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