Abbreviations/Acronyms #1

-C

degrees Celsius/centigrade

-F

degrees Fahrenheit

@

at

>

greater than

<

less than

↑

increase

↓

decrease

1^o

primary or first degree

2^o

secondary or second degree

Δ

change

ABGs

arterial blood gases

ac

before meals

ad lib

freely, as desired

ADL

activities of daily living

AED

automated external defibrillator

AIDS

Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Disease Syndrome

ama, AMA

against medical advice

BE

barium enema

bid

two times daily

BM

bowel movement

BMI

body mass index

B/P, BP

blood pressure

BRP

bathroom privileges

BSA

body surface area

BUN

blood urea nitrogen

C&S

culture and sensitivity

c

with

cap

capsule

CBC

complete blood count

cc

cubic centimeter

CDC

Center for Disease Control

ESR

centimeter

c/o

complaint of

CO

carbon monoxide

CO₂

carbon dioxide

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CT

computed tomography

dL

deciliter

DNR

do not resuscitate

DTR

deep tendon reflex

DX, dx

diagnosis

ECG, EKG

electrocardiogram

EEG

electroencephalogram

elix

elixir

ER/ED

emergency room/emergency department

ESR

erythrocyte sedimentation rate

ETOH

ethyl alcohol

FUO

fever of unknown origin

FX,fx

fracture

g

gram

GI

gastrointestinal

gr

grain

gtts

drops

h, hr

hour

H&P

history and physical examination

HCT, Hct

hematocrit

Hgb

hemoglobin

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus

hs

at bedtime

I&O

intake and output

IM

intramuscular

IV

intravenous

IVP

intravenous push, intravenous pyelogram

K+

potassium

kg

kilogram

KUB

kidney, ureters and bladder

KVO

keep vein open

L

liter

LLL

left lower lobe

LLQ

left lower quadrant

LUL

Left upper lobe

LMP

last menstrual period

LOC

level of consciousness

LUQ

left upper quadrant

M

meter

mcg

microgram

mg

milligram

mL

milliliter

mm

millimeter

mm Hg

millimeters of mercury

used in BP

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging

NG

nasogastric

NKA

no known allergies

NPO

nothing by mouth

O₂

oxygen

OD

overdose

oz

ounce

pc

after meals

PERRLA

Pupils Equal Round Reactive to Light and Accomodation

pH

hydrogen ion concentration (acidity and alkalinity)

PO, po

by mouth