Nursing Abbreviations Study Guide Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering nursing abbreviations categorized by medication class, body systems, lab tests, and clinical administration terms.

c

With

p

After

a

Before

s

Without

x

Except

PCN

Penicillin antibiotic

HCTZ

Hydrochlorothiazide diuretic / antihypertensive

ASA

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) analgesic / antiplatelet

NSAID

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug analgesic class

PCA

Patient-controlled analgesic self-dosed pain pump

TPN

Total parenteral nutrition IV nutrition, central line

PPN

Peripheral parenteral nutrition IV nutrition, peripheral line

IVPB

Intravenous piggyback secondary IV medication

SL

Saline lock capped IV access, no fluids running

KVO / TKO

Keep vein open / To keep open very slow IV rate

PRN

As needed

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staph aureus CONTACT PRECAUTIONS multi-drug resistant infection

VRE

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus CONTACT PRECAUTIONS multi-drug resistant infection

ESBL

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase CONTACT PRECAUTIONS multi-drug resistant infection

TB

Tuberculosis AIRBORNE PRECAUTIONS infection · negative pressure room · N95 mask required

C/S

Culture & sensitivity test to ID organism + right antibiotic

ACS

Acute coronary syndrome

MI

Myocardial infarction heart attack

CAD

Coronary artery disease

CABG

Coronary artery bypass grafting

PTCA

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

CHF

Congestive heart failure

HTN

Hypertension

LVH

Left ventricular hypertrophy

JVD

Jugular vein distention

CVA

Cerebral vascular accident stroke · also Neuro

TIA

Transient ischemic attack also Neuro

DVT

Deep vein thrombosis blood clot

PE

Pulmonary emboli / pulmonary edema also Respiratory

PT (Lab)

Prothrombin time clotting lab · not physical therapy

PTT

Partial thromboplastin time

T&C

Type & cross blood

T&S

Type & screen

PRBCs

Packed red blood cells

EBL

Estimated blood loss

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease oxygen therapy

ABGs

Arterial blood gases

SBO

Small bowel obstruction

GERD

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease

EGD

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

ERCP

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

NPO

Nothing by mouth

PEG

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

KUB

Kidneys, ureters, bladder x-ray view

AKI

Acute kidney injury

CRF (ESRD)

Chronic renal failure / end-stage renal disease

CBI

Continuous bladder irrigation

TURP

Transurethral resection of the prostate

BPH

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

ALOC

Altered level of consciousness

DTs

Delirium tremens alcohol withdrawal

DM

Diabetes mellitus

DKA

Diabetic ketoacidosis

CMP

Complete (comprehensive) metabolic panel

DJD

Degenerative joint disease = osteoarthritis

ORIF

Open reduction internal fixation

AKA / BKA

Above-the-knee amputation / Below-the-knee amputation

SLE

Systemic lupus erythematosus

SNF

Skilled nursing facility nursing home

ARU

Acute rehab unit

PT (Therapy)

Physical therapy not the lab value

PICC

Peripherally inserted central catheter

SCDs

Sequential compression devices

LIS

Low intermittent suction

S/P

Status post after / following (whatever)

AMA

Against medical advice

TORB

Telephone order read back

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act

HCAHPS

Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers & Systems

MS

Mental status / morphine sulfate / multiple sclerosis context-dependent

Ca

Cancer or calcium context-dependent