LNA Comprehensive Terms

ac

before meals

Ad lib

as desired

Amb

ambulate, ambulatory

amt

amount

ap

apical

as tol

as tolerated

ax

axillary (armpit)

BID

two times a day

BM

bowel movement

BP

blood pressure

BPM

beats per minute

BRP

bathroom privileges

BSC

bedside commode

c

with

C

centigrade

Cath

catheter

C-Diff

Clostridium difficile

CHF

congestive heart failure

c/o

complains of

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CVA

cerebrovascular accident, stroke

DAT

diet as tolerated

DNR

do not resuscitate

DOB

date of birth

DON

Director of nursing

DX

Diagnosis

F

Fahrenheit

FF

force fluids

Ft

foot

FWB

full weight bearing

H2O

water

Hr, H, H.R.

hour

HBV

hepatitis B virus

HOB

head of bed

HS

hours of sleep

ht

height

HTN

hypertension

Hyper

above normal, to fast, rapid

Hypo

Low, less than normal

I&O

intake and output

inc

incontinent

isol

isolation

IV

intravenous (within a vein)

Lab

laboratory

Lb.

pound

LTC

Long-term care

meds

medications

ML

milliliter

mm Hg

millimeters of mercury

MRSA

methicillin-resistent staphylococys aureus

N/A

not applicable

NKA

no known allergies

NKDA

no known drug allergies

MI

myocardial infarction

NPO

nothing by mouth

O2

Oxygen

OBRA

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act

OOB

out of bed

oz

ounce

p

after

PC

after meals

pericare

perineal care

PO

by mouth

PPE

personal protective equipment

PRN

when needed or as necessary

q

every

Q2h

every 2 hours

Q3h

every 3 hours

Q4h

every 4 hours

R, RR

respirations

Rehab

rehabilitation

RF

restrict fluids

s

without

SOB

shortness of breath

spec

specimen

S/S, S&S

signs and symptoms

HA

headache

PROM

passive range of motion

AROM

active range of motion

Abandonment

When a caregiver walks away from their assignment prior to the end of the shift or before their replacement is there to relieve them, leaving their clients alone and at risk for harm

medical abbreviation

A shorterned medical word or group of words

What is abuse?

A single or repeated action that is purposeful and meant to inflict harm.

What are the categories of abuse?

Mental, physical, emotional, and sexual.

active range of motion (AROM)

the client independently moves a specific joint and actively participates in the exercise. The nurse tells the client which exercises to complete and how many times.

What are the three strategies for dealing with an active shooter?

Run, Hide, Fight

What should you do if it is safe to run during an active shooter situation?

Run and bring mobile clients with you; lock immobile clients in a safe unit.

What should you do to signal to emergency personnel that you are not a threat when running?

Keep your hands in the air.

What should you do if it is not safe to run during an active shooter situation?

Hide in a room with thick doors and few windows.

What are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)?

Activities related to daily care like movement and transferring, bathing, dressing, and using the restroom.

What kind of therapist can help assist with ADL skills?

A PT can help strengthen ADL skills through exercises like climbing stairs, balance exercises, and walking.

What is the purpose of practicing ADL skills?

To strengthen muscles, prevent falls, restore function and maximize potential of the client

What are some common adaptive tools for ADLs?

Elastic shoelaces, grabber tool, long-handled bath sponge, button aid, sock aid, shoehorn, toilet seat riser

What is a grabber tool used for?

Tool that easily grabs items on the floor or out of reach, without bending, stooping, or reaching

What is the function of a long-handled bath sponge?

To help individuals bathe without needing to reach to wash legs, feet, and back.

What is a button aid?

A hand tool with wire hook on end that is slipped through button hole, hooks around the button, and is pulled back through the button hole; helpful for arthritic fingers

What is a sock aid?

Sock is pulled over the plastic sheath, which is then slid over the foot with the sock; prevents need to bend and stoop

What is the purpose of a shoehorn?

To help individuals slide their foot into a shoe more easily.