Adventist Medical Center College

Brgy. San Miguel, Iligan City

School of Nursing

Fundamentals of Nursing
COMMONLY USED ABBREVIATIONS
A Before (ante) ASD Atrial septal defect
Aa Of each ASHD Atherosclerotic Heart Disease
AA Alcoholic Anonymous A.T. Activity Therapy
Ab Abortion ATP Adenosine triphosphate
Abd Abdomen au auris utraque. Both ears Both ears
ABG Arterial Blood Gas AV Atrioventricular
ABO The main blood group system AWOL Absent without leave
ABP Arterial blood pressure Ax axilla
ac Before meal (ante cebum) BBB Blood Brain Barrier/ Bundle Branch
ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support Block
AD Right ear BCG Bacille Calmette Guerin.
ADA American Diabetic Association BCLS Basic cardiac life support
ADH Antidiuretic hormone BE Barium Enema
ADHD Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity B.I.D Twice a day
Disorder BKA Below the knee amputation
ADL Activities of Daily Living blad Bladder
Ad lib Freely, as desired BM Bowel movement
Adm Admission /admitted BMI Body Mass Index
AIDS Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome BMR Basal metabolic rate
AKA Above-the-knee amputation BP Blood Pressure
Alb. Albumin BPH Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Alc alcohol bpm Beats per minute or breaths per
Alt. alternate minute
ALT alanine transaminase BRP Bathroom privileges
AM or am Morning BS Blood sugar
AMA Against Medical Advice bs Bowel sounds
Amb ambulatory BSA Body surface area
AMI Acute Myocardial Infarction BSE Breast self-examination
Amp Ampule BUN Blood urea nitrogen
amt. Amount BW Birth weight
Angio Angiogram bw Body weakness
ANS Autonomic Nervous System bx Behavior
Ant. Anterior C Centigrade/Celsius
ANST After negative skin testing c With
AP Antero-posterior Ca or Calc. Calcium
APC Aspirin – Phenacetin - Caffiene CA Cancer
APGAR Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, CABG Coronary Artery Bypass and Graft
Activity, and Respiration CAD Coronary Artery disease
Approx. approximately Cal Calorie
Appt. appointment Cap Capsule
Appy. Appendectomy CAT scan Computerized Axial Tomography.
Aq. Water (aqueous) or CT scan
ARDS Acute respiratory disease syndrome CBC Complete blood count
Art. Artery CBG Capillary Blood glucose
AS (Auris sinistra) left ear CC Chief complaints
as tol As tolerated cc Cubic centimeter
ASA acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) CHD Coronary heart Disease
ASAP As soon as possible CHF Congestive Heart Failure
CHO Carbohydrates
Chol Cholesterol
CK Creatinine Kinase Dr Doctor
Cl Chloride DS Discharge Summary
clav clavicle DTR Deep tendon reflex
cm Centimeter DVT Deep vein thrombosis
CNS Central Nervous System Dx Diagnosis
CO Carbon monoxide D5W Dextrose 5% in Water
CO2 Carbon dioxide ECF Extracellular fluid
COLD Chronic obstructive lung disease ECG or Electrocardiogram
comf comfortable EKG
Comp Compound ECT Electroconvulsive therapy
conc Concentrate ED Emergency Department
cons. Consultation EDC Estimated Date of Confinement
cont. continued EEG Electroencephalogram
contrib. Contributory EENT Eyes, Ears, Nose, & Throat
COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Elev. Elevate
Disease EMD Electromechanical Dissociation
Cor Coronary (the heart) EOM Extraoccular muscles (movement)
COR o Acute Heart Stoppage EPS Extra Pyramidal syndrome
CP Cerebral Palsy ER Emergency Room
CPAP Continuous Airway Pressure ESR Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
cpd Compound ESRD End-Stage Renal Disease
CPD Continuous Peritoneal Dialysis EST Electric Shock Treatment
CPK Creatinine Phosphokinase ET Endotracheal Tube
CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ext. External
Cran cranial Extr. Extremity
CRP C-Reactive Protein F Fahrenheit
CS Culture and Sensitivity f Female
Cesarean Section FBD Fibrocystic Breast Disease
CSF Cerebrospinal Fluid FBS Fasting Blood Sugar
CTD Connective Tissue Disease FDA Food and Drug Administration
CVA Cerebrovascular Accident (stroke) Fe Iron / Ferrous
CVC Central Venous Catheter FFP Fresh Frozen Plasma
CVP Central Venous Pressure FHR Fetal Heart Rate
DAT Diet as Tolerated FHT Fetal Heart Tone
dc Discontinue fl Fluid
D/C Discharge FSH Follicle-stimulating Hormone
D&C Dilatation and Curettage ft Feet or foot
DD Date Dictated f/u or ff Follow-up
decr decreased FUO Fever of unknown Origin
Defib. Defibrillation Fx fracture
depr Depressed g or gm Gram
Diff Differential GB Gall Bladder
Dil Dilute GCS Glasgow Coma Scale
dis Disease GDM Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
dist distal Gen General
dk Drunk GERD Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease
dL deciliter GFR Glomerular Filtration Rate
DM Diabetes Mellitus GH Growth Hormone
DNAR Do not attempt resuscitation GI Gastrointestinal
DNR Deoxyribonucleic Acid Gluc glucose
DOA Dead on Arrival gr Grain
DOB Difficulty of Breathing (Respiration) GSW Gunshot wound
Date of Birth (vital info) GTT Glucose Tolerance Test
DOE Dyspnea on exertion gtts Drops
DPT Diphtheria, Pertussis, tetanus GU Genitourinary
dr Dram GYN Gynecology
H+ Hydrogen ion K Potassium
hr Hour KCL Potassium Chloride
HA Headache kg Kilogram
HAV Hepatitis A virus KSS Keep set sterile
HbA1C Glycosylated hemoglobin KUB Kidney ureter bladder
HBV Hepatitis B virus KVO Keep vein open
HCG Human Chorionic Gonadotropin l Liter
HCO3 Bicarbonate lab Laboratory
Hct Hematocrit lac Laceration
HCV Hepatitis C virus LAD Left anterior descending
Hd Head lap Laparotomy or Laparoscopy
HDL High density lipoprotein or "good" lat Lateral
cholesterol lb Pound (weight)
HELLP Hemodialysis elevated liver enzymes LBBB Left bundle branch block
lowered platelets LBM Loose Bowel Movement
hern herniated LBW Low birth weight
Hgb Hemoglobin LDL Low density lipoprotein (“bad”
HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus cholesterol)
H2O Water LFT Liver function Test
H2O2 Hydrogen peroxide LIH Left inguinal hernia
HR Heart Rate LE Lower extremity
HS Hour of Sleep LGA Large for gestational age
HSV Herpes simplex virus LH Luteinizing Hormone
ht Height liq Liquid
HTN hypertension LLL Left lower lobe
Hx / hx History LLQ Left lower quadrant
hyst Hysterectomy LMP Last menstrual period
I&D Incision and Drainage LNMP Last normal menstrual period
I&O Intake and Output LOA Leave of Absence
I.C. Initial contact LOC Level of consciousness
ICF Intracellular fluid LP Lumbar puncture
ICP Intracranial Pressure L.P.N. Licensed Practical Nurse
ICU Intensive Care unit LR Lactated Ringer
id In diem (during the day) LUQ Left upper quadrant
ID Intradermal LV Left ventricle
IDDM Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus Lymphs Lymphocytes
Ig Immunoglobulin MAO Monoamine Oxidase
IM Intramuscular M.D. Medical Doctor
int Internal MAP Mean Arterial Pressure
IOP Intraocular pressure max Maximum
IPPB Intermittent Positive Pressure MCH Mean corpuscular hemoglobin
Breathing mcg Microgram
IQ Intelligent Quotient MCV Mean corpuscular volume
irreg irregular MDI Metered-dose inhaler
IU International Unit med Medical
IUCD Intrauterine contraceptive device meds Medications
IUFD Intrauterine fetal death mEq/l Milliequivalent per liter
IV Intravenous mg Milligram
IVF Intravenous fluid MG Myasthenia Gravis
IVP Intravenous pyelogram MI Myocardial Infarction (heart attack)
IVPB Intravenous piggyback ml Milliliter
j Joule mm Millimeter
JP Jackson-Pratt MMR Measles mumps Rubella (vaccine)
JRA Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis mod Moderate
JVD Jugular vein distention MR Mental Retardation
Kcal Kilocalorie (food calorie) MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MS Multiple sclerosis Morphine Sulfate
 Pos Positive
N Nitrogen post Posterior
Normal (strength of solution) Post-op Post-operative
Na Sodium PPD Purified Protein Derivative
NA Not available PPN Partial Parenteral Nutrition
NaCl Sodium chloride PPO2 Positive Pressure Oxygen
NIDDM Non-Insulin dependent Diabetes PQRST Provoke, Quality, Radiation, Severity,
Mellitus Time (Pain scale)
No. Number PRN As needed
Noct. Night prox Proximal
Norm. Normal psi Per square inch
NPO Nothing by mouth (Nil per os, Latin) PSVT Paroxysmal Supraventricular
NSS Normal Saline Solution Tachycardia
NST Non-stress Test PT Prothrombin Time
NSVD Normal Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery Pregnancy Test
nullip Nulliparous (no pregnancies) Physical Therapy
O2 oxygen pt Patient
OD Right eye PTT Partial Thromboplastin Time
Once a day PVC Premature Ventricular Contraction
od Over dose pwd powder
OB Obstetrics PWD Person with deformity
OOB Out of Bed q Every
OPD Out Patient Department QA Quality Assurance
OR Operating Room QD Everyday
OS Left eye qh Every hour
O.T. Occupational Therapy Q2h Every two hours
OU Both eyes QID Four times a day
oz Ounce R Right
p After ® Refuse
pc After meal (Post cebum) RAI Radio Active Iodine
PACU Post Anesthetic Care Unit RAIU Radio Active Iodine Uptake
PCA Patient-Controlled RA Right Atrium
Analgesia/anesthesia Rheumatoid Arthritis
PDA Patent Ductus Arteriosus RBBB Right Bundle Branch Block
P.E. Physical Examination RBC Red Blood Cell
per By or thought RCA Right Coronary Artery
PERRLA Pupil Equally Round and Reactive to RDA Recommended Dietary/Daily
Light and Accommodation Allowance
Prep Preparation RF Rheumatic Fever
PEEP Positive Expiratory End Pressure Rheumatoid Factor
Periop Preoperative Rh Antigen on blood cell indicated by +/-
pH Measure of acididty or alkalinity RICE Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate
PICU Pediatric Intensive Care Unit RIH Right Inguinal Hernia
PID Pelvic Inflammatory Disease RLL Right Lower Lobe of the Lung
PIH Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension RLQ Right Lower Quadrant
(Eclampsia or Preeclampsia) RML Right Middle Lobe of the Lung
PKU Phenylketonuria RN Registered Nurse
pm Afternoon (post meridian) RNA Ribonucleic Acid
PMH Past Medical History R/O Rule out
PMS Premenstrual syndrome ROM Range Of Motion
PMI Post Maximal Impulse ROS Review of System
PN Progress note RR Respiratory rate
PND Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea R/T Related to
pneu Pneumonia RT / rt Right
PO / p.o Orally (per os)/ by mouth RUL Right Upper Lobe of the Lung
PO4 Phosphate RUQ Right Upper Quadrant
s Without TO Telephone Order
SA Sinoatrial TP Treatment Plan
SaO2 Arterial Blood Gas – Oxygen Saturation TPA Tissue Plasminogen Activator
SBE Sub-acute Bacterial Endocarditis TPN Total Parenteral Nutrition
SC Subcutaneous TPR Temperature, Pulse, Respiration
S/E Stool Examination Tr Tincture
Sed rate Sedimentary rate tsp Teaspoon
SGOT Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic TSE Testicular Self-Examination
Transaminase, usually called AST, TSH Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
which stands for Aspartate TURP Transurethral Resection Prostatectomy
Aminotransferase. TVH Total Vaginal Hysterectomy
SGPT Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase Tx Treatment
SIADH Syndrome of Inappropriate u Unit
Antidiuretic Hormone U/A Urinalysis
SIDS Sudden Infant Death Syndrome U.O. Urine Output
sig (sibna) to write on label URTI Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Sl Sublingual UTZ/US Ultrasound
SLE Systemic Lupus Erythematosus UTI Urinary Tract Infection
SO4 Sufate UVR Ultraviolet Rays
SOB Shortness Of Breath vag Vaginal
Sol Solution VC Vital capacity
SOAPE Subjective, Objective, Assessment, VD Venereal Disease
Plan, Evaluation VDRL Venereal Disease Research Laboratory
Spec Specimen VF/VFib Ventricular Fibrillation
sp. gr Specific gravity VO Verbal Order
SQ Subcutaneous VS/vs/V/S Vital signs
SS Soap suds VSD Ventricular Septal Defect
SR Sinus Rhythm VT Ventricular Tachycardia
ST Sinus Tachycardia w/ with
Staph Staphylococcus WBC White Blood Cell
STAT Immediately WHO World Health Organization
STD Sexually Transmitted Disease wk Week
STREP Streptococcus WNL Within Normal Limits
Sv Stroke volume wt Weight
SVR Systemic Vascular Resistance x Times
Sx Symptoms x-ray Radiology
Syr Syrup y/o Year old
T Temperature yrs years
T3 Triiodothyronine
T4 Thyroxine
tab Tablet Signature:
TAH Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
TAHBSO Total Abdominal Hysterectomy with RN Registered Nurse
Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy. LVN Licensed Vocational Nurse
Tbsp. Tablespoon LPN Licensed Practical Nurse
T&A Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy NA Nursing Assistant
TB or PTB Tuberculosis or Pulmonary NS Nursing Student
Tuberculosis
PCA Patient Care Associate
TENS Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve
SN Student Nurse
Stimulation
TIA Transient Ischemic Attack
TID Three (3) times a day Note: Do not misuse the abbreviations if
TLC Tender Loving Care it is not related to the concept to avoid
TM Tympanic Membrane
Treadmill
misconception.
TMJ Temporo Mandibular Joint
References:
Kozier & Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing, Concepts, Process, and Practice, 10 th Edition,
Beermen, A., et. al