Nursing Abbreviations Study Guide Flashcards

Charting Shorthand Symbols

  • c: With
  • p: After
  • a: Before
  • s: Without
  • x: Except

Medications & Drug Therapy

  • PCN: Penicillin antibiotic
  • HCTZ: Hydrochlorothiazide (diuretic / antihypertensive)
  • ASA: Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid; analgesic / antiplatelet)
  • NSAID: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (analgesic class)
  • PCA: Patient-controlled analgesic (self-dosed pain pump)
  • TPN: Total parenteral nutrition (IV nutrition via central line)
  • PPN: Peripheral parenteral nutrition (IV nutrition via peripheral line)
  • IVPB: Intravenous piggyback (secondary IV medication)
  • IV: Intravenous
  • IM: Intramuscular
  • SL: Saline lock (capped IV access with no fluids running) or "saline lock" med route note
  • KVO: Keep vein open (very slow IV rate)
  • TKO: To keep open (same clinical meaning as KVO)
  • PRN: As needed
  • q: Every (e.g., q4h = every 4 hours)

Infections & Resistant Organisms

  • MRSA: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (requires CONTACT PRECAUTIONS; multi-drug resistant infection)
  • VRE: Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (requires CONTACT PRECAUTIONS; multi-drug resistant infection)
  • ESBL: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (requires CONTACT PRECAUTIONS; multi-drug resistant infection)
  • TB: Tuberculosis (requires AIRBORNE PRECAUTIONS; negative pressure room and N95 mask required)
  • UTI: Urinary tract infection
  • PNA: Pneumonia infection
  • PID: Pelvic inflammatory disease (also categorized under reproductive systems)
  • C/S: Culture & sensitivity test (used to identify the organism and determine the correct antibiotic)

Cardiovascular System

  • ACS: Acute coronary syndrome
  • MI: Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
  • CAD: Coronary artery disease
  • CABG: Coronary artery bypass grafting
  • PTCA: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
  • CHF: Congestive heart failure
  • HTN: Hypertension
  • LVH: Left ventricular hypertrophy
  • JVD: Jugular vein distention
  • CVA: Cerebral vascular accident (stroke; also categorized under Neurological)
  • TIA: Transient ischemic attack (also categorized under Neurological)
  • DVT: Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot)
  • PE: Pulmonary emboli or pulmonary edema (also categorized under Respiratory)
  • PAD / PVD: Peripheral artery disease / peripheral vascular disease
  • BP: Blood pressure
  • ECG / EKG: Electrocardiogram
  • TEE: Transesophageal echocardiogram
  • MRA: Magnetic resonance angiography
  • PT: Prothrombin time (clotting lab test; distinct from physical therapy)
  • PTT: Partial thromboplastin time
  • T&C: Type & cross (blood)
  • T&S: Type & screen
  • PRBCs: Packed red blood cells
  • EBL: Estimated blood loss
  • Perfusion: Physiological process of delivering blood to capillary beds
  • Oxygenation: Process of oxygen delivery and saturation within tissues

Respiratory System

  • COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (frequently associated with oxygen therapy)
  • CXR: Chest x-ray
  • RT: Respiratory therapy / therapist
  • NC: Nasal cannula
  • ABGs: Arterial blood gases
  • R/A: Room air
  • PE: Pulmonary emboli / pulmonary edema (also categorized under Cardiovascular)

Gastrointestinal System

  • SBO: Small bowel obstruction
  • LBO: Large bowel obstruction
  • GERD: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease
  • EGD: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
  • ERCP: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
  • I&D: Incision & drainage
  • LFT: Liver function test
  • NPO: Nothing by mouth
  • BM: Bowel movement
  • Lap: Laparotomy
  • PEG: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
  • N&V: Nausea & vomiting
  • O&P: Ova & parasites
  • LLQ / RLQ: Left lower quadrant / right lower quadrant
  • LUQ / RUQ: Left upper quadrant / right upper quadrant

Renal, Genitourinary, and Reproductive Systems

  • UA: Urinalysis
  • KUB: Kidneys, ureters, bladder (x-ray view)
  • AKI: Acute kidney injury
  • CRF (ESRD): Chronic renal failure / end-stage renal disease
  • F/C: Foley catheter
  • CBI: Continuous bladder irrigation
  • TURP: Transurethral resection of the prostate
  • BPH: Benign prostatic hyperplasia
  • K: Potassium (lab value or medication)
  • PID: Pelvic inflammatory disease (also categorized under Infection Control)
  • OB: Obstetrics / occult blood
  • GYN: Gynecology

Neurological System

  • LOC: Level of consciousness
  • ALOC: Altered level of consciousness
  • Sz: Seizure
  • DTs: Delirium tremens (alcohol withdrawal)
  • H/A: Headache
  • CVA: Cerebral vascular accident (stroke; also categorized under Cardiovascular)
  • TIA: Transient ischemic attack (also categorized under Cardiovascular)

Endocrine and Metabolic Systems

  • DM: Diabetes mellitus
  • DKA: Diabetic ketoacidosis
  • FBS: Fasting blood sugar
  • CMP: Complete (comprehensive) metabolic panel
  • Lytes: Electrolyte blood work

Musculoskeletal System

  • DJD: Degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis)
  • OA: Osteoarthritis
  • ORIF: Open reduction internal fixation
  • AKA: Above-the-knee amputation
  • BKA: Below-the-knee amputation
  • NWB: Non-weight bearing
  • SLE: Systemic lupus erythematosus

Labs and Diagnostic Imaging

  • CBC: Complete blood count
  • H&H: Hemoglobin & hematocrit
  • Hgb: Hemoglobin
  • Hct: Hematocrit
  • CT: Computerized tomography (CAT scan)
  • MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging
  • US: Ultrasound
  • Dx: Diagnosis

Care Level, Therapy, and Patient Mobility

  • SNF: Skilled nursing facility (nursing home)
  • ARU: Acute rehab unit
  • PT: Physical therapy (distinct from prothrombin time lab value)
  • OT: Occupational therapy
  • ST: Speech therapy
  • BR: Bed rest
  • BSC: Bedside commode
  • OOB: Out of bed
  • Amb: Ambulate
  • HOB: Head of bed

Lines, Tubes, and Medical Devices

  • PICC: Peripherally inserted central catheter
  • PAC: Port-a-cath
  • SL: Saline lock
  • SCDs: Sequential compression devices
  • LIS: Low intermittent suction
  • F/C: Foley catheter

General, Administrative, and Charting Terminology

  • Pt.: Patient
  • H&P: History & physical
  • S/P: Status post (after / following a procedure or condition)
  • R/O: Rule out
  • D/C: Discharge or discontinue
  • AMA: Against medical advice
  • BIB: Brought in by
  • DNR: Do not resuscitate
  • DNA: Do not announce
  • NAD: No apparent distress
  • NKA: No known allergies
  • NKDA: No known drug allergies
  • HOH: Hard of hearing
  • HS: Hour of sleep (bedtime)
  • VSS: Vital signs stable
  • WNL: Within normal limits
  • y/o: Years old
  • LOS: Length of stay
  • TORB: Telephone order read back
  • HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act
  • HCAHPS: Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers & Systems
  • CP: Chest pain
  • MVA: Motor vehicle accident
  • GSW: Gunshot wound
  • ETOH: Alcohol
  • MS: Mental status / morphine sulfate / multiple sclerosis (context-dependent)
  • Ca: Cancer or calcium (context-dependent)

High-Alert Ambiguous Abbreviations

  • PT: Physical therapy OR Prothrombin time (clotting lab)
  • MS: Mental status, Morphine sulfate, OR Multiple sclerosis
  • Ca: Cancer OR Calcium
  • K: Potassium (lab value or medication)
  • PE: Pulmonary emboli OR Pulmonary edema
  • SL: Saline lock (device) OR "saline lock" med route note