Abbreviations for Med Aide Class (simplified)

ac

before meals

pc

after meals

AD

Alzheimer's disease

AMD

age-related macular degeneration

ant.

anterior

AP

apical pulse

BID

twice a day

TID

three times a day

QID

four times a day

Q or q

every

qod, QOD

every other day

qh/QH

every hour

q2h/Q2h

every two hours

q3h/Q3h

every three hours

q4h/Q4h

every four hours

BM

bowel movement

BP

blood pressure

BPM

beats per minute

c ̅

with

s ̅

without

Ca⁺⁺

calcium

CAD

coronary artery disease

C-diff

Clostridium difficile

CHD

coronary heart disease

CHF/HF

congestive heart failure/heart failure

chol

cholesterol

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CRF

chronic renal failure

CVA

cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

DJD

degenerative joint disease

DM

diabetes mellitus

IDDM

insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1)

NIDDM

non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2)

DOB

date of birth

Dx

diagnosis

ESRD

end stage renal disease (kidney failure)

ETOH

alcohol

Fe

iron

BS/BG

blood sugar, blood glucose

g

gram

mg

milligram

mcg

microgram

meq

milliequivalent

mL

milliliter

oz

ounce

GAD

generalized anxiety disorder

GERD

gastroesophageal reflux disease

GI

gastrointestinal

H₂O₂

hydrogen peroxide

HA or H/A

headache or hearing aid

HAV

hepatitis A virus

HBV

hepatitis B virus

HCV

hepatitis C virus

HIV

human immunodeficiency virus

HTN

hypertension

Hx

history of

hyper

high, above normal

hypo

low, below normal

IBS/IBD

irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease

IM

intramuscular (injection into the muscle)

SQ, s.c

subcutaneous (injection into the fat)

ID

intradermal (injection just under the epidermis such as a mantoux skin test)

IV

intravenous (into the vein)

K⁺

potassium

KCL

potassium chloride

lb

pound

liq

liquid

LLE

left lower extremity

LUE

left upper extremity

RLE

right lower extremity

RUE

right upper extremity

LOC

level of consciousness

meds

medications

MI

myocardial infarction (heart attack)

min, mn

minute

h, hr

hour

MRSA

methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus

MS

multiple sclerosis

Na⁺

sodium

NKA

no known allergies

NKDA

no known drug allergies

noc

night

NPO

nothing by mouth

N/V/D

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

O₂

oxygen

OCD

obsessive compulsive disorder

OD

right eye

OS

left eye

OU

both eyes

OTC

over-the-counter (medication)

p ̅

after

PAD

peripheral artery disease

PVD

peripheral vascular disease

PE

pulmonary embolism

PO / O

by mouth / oral

PPD

purified protein derivative (TB test)

PRN

as needed

PTSD

post traumatic stress disorder

R

respirations, can also mean rectal or right: might wanna be careful with that one!

RA

rheumatoid arthritis