Adventist Medical Center College

Brgy. San Miguel, Iligan City

School of Nursing

Fundamentals of Nursing
COMMONLY USED ABBREVIATIONS

A Before (ante)
Aa Of each
AA Alcoholic Anonymous
Ab Abortion
Abd Abdomen
ABG Arterial Blood Gas
ABO The main blood group system
ABP Arterial blood pressure
ac Before meal (ante cebum)
ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support
AD Right ear
ADA American Diabetic Association
ADH Antidiuretic hormone
ADHD Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADL Activities of Daily Living
Ad lib Freely, as desired
Adm Admission /admitted
AIDS Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
AKA Above-the-knee amputation
Alb. Albumin
Alc alcohol
Alt. alternate
ALT alanine transaminase
AM or am Morning
AMA Against Medical Advice
Amb ambulatory
AMI Acute Myocardial Infarction
Amp Ampule
amt. Amount
Angio Angiogram
ANS Autonomic Nervous System
Ant. Anterior
ANST After negative skin testing
AP Antero-posterior
APC Aspirin – Phenacetin - Caffiene
APGAR Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration
Approx. approximately
Appt. appointment
Appy. Appendectomy
Aq. Water (aqueous)
ARDS Acute respiratory disease syndrome
Art. Artery
AS (Auris sinistra) left ear
as tol As tolerated
ASA acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
ASAP As soon as possible
ASD Atrial septal defect
ASHD Atherosclerotic Heart Disease
A.T. Activity Therapy
ATP Adenosine triphosphate
au auris utraque. Both ears Both ears
AV Atrioventricular
AWOL Absent without leave
Ax axilla
BBB Blood Brain Barrier/ Bundle Branch Block
BCG Bacille Calmette Guerin.
BCLS Basic cardiac life support
BE Barium Enema
B.I.D Twice a day
BKA Below the knee amputation
blad Bladder
BM Bowel movement
BMR Basal metabolic rate
BP Blood Pressure
BPH Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
bpm Beats per minute or breaths per minute
BRP Bathroom privileges
BS Blood sugar
bs Bowel sounds
BSA Body surface area
BSE Breast self-examination
BUN Blood urea nitrogen
BW Birth weight
bw Body weakness
bx Behavior
C Centigrade/Celsius
c With
Ca or Calc. Calcium
CA Cancer
CABG Coronary Artery Bypass and Graft
CAD Coronary Artery disease
Cal Calorie
Cap Capsule
CAT scan or CT scan Computerized Axial Tomography.
CBC Complete blood count
CBG Capillary Blood glucose
CC Chief complaints
cc Cubic centimeter
CHD Coronary heart Disease
CHF Congestive Heart Failure
CHO Carbohydrates
Chol Cholesterol
CK Creatinine Kinase
Cl Chloride
clav clavicle
cm Centimeter
CNS Central Nervous System
CO Carbon monoxide
CO2 Carbon dioxide
COLD Chronic obstructive lung disease
comf comfortable
Comp Compound
conc Concentrate
cons. Consultation
cont. continued
contrib. Contributory
COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
COR o Acute Heart Stoppage
CP Cerebral Palsy
CPAP Continuous Airway Pressure
cpd Compound
CPD Continuous Peritoneal Dialysis
CPK Creatinine Phosphokinase
CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Cran cranial
CRP C-Reactive Protein
CS Culture and Sensitivity
Cesarean Section
CSF Cerebrospinal Fluid
CTD Connective Tissue Disease
CVA Cerebrovascular Accident (stroke)
CVC Central Venous Catheter
CVP Central Venous Pressure
DAT Diet as Tolerated
dc Discontinue
D/C Discharge
D&C Dilatation and Curettage
DD Date Dictated
decr decreased
Defib. Defibrillation
depr Depressed
Diff Differential
Dil Dilute
dis Disease
dist distal
dk Drunk
dL deciliter
DM Diabetes Mellitus
DNAR Do not attempt resuscitation
DNR Deoxyribonucleic Acid
DOA Dead on Arrival
DOB Difficulty of Breathing (Respiration)
Date of Birth (vital info)
DOE Dyspnea on exertion
DPT Diphtheria, Pertussis, tetanus
dr Dram
Dr Doctor
DS Discharge Summary
DTR Deep tendon reflex
DVT Deep vein thrombosis
Dx Diagnosis
D5W Dextrose 5% in Water
ECF Extracellular fluid
ECG or EKG Electrocardiogram
ECT Electroconvulsive therapy
ED Emergency Department
EDC Estimated Date of Confinement
EEG Electroencephalogram
EENT Eyes, Ears, Nose, & Throat
Elev. Elevate
EMD Electromechanical Dissociation
EOM Extraoccular muscles (movement)
EPS Extra Pyramidal syndrome
ER Emergency Room
ESR Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
ESRD End-Stage Renal Disease
EST Electric Shock Treatment
ET Endotracheal Tube
ext. External
Extr. Extremity
F Fahrenheit
f Female
FBD Fibrocystic Breast Disease
FBS Fasting Blood Sugar
FDA Food and Drug Administration
Fe Iron / Ferrous
FFP Fresh Frozen Plasma
FHR Fetal Heart Rate
FHT Fetal Heart Tone
fl Fluid
FSH Follicle-stimulating Hormone
ft Feet or foot
f/u or ff Follow-up
FUO Fever of unknown Origin
Fx fracture
g or gm Gram
GB Gall Bladder
GCS Glasgow Coma Scale
GDM Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Gen General
GERD Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease
GFR Glomerular Filtration Rate
GH Growth Hormone
GI Gastrointestinal
Gluc glucose
gr Grain
GSW Gunshot wound
GTT Glucose Tolerance Test
gtts Drops
GU Genitourinary
GYN Gynecology
H+ Hydrogen ion
hr Hour
HA Headache
HAV Hepatitis A virus
HBV Hepatitis B virus
HCG Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
HCO3 Bicarbonate
Hct Hematocrit
HCV Hepatitis C virus
Hd Head
HDL High density lipoprotein or "good" cholesterol
HELLP Hemodialysis elevated liver enzymes lowered platelets
hern herniated
Hgb Hemoglobin
HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus
H2O Water
H2O2 Hydrogen peroxide
HR Heart Rate
HS Hour of Sleep
HSV Herpes simplex virus
ht Height
HTN hypertension
Hx / hx History
hyst Hysterectomy
I&D Incision and Drainage
I&O Intake and Output
I.C. Initial contact
ICF Intracellular fluid
ICP Intracranial Pressure
ICU Intensive Care unit
id In diem (during the day)
ID Intradermal
IDDM Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
Ig Immunoglobulin
IM Intramuscular
int Internal
IOP Intraocular pressure
IPPB Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing
IQ Intelligent Quotient
irreg irregular
IU International Unit
IUCD Intrauterine contraceptive device
IUFD Intrauterine fetal death
IV Intravenous
IVF Intravenous fluid
IVP Intravenous pyelogram
IVPB Intravenous piggyback
j Joule
JP Jackson-Pratt
JRA Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
JVD Jugular vein distention
Kcal Kilocalorie (food calorie)
K Potassium
KCL Potassium Chloride
kg Kilogram
KSS Keep set sterile
KUB Kidney ureter bladder
KVO Keep vein open
l Liter
lab Laboratory
lac Laceration
LAD Left anterior descending
lap Laparotomy or Laparoscopy
lat Lateral
lb Pound (weight)
LBBB Left bundle branch block
LBM Loose Bowel Movement
LBW Low birth weight
LDL Low density lipoprotein (“bad” cholesterol)
LFT Liver function Test
LIH Left inguinal hernia
LE Lower extremity
LGA Large for gestational age
LH Luteinizing Hormone
liq Liquid
LLL Left lower lobe
LLQ Left lower quadrant
LMP Last menstrual period
LNMP Last normal menstrual period
LOA Leave of Absence
LOC Level of consciousness
LP Lumbar puncture
L.P.N. Licensed Practical Nurse
LR Lactated Ringer
LUQ Left upper quadrant
LV Left ventricle
Lymphs Lymphocytes
MAO Monoamine Oxidase
M.D. Medical Doctor
MAP Mean Arterial Pressure
max Maximum
MCH Mean corpuscular hemoglobin
mcg Microgram
MCV Mean corpuscular volume
MDI Metered-dose inhaler
med Medical
meds Medications
mEq/l Milliequivalent per liter
mg Milligram
MG Myasthenia Gravis
MI Myocardial Infarction (heart attack)
ml Milliliter
mm Millimeter
MMR Measles mumps Rubella (vaccine)
mod Moderate
MR Mental Retardation
MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MS Multiple sclerosis
Morphine Sulfate

N Nitrogen
Normal (strength of solution)
Na Sodium
NA Not available
NaCl Sodium chloride
NIDDM Non-Insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus
No. Number
Noct. Night
Norm. Normal
NPO Nothing by mouth (Nil per os, Latin)
NSS Normal Saline Solution
NST Non-stress Test
NSVD Normal Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery
nullip Nulliparous (no pregnancies)
O2 oxygen
OD Right eye
 Once a day
od Over dose
OB Obstetrics
OOB Out of Bed
OPD Out Patient Department
OR Operating Room
OS Left eye
O.T. Occupational Therapy
OU Both eyes
oz Ounce
p After
pc After meal (Post cebum)
PACU Post Anesthetic Care Unit
PCA Patient-Controlled Analgesia/anesthesia
PDA Patent Ductus Arteriosus
P.E. Physical Examination
per By or thought
PERRLA Pupil Equally Round and Reactive to Light and Accommodation
Prep Preparation
PEEP Positive Expiratory End Pressure
Periop Preoperative
pH Measure of acididty or alkalinity
PICU Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
PID Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
PIH Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (Eclampsia or Preeclampsia)
PKU Phenylketonuria
pm Afternoon (post meridian)
PMH Past Medical History
PMS Premenstrual syndrome
PMI Post Maximal Impulse
PN Progress note
PND Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea
pneu Pneumonia
PO / p.o Orally (per os)/ by mouth
PO4 Phosphate
Pos Positive
post Posterior
Post-op Post-operative
PPD Purified Protein Derivative
PPN Partial Parenteral Nutrition
PPO2 Positive Pressure Oxygen
PQRST Provoke, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Time (Pain scale)
PRN As needed
prox Proximal
psi Per square inch
PSVT Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia
PT Prothrombin Time
Pregnancy Test
Physical Therapy
pt Patient
PTT Partial Thromboplastin Time
PVC Premature Ventricular Contraction
pwd powder
PWD Person with deformity
q Every
QA Quality Assurance
QD Everyday
qh Every hour
Q2h Every two hours
QID Four times a day
R Right
® Refuse
RAI Radio Active Iodine
RAIU Radio Active Iodine Uptake
RA Right Atrium
Rheumatoid Arthritis
RBBB Right Bundle Branch Block
RBC Red Blood Cell
RCA Right Coronary Artery
RDA Recommended Dietary/Daily Allowance
RF Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatoid Factor
Rh Antigen on blood cell indicated by +/-
RICE Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate
RIH Right Inguinal Hernia
RLL Right Lower Lobe of the Lung
RLQ Right Lower Quadrant
RML Right Middle Lobe of the Lung
RN Registered Nurse
RNA Ribonucleic Acid
R/O Rule out
ROM Range Of Motion
RR Respiratory rate
R/T Related to
RT / rt Right
RUL Right Upper Lobe of the Lung
RUQ Right Upper Quadrant
s Without
SA Sinoatrial
SaO2 Arterial Blood Gas – Oxygen Saturation
SBE Sub-acute Bacterial Endocarditis
SC Subcutaneous
S/E Stool Examination
Sed rate Sedimentary rate
SGOT Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase, usually called AST, which stands for
Aspartate Aminotransferase.
SGPT Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase
SIADH Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone
SIDS Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
sig (sibna) to write on label
Sl Sublingual
SLE Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
SO4 Sufate
SOB Shortness Of Breath
Sol Solution
SOAPE Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan, Evaluation
Spec Specimen
sp. gr Specific gravity
SQ Subcutaneous
SS Soap suds
SR Sinus Rhythm
ST Sinus Tachycardia
Staph Staphylococcus
STAT Immediately
STD Sexually Transmitted Disease
STREP Streptococcus
Sv Stroke volume
SVR Systemic Vascular Resistance
Sx Symptoms
Syr Syrup
T Temperature
T3 Triiodothyronine
T4 Thyroxine
tab Tablet
TAH Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
TAHBSO Total Abdominal Hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy.
Tbsp. Tablespoon
T&A Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy
TB or PTB Tuberculosis or Pulmonary Tuberculosis
TENS Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
TIA Transient Ischemic Attack
TID Three (3) times a day
TLC Tender Loving Care
TM Tympanic Membrane
Treadmill
TMJ Temporo Mandibular Joint
TO Telephone Order
TP Treatment Plan
TPA Tissue Plasminogen Activator
TPN Total Parenteral Nutrition
TPR Temperature, Pulse, Respiration
Tr Tincture
tsp Teaspoon
TSE Testicular Self-Examination
TSH Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
TURP Transurethral Resection Prostatectomy
TVH Total Vaginal Hysterectomy
Tx Treatment
u Unit
U/A Urinalysis
U.O. Urine Output
URTI Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
UTZ/US Ultrasound
UTI Urinary Tract Infection
UVR Ultraviolet Rays
vag Vaginal
VC Vital capacity
VD Venereal Disease
VDRL Venereal Disease Research Laboratory
VF/VFib Ventricular Fibrillation
VO Verbal Order
VS/vs/V/S Vital signs
VSD Ventricular Septal Defect
VT Ventricular Tachycardia
w/ with
WBC White Blood Cell
WHO World Health Organization
wk Week
WNL Within Normal Limits
wt Weight
x Times
x-ray Radiology
y/o Year old
yrs years

Signature:

RN Registered Nurse

LVN Licensed Vocational Nurse

LPN Licensed Practical Nurse

NA Nursing Assistant

NS Nursing Student

PCA Patient Care Associate

SN Student Nurse

Note;
Do not misuse the abbreviations if it is not related to the
concept to avoid misconception.

References:

Kozier & Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing, Concepts, Process, and Practice, 10 th Edition, Beermen, A., et. al