Write the meaning for each of the abbreviations listed below. Which of these abbreviations are
easily misinterpreted and have been discontinued following the Joint Commission
recommendations?
a.c or ac: Before meals.
ABG: An arterial blood gas.
AD: Alzheimer’s disease.
Ad lib: Use in medical prescriptions to indicate “freely” or as that much as one desires should be
used.
AK: Actinic Keratosis, causes rough, scaly skin patches. Left untreated, AK can lead to a skin
cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.
AKA: Above the knee amputation.
AS: ankylosing spondylitis; aortic stenosis; auris sinistra (left ear) As. astigmatism.
ASA: Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin)
ADLs: Activities of daily living
APRN: Advanced practice registered nurses.
AU: Both ears together or each ear.
b.i.d: Twice a day.
bka: Below the knee amputation.
BP: Blood pressure.
BPM: Beats per minute.
BPH: Benign prostatic hyperplasia.
BR: Bed rest.
BSC: Bedside commode.
CBC: Complete blood count.
CBI: Continuous Bladder Irrigation.
q.2h: Every two hours.
qAM: Once a day in the morning.
PRN: As needed.
t.i.d: Three times a day.