Abbreviation Study Guide

A standardized medical shorthand used by healthcare teams to quickly record patient care, vital signs, schedules, and daily living tasks.

Ac

Before meals

Adlib

As wanted/desired

ADLs

Activities of daily living

Amb

Ambulation (to walk somebody)

ASAP

As soon as possible

bid

Twice a day

bm

Bowel movement

BRP

Bathroom privileges

ĉ

With

s

Without

Cl liq

Clear liquid

c/o

Complaints of

CVA

Cerebral vascular accident (stroke)

Drsg

Dressing

DNR

Do not resuscitate

HOB

Head of bed

hs

Bedtime

HTN

Hypertension (high BP)

I&O

Intake and output

Isol

Isolation

ml

Milliliter

NAS

No added salt

N&V

Nausea and vomiting

NKA

No known allergy

noc

Night

NPO

Nothing by mouth

po

By mouth

pc

After meals

pm

As needed

q

Every

qam

Every morning

qh

Every hour

q2h

Every two hours

qhs

Every bedtime

tid

Three times a day

qid

Four times a day

ROM

Range of motion

SOB

Shortness of breath

stat

Immediately

TPR

Temperature, pulse, and respirations

VS

Vital signs

w/c

Wheelchair