M-Z abbreviations
mEq milliequivalents MI
myocardial infarction MOM
milk of magnesia
MRI magnetic resonance imaging
MVA motor vehicle accident
NAD no acute distress
NAS no added salt
NKA no known allergies
NPO nothing by mouth
NS normal saline
N & V nausea and vomiting
NVD nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
O2 sat oxygen saturation
OT occupational therapy
p.c. after meals
PCA patient controlled analgesia
PERRLA pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation
PH past history
PT physical therapy
PMH past medical history
po by mouth
Post-op postoperative
PRN as necessary
q every
qh every hour
RA rheumatoid arthritis; right atrium; room air
Resp respiratory; respiration
RLE right lower extremity
RLQ right lower quadrant
R/O rule out ROM range of motion
RR respiratory rate; recovery room
RRR regular rate and rhythm
RT respiratory therapist
RUQ right upper quadrant
s without
SOB shortness of breath
S/P; s/p status post
SQ subcutaneous
S&S, S/S signs and symptoms
ST speech therapist
stat immediately
Subq subcutaneous
tab tablet
tachy tachycardia
THR total hip replacement
TIA transient ischemic attack
tid three times a day
TO telephone order
top topically
tol tolerate, tolerated, tolerance
Tx treatment
up ad lib up (out of bed) as desired
V/D vomiting and diarrhea
WB weight bearing
WC; w/c wheelchair
WNL within normal limits
Wt weight
1° primary
2° secondary
Δ change