Common abbreviations/terminology used
Observations
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TPR – Temperature, pulse and respiration
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Obs – Observations
BP – Blood pressure
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SATS – Oxygen saturation , Pulse Oximetry
BM – blood sugar monitoring (this is recorded in millimols – mmls in UK)
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AVPU – method of monitor conscious level –alert, voice, pain, unresponsive
GCS – Glasgow coma scale
EWS – Early warning score (ACAT,MEWS,PARS and many others)
Fluids
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NBM - Nil by mouth (nothing to drink or eat) Nil Orally is the same
IV / IVI - Intravenous infusion(drip)
Venflon – type of intravenous cannula/catheter
Tissued – leaking into surrounding area of vein
Giving Sets – IV fluid tubing and chamber equipment
Bung /spigot – plug for cannula opening
Stopcock – device put on cannula to allow more than one infusion into vein
IVAC, Graseby – infusion device
Normal Saline = isotonic saline (0.9%)
D/S = Dextrose Saline
KCL= Potassium chloride
Medical Conditions
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MI - Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
CVA - Cerebral vascular accident (stroke)
UTI – Urinary tract infection
Sputum / phlegm – expectorate from chest
Seizure – Convulsion, fit
COPD – Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
MRSA – Methicillin resistant staph aureus
C. Diff – Clostridium Difficile
Personnel
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H O – House Officer
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BO / “one for the book” /” number 2” – passed faeces, bowels open
SHO – Senior House Officer
SpR - Registrar
GP – General practitioner (Family doctor)
HCA/ CSW / AuxilIiary - Health Care Assistant / Clinical Support Worker
CCOT – Critical Care Outreach Team
TV – Tissue Viability, TVN – Tissue Viability Nurse
ADLT – Alcohol and Drug Liaison Team, DALT – Drug and Alcohol Liaison Team
OT – Occupational Therapist
PT - Physiotherapist
SW – Social Worker
Dr – Medical Consultant
Mr. – Surgical Consultant
SALT – Speech and Language Therapist. These will do swallowing test
Miscellaneous
Loo – toilet
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Wee – pass urine
Non-adherent dressing – non-stick surface dressing
Ripple mattress – pressure sore prevention mattress
Waterlow/Brandon/Norton scale, PSPS – measurement of risk for pressure sore
Ripple mattress
TED stockings – anti-embolus stocking
Zimmer frame – aid to walk with
NOK = next of kin
PMH / PH = previous medical history
AND – Allow natural death
DNR – Do not resuscitate
NFR – Not for resuscitation
Px – Prescription
Hx – History
Tx - Treatment
Drugs
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TTAs – Drugs to take home on discharge
CD – Controlled drugs
BD - Twice daily
TDS - Three times a day
QDS - Four times a day
S/C - Subcutaneous
S/L Sublingual
IM - Intramuscular
PR – per rectum
PV – per vagina
PRN – as required drug
Stat – immediate once only
NKA – no known allergies
Boarded – written on prescription chart
Blister packs, suspension
CD cupboard, drug trolley, patient cupboard/pod
Equipment
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Commode, bedpan, slipper pan, urinal (bottle)
Inco sheets. Inco pads
Leg bag, hourly measurements catheter bag
Linen skip
Receiver – kidney dish
Hoist, bath hoist, slides
Zimmer frame
Resus trolley/ defib
Portable suction
Resuss Trolley – Resuscitation trolley for all equipment needed for resuss
Lab Tests
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M&S – microbiology and sensitivity OR C&S – culture & sensitivity
MSU – mid stream urine
CSU – catheter specimen urine
FBS/FBG – fasting blood sugar/glucose
GTT – glucose tolerance test
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Tests
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U&E – urea and electrolytes
FBC – full blood count
Hb – haemoglobin
INR – clotting time
TFT – thyroid function test
CT – Computerised Tomography
MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Bladder scan – scan to check amount of urine in bladder performed by trained healthcare worker. This
might be a nurse or an HCA