Nursing School Terms

ac

before meals

ABG

arterial blood gas

ABX

antibiotics

AD LIB

as desired

AMB

ambulatory

AM

morning

APPROX

approximately

APPT

appointment

AROM

active range of motion

A-P

anterior-posterior

ASA

aspirin

ASST

assist

B

bilateral

BE

barium enema

BLS

basic life support

bid

2x a day

BM

bowel movement

BMI

body mass index

BMR

basal metabolic rate

BP

blood pressure

BUN

blood urea nitrogen

BR

bed rest

BRP

bathroom privileges

BS

bowel sounds/blood sugar

BSE

breast self examination

BX

biopsy

c-

with

Ca++

calcium

CA

cancer

CBC

complete blood count

CC

chief complaint

cc

cubic centimeter

CDI

clean, dry, intact

CHF

congestive heart failure

cm

centimeter

CN

cranial nerve

CNS

central nervous system

c/o

complains of

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

C&S

culture&senstivity

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid

CT

computerized tomography

CTA

clear to auscultation

CVA

cerebrovascular accident

CXR

chest x-ray

D/C

Discharge, discontinue

D&C

dilation and curettage

DNR

do not resusitate

DOA

dead on arrival

DOB

date of birth

Dx

diagnosis

DVT

deep vein thrombosis

ECG

electrocardiogram

ED

emergency department

EEG

electroencephalogram

EMS

emergency medical services

ENT

ears, nose, and throat

ETOH

ethanol (alcohol)

FBS

fasting blood sugar

FT

feet

FX

fracture

GB

gallbladder

GERD

gastroesophageal reflux disease

GI

gastrointestinal

GU

genitourinary

H&P

History and physical

HA

headache

Hct

hematocrit

HEENT

head, eyes, ears, nose, throat

HEMO

pertaining to blood

Hgb

hemoglobin

h/o

history of

HOB

head of bed

HPI

history of present illness

hs

hours of sleep, bedtime

HT

height

hyper

increased

HYPO

decreased

HTN

hypertension

IDDM

insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

INTRA

within

IM

intramuscular

I&O

intake and output

I&D

incision and drainage

IV

intravenous

IVP

intravenous push or IV push

IVPB

intravenous piggy back

JVD

Jugular venous distension

K+

Potassium

KVO

keep vein open

LE

lower extremities

LMP

last menstrual period

LOC

loss of consciousness

Mg++

Magnesium

MI

myocardial infraction

MMR

measles, mumps, rubella

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging

MRSA

methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus

Na+

sodium

NGT

nasogastric tube