Ever wondered how healthcare professionals communicate complex information so efficiently? Dive into the world of medical abbreviations and acronyms—essential tools that transform lengthy terms like “complete blood count” into simple “CBC,” ensuring clarity and speed in patient care.
Table of Contents
Medical and Nursing Terminologies
Precautions
Official “Do Not Use” List
List of Common Medical and Nursing Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Terminologies
Medical and Nursing Terminologies
Healthcare professionals, including nurses and doctors, use a specialized set of vocabulary to ensure precise and efficient communication. These terms, often abbreviations or acronyms, are essential for clear documentation and effective patient care.
When working within the medical and nursing fields, it’s important to distinguish between abbreviations and acronyms, as they are key components of healthcare communication.
Abbreviations are shortened forms of words or phrases. For example, “vol” is an abbreviation for “volume.” These shortened forms are used to save time and space when writing or speaking about common terms and are prevalent in medical documentation.
Acronyms, on the other hand, are words created from the initial letters of each major part of a compound term. For instance, “CBC” stands for “complete blood count.” Acronyms streamline communication by condensing complex medical terms into more manageable and recognizable forms.
Precautions
Medical abbreviations and acronyms are essential for efficient communication within healthcare settings. However, their meanings can vary significantly between different agencies, hospitals, and regions. To prevent miscommunication and ensure patient safety, follow these precautions:
Always verify meaning. Always verify the meaning of any unfamiliar abbreviations or acronyms with the one who wrote it. Different facilities might use the same abbreviation to mean different things.
Reference Facility-Specific Guidelines. Each healthcare facility typically has its own set of approved abbreviations. Familiarize yourself with and reference these guidelines regularly to ensure compliance with local standards.
Use Full Terms When in Doubt. If there is any uncertainty about an abbreviation, write out the full term to avoid misinterpretation.
Documentation Clarity. When documenting patient information, ensure that the context around the abbreviation is clear. This helps other healthcare providers understand the intended meaning without confusion.
Standardize Communication. Encourage the use of standardized abbreviations within your team to reduce variability and enhance communication clarity.
Official “Do Not Use” List
The Joint Commission’s Official “Do Not Use” List aims to enhance patient safety by eliminating the use of dangerous abbreviations, acronyms, symbols, and dose designations that could lead to misinterpretation and medication errors. It applies to handwritten orders and free-text computer entries but not to preprogrammed health IT systems, though organizations are encouraged to eliminate such abbreviations during system upgrades. An exception exists for trailing zeros in specific contexts like lab results. The list was developed following a 2001 Sentinel Event Alert and was formalized in 2004, later integrated into Information Management standards in 2010. By adhering to this list, healthcare professionals can reduce errors and improve patient outcomes.
Do Not Use
Potential Problem
Use Instead
Examples
U, u (unit)
Mistaken for “0”, “4”, or “cc”
Write “unit”
Do Not Use: 10u Use Instead: 10 units
IU (International Unit)
Mistaken for IV or “10”
Write “International Unit”
Do Not Use: 5 IU Use Instead: 5 International Units
Q.D., QD, q.d., qd (daily)
Mistaken for each other
Write “daily”
Do Not Use: QD 5 mg Use Instead: Daily 5 mg
Q.O.D., QOD, q.o.d, qod (every other day)
Period after Q mistaken for “I” and the “O” mistaken for “I”
Write “every other day”
Do Not Use: QOD 5 mg Use Instead: Every other day 5 mg
Trailing zero (X.0 mg)
Decimal point is missed
Write X mg
Do Not Use: 1.0 mg Use Instead: 1 mg
Lack of leading zero (.X mg)
Decimal point is missed
Write 0.X mg
Do Not Use: .5 mg Use Instead: 0.5 mg
MS
Can mean morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate
Write “morphine sulfate” or “magnesium sulfate”
Do Not Use: MS 10 mg Use Instead: Morphine sulfate 10 mg
MSO4 and MgSO4
Confused for one another
Write “morphine sulfate” or “magnesium sulfate“
Do Not Use: MSO4 10 mg Use Instead: Morphine sulfate 10 mg
List of Common Medical and Nursing Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Terminologies
A
Term
Meaning
@
At
A/G
Albumin/Globulin Ratio
AAL
Anterior Axillary Line
AA
Of each, equal parts
ABG
Arterial Blood Gases
ABR
Absolute bed rest
Abd.
Abdomen
AC
Before eating
ACE
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
ACL
Anterior Cruciate Ligament
ACLS
Advanced Cardiac Life Support
ACTH
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
AD
Admitting diagnosis
ADH
Antidiuretic Hormone
ADL
Activities of Daily Living
Adm.
Admission
Ad. Spec.
Admission urine specimen
AGA
Appropriate for Gestational Age
AID
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
AI
Aortic Insufficiency
A.K.A.
Above Knee Amputation
ALD
Alcoholic Liver Disease
ALL
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
ALP
Alkaline Phosphatase
ALT
Alanine Transaminase, Alanine Aminotransferase
A.M. or a.m., AM or am
Morning
Amb.
Ambulation, walking, ambulatory
Amt.
Amount
AP or A.P.
Appendectomy
Approx.
Approximately
APR
Abdominoperineal Resection
ARF
Acute Renal Failure
ASA
Acute Surgical Abdomen
ASF
Anterior Decomposition Spinal Fusion
ATN
Acute Tubular Necrosis
AU
Both Ears
AV
Atrioventricular
Aqua
Water or H2O
B
Abbreviation
Meaning
B/K
Below Knee
B.S.
Bachelor of Science
B&B or b&b
Bowel and Bladder Training
BAT
Blunt Abdominal Trauma
BIH
Bilateral Inguinal Hernia
BKA
Below Knee Amputation
BM
Bowel Movement or Breast Milk
b.m. or B.M.
Bowel Movement, Feces
BP or B.P.
Blood Pressure
BR or br or B.R. or b.r.
Bedrest
BRP or B.R.P. or brp
Bathroom Privileges
BSC or bsc
Bedside Commode
BX
Biopsy
bid or B.I.D. or b.i.d.
Twice a day
C
Term
Meaning
°C
Celsius degree (or centigrade)
c
With
Ca
Cancer
CA
Calcium, Cancer, Carcinoma
CAA
Crystalline Amino Acids
CABG
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
CAD
Coronary Artery Disease
CAPD
Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis
CAT
Computerized Axial Tomography
CBC
Complete Blood Count
CBD
Common Bile Duct
CBDE
Common Bile Duct Exploration
CBG
Capillary Blood Gas
CBI
Continuous Bladder Irrigation
CBS
Capillary Blood Sugar
CC
Chief Complaint
CCK
Cholecystokinin
CCPD
Continuous Cyclic Peritoneal Dialysis
CCU
Clean Catch Urine or Cardiac Care Unit
CCV
Critical Closing Volume
CBR
Complete Bed Rest
C/O
Complaint of
CO2
Carbon Dioxide
CF
Cystic Fibrosis
CHF
Congestive Heart Failure
CHO
Carbohydrate
CI
Cardiac Index
CKD
Chronic Kidney Disease
CLEA
Continuous Lumbar Epidural Anesthesia
CLT
Clinical Laboratory Technician
CML
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
CN
Cranial Nerves
CNS
Central Nervous System
CO
Cardiac Output
COM
Chronic Otitis Media
COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
CP
Chest Pain, Cleft Palate
CPD
Cephalo-Pelvic Disproportion
CPK
Creatinine Phosphokinase
CPP
Cerebral Perfusion Pressure
CPR
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CRCL
Creatinine Clearance
CRF
Chronic Renal Failure
CRT
Capillary Refill Time
CS
Central Supply
CSF
Cerebrospinal Fluid
CSD
Central Service Department
CSR
Central Supply Room
CT
Computerized Tomography
CVA
Cerebral Vascular Accident, Costovertebral Angle
CVP
Central Venous Pressure
D
Abbreviation
Meaning
D3
Distal Third
D5W
5% Dextrose in Water
DAT
Diet as Tolerated
DC or dc
Discontinue
DIC
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy
DIH
Direct Inguinal Hernia
DKA
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
DL
Direct Laryngoscopy
DM
Diabetes Mellitus
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic Acid
DNR
Do Not Resuscitate
DOA
Dead on Arrival
DOE
Dyspnea on Exertion
DPT
Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus
DTR
Deep Tendon Reflexes
DVT
Deep Venous Thrombosis
DX
Diagnosis
del. M. or d.r., or DR
Delivery Room
Disch or dish or D/C
Discharge
D&C
Dilatation and Curettage
drsg.
Dressing
E
Abbreviation
Meaning
EAA
Essential Amino Acids
EBL
Estimated Blood Loss
EBV
Epstein-Barr Virus
ECCE
Extra Capsular Cataract Extraction
ECF
Extracellular Fluid, Extended Care Facility
ECG or EKG
Electrocardiogram
ECT
Electroconvulsive Therapy
EDC
Extensor Digitorum Communis
EDH
Epidural Hematoma
EEA
End-to-End Anastomosis
EEL
Emergency Exploratory Laparotomy
EEG or E.E.G.
Electroencephalogram
EENT or E.E.N.T.
Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat
EFAD
Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency
EGD
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
EMG
Electromyogram
EMV
Eyes, Motor, Verbal Response (Glasgow Coma Scale)
ENT
Ears, Nose, and Throat
EOM
Extraocular Muscles
ER or E.R.
Emergency Room
ERCP
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
ESR
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
ESRD
End-Stage Renal Disease
ET
Endotracheal Tube
ETT
Endotracheal Tube
EUA
Examination Under Anesthesia
F
Abbreviation
Meaning
°F
Fahrenheit degree
F, Fe
Female
FBS or F.B.S.
Fasting Blood Sugar
FBE
Foreign Body Extraction
FCU
Flexor Carpi Ulnaris
FDA
Food & Drug Administration
FDP
Flexor Digitorum Profundus
FDS
Flexor Digitorum Superficialis
FESS
Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
FEV
Forced Expiratory Volume
FFP
Fresh Frozen Plasma
FIA
Fistula in Ano
FNP
Family Nurse Practitioner
FTSG
Full Thickness Skin Grafting
ft
Foot
Fx
Fracture
Fx urine
Fractional urine
FF or F.F.
Forced Feeding or Forced Fluids
G
Abbreviation
Meaning
gal
Gallon
GB
Gallbladder
GC
Gonorrhea
GCS
Glasgow Coma Scale
GERD
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
GETA
General Endotracheal Anesthesia
GFR
Glomerular Filtration Rate
GI or G.I.
Gastrointestinal
gt
One drop
gtt
Two or more drops
GTT or G.T.T.
Glucose Tolerance Test
GU or G.U.
Genitourinary
Gyn. or G.Y.N.
Gynecology
GSW
Gunshot Wound
H
Abbreviation
Meaning
H2O
Water or Aqua
HOB
Head of Bed
hr
Hour
HS or hs
Bedtime or Hour of Sleep
ht
Height
hyper
Above or High
hypo
Below or Low
H.W.B. or hwb or HWB
Hot Water Bottle
HB
Hemoglobin
HBP
High Blood Pressure
HCG
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
HCO3
Bicarbonate
HCT
Hematocrit
HD
Hemodialysis
HDL
High Density Lipoprotein
HEENT
Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat
HPT
Hemoperitoneum
I
Abbreviation
Meaning
I&O or I.&O.
Intake and Output
I&D
Incision & Drainage
IBG
Iliac Bone Graft
ICU or I.C.U.
Intensive Care Unit
ICS
Intercostal Space
IIH
Indirect Inguinal Hernia
IJ
Intrajugular
IOC
Intraoperative Cholangiogram
Irr
Irregular
Isol. or isol
Isolation
IV or I.V.
Intravenous
J
Abbreviation
Meaning
JVD
Jugular Venous Distension
JVP
Jugular Venous Pressure
K
Abbreviation
Meaning
K
Potassium
KUB
Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder
L
Abbreviation
Meaning
L
Liter
Lab. or lab
Laboratory
lb
Pound
LDH
Lactate Dehydrogenase
LE
Lower Extremity
LFT
Liver Function Test
LLQ
Left Lower Quadrant
LOC
Level of Consciousness
LP
Lumbar Puncture
LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse
LUQ
Left Upper Quadrant
LVN or L.V.N.
Licensed Vocational Nurse
M
Abbreviation
Meaning
M
Male
Mat
Maternity
MD or M.D.
Medical Doctor
Meas
Measure
mec
Meconium
med
Medicine
min
Minute
ml
Milliliter
Mn or mn or M/n
Midnight
MCV
Mean Corpuscular Volume
ME
Myocardial Infarction
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MS
Multiple Sclerosis
MSU
Midstream Urine
MT
Medical Technologist
N
Abbreviation
Meaning
N.A. or N/A
Nursing Aide or Nursing Assistant
Na
Sodium
NAD
No Acute Distress
n/g tube or ng. tube or N.G.T.
Nasogastric Tube
noct
At Night
NP
Neuropsychiatric or Nursing Procedure
NPO or N.P.O.
Nothing by Mouth
nsy
Nursery
NICU
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
NKA
No Known Allergies
NS
Normal Saline
NSR
Normal Sinus Rhythm
NTG
Nitroglycerin
N/V
Nausea/Vomiting
O
Abbreviation
Meaning
O2
Oxygen
OB or O.B.
Obstetrics
Obt or obt.
Obtained
OJ or O.J.
Orange Juice
Orb.
Orderly
OOB or O.O.B.
Out of Bed
OPD or O.P.D.
Outpatient Department
OR or O.R.
Operating Room
Ortho
Orthopedics
OT or O.T.
Occupational Therapy or Oral Temperature
oz.
Ounce
P
Abbreviation
Meaning
PAR or P.A.R.
Postanesthesia Room
Pc
After Meals
Ped or Peds
Pediatrics
Per
By, Through
p.m. or P.M., pm or PM
Afternoon
PMC or P.M.C.
Post Mortem Care
PN or P.N.
Pneumonia
po
By Mouth
post or p
After
postop or post op
Postoperative
post op spec
After Surgery Urine Specimen
PP
Postpartum (After Delivery)
PPBS
Postprandial Blood Sugar
pre
Before
prn or p.r.n.
Whenever Necessary, When Required
preop or pre op
Before Surgery
pre op spec
Urine Specimen Before Surgery
prep
Prepare the Patient for Surgery by Shaving the Skin
Pt or pt
Patient; Pint
PT or P.T.
Physical Therapy
Q
Abbreviation
Meaning
q
Every
qd
Every day
qh
Every hour
q2h
Every 2 hours
q3h
Every 3 hours
q4h
Every 4 hours
QHS or qhs
Every night at bedtime/hour of sleep
qid or Q.I.D.
Four times a day
qam or q am or q.a.m.
Every morning
qod or Q.O.D.
Every other day
qs
Quantity sufficient, as much as required
qt
Quart
R
Abbreviation
Meaning
r or R
Rectal
Rm or rm
Room
RN or R.N.
Registered Nurse
Rom or R.O.M.
Range of Motion
RR or R Rm.
Recovery Room
Rx
Prescription or treatment ordered by a physician
S
Abbreviation
Meaning
s or ?
Without
S&A
Sugar and Acetone
S&A test or S.& A. test
Sugar and Acetone Test
S&K or S.& K. test
Sugar and Ketone Test
SOB
Shortness of Breath
sos
Whenever emergency arises; only if necessary
SPD
Special Purchasing Department
T
Abbreviation
Meaning
tid
Three Times a Day
TLC
Tender Loving Care
TPR
Temperature, Pulse, Respiration
U
Abbreviation
Meaning
U/A
Urinalysis
UE
Upper Extremity
URI
Upper Respiratory Infection
UTI
Urinary Tract Infection
V
Abbreviation
Meaning
VDRL
Test for Syphilis
VS or V.S.
Vital Signs
W
Abbreviation
Meaning
WBC
White Blood Count
WOF
Watch out for (precaution)
wt
Weight
XYZ
Abbreviation
Meaning
XR
X-Ray
YTD
Year to Date
Zn
Zinc
These terminologies can vary between different agencies and hospitals. This list serves only as a general reference for nurses. Always consult your hospital manual or institutional guidelines for the most accurate and specific information.
Introduction: My name is Barbera Armstrong, I am a lovely, delightful, cooperative, funny, enchanting, vivacious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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