Medical Abbreviations

ā

before

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation, restore blood circulation or breathing after heart attack

a.c.

before meals (ante cibum)

CVA

cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

Abd

abdomen

drsg

dressing (for wound)

ac

before meals

DX

diagnosis

ad lib

as desired, as liberty

ADLs

activities of daily living (bathing, grooming, getting dressed, eating, getting in and out of car)

AIDS

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

AM/ am

morning/ before noon

AMA

against medical advice

Amb

Ambulatory, being able to walk

amt

amount

AP

Anterior/Posterior

AROM

active range of motion

ASAP

as soon as possible

B & B

bowel and bladder

bid

twice a day

BM

bowel movement

BRP

bathroom privileges

BP

blood pressure

c̅

with

C

cervical/ celsius

Cal

calorie

cath

catheter/ catheterisation

CBR

complete bed rest

C/ O

complains of

cc

cubic centimeter

CHF

congestive heart failure

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CVA

Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

drsg

dressing (for wound)

DX

diagnosis

OTC

over the counter

mcg

microgram

g

gram

D/C

discontinue or discharge

EMR

electronic medical record

DM1

Diabetes mellitus type 1

DM2

Diabetes mellitus type 2

DNR

do not resuscitate (don't do CPR)

DOB

date of birth

drsg

dressing

DVT

deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in a vein)

DX

diagnosis

ECG/ EKG

electrocardiogram (heart test)

ED/ ER

Emergency department/ room

EMS

emergency medical services

ESRD

end stage renal disease (severe kidney failure)

F

farenheit

fl

fluid

fx

fracture

GI

gastrointestinal (digestive system)

gr

grain

H & P

history and physical

H2O

water

HIT

health information technology

OR

operating room

HOB

Head of bed

HR

heart rate

MDS

minimum data set

HS

at bed time/ hours of sleep

ht

height

HTN

hypertension

I & O

intake and output

ICU

intensive care unit

IM

intramuscular

IV

intravenous

K+

potassium

L

liter, left, lower

lab

laboratory

lb.

pound

LOC

level of consciousness

LPN

licensed practical nurse

MD

medical doctor/ doctor of medicine

SDS

safety data set

MI

Myocardial infarction (heart attack)

mL

milliliter

N & V or n/v

nausea and vomiting

Na+

sodium

NKA

no known allergies

NKDA

no known drug allergies

noc

night

NP

nurse practitioner

NPO

nothing by mouth

O2

oxygen

OOB

out of bed

OT

occupational therapy

oz.

ounce

p̄

after/post

p.c.

after meals

PM pm

afternoon

PO

by mouth

prep

preperation

PPE

personal protective equipment

PRN

as needed

PROM

passive range of motion/ premature rupture of membrane

PT

physical therapy