Common Medical Abbreviations to Know - sisu care

ADL

Activities of Daily Living

AIDS

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

AKA

above knee amputation

AMA

against medical advice

BKA

Below Knee Amputation

BPH

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

CNA

certified nursing assistant

CPR

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

℅

Complaints of

CX

Consultation

DNR

Do Not Resuscitate

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

I&O

intake and output

LTC

long term care

LPN

licensed practical nurse

MD

doctor of medicine

NPO

nothing by mouth

OBRA

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment

sx

symptoms

TPR

Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration

UTI

Urinary Tract Infection

OT

occupational studies

PT

physical therapy

SLP

speech language pathology

SCD

sequential compression device

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

BP

blood pressure

CBC

complete blood count

EKG/ECG

Electrocardiogram

GI

Gastrointestinal

GU

Genitourinary

hx

history

ID

Identification or Infectious Disease

IV

Intravenous

BGM

Blood glucose monitoring

NG

Nasogastric (nose to stomach)

OG

Orogastric (mouth to stomach)

PICC

Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter

PO

by mouth

PRN

as needed

qd

everyday

qh

every hour

qid

four times a day

qod

every other day

STAT

immediately

tid

three times a day

WBC

white blood count

ROM

range of motion

AROM

active range of motion

PROM

passive range of motion

BMI

body mass index

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

CHF

Congestive Heart Failure

ETOH

Ethanol (Alcohol)

MI

Myocardial Infarction

URI

Upper Respiratory Infection

UTI

Urinary Tract Infection

S/S

Signs and Symptoms

H&P

History and physical

HPI

History of Present Illness

hs

at bedtime

AC

before meals

Dx

Diagnosis

Rx

Prescription

OTC

over the counter

ICU

Intensive Care Unit

Tele

Telemetry Unit

NICU

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

PICU

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

CCU

Coronary Care Unit

ER

Emergency Room

OR

Operating Room

PACU

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit

MRSA

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

CVA

Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging

CT

computed tomography

US

ultrasound

DVT

deep vein thrombosis

ETOH

Ethanol (Alcohol)

H&H

Hemoglobin and Hematocrit

LOC

Level of Consciousness

NKA

No Known Allergies

NKDA

No Known Drug Allergies

NPO

Nothing by Mouth

PERRLA

Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation

QID

four times a day

SOB

shortness of breath

VS

Vital signs

WNL

within normal limits

RACE (fire)

Rescue, Alarm, Confine or

Contain, Extinguish or Evacuate

FAST

F - Face Drooping: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop, or

is it numb? A lopsided or uneven smile can be a sign of a stroke.

A - Arm Weakness: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift

downward or seem weak or numb? An inability to raise one arm or weakness on

one side of the body may indicate a stroke.

S - Speech Difficulty: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is their speech

slurred or strange? Are they unable to speak or hard to understand? Difficulty

speaking or understanding speech can be a sign of a stroke.

T - Time to Call 911: If you observe any of these signs, it's crucial to call

emergency services immediately. Time is of the essence when it comes to

treating a stroke, so don't delay seeking medical attention.

PA

Physician Assistant

RN

Registered Nurse

LVN

Licensed Vocational Nurse

MD

medical doctor