| A | B |
|---|
| @ | At |
| A&D | Admission and discharge |
| Abd | Abdomen |
| ABG | Arterial blood gas |
| ac | Before meals |
| AD | Right ear |
| ad lib | As desired |
| ADL | Activities of daily living |
| adm | Admission |
| AIDS | Acquired immune deficiency syndrome |
| am, AM | Morning |
| amb | Ambulate, walk |
| amt | Amount |
| AP | Apical pulse |
| approx | Approximately |
| AS | Left ear |
| as tol | As tolerated |
| ASAP | As soon as possible |
| ASHD | Arteriosclerotic heart disease |
| AU | Both ears |
| av | Average |
| Ax | Axillary |
| B&B | bowel and bladder training |
| BE | barium enema |
| bid | twice a day |
| Bl | blood |
| Bl Wk | blood work |
| BM | bowel movement |
| BP | blood pressure |
| BR | bed rest |
| BRP | bathroom privileges |
| BS | blood sugar |
| BSC | bedside commonde |
| BUN | blood urea nitrogen |
| *C | degrees Celsius |
| c, w/ | with |
| Ca | calcium |
| CA | cancer |
| cal | calorie |
| cap | capsule |
| CBC | complete blood count |
| CBET | certified biomedical equipment technician |
| CBR | complete bed rest |
| cc | cubic centimeter |
| CC | chief complaint |
| CCU | coronary care unit |
| CDA | certified dental assistant |
| CDC | centers for disease control and prevention |
| CEO | chief executive officer |
| CHF | congestive heart failure |
| CICU | cardiac intensive care unit |
| ck | check |
| Cl | chloride or chlorine |
| cl liq | clear liquids |
| cm | centimeter |
| CMA | certified medical assistant |
| CNP | certified nurse practitioner |
| co, c/o | complains of |
| CO2 | carbon dioxide |
| cont | continued |
| COPD | chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| COTA | certified occupational therapy assistant |
| CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
| CRTT | certified respiratory therapy technician |
| CS | central supply or service |
| C&S | culture and sensitivity |
| CST | certified surgical technologist |
| CT | computerized tomography |
| CVA | cerebral vascular accident |
| Cx | cervix |
| d | day |
| DA | dental assistant |
| DAT | diet as tolerated |
| DC | Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine |
| D/C, dc | discontinue, discharge |
| DDS | Doctor of Dental Surgery |
| DEA | Drug Enforcment Agency |
| Dept | department |
| DH | dental hygientist |
| DHHS | Department of Health and Human Services |
| Diff | differential white blood cell count |
| dil | dilute, dissolve |
| DM | diabetes mellitus |
| DMD | Doctor of Dental Medicine |
| DNA | deoxyribonucleic acid |
| DNR | do not resuscitate |
| DO | Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine |
| DOA | dead on arrival |
| DOB | date of birth |
| DPM | Doctor of Podiatric Medicine |
| Dr | doctor |
| dr | dram |
| DRG | diagnostic related group |
| drg, drsg, dsg | dressing |
| DVM | Doctor of Veterinary Medicine |
| DW | distilled water |
| D/W | dextrose in water |
| Dx, dx | diagnosis |
| ECG, EKG | electrocardiogram |
| EEG | electroencephalogram |
| EENT | ear, eye, nose, throat |
| EMS | emergency medical services |
| EMT | emergency medical technician |
| ENT | ear, nose, throat |
| EPA | Environmental Protection Agency |
| ER | emergency room |
| ESR | erythrocyte sedimentation rate |
| et, etiol | etiology |
| Ex, exam | examination |
| *F | degrees Farhenheit |
| FBS | fasting blood sugar |
| FBW | fasting blood work |
| FDA | Food and Durg Administration |
| Fe | iron |
| FF, FFl | force fluids |
| Fl, fl | fluid |
| Fr, Fx | fracture |
| ft | foot |
| FUO | fever of unknown origin |
| gal | gallon |
| GB | gallbladder |
| Gc | gonorrhea |
| GI | gastrointestional |
| Gm, g | gram |
| gr | grain |
| gt, gtt, gtts | drop, drops |
| GTT | glucose tolerance test |
| Gyn | gynecology |
| H | hydrogen |
| H2O | water |
| HA | hearing aid, headache |
| HBP | high blood pressure |
| HBV | hepatitis B virus |
| hct | hematocrit |
| HDL | high density lipoproteins |
| Hg | mercury |
| Hgb, Hb | hemoglobin |
| HHA | home health assistant |
| HIV | human immunodeficiency virus |
| HMO | health maintenance organization |
| HOH | hard of hearing |
| HOSA | Health Occupations Students of America |
| H&P | history and physical |
| Hr, hr, H, h | hour, hours |
| HS | hour of sleep |
| Ht | height |
| Hx, hx | history |
| I&O | intake and output |
| ICU | intensive care unit |
| ID | intradermal |
| IDDM | insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus |
| IM | intramuscular |
| in | inch |
| inj | injection |
| Isol, isol | isolation |
| IV | intravenous |
| IVP | intravenous pyelogram |
| jt | joint |
| K | potassium |
| KCl | potassium chloride |
| Kg, kg | kilogram |
| KUB | kidney, ureter, bladder xray |
| L&D | labor and delivery |
| L&W | living and well |
| (L), lt, lft | left |
| L, l | liter |
| Lab | laboratory |
| lb | pound |
| LTC | long-term care |
| LDL | low-density lipoprotein |
| lg | large |
| liq | liquid |
| LMP | last menstrual period |
| LOC | laxative of choice |
| LPN | licensed practical nurse |
| LVN | licensed vocational nurse |
| MA | medical assistant |
| Mat | maternity |
| mcg | microgram |
| MD | Medical Doctor |
| Med | medical, medicine |
| mEq | milliequivalent |
| mg | milligram |
| MI | myocardial infarction |
| min | minute |
| mL, ml | milliliter |
| mm | millimeter |
| MN | midnight |
| MRI | magnetic resonance imaging |
| MT | medical technologist |
| N/A | not applicable |
| Na | sodium |
| NA | nurse aide |
| NaCl | sodium chloride (salt) |
| NB | newborn |
| N/C | no complaints |
| neg | negative, none |
| Neur | neurology |
| Ng, ng | nasogastric tube |
| NIDDM | non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus |
| NIH | National Institute of Health |
| no | number |
| noc, noct | at night, night |
| NPO | nothing by mouth |
| N/S, NS | normal saline |
| N/V, N&V | nausea and vomiting |
| NVD | nausea, vomiting, diarrhea |
| NVS | neurological vital signs |
| O2 | oxygen |
| O&P | ova and parasites |
| Ob, Obs | obstetrics |
| OBRA | Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act |
| OD | right eye |
| OJ | orange juice |
| OOB | out of bed |
| OPD | outpatient department |
| OR | operation room |
| Orth | orthopedics |
| OS | left eye |
| OSHA | Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
| OT | occupational therapy |
| OTC | over the counter |
| OU | each eye |
| oz | ounce |
| p (with a line over it) | after |
| P | pulse |
| PA | physician's assistant |
| PAP | Papanicolaou test (smear) |
| Path | pathology |
| pc | after meals |
| PCA | patient controlled analgesia |
| PCC | poison control center |
| PCP | patient care plan |
| PE | physical exa, pulmonary edema |
| Peds | pediatrics |
| per | by, through |
| PET | position emission tomography |
| Pharm | pharmacy |
| PM, pm | after noon |
| PMC | postmortem care |
| po | posterior, after |
| post | posterior, after |
| post-op | after an operation |
| PP | postpartum |
| PPE | personal protective equipment |
| PPO | preferred provider organization |
| pre-op | before and operation |
| prn | whenever necessary, as needed |
| Psy | psychology |
| pt | patient, pint |
| PT | physical therapy |
| Px | prognosis, physical exam |
| q, q (with a line over it) | every |
| qd | every day |
| qh | every hour |
| q2h | every 2 hours |
| q3h | every 3 hours |
| q4h | every 4 hours |
| qhs | every night at bedtim |
| qid | four times a day |
| qod | every other day |
| qt | quart |
| R | respiration, rectal |
| Rt, R (with a circle around it) | right |
| RBC | red blood cell |
| RDA | recommended daily allowance |
| RN | registered nurse |
| R/O | rule out |
| ROM | range of motion |
| RR | recovery room |
| RRT | registered respiratory therapist |
| RT | respiratory therapy |
| Rx | prescription, take, treatment |
| s (with a line over it), w/o | without |
| sc, SC | subcutaneous |
| SIDS | sudden infant death syndrome |
| Sig | give the following directions |
| SOB | short of breath |
| sol | solution |
| sos | if necessary |
| spec | specimen |
| ss (with a line over it) | one half |
| S/S, S&S | signs and symptoms |
| staph | staphylococcus infection |
| stat | immediately |
| STD | sexually transmitted disease |
| strep | streptococcus infection |
| Sx | symptom, sign |
| T&A | tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy |
| T, temp | temperature |
| tab | tablet |
| tbsp | tablespoon |
| TCDB | turn, cough, deep breathe |
| tid | three times a day |
| TLC | tender loving care |
| TO | telephone order |
| tol | tolerated |
| TPR | temperature, pulse, respiration |
| tsp | teaspoon |
| TWE | tap water enema |
| tx | traction, treatment, transplant |
| UA, U/A | urinalysis |
| Ur, ur | urine |
| URI | upper respiratory infection |
| UTI | urinary tract infection |
| VD | venereal disease |
| VDM | Veterinarian Degree of Medicine |
| VDRL | serology for syphilis, Veneral Disease Research Laboratory |
| VICA | Vocational Industrial Clubs of America |
| VO | verbal order |
| VS | vital signs |
| WBC | white blood cell |
| w/c | wheelchair |
| WHO | World Health Organization |
| WNL | within normal limits |
| W/P | whirlpool |
| wt | weight |
| x | times |
| x-match | cross match |
| XR | X-ray |
| y/o | years old |
| YOB | year of birth |
| yr | year |
| > | greater than |
| < | less than |
| # | pound or number |
| ' | foot or minute |
| " | inch or second |
| I | one |
| II | two |
| III | three |
| V | five |
| X | ten |
| L | fifty |
| C | one hundred |
| D | five hundred |
| M | one thousand |
