- a – before
- A&E – accident and emergency
- AAMI – age-associated memory impairment
- AB – abortion
- Ab – antibody
- ABCDE – airway and cervical spine, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure
- Abd abdomen/abdominal
- ABG – arterial blood gas
- ABP – acute bacterial prostatitis
- ABT – antibiotic therapy
- AC – Adriamycin and Cytoxan
- Ac – before meals ( ante cibum)
- ACE – all-cotton elastic
- ACE – angiotensin-converting enzyme
- ACLS – Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- ACTH – adrenocorticotrophic hormone
- AD – advance directive
- AD – right ear (auricular dexter)
- ad lib – as desired
- ADA – American Diabetes Association
- ADAMHA – Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration
- ADC – AIDS dementia complex
- ADH – antidiuretic hormone
- ADL – activities of daily living
- AEA – above-the-elbow amputation
- AEB – as evidenced by
- AED – automated external defibrillator
- AFP – alpha-fetoprotein
- Ag – antigen
- AGA – appropriate for gestational age
- AHF – antihaemophilic factor
- AHG – antihaemophilic globulin
- AI – adequate intake
- AICD – automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
- AIDS – Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
- AIH – artificial insemination
- AKA – Above knee amputation
- ALL – acute lymphocytic leukaemia
- ALS – amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- ALT – alanineaspartate aminotransferase
- am – before noon( ante meridian)
- AMA – against medical advice
- Amb – Ambulatory, able to walk
- AML – acute myelogenous leukemia
- Amt – amount
- Angio – angiogram
- ANP – atrial natriuretic peptide
- AP – apical pulse; assault precautions; anterior-posterior
- AP – appendectomy
- APGAR – A appearance (color) P pulse (heart rate) G grimace (irritability) A activity (muscle tone) R respiratory effort
- APH – antepartum haemorrhage
- APIE – assessment, plan, intervention, evaluation
- APTT – activated partial thromboplastin time
- aq – water
- A-R – apical – radial (pulse)
- ARC – American Red Cross
- ARDD – alcohol-related developmental disability
- ARDS – adult acute respiratory distress syndrome
- ARND – alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder
- AROM – active range of motion; artificial rapture of membrane
- ARRP – anatomic retropubic radical prostatectomy
- AS – left ear (auricular sinister)
- AS – sickle cell trait
- ASA – acetylsalicyclic acid (aspirin)
- AST – aspartate aminotransferase
- ATLS – Advanced Trauma Life Support
- ATN – acute tubular necrosis
- ATP adenosine triphosphate
- AU – both ears (auricular utro)
- AV – atrioventricular
- AVPU – Alert, Verbal, Pain Response, Unresponsive
- B/P – blood pressure
- BA – bowel action
- Ba – barium
- Ba Meal – barium meal
- BBB – blood-brain barrier
- BBP – blood-borne pathogens
- BC – basal cell carcinoma
- BCG – vaccine Bacilli Calmette-guerin vaccine
- BCLS – Basic Cardiac Life Support
- BCP – birth control pill
- bd/ BD – twice a day
- BE – barium enema x-ray
- BEA – bellow-the-elbow amputation
- BGL – blood glucose level
- BGLs – blood glucose levels
- bid – twice a day
- BIDS – bedtime insulin and daytime sulfonylureas
- BK – below knee
- BKA – below knee amputation
- BLL – blood lead level
- BLS – Basic Life Support
- BMI – body mass index
- BMR – basal metabolic rate
- BMT – bone marrow transplant
- BNO – bowels not opened
- BO – bowels opened
- BOA – born out of asepsis
- BP – blood pressure
- BPAD – bipolar affective disorder
- BPD – bipolar disorder
- BPRS – Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale
- BRAT – bananas, rice, applesauce, toast
- BRM – biologic response modifiers
- BRP – bathroom privileges
- BS – bowel sound
- BSC – bedside commode
- BSE – breast self-examination
- BSL – blood sugar level
- BUN – blood urine nitrogen
- BWO – bowel well opened
- C – Celsius
- c – with
- C/O complaint of
- Ca – cancer/calcium
- CABG – coronary artery bypass grafting
- CAD – coronary artery disease
- cap – capsule
- CAPD – continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
- Card – cardiac
- CAT – computerized adaptive testing
- CAT – computerized axial tomography
- Cath – catheter
- CBC – complete blood count
- CBE – charting by exception
- CBP – chronic bacterial prostatitis
- CC – chief complaint
- cc – cubic centimeter
- CCF – congestive cardiac failure
- CCP – clinical care pathway
- CCU – coronary care unit
- CD – chemical dependency
- CD4 – helper T lymphocytes
- CEA – carcinoembryonic antigen; cultured epithelial autografts
- CEH – continuing education hour
- CEU – continuing education unit
- CF – cystic fibrosis
- CHC – community health center
- CHF – congestive heart failure
- CHHA – Certified Home Health Aide
- CHO – carbohydrates
- CIC – crisis intervention center
- CJD – Creutzfeldt- Jakob disease
- CLL – chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- CLTC – Citizen for Long-Term Care
- cm – centimetre
- CM – care/case manager
- CMF – Cytoxan, methotrexate, fluorouracil
- CMG – cystometrogram
- CML – chronic myelogenous leukemia
- CMMS – Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
- CMS – color, motion, sensitivity; circulation, mobility, sensation
- CMV – cytomegalovirus
- CNC – clinical nurse consultant
- CNM – Certified Nurse Midwife
- CNO – Community Nursing Organization; Chief Nursing Officer
- CNS – central nervous system
- CO – cardiac output
- COA – children of alcoholics; coarctation of the aorta
- COAs – children of alcoholics
- COLD – chronic obstructive lung disease
- Consult – consultation
- COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- COTA – Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
- CPD – cephalopelvic disproportion
- CPK – creatinine phosphokinase
- CPM – continuous passive motion
- CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- CPT – chest physiotherapy
- CQI – contiguous (continuous) quality improvement
- CRH – corticotropin-releasing hormone
- CRNA – Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
- CRNH – Certified Registered Nurse-Hospice
- CRP – C-reactive protein
- CRU – Coronary Rehabilitation Unit
- Cryo – cryoprecipitate
- CS – complete stroke; cardiac sphincter; caesarean section
- CSF – cerebrospinal fluid
- CT – computed tomography
- CT scan – computerised axial tomography scan
- CUC – chronic ulcerative
- CVA – cerebro-vascular accident
- CVP – central venous pressure
- CVS – chronic villus sampling
- CWMS – colour, warmth, movement, sensation
- CXR – chest X –ray
- D & C – dilatation and curettage
- DAPE – data, assessment, plan, evaluation
- DARE – data, action, response, education
- DAT – diet as tolerated
- Db – decibel
- DBP/dBP – diastolic blood pressure
- DC or d/c discontinue
- DCT – distal convoluted tubule
- DDST – Denver Developmental Screening Test
- DERM – dermatology
- DES – diethylstilbestrol
- DIC – disseminated intravascular coagulation
- DISCUS – Dyskinesia Identification System-Condensed User
- DJD – degenerative joint disease
- DKA – diabetic ketoacidosis
- dL – deciliter
- DM – Diabetes mellitus
- DME – Durable Medical Equipment
- DMSA – 2, 3-dimercaptosuccinic acid
- DNH – do not hospitalize
- DNI – do not intubate
- DNR – do not resuscitate
- DOA – dead on arrival
- DOB – date of birth
- DPC – delayed primary closure
- DPM – drop per minutes
- Dr – doctor/medical officer
- DRF – drip rate factor
- DRG – diagnosis-related group
- DRI – dietary reference intake
- DSH deliberate self- harm
- DSM-IV – Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revision IV
- DT – diphtheria and tetanus toxoids
- DTAD – drain tube attachment device
- DtaP – diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis
- DTP – diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine
- DTs – delirium tremens
- DVT – deep vein thrombosis
- Dx (diag) – diagnosis
- EAR – estimated average requirement
- EB virus – Epstein – Barr virus
- EBM – expressed breast milk
- EC – emergency contraception
- EC – enteric coat
- ECF – extended care facility; extracellular fluid
- ECG – electrocardiogram
- ECT – Electroconvulsive therapy
- ED – emergency department; erectile dysfunction
- EDC – estimated date of confinement
- EEG – electroenocephalogram
- EGH – oesophagogastroduodenoscopy
- e-IPV – enhanced potency inactivated poliovirus vaccine
- ELISA – enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
- elix – elixir
- EMB – ethambutol
- Emerg – emergency department
- EMG – electromyogram
- ENG – electronystagmography
- ENT – ear, nose and throat
- EP – escape (elopement) precautions
- EPSE – extrapyramidal side effects
- ERCP – endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
- ERG – electroretinogram
- ERT – estrogen replacement therapy
- ERV – expiratory reserve volume
- ESP – extrasensory perception
- ESR – erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- ESRD End – stage renal disease
- ESWL – extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
- ET – enterostomal therapist
- ETOH – ethanol (alcohol)
- ETOH W/D – alcohol withdrawal
- EUA – examination under anaesthetic
- ext – extract
- F – Fahrenheit
- FADL – functional activities of daily living
- FAM – fertility awareness method
- FAS – fetal alcohol syndrome
- FBC – fluid balance chart or full blood count
- FBP – fetal biophysical profile
- FBS – fasting blood sugar
- Fe – iron
- FES – functional electrical stimulation
- FF – forced feeding or forced fluids
- FFP – fresh-frozen plasma
- FHC – family health center
- FHT – fetal heart tones
- FPG – fasting plasma glucose
- FRC – functional residual capacity
- FRV – functional residue volume
- FSH Follicle – stimulating hormone
- FTT – failure to thrive
- FVD – fluid volume deficit
- FVE – fluid volume excess
- FWB – full weight bearing
- FWD full ward diet
- Fx – fracture
- g- gram
- G – gauze
- G6PD – glucose 6-phosphodehydrogenase
- GA – general anaesthesia
- GABHS – group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus
- GCS – Glasgow Coma Scale
- GDM – gestational diabetes mellitus
- GERD – gastroesophageal reflux disease
- GERI – geriatrics
- GFR – glomerulofiltration rate
- GH – growth hormone
- GI – gastrointestinal
- GIT – gastrointestinal tract
- GP – general practitioner
- GT – gastrostomy
- GTN – glyceryl trinitrate
- GTT – glucose tolerance test
- GV – Symbol for gray
- GVH – Graft – versus host disease
- GYNE – gynaecology
- h – hour
- HAI – Hospital – acquired infection
- Hb – haemoglobin
- HCG Human chorionic gonadotrophin
- HCL – Hydrochloric acid
- hct – hematocrit
- HDU – high dependency unit
- hgb – hemoglobin
- HIV – Human immunodeficiency virus
- HNPU – has not passed urine
- HNV – has not voided
- HOB – head of bead
- HRT – Hormone replacement therapy
- hs – hour of sleep, bedtime
- ICN – Infection control nurse
- ICP – Intracranial pressure
- ICSH – Interstitial cell stimulating hormone
- ICU – Intensive care unit
- ID – intradermal
- ID band – patient identification band/bracelet
- IDC – indwelling catheter
- IDDM – insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
- IM – intramuscular
- IMI – intramuscular injection
- IMV – Intermittent mandatory ventilation
- INR – international normalised ratio
- IPAV – Intermittent positive airway ventilation
- IQ – Intelligence quotient
- Isol – isolation
- ISQ – in status quo/remain the same
- ITP – Idiopathic – thrombocytopenic purpura
- ITU – Intensive therapy unit
- IU – international unit
- IUCD – Intrauterine contraceptive device
- IV – intravenous
- IV Morph – intravenous morphine
- IVABs – intravenous antibiotics
- IVF – Invitro fertilization
- IVF – intravenous fluids
- IVI – intravenous injection
- IVP – Intra venous pyelography
- IVPB – intravenous piggyback
- IVT – intravenous therapy
- IVU – Intravenous urography
- JVP – jugular venous pressure
- Kg – kilogram
- KVO – keep veins open
- L – litre
- L&S BP – lying & standing blood pressure
- L/min – litres per minute
- LA – local anaesthetic
- LAD – left anterior descending (coronary artery)
- Lat – lateral
- LE – Lupus erythematosus
- LFT – liver function test
- LH – Luteinizing hormone
- LL – lower lobe
- LLQ – left lower quadrant
- LMO – local medical officer
- LMP – last menstrual period
- LOA -Left occipito anterior
- LOC – loss of consciousness
- LOP – Left occipito posterior
- LP – lumbar puncture
- LUO – left upper quadrant
- Mane – morning
- MC&S – microscopy, culture and sensitivity (tests)
- Mcg – micrograms
- MCHC – Corpuscular haemoglobin concentration
- MCV – Corpuscular volume
- ME – Myalgic encephalomyelitis
- Meds – medications
- Mg – milligram
- Mgs – milligrams
- MI – myocardial infarction
- MLNS Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome
- mls – millilitres
- mls/hr – millilitres per hour
- mm Hg – millimetres of mercury
- mmol – millimole/millimoles
- MMR – Measles mumps rubella vaccine
- Mo – medical officer (doctor)
- MODS – Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome
- MRI – Magnetic resonance imaging
- MRSA – Methicillin – resistant staphylococcus aureus
- MS – multiple sclerosis
- MSSU – midstream specimen of urine
- MVA – motor vehicle accident
- N/A – not application
- N/S – normal saline
- NAD – no abnormalities detected
- NAI – Non – accidental injury
- NANDA – North American nursing diagnosis association
- NCP – nursing care plan
- Nebs – nebuliser
- NEC – Necrotizing enterocolitis
- Neuro – neurological
- NFO – no further order
- NFR – not for resuscitation (do not resuscitation)
- NG – nasogastric
- NGT – nasogastric tube
- NJ – nasojejunal
- NNT – Numbers needed to treat
- Nocte – at night
- NOF – fractured neck of femur
- NOK – next of kin
- NPO – nothing by mouth
- NSAIDS – Non – steroidal anti – inflammatory drugs
- NSU – Non – specific urethritis
- O, ‘O’ – oral
- O/A – on admission
- O2 – oxygen
- O2 sats – oxygen saturation
- Obs – observation/vital signs
- OD – right eye (oculus dexter)
- OE – on examination
- oint – ointment
- Op – operation
- OPD – outpatient’s department
- OS – left eye (oculus sinister)
- OT – occupational therapy
- OTC – over the counter
- OU – both eyes (oculus utro)
- P – pulse
- PA – per axilla
- PAC – pressure area care
- PACT – Prescribing analyses and cost
- PAR postanesthesia room
- pc – after meals(post cibum)
- PCA – patient control analgesia
- PE – pulmonary embolism
- PEFR – peak expiratory flow rate
- per – by
- PET – Positron emission tomography
- Physio – physiotherapy
- PICU Paediatric intensive care unit
- PID – pelvic inflammatory disease
- PID – Prolapse of an intervertebral disc
- PKU – Phenylketonuria
- pm – after midday/before midnight
- PM – post-mortem
- PMHx – past medical history
- PMT – premenstrual tension
- po – by mouth(per os)
- POP – plaster of paris
- Post-op – post-operative
- pr – per rectal
- PRN – pro re nata [derived from latin] –as needed or required
- Pt – patient
- PT – prothrombin time
- PT – physiotherapy
- PTT – partial prothrombin time
- PV – per vagina
- PVD – peripheral vascular disease
- PWB – partial weight bearing
- q – every
- QA – quality assurance
- QALY – Quality adjusted life year
- qd – every day
- qh – every hour
- qid – quarter in die [derived from Latin]-four times
- qod – every other day
- qs – quantity sufficient
- R – right/ respiration
- RAI – Relatives assessment interview
- RBC – red blood cells/ red blood count
- Rehab – rehabilitation
- REHAB – Rehabilitation evaluation of hall and baker
- REM – Rapid eye movement
- RFT – renal function test
- RIB – rest in bed
- RLL – right lower lobe
- RLQ – right lower quadrant
- RMO – resident medical officer
- ROM – range of movement
- RSI – Repetitive strain injury
- RTW – return to ward
- RUQ – right upper quadrant
- Rx – treatment/orders/prescription
- S – without
- S/S – signs and symptoms
- SADS – Seasonal affective disorder syndrome
- SaO2 – O2,oxygen saturation
- SARS – severe acute respiratory syndrome
- SBP – systolic blood pressure
- SC – subcutaneous
- SCC – subcutaneous cell carcinoma
- SG – specific gravity
- SGA – Small for gestational age
- SGPT – Serum glutamic – pyruvic transaminase
- SHA – Strategic health authority
- SIDS – sudden infant death syndrome
- SL, sublin – sublingual under the tongue
- SOB – shortness of breath
- sol – solution
- SOOB – sit out of bed
- SPC – Statistical process control
- sq – subcutaneous
- SR – sustained release
- ss – one half
- Stat – immediately [once only]
- STD – sexually transmitted disease
- Sub-cut – subcutaneous
- SUI – Serious untoward incident
- sup – suppository
- susp – suspension
- T&A – tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
- T, temp – temperature
- Tab – tablet
- TB – tuberculosis
- tds/tid – three times a day
- THR – total hip replacement
- TIA – transient ischaemic attack
- TKR – total knee replacement
- TO – telephone order
- TPN – Total parenteral nutrition
- TPR – temperature, pulse, respiration
- Tr – tincture
- TSH – thyroid stimulating hormone
- TURP – trans urethral resection of the prostate
- U&E – urea and electrolytes
- U/A – urinalysis
- UDB – urinary drainage bag
- ULQ – upper left quadrant
- UR – unit record, patient record (UR number)
- URQ – upper right quadrant
- URTI – upper respiratory tract infection
- UTI – urinary tract infection
- UV – ultra violet
- VD – venereal disease
- Vit K – vitamin K
- VO – verbal order
- VS – vital signs
- VSD – Ventricular septal defect
- VZV – Varicella zoster virus.
- W/C – wheel chair
- W/d – withdrawal
- WBS – white blood cells
- WNL – within normal limits
- yr – year
- yrs – years