CNA Abbreviations

100 vocabulary flashcards covering common nursing assistant abbreviations and related terms from the provided lecture notes.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; bacteria resistant to many antibiotics.

ROM

Range of motion; extent of movement available at a joint.

NA

Nursing Assistant; trained aide providing basic patient care.

NKA

No known allergies.

SNF

Skilled Nursing Facility; facility offering skilled nursing care.

NPO

Nothing by mouth; no food or drink by mouth.

SOB

Shortness of breath; difficulty breathing.

OBRA

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act; federal law governing long-term care facilities.

staph

Staphylococcus aureus; common bacteria that can cause infections.

OOB

Out of bed; not in bed.

STAT

Immediately; without delay.

Oxygen

Supplemental oxygen delivered to patient.

Standard precautions

Infection control practices used with all patients to prevent transmission.

OR

Operating room.

strep

Streptococcus; type of bacteria.

OT

Occupational therapy; therapy to improve daily living skills.

Temp

Temperature.

OZ

Ounce; unit of liquid measure.

TB

Tuberculosis; contagious lung infection.

TIA

Transient ischemic attack; temporary neurological event.

pc.

Post cibum; after meals (postprandial).

tid

Three times a day.

PCA

Patient-controlled analgesia; patient-controlled pain relief device.

TPR

Temperature, pulse, respiration.

PO

By mouth; orally.

U/A

Urinalysis; urine test.

URI

Upper respiratory infection.

PPE

Personal protective equipment.

UTI

Urinary tract infection.

pre-op

Pre-operative; before surgery.

VRE

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus; antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

prn

As needed.

VS

Vital signs.

PT

Physical therapy; or Physical Therapist.

w/c

Wheelchair; mobility aid.

WNL

Within normal limits.

q2h

Every two hours.

wt.

Weight.

qh

Every hour.

rehab

Rehabilitation; therapy to regain function.

resp.

Respiration; breathing.

RN

Registered nurse.

R/O

Rule out; assess to determine if a condition is present.

WBC

White blood cell count; immune cells in blood.

before meals

Preprandial; before eating.

drsg

Dressing; wound dressing.

ADLs

Activities of daily living; basic self-care tasks.

DVT

Deep vein thrombosis; blood clot in deep veins.

ad lib

As desired or as much as desired.

Dx

Diagnosis; identification of disease.

AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

ER

Emergency Room.

amb

Ambulatory; able to walk or move.

F

Fahrenheit; temperature scale.

ambulate

To walk; move about.

FBS

Fasting blood sugar; glucose after fasting.

axillary

Armpit; site used for temperature or pulse in some cases.

fasting blood sugar

Blood glucose measured after fasting.

h, hr

Heart rate (or hour, depending on context; in nursing, hr is used for hour or heart rate).

BID

Twice a day.

HBV

Hepatitis B virus.

BM

Bowel movement.

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; patient privacy rules.

BP

Blood pressure.

HOB

Head of bed.

BRP

Bathroom privileges.

HTN

Hypertension; high blood pressure.

BSC

Bedside commode; portable toilet at bedside.

hyper

Hyper-; above normal.

hypo

Hypo-; below normal.

Celsius

Celsius; unit of temperature.

ICU

Intensive care unit.

CA

Cancer.

I & O

Intake and output.

cath

Catheter; tube inserted into body.

Isol

Isolation; practice to separate infected individuals.

CBR

Complete bed rest.

IV

Intravenous; into a vein.

C. diff

Clostridioides difficile; bacterium causing severe diarrhea.

L

Left.

left

Left side or left; directional term.

CHF

Congestive heart failure.

lb

Pound.

CNA

Certified Nursing Assistant.

LOC

Level of consciousness.

c/o

Complains of; in the care of.

LPN

Licensed practical nurse.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

LTC

Long-term care.

CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

LVN

Licensed vocational nurse.

CVA

Cerebrovascular accident; stroke.

meds

Medications.

DNR

Do not resuscitate.

MI

Myocardial infarction.

DON

Director of nursing.

mL

Milliliter.

Staphylococcus aureus

Bacteria; the species name for MRSA.

Streptococcus

Bacteria; causes strep throat and related infections.

Enterococcus

Bacteria; genus including vancomycin-resistant strains (VRE).