Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms
Page 1
- abd: Abdomen
- ABR: Absolute Bed Rest
- ac, a.c.: Before meals
- AD: Alzheimer's Disease
- adm.: Admission
- AIDS: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
- amb: Ambulate
- amt: Amount
- ap: Apical
- AROM: Active Range Of Motion
- ASAP: As soon as possible
- as tol: As tolerated
- ax.: Axillary
- BID, b.i.d.: Twice a day
- BM: Bowel movement
- BP, B/P: Blood pressure
- BPM: Beats per minute
- BR: Bed rest
- BRP: Bathroom privileges
- BSC: Bedside commode
- C: Celsius
- CA: Cancer
- cath.: Catheter
- CBC: Complete blood count
- CBR: Complete bed rest
- CCU: Cardiac Care Unit
- CDC: Centers for Disease Control
- CHF: Congestive Heart Failure
- ck: Check
- cl liq: Clear liquid
- CMS: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
- CNA: Certified Nursing Assistant
- CNS: Central Nervous System
- c/o: Complains of
- COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- CS: Cesarean section
- CVA: Cerebrovascular accident
- CVP: Central Venous Pressure
- CXR: Chest X-Ray
- DAT: Date
- drsg: Dressing
- DM: Diabetes Mellitus
- DNR: Do not resuscitate
- DOA: Dead on arrival
- DOB: Date of birth
- Dr.: Doctor
- DR: Doctor
- drsg: Dressing
- DVT: Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Dx, dx: Diagnosis
- ECG, EKG: Electrocardiogram
- EMS: Emergency Medical Services
- ER: Emergency Room
- exam: Examination
- F: Fahrenheit
- F: Female
- FBS: Fasting Blood Sugar
- FF: Force Fluids
- ft: Foot
- F/U, f/u: Follow up
- FWB: Full weight bearing
- FYI: For your information
- geri chair: Geriatric chair
- GI: Gastrointestinal
- H₂O: Water
- h, hr, hr.: Hour
- H/A, HA: Headache
- HBV: Hepatitis B Virus
- HHA: Home Health Aide
- HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
- HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus
- HOB: Head of Bed
- ht: Height
- HTN: Hypertension
- hyper: Hyperglycemia
Page 2
- hypo: Hypoglycemia
- I&O: Intake and output
- ICU: Intensive care unit
- inc: Incontinent
- isol: Isolation
- IV, I.V.: Intravenous (within a vein)
- L, It: Left
- lab: Laboratory
- lb.: Pound
- lg: Large
- LOC: Level of consciousness
- LPN: Licensed practical nurse
- LTC: Long-term care
- LTCF: Long-term care facility
- LVN: Licensed vocational nurse
- MD, M.D.: Doctor of medicine
- MDS: Minimum data set
- meds: Medications
- MI: Myocardial infarction
- min: Minute
- mL: Milliliter
- mm Hg: Millimeters of mercury
- mod: Moderate
- MRSA: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
- N/A: Not applicable
- NA: Nursing Assistant
- N/C: No complaints, no call
- NG, ng: Nasogastric
- NKA: No known allergies
- NKDA: No known drug allergies
- NPO: Nothing by mouth
- NVD: Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- NWB: Non-weight-bearing
- OBRA: Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
- OOB: Out of bed
- OR: Operating room
- OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- OT: Occupational therapist/therapy
- oz: Ounce
- P: After
- pc, p.c.: After meals
- PCA: Patient-controlled analgesia
- PEG: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
- peri care: Perineal care
- PHI: Protected health information
- PNS: Peripheral nervous system
- PO: By mouth
- post-op: After surgery
- PPE: Personal protective equipment
- pre-op: Before surgery
- p.r.n., prn: When necessary
- PROM: Passive range of motion
- PT: Physical therapist/therapy
- PVD: Peripheral vascular disease
- PWB: Partial weight-bearing
- q: Every
- q2h: Every two hours
- q3h: Every three hours
- q4h: Every four hours
- qh: Every hour
- R: Respirations, rectal
- R, rt.: Right
- RBC: Red blood cell/count
- rehab: Rehabilitation
- res.: Resident
- resp.: Respiration
- RF: Restrict fluids
- R.I.C.E.: Rest, ice, compression, elevation
- RN: Registered nurse
- R/O: Rule out
- ROM: Range of motion
- RR: Respiratory rate
Page 3
- S&S, S/S: Signs and symptoms
- SDS: Safety Data Sheet
- SNF: Skilled Nursing Facility
- SOB: Shortness Of Breath
- SP: Standard Precautions
- spec.: Specimen
- SSE: Soapsuds enema
- staph: Staphylococcus
- stat, STAT: Immediately
- std. prec.: Standard precautions
- STI: Sexually Transmitted Infection
- strep: Streptococcus
- T., temp: Temperature
- TB: Tuberculosis
- TIA: Transient Ischemic Attack
- t.i.d., tid: Three times a day
- TLC: Tender loving care
- TPR: Temperature, pulse, respiration
- TWE: Tap Water Enema
- U/A, u/a: Urinalysis
- URI: Upper respiratory infection
- UTI: Urinary tract infection
- VRE: Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus
- VS, vs: Vital signs
- WBC: White blood cell/count
- w/c, W/C: Wheelchair
- WNL: Within normal limits
- wt.: Weight
- 오: Male symbol
- σ: Male symbol
- %: Percent