| A | B |
|---|
| @ | at |
| a (with underline above) | before |
| aa (with underline above) | of each |
| abd | abdomen |
| ABG's | Arterial Blood Gases |
| a.c. | before meals |
| ADL's | activities of daily living |
| ad lib | as desired |
| A.M. | before noon, morning |
| AMA | Against Medical Advice |
| amb | ampule |
| amt | amount |
| & | and |
| A/P | anterior/posterior |
| ap | apical pulse |
| ASA | aspirin |
| as tol | as tolerated |
| ax | axillary |
| BE | Barium enema |
| bid | twice daily |
| BM | bowel movement |
| B/P | blood pressure |
| BPH | Benign Prostate Hypertrophy |
| BRP | bathroom privileges |
| Bx | biopsy |
| c (with underline above) | with |
| C&S | culture and sensitivity |
| Ca | calcium |
| CXR | chest x-ray |
| cap | capsule |
| CBC | complete blood count |
| cc | cubic centimeter |
| triangle symbol | change |
| CL | Chloride |
| CNS | central nervous system |
| COPD | chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| C/O | complain of |
| cm | centimeter |
| CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
| CSM | circulation, sensation, movement |
| CVA | cerebrovascular accident |
| DAT | diet as tolerated |
| o | degree |
| diff | differential white cell count |
| DNR | do not resuscitate |
| D5W | 5% dextrose in water |
| D5.9 | 5% dextrose in 0.9% normal saline |
| dr | dram |
| DX | diagnosis |
| et | and |
| EEG | electroencephalogram |
| ECG or EKG | electrocardiogram |
| elix | elixir |
| ENT | ear, nose, and throat |
| EENT | eye, ear, nose, and throat |
| F | Fahreheit |
| FBS | fasting blood sugar |
| FUO | fever of unknown origin |
| Fx | fracture |
| GB | gall bladder |
| GI | gastrointestinal |
| Gm | gram |
| gr | grains |
| gtt | drops |
| GTT | glucose tolerance test |
| GU | genitourinary |
| Gyn | gynecology |
| h (hr) | hour |
| HCT | hematocrit |
| hgb | hemoglobin |
| H2O | water |
| HS | hour of sleep/night time @ bedtime |
| ht | height |
| I&D | incision & drainage |
| ID | intradermal |
| IM | intramuscular |
| INT | intermittently in site needle |
| IPPB | intermittent positive pressure breathing |
| IV | intravenously |
| IVP | intravenous pyelogram |
| K+ | potassium |
| kg | kilogram |
| KUB | kidney, ureter, bladder |
| KVO, TKO | to keep vein open |
| L | liter |
| LMP | last menstrual period |
| lax | laxative |
| Lb | # pound |
| liq | liquid |
| LLL | left lower lobe of lung |
| LUQ | left upper quadrant |
| m | minimum |
| MAR | medication administration record |
| mcg | microgram |
| mEq | milliequivalent |
| mg | milligram |
| MI | myocardial infarction or heart attack |
| ml | milliliter |
| mm | millimeter |
| mmHg | millimeters of Mercury |
| MOM | milk of magnesia |
| Na+ | sodium |
| N&V | nausea and vomiting |
| NG tube | nasogastric tube |
| NKA | no known allergies |
| NPO | nothing by mouth |
| NS | normal saline |
| OB | obstetrics |
| OOB | out of bed |
| Op | operation |
| ORIF | open reduction internal fixation |
| Oz | ounce |
| P | pulse |
| p (with underline above) | after |
| p.c. | after meals |
| po | by mouth |
| PDR | Physician's Desk Reference |
| per | by, thru |
| PERLA/EOMI | pupil equal, round and reactive to light: accomodation/extra ocular movements intact |
| P.M. | afternoon |
| post-op | postoperative |
| pre-op | preoperative |
| prn | as often as necessary |
| PTT | prothrombin time |
| PT | physical therapy |
| q | every |
| qd | every day |
| qh | every hour |
| q2h, q3h, q4h | every 2 hours, every 3 hours, every 4 hours etc. |
| qid | four times a day |
| qt | quart |
| R | rectally |
| Rt | right |
| RBC | red blood cell or red blood count |
| RLQ | right lower quadrant |
| RO/ R/O | rule out |
| ROM | range of motion |
| RT | respiratory therapy |
| R/T | related to |
| RUQ | right upper quadrant |
| Rx | prescription, take therapy |
| ss (with underline above) | half |
| s (with underline above) | without |
| S.C./subq | subcutaneous |
| SOB | shortness of breath |
| sol | solution |
| spec | specimen |
| Sp Gr | specific gravity |
| SSE | soap suds enema |
| stat | at once; immediately |
| STD | sexually transmitted disease |
| supp | suppository |
| tab | tablet |
| T or Tbsp | tablespoon |
| tid | three times a day |
| T.O. | telephone orders |
| TPR | temperature, pulse, respiration |
| tr | tinc; tincture or trace |
| TURP | transurethral resection of prostate |
| t or tsp | teaspoon |
| UGI | upper gastrointestinal series |
| ung | ointment |
| U/A | urine analysis |
| ULQ | upper left quadrant |
| URQ | upper right quadrant |
| URI | upper respiratory infection |
| via | by way of |
| V.O. | verbal order |
| VS | vital sign |
| WBC | white blood cells/white blood count |
| W/C | wheel chair |
| wt | weight |
| WNL | within normal limits |
| > | more than |
| < | less than |
