The list of approved abbreviations below is provided for your convenience and use in client charts and documentation. Please use only the abbreviations below. Have questions about an abbreviation? Click here to review nursing abbreviations and symbols to avoid and contact our Nursing Department for further clarification.
| Abbreviation | Used in place of… |
|---|---|
| AC | Before meals |
| ASA | Aspirin |
| BID | Twice daily |
| BP | Blood pressure |
| BS | Bowel sounds |
| BUN | Blood urea nitrogen |
| CAD | Coronary artery disease |
| CBC | Complete blood count |
| c/o | Complains of |
| CHF | Congestive heart failure |
| CP | Chest pain |
| Cr | Creatinine |
| CRF | Chronic renal failure |
| CRI | Chronic renal insufficiency |
| CT | Computerized tomography |
| CTA | Clear to auscultation |
| CXR | Chest x-ray |
| d/c | Discharge |
| DM | Diabetes mellitus |
| DNR | Do not resuscitate |
| ESR | Erythrocyte sedimentation rate |
| EtOH | Alcohol |
| F | Female |
| FBS | Fasting blood sugar |
| FLP | Fasting lipid panel |
| f/u | Follow-up |
| GI | Gastrointestinal |
| GU | Genitourinary |
| HA | Headache |
| HbA1C | Hemoglobin A1C |
| Hct | Hematocrit |
| HCTZ | Hydrochlorothiazide |
| Hgb | Hemoglobin |
| H/H | Hemoglobin and hematocrit |
| h/o | History of |
| HS | Bedtime |
| HTN | Hypertension |
| Hx | History |
| IBS | Irritable bowel syndrome |
| I/O | Ins and outs |
| ISS | Insulin sliding scale |
| IV | Intravenous |
| IVF | Intravenous fluid |
| JVD | Jugular venous distention |
| K | Potassium |
| L | Left |
| Lat | Lateral |
| LE | Lower extremity |
| M | Male |
| mg | Milligram |
| mL | Milliliter |
| MRI | Magnetic resonance imaging |
| MS | Multiple Sclerosis |
| MVI | Multivitamin |
| Na | Sodium |
| BS | Bowel sounds |
| NAD | No acute distress |
| Neuro | Neurologic |
| NGT | Nasogastric tube |
| NKDA | No known drug allergies |
| NPO | Nothing by mouth |
| NSAID | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug |
| N/V/D | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea |
| OT | Occupational therapy |
| PE | Pulmonary embolism |
| PERRLA | Pupils equally round and reactive to light and accommodation |
| PO | Orally |
| PPD | Purified protein derivative (tuberculosis test) |
| PR | Rectally |
| PRN | As needed |
| PT | Physical therapy |
| PVD | Peripheral vascular disease |
| QAC | Before every meal |
| QHS | Every night |
| QID | Four times daily |
| R | Right |
| RRR | Regular rate and rhythm |
| SEM | Systolic ejection murmur |
| SOB | Shortness of breath |
| SocHx | Social history |
| T&A | Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy |
| TAH | Total abdominal hysterectomy |
| TID | Three times daily |
| UA | Urinalysis |
| UE | Upper extremity |
| URI | Upper respiratory infection |
| U/S | Ultrasound |
| UTI | Urinary tract infection |
| VS | Vital signs |
| WBC | White blood cell count |
| yo | year-old |