COMMON MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS LLQ: Left lower quadrant

LUQ: Left upper quadrant

ALL: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
AMI: Acute myocardial infarction Na: Sodium.
FSH: Follicle-stimulating hormone NCP: Nursing care plan
IBS: irritable bowel syndrome NPO: Nothing by mouth
IDDM: Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus O.D.: Right eye.
SIDS: sudden infant death syndrome O.S.: Left eye.
TSH: Thyroid-stimulating hormone. O.U.: Both eyes.
a.c.: Before meals. As in taking medicine before ORIF: Open reduction and internal fixation
meals. p.o.: By mouth.
a/g ratio: Albumin to globulin ratio. p.r.n.: As needed.
ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder PERRLA: Pupils equal, round, and reactive to
AKA: Above the knee amputation. light and accommodation.
Anuric: Not producing urine. PMS: Premenstrual syndrome
ADH: Antidiuretic hormone PTH: Parathyroid hormone
ARDS: Acute respiratory distress syndrome. PTSD: Post-traumatic stress syndrome
ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure PUD: Peptic ulcer disease.
ASCVD: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease q.i.d.: Four times daily. 
b.i.d.: Twice daily. As in taking medicine twice RA: Rheumatoid arthritis. 
daily. RDS: Respiratory distress syndrome
bld: Blood. R/O: Rule out.
BKA: Below the knee amputation. RLQ: Right lower quadrant. 
C&S: Culture and sensitivity RUQ: Right upper quadrant.
Ca: Cancer; carcinoma s/p: Status post
CABG. Coronary artery bypass graft SAD: Season affective disorder.
CC: Chief complaint.  SOB: Shortness of breath.
CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. SQ: Subcutaneous.
COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. T&A: Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
CVA: Cerebrovascular accident (Stroke). UA or u/a: Urinalysis.
D/C or DC: Discontinue or discharge. URI: Upper respiratory infection, 
DM: Diabetes mellitus AAA: abdominal aortic aneurysm
DNC, D&C, or D and C: Dilation and curettage.  ACE inhibitors: angiotensin converting enzyme
DNR: Do not resuscitate.  ADD: attention deficit disorder
DOE: Dyspnea on exertion ADLs: activities of daily living
DVT: Deep venous thrombosis  AED: automated external defibrillator
ECT: Electroconclusive therapy. AIDS: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
FX: Fracture. AKI: acute kidney injury
gtt: Drops. ALP: alkaline phosphatase
h.s.: At bedtime aPTT: activated partial thromboplastin time
I&D: Incision and drainage. ARB: angiotensin receptor blockers
IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. ARF: acute respiratory failure
ICU: Intensive care unit.  AST: aspartate aminotransferase
IM: Intramuscular. BG: blood glucose
in vitro: In the laboratory bid: two times a day
in vivo: In the body BiPAP: bilevel positive airway pressure
K: Potassium. BMP: basic metabolic panel
KCL: Potassium chloride. BNP: brain natriuretic peptide
BP: blood pressure
BPH: benign prostate hyperplasia
BPM: beats per minute
BS: blood sugar
BUN: blood urea nitrogen
CAD: coronary artery disease
CBC: complete blood count
CK (CPK-MB): creatine kinase
CKD: chronic kidney disease
CHF: congestive heart failure
Cl: chloride
CMP: complete metabolic panel
CN: cranial nerves
CO2: carbon dioxide
CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Cr: creatinine
CRE: carbapenem resistant enterobacteriaceae
CSF: cerebral spinal fluid
CT: computed tomography (CT scan)
CV: cardiovascular
CVA: cerebral vascular accident
CVD: cerebral vascular disease
CVAD: central venous access device
CVP: central venous pressure
D5W: 5% dextrose in water
DAR: data, action, response
DI: diabetes insipidus
DM: diabetes mellitus
DTRs: deep tendon reflexes
DKA: diabetic ketone acidosis
DVT: deep vein thrombosis
EBP: evidence based practice
ECG or EKG: electrocardiography
ENT: ear nose throat
EOM: extraocular muscles
EPS: extrapyramidal symptoms
ESRD: end-stage renal disease
ET: endotracheal tube
F&E: fluids & electrolytes
FVD: fluid volume deficient
FVO: fluid volume overload
GERD: gastroesophageal reflux disease
GI: gastrointestinal
HCO3: bicarbonate
HCP: healthcare provider
Hct: hemotocrit
HCTZ: hydrochlorothiazide
HF: heart failure
Hgb: hemoglobin
H&H: hemoglobin and hematocrit
HHS: hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state
HIV: human immunodeficiency virus
h/o: history of
HR: heart rate
ICP: intracranial pressure
ICU: intensive care unit
INR: international normalized ratio
I&O: intake and output
IV: intravenous
IVP: intravenous push
IVPB: intravenous piggyback
JVD: jugular vein distention
K: potassium
KCl: potassium chloride
KVO: keep vein open
LAD: left anterior descending
LOC: level of consciousness
LPN: licensed practical nurse
LR: lactated ringers
LVEF: Left ventricular ejection fraction
LVN: licensed vocational nurse
MAOI: monoamine oxidase inhibitor
MAR: medication administration record
mcg: micrograms
mg: magnesium
mg: milligrams
MI: myocardial infarction
mL: milliliters
MOA: mechanism of action
MRA: magnetic resonance angiography
MRI: magnetic resonance imaging
MRSA: methicillin resistant staphylococcus
aureus
MVA: motor vehicle accident
Na: sodium
NAD: no appreciable disease
NG: nasogastric
NMS: neuroleptic malignant syndrome
NP: nurse practitioner
NPA: nurse practice act
NS: normal saline
NSAID: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NSR: normal sinus rhythm
OA: osteoarthritis
OR: operating room
OT: occupational therapy
OTC: over the counter UAP: unlicensed assistive personnel
PAD: peripheral arterial disease UA & CS: urinalysis and culture & sensitivity
PaO2: partial arterial oxygen UC: ulcerative colitis
PCI: percutaneous coronary intervention UO: urine output
PCTA: percutaneous transluminal coronary UTI: urinary tract infection
angioplasty VRE: vancomycin resistant enterococci
PET: positron emission tomography VS: vital signs
PCA: patient-controlled analgesia WBC: white blood cell
PPD: purified protein derivative y/o: year old
PPE: personal protective equipment NO KNOW DRUG ALLERGIES- NKDA
PPI: proton pump inhibitors DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISEASE- DJD
PPN: partial parenteral nutrition DILATATION AND EVACUATION- DE
PO: by mouth MANUAL VACUUM ASPIRATION- MVA
PSA: prostate-specific antigen PRODUCT OF CONCEPTION- POC
PT: prothrombin time POST ABORTAL CARE- PAC
PT: physical therapy DC- DILATATION AND CURRETAGE
PTH: parathyroid hormone RN- REGISTERED NURSE
PTT: partial thromboplastin time NCLEX- National Council Licensure Examination
PUD: peptic ulcer disease [for] Registered Nurses
PVC: pre-ventricular contraction
RA: rheumatoid arthritis
RAI: radioactive iodine
RBC: red blood cell
ROM: range of motion
RR: respirations
RT: respiratory therapy
SBAR: situation background assessment
recommendation
SpO2 or O2: oxygen saturation with pulse
oximeter
SCD: sequential compression device
SG: specific gravity
SIADH: syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic
hormone
SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus
SOAP: subjective, objective, assessment, plan
S&S: signs and symptoms
ST: speech therapy
STI: sexually transmitted infection
SVT: supraventricular tachycardia
TB: tuberculosis
TBI: traumatic brain injury
TF: tube feeding
TIA: transient ischemic attack
TPN: total parenteral nutrition
Tx: treatment
UABCI: unconscious, airway, breathing,
circulation, infection