NURS 206 - Common Medical Abbreviations

∆

Change

1 centimeter (cm) \= \___ millimeters (mm)

10 millimeters (mm)

1 cubic centimeter (cc) \= \___ milliliter (mL)

1 milliliter (mL) *note we no longer use cc*

1 cup \= \___ ounces (oz)

8 ounces (oz)

1 Gallon \= \___ quarts

4 quarts

1 grain (gr) \= \___ milligrams (mg)

60 milligrams (mg)

1 gram (gm) \= \___ milligrams (mg)

1000 milligrams (mg)

1 inch \= \___ centimeters (cm)

2.54 centimeters (cm)

1 kilogram (kg) \= \___ grams (gm)

1000 grams (gm)

1 kilogram (kg) \= \___ pounds (lbs)

2.2 pounds (lbs)

1 Liter (L) \= \____ milliliters (mL)

1000 milliliters (mL)

1 meter (m) \= \___ millimeters (mm)

1000 millimeters (mm)

1 milligram (mg) \= \___ micrograms (mcg)

1000 micrograms (mcg)

1 milliliter (mL) \= \___ cubic centimeter (cc)

1 cubic centimeter (CC) *note we no longer use cc*

1 ounce (oz) \= \___ milliliters (mL)

30 milliliters (mL) *note 29.5735 mL to be exact but we usually round up*

1 pint \= \___ ounces (oz)

16 ounces (oz)

1 pound (lb) \= \___ ounces (oz)

16 ounces (oz)

1 quart \= \___ ounces (oz)

32 ounces (oz)

1 Tablespoon (T/tbl) \= \___ milliliters (mL)

15 milliliters (mL)

1 teaspoon (t) \= \___ milliliters (mL)

5 milliliters (mL)

2.2 pounds (lbs) \= \___ kilogram (kg)

1 kilogram (kg)

2.54 centimeters (cm) \= \___ inch

1 inch

4 quarts \= \___ Gallon

1 Gallon

5 milliliters (mL) \= \___ teaspoon (t)

1 teaspoon (t)

8 ounces (oz) \= \___ cup

1 cup

10 millimeters (mm) \= \___ centimeter (cm)

1 centimeter (cm)

12 inches \= \___ foot

1 foot

15 milliliters (mL) \= \___ Tablespoon (T/tbl)

1 Tablespoon (T/tbl)

16 ounces (oz) \= \___ pint

1 pint

16 ounces (oz) \= \___ pound (lb)

1 pound (lb)

30 milliliters (mL) \= \___ ounce (oz)

1 ounce (oz) *note 29.5735 mL to be exact but we usually round up*

32 ounces (oz) \= \___ quart

1 quart

60 milligrams (mg) \= \___ grain (gr)

1 grain (gr)

1000 grams (gm) \= \___ kilogram (kg)

1 kilogram (kg)

1000 micrograms (mcg) \= milligram (mg)

1 milligram (mg)

1000 milligrams (mg) \= \___ gram (gm)

1 gram (gm)

1000 milliliters \= \___ Liters (L)

1 Liter (L)

1000 millimeters (mm) \= \___ meter (m)

1 meter (m)

ā

Before

a.m.a

Against medical advice

A&O

Alert and oriented

Abd

Abdomen

ABG

Arterial blood gas

AC, a.c., ac

Before meals

Ad lib

At liberty or as desired

→ *For Example*: A patient may be permitted to move out of bed freely and orders would, therefore, be for activities to be ad lib

ADA

American Diabetes Association

ADH

Antidiuretic hormone

ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ADL

Activities of daily living

ADR

Adverse drug reaction

AIDS

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome

AKA

Above the knee amputation

amp

Ampule

Anuric

Not producing urine. Requires dialysis.

APC

Ambulatory Patient Care

ARDS

Acute respiratory distress syndrome

ARF

Acute renal (kidney) failure

BE

Barium enema

BID, bid, b.i.d.

Twice daily

BKA

Below the knee amputation

BM

Bowel movement

BMP

Basic metabolic panel

→ *Electrolytes* (Potassium, Sodium, Carbon Dioxide, and Chloride) and *Creatinine* and *Glucose*

BP

Blood pressure

BPH

Benign prostatic hypertrophy

BR

Bed rest

BRP

Bathroom privileges

BS

Blood sugar

BUN

Blood urea nitrogen

BW

Body Weight

BX, bx

Biopsy

c̅

With

C/O, c/o

Complaint of

C&S

Culture and sensitivity

CA, ca, Ca

Cancer, carcinoma

Ca++

Calcium

CABG

Coronary artery bypass graft

CAD

Coronary artery disease

cap

Capsule

CAT

Computerized axial tomography

Cath

Catheter, catheterize

Cath Lab

Heart Catheterization Laboratory

CBC

Complete blood count

CBI

Continuous bladder irrigation

CBR

Complete bed rest

CC

Chief complaint. The patient's main concern.

cc

Cubic centimeters. *Dangerous abbreviation mistaken for 00*.

CCMS

Clean catch midstream

CCU

Clean catch urine *OR* cardiac care unit

CCU

Coronary Care Unit

CDB

Cough, deep breathe

CDC

Center of disease control

Chem panel

Chemistry panel. A comprehensive screening blood test that indicates the status of the liver, kidneys, and electrolytes.

CHF

Congestive heart failure

cm

Centimeter

CNS

Central nervous system

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CPAP

Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.

CSF

Cerebrospinal fluid

CT

Chemotherapy *OR* computerized tomography

CVA

Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)