Northern Illinois University School of Nursing Abbreviation List Units of Measure ADL = activities of daily living c = cup ADH = antidiuretic hormone cm = centimeters ad lib = as desired dr = drams ADA = American Diabetic Association fl = fluid AKA = above the knee amputation ft = foot AMA = against medical advice g = grams A&O = alert and oriented gal = gallon A&O x 3 = alert and oriented to person, gl = glass place, and time gr = grains AROM = active range of motion gt = drop ASA = aspirin gtt = drops ASAP = as soon as possible in = inches bid = twice a day kg = kilograms bilat = bilateral L = liters BIPAP = bi-level positive airway pressure lb = pound BKA = below the knee amputation m = meters BLE = bilateral lower extremities mcg = micrograms BM = bowel movement mEq = milliequivalent BP = blood pressure mg = milligrams BPH = benign prostatic hypertrophy mL = milliliters BR = bed rest mm = millimeters BRP = bathroom privileges oz = ounce BS = blood sugar or bowel sounds pt = pint BSA = body surface area qt = quart BUE = bilateral upper extremities tbsp = tablespoons BUN = blood urine nitrogen tsp = teaspoons ͞c = with Nursing Abbreviations CA = cancer ā = before (ante) CABG = coronary artery bypass graft @ = at cap = capsule abd = abdomen CAD = coronary artery disease ABG = arterial blood gas CAT = computerized axial tomography ac = before meals (ante cibum) cath = catheter DRG = diagnosis related group CBC = complete blood count drsg = dressing CBI = continuous bladder irrigation DVT = deep vein thrombosis CBR = complete bed rest Dx = diagnosis CCU = coronary care unit EC = enteric coated CF = cystic fibrosis ECG/ EKG = electrocardiogram chemo = chemotherapy EEG = electroencephalogram CHF = congestive heart failure EMT = emergency medical technician chole = cholecystectomy EMS = emergency medical services CMS = circulation, motion, and sensation EENT = eyes, ears, nose, and throat CNS = central nervous system ETA = estimated time of arrival CO = cardiac output ETOH = alcohol c/o = complains of ETT = endotracheal tube COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary FOB = foot of bed disease F/U = follow up CP = cerebral palsy FWB = full weight bearing CPAP = continuous positive airway pressure Fx = fracture CPK = creatinine phosphokinase GB = gallbladder CPR = cardiopulmonary resuscitation GCS = Glasgow coma scale CSF = cerebrospinal fluid GERD = gastroesophageal reflux disease CVA = cerebrovascular accident GFR = glomerular filtration rate CVP = central venous pressure GI = gastrointestinal CXR = chest x-ray G-tube = gastrostomy tube DB&C = deep breathe and cough GU = genitourinary D&C = dilation and curettage GYN = gynecology DM = diabetes mellitus h = hour DNR = do not resuscitate H/A = headache DOA = dead on arrival hct = hematocrit DOB = date of birth hgb = hemoglobin DOE = dyspnea on exertion H&H = hemoglobin and hematocrit drng = drainage HOB = head of bed H&P = history and physical LOC = level of consciousness HR = heart rate LP = lumbar puncture ht = height LUE = left upper extremity HTN = hypertension LUL = left upper lobe hypo = low (used as a prefix) LUQ = left upper quadrant hyper = high (used as a prefix) M.A.E. = moves all extremities ID = intradermal MAP = mean arterial pressure ICP = intracranial pressure MCL = midclavicular line ICU = intensive care unit MI = myocardial infarction I&D = incision and drainage min = minute IDDM = insulin dependent diabetes mellitus MMR = measles, mumps, rubella IM = intramuscular MOM = Milk of Magnesia inj = injection MRI = magnetic resonance imager I&O = intake and output MRSA = methicillin-resistant staph aureus IS = incentive spirometer MVA = motor vehicle accident IUD = intrauterine device MVP = mitral valve prolapse IV = intravenous Na+ = sodium IVP = intravenous push or intravenous N/A = not applicable pyelogram NaCl = sodium chloride IVPB = intravenous piggyback nc = nasal cannula JVD = jugular venous distention NG = nasogastric JP = Jackson Pratt NH = nursing home K+ = potassium NIDDM = non-insulin dependent diabetes KCl = potassium chloride mellitus KUB = kidneys, ureters, bladder NKA = no known allergies KVO = keep vein open NPO = nothing by mouth Lap = laparotomy NS = normal saline LLE = left lower extremity NSR = normal sinus rhythm LLL = left lower lobe N&V = nausea and vomiting LLQ = left lower quadrant NWB = non weight bearing LMP = last menstrual period O2 = oxygen obs = observation PTA = prior to arrival OD = overdose PT = prothrombin time ODT = oral disintegrating tablet PTT = partial prothrombin time oint = ointment PVC = premature ventricular contraction OOB = out of bed PVD = peripheral vascular disease O&P = ova and parasites PWB = partial weight bearing OR = operating room q = every ORIF = open reduction internal fixation q1h = every 1 hour, q2h = every 2 hours, ect orient x 3 = oriented to person, place, and qh = every hour time qid = four times a day O2Sat = oxygen saturation qs = quantity sufficient OTC = over the counter RA = room air OT = occupational therapy RBC = red blood count _ p = after (post) RICE = rest, ice, compression, and elevation PACU = post anesthesia care unit RLL = right lower lobe pc = after meals (post cibum) RLQ = right lower quadrant PCT = patient care technician RML = right middle lobe PE = pulmonary embolism/ physical exam r/o = rule out PEEP = positive end expiratory pressure ROM = range of motion per = by RR = respiratory rate PERRLA = pupils equal, round, react to RT = respiratory therapy light & accommodation RLE = right lower extremity RUE = right upper extremity pm = after noon (post meridian) RUL = right upper lobe PMH = past medical history RUQ = right upper quadrant PMI = point of maximum impulse Rx = prescription or treatment po = by mouth (per os) = without pr = per rectal SaO2 = oxygen saturation prn = as needed (pro re nata) SBP = systolic blood pressure PROM = passive range of motion SOB = shortness of breath Pt. = patient sol = solution S/P = status post V-tach = ventricular tachycardia SpO2 = pulse oxygen saturation WBC = white blood count Subq = subcutaneous w/c = wheelchair SR = sustained release/ sinus rhythm W&D = warm and dry S/S = signs and symptoms WNL = within normal limits ST = sinus tachycardia wt = weight stat = immediately y/o = year old supp = suppository 2o = secondary T = temperature > = greater than T1DM = type 1 diabetes mellitus < = less than T2DM = type 2 diabetes mellitus ↓ = decrease tab = tablet ↑ = increase TB = tuberculosis Δ = change T&C = type and cross match TIA = transient ischemic attack tid = three times a day TJC = The Joint Commission TKO = to keep open TO = telephone order TPN = total parenteral nutrition TSH = thyroid stimulating hormone TURP = transurethral resection prostate TWB = total weight bearing TWE = tap water enema UA = urinalysis URI = upper respiratory infection US = ultrasound UTI = urinary tract infection V-fib = ventricular fibrillation VO = verbal order VS = vital signs