Elixir.

SUPP

Suppository.

SUSP

Suspension.

TAB

Tablet.

GT

Gastrostomy tube.

ID (medication route)

Intradermal; into the dermis of the skin.

IM

Intramuscular; into a muscle.

IV

Intravenous; into a vein.

IVP

Intravenous push.

IVPB

Intravenous piggyback.

NG

Nasogastric; through the nose into the stomach.

OD

Right eye.

OG

Orogastric; through the mouth into the stomach.

OS

Left eye.

OU

Both eyes.

PO

By mouth; orally.

PR

Per rectum.

SL

Sublingual; under the tongue.

SUBQ

Subcutaneous; into the tissue beneath the skin.

ABD

Abdomen.

ETT

Endotracheal tube.

FA

Forearm.

LE

Lower extremity.

LLE

Left lower extremity.

LLL

Left lower lobe of the lung.

LLQ

Left lower quadrant of the abdomen.

LUE

Left upper extremity.

LUL

Left upper lobe of the lung.

LUQ

Left upper quadrant of the abdomen.

RLE

Right lower extremity.

RLL

Right lower lobe of the lung.

RLQ

Right lower quadrant of the abdomen.

RUE

Right upper extremity.

RUL

Right upper lobe of the lung.

RUQ

Right upper quadrant of the abdomen.

UE

Upper extremity.

BX

Biopsy.

CT

Computed tomography scan.

CXR

Chest X-ray.

DRE

Digital rectal examination.

ECHO

Echocardiogram.

EEG

Electroencephalogram; records the brain’s electrical activity.

EKG / ECG

Electrocardiogram; records the heart’s electrical activity.

KUB

X-ray of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging.

PET

Positron emission tomography.

PFT

Pulmonary function test.

US

Ultrasound.

VQ scan

Ventilation-perfusion scan; evaluates airflow and blood flow in the lungs.

AC

Before meals.

AD LIB

As desired or freely, within ordered limits.

BID

Twice a day.

DAILY

Once a day.

HS

At bedtime in this chart; can be ambiguous, so writing “at bedtime” is clearer.

PC

After meals.

PRN

As needed.

q1h

Every 1 hour; the “h” specifies hours.

q2h

Every 2 hours; the “h” specifies hours.

q4h

Every 4 hours; the “h” specifies hours.

q

Every.

qh

Every hour.

QID

Four times a day.

TID

Three times a day.

dr (measurement)

Dram; an apothecary measurement.

g

Gram.

gal

Gallon.

gtt

Drop or drops.

kg

Kilogram.

L

Liter.

lb / lbs

Pound or pounds.

mcg

Microgram.

mEq

Milliequivalent.

mg

Milligram.

min (apothecary measurement)

Minim; an older unit of liquid volume. In time measurements, min means minute.