Abbreviation

<
>
@
%

Audio Description
less than
greater than
at
per cent

abdo
ac
ADLs
A&E
AIDS
AKA
am
angio
AV

abdomen/abdominal
before meals
activities of daily living
accident and emergency
acquired immune deficiency syndrome
above knee amputation
after midnight / before midday
angiogram
atrioventricular

Ba
BA
Ba Meal
BCC
bd/BD
BGL
BGLs
BK
BKA
BNO
BO
B/P
BSL
BWO

barium
bowel action
barium meal
basal cell carcinoma
twice a day
blood glucose level
blood glucose levels
below knee
below knee amputation
bowels not opened
bowels opened
blood pressure
blood sugar levels
bowels well opened

C
Ca
CaBG
CAD
Card
CCF
CCU
cm
CNC

Celsius
cancer/calcium
coronary artery bypass graft
coronary artery disease
cardiac
congestive cardiac failure
coronary care unit
centimetre
clinical nurse consultant

CNS
consult
COPD
CPR
CSF
CT
CT scan
CVA
CWMS
CXR

central nervous system

consultation
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
cardio-pulmonary resuscitation
cerebro-spinal fluid
computed tomography
computerised axial tomography scan
cerebro-vascular accident
colour warmth movement sensation
chest X-ray

D/C
DM
DOA
DOB
DPC
dpm
Dr
DRG
DTs
DVT
Dx (diag)

discharge/discontinue
diabetes mellitus
dead on arrival
date of birth
delayed primary closure
drops per minute
doctor / medical officer
diagnostic related groups
delirium tremens
deep vein thrombosis
diagnosis

ECG
ED
EEG
Emerg
ENT
ESWL
EtOH
EUA

electro cardiograph
emergency department
electroencephalogram
emergency department
ear, nose and throat
extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy
ethanol (withdrawal symptoms)
examination under anaesthetic

FBC
FWB
FWD

fluid balance chart

full weight bearing
full ward diet

g
GA
GI
GIT

gram
general anaesthetic
gastrointestinal
gastrointestinal tract

gm
GP
GTN
GTT

gram
general practioner
glyceryl trinitrate
glucose tolerance test

Hb
HDU
HIV
HNPU
HNV

haemoglobin
high dependency unit
human immunodeficiency virus
has not passed urine
has not voided

ICU
ID band
IDC
IDDM
IM
IMI
INR
ISQ
IU
IV
IVABs
IVI
IV Morph
IVP
IVT

intensive care unit

patient identification band / bracelet
indwelling catheter
insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
intramuscular
intramuscular injection
International Normalized Ratio
in status quo/remains the same
International unit
intravenous
intravenous antibiotics
intravenous injection
intravenous morphine
intravenous pyelogram
intravenous therapy

JVP

jugular venous pressure

KCl
Kg
KVO

potassium chloride
kilograms
keep vein open

L
L)
LA
LAD
lat
LFT
LL

litre
left
local anaesthetic
left anterior descending (coronary artery)
lateral
liver function tests
lower lobe

LLQ
l/min
L / min
LMO
LMP
LOC
LP
L&S BP
LUQ

left lower quadrant

litres per minute
litres per minute
local medical officer
last menstrual period
loss of consciousness
lumbar puncture
lying & standing blood pressure
left upper quadrant

mane
mcg
MC&S
Meds
mg
mgs
mL
mls
mls/hr
mm Hg
mmol
MO
MRI
MS
MSSU
MVA

morning
micrograms
microscopy, culture and sensitivity (tests)
medications
milligram
milligrams
millilitre, millilitres
millilitres
millilitres per hour
millimetres of mercury
millimole, millimoles
medical officer (doctor)
magnetic resonance imaging
multiple sclerosis
midstream specimen of urine
motor vehicle accident

N/A
NAD
NCP
nebs
Neuro
NFO

not applicable
no abnormalities detected
nursing care plan
nebuliser/nebules
neurological
no further orders
not for resuscitation (do not resuscitate
patient)
nasogastric tube
at night
fractured neck of femur
next of kin
normal saline

NFR
NG/NGT
nocte
#NOF
NOK
N/Saline

O2,O2
O2,O2 sats
O/A
obs
OE
O,O
op
OPD
OT

oxygen
oxygen saturation
on admission
observations / vital signs
on examination
oral
operation
outpatients department
occupational therapy

P
PA
PAC
pc
PCA
PE
PEFR
per
PET
physio
PID
pm
PM
PMHx
PMT
POP
post-op
PR
pre-op

pt
PT
PV
PVD
PWB

pulse
per axilla
pressure area care
after meals
patient controlled analgesia
pulmonary embolism
peak expiratory flow rate
by
positron emission tomography
physiotherapist
pelvic inflammatory disease
after midday / before midnight
postmortem
past medical history
premenstrual tension
plaster of paris
post-operative
per rectum
pre-operative
pro re nata (derived from Latin) - as needed /
when required
patient
physiotherapy
per vagina
peripheral vascular disease
partial weight bearing

QA
QID

quality assurance
quarter in die (derived from Latin) - four times

PRN

per day
R
R)
RBC
rehab
RIB
R)LL
RLQ
RMO
ROM
R/Resp rate/Resps
RTW
RUQ
Rx

right
right
red blood cells
rehabilitation
rest in bed
right lower lobe
right lower quadrant
resident medical officer
range of movement
respirations
return to ward
right upper quadrant
treatment/orders/prescription

SaO2
Sats
SBP
SC
SCC
SG
SL,sublin
SOB
SOOB
S/s
stat
STD
sub-cut

O2, oxygen saturation

oxygen saturation
systolic blood pressure
subcutaneous
squamous cell carcinoma
specific gravity
sublingual, under the tongue
shortness of breath
sit out of bed
signs and symptoms
immediately (once only)
sexually transmitted disease
subcutaneous

T&A
tab
TB
TDS
tds/tid
THR
TIA
TKR
TPR
transport

tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy

tablet
tuberculosis
three times per day
three times a day
total hip replacement
transient ischaemic attack
total knee replacement
temperature pulse respirations
the hospitals transport section

TSH
T,temp
TURP

thyroid-stimulating hormone
temperature
trans urethral resection of the prostate

U/A
UDB
U&E
ULQ
ung
UR
URQ
URTI
UTI
UV

urinalysis
urinary drainage bag
urea and electrolytes
upper left quadrant
ointment
unit record patient record (UR number)
upper right quadrant
upper respiratory tract infection
urinary tract infection
ultra violet

VD
Vit K

venereal disease
vitamin K

WBC
W/d

white blood cells

withdrawal

yr

year

A
ABG arterial blood gases
ac before meals
ACE angiotensin converting enzyme
ACL anterior cruciate ligament
ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone
ADA American Diabetes Association
ADH antidiuretic hormone
ADL activities of daily living
AFB acid-fast bacilli
AFP alpha-fetoprotein
AGA appropriate for gestational age
AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AKA above knee amputation
ALP alkaline phosphatase
ALT alanine transaminase, alanine aminotransferase
AMA against medical advice
AMI acute myocardial infarction
AODM adult onset diabetes mellitus
AP apical pulse
APSGN acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis
ARF acute renal failure
ASD atrial septal defect
AST aspartate aminotransferase
ATN acute tubular necrosis
AU both ears
AVB atrio-ventricular block
B
BBS bilateral breath sounds
BE barium enema
BG blood glucose
BI brain injury
BID twice a day
bilat bilateral
B/K below knee
BM bowel movement or breast milk
BP blood pressure
BPH benign prostatic hypertrophy
BRM biologic response modifiers
BRP bathroom privileges
BS bowel sounds
BSA body surface area
BSE breast self examination

BT bowel tones
BUN blood urea nitrogen
C
C&S culture and sensitivity
Ca calcium, cancer, carcinoma
CABG coronary artery bypass graft
CAD coronary artery disease
CAPD continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
CAT computerized tomography scan
CBC complete blood count
CBD common bile duct
CBE clinical breast examination
CBG capillary blood glucose
CBI continuous bladder irrigation
CBS capillary blood sugar
CC chief complaint
CCK cholecystokinin
CCPD continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis
CEA cultured epithelial autograft
CFT complement-fixation test
CIN cervical intraepithelial neoplasm
CL cleft lip
CMS circulation, motion, sensation
CO cardiac output
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CP chest pain, cleft palate
CPAP continuous positive airway pressure
CPD cephalo-pelvic disproportion
CPP cerebral perfusion pressure
CPPD chest percussion and post drainage
CRF chronic renal failure
CRRT continuous renal replacement therapy
CRT capillary refill time
CSF cerebrospinal fluid, colony stimulating factors
CT chest tube, computed tomography
CVA cerebral vascular accident, costovertebral angle
CVP central venous pressure
Cx cervix
CXR chest x-ray
D
DAT diet as tolerated
DC (dc) discontinue
DCCT Diabetes Control and Complication Trials

DEX (DXT) blood sugar

DIC disseminated intravascular coagulation
DKA diabetic ketoacidosis
DNA deoxyribonucleic acid
DNR do not resuscitate
DTR deep tendon reflex
DVT deep vein thrombosis
Dx diagnosis
E
EBV Epstein-Barr Virus
ECF extracellular fluid, extended care facility
EENT eye, ear, nose and throat
EMC ensephalomyocarditis
EMG electromyogram
ERCP endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ESRD end stage renal disease
ET endotracheal tube
F
F & R force and rhythm
FA fatty acid
FBS fasting blood sugar
FD fatal dose, focal distance
FDA Food & Drug Administration
Fx fracture
FUO fever of unknown origin
FVD fluid volume deficit
G
GB gallbladder
GERD gastroesophageal reflux disease
GFR glomerular filtration rate
GGT gamma-glutamyl transferase
GI gastrointestinal
GOT glutamic oxalic transaminase
GU genitourinary
GVHD graft-versus-host-disease
H
HA headache
Hb hemoglobin
HCG human chorionic gonadotropin
HCO3 bicarbonate
HCT hematocrit

HD hemodialysis
HDL high density lipoprotein
HEENT head, eye, ear, nose and throat
Hgb hemoglobin
HIV human immunodeficiency virus
HRT hormone replacement therapy
HS bedtime
Hx history
I
IBC iron binding capacity
IBD inflammatory bowel disease
IBS irritable bowel syndrome
IBW ideal body weight
ICCE intracapsular cataract extraction
ICF imtermediate care facility
ICP intracranial pressure
ICS intercostal space
ICT inflammation of connective tissue
ICU intensive care unit
IDM infant of diabetic mother
IDDM insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
IE inspiratory exerciser
IH infectious hepatitis
IHD ischemic heart disease
IIP implantable insulin pump
IM intramuscular
IMV intermittent mandatory ventilation
INR international normalization ratio
IPD intermittent peritoneal dialysis
IPPB intermittent positive pressure breathing
ITP immune thrombocytopenic purpura
IV intravenous
IVF in vitro fertilization
IVP intravenous pyelography
J
JAMA Journal of the American Medical Association
JVP jugular venous pressure
K
K potassium
KCl potassium chloride
KI potassium iodide

KUB kidney, ureter, bladder

KVO keep vein open
L
L & A light and accommodation
LAD left anterior descending (artery)
LB large bowel
LDL low density lipoprotein
LE lupus erythematosus
LFTs liver function tests
LIJ left internal jugular
LLQ left lower quadrant
LMP last menstrual period
LP lumbar puncture
LSC left subclavian
LUQ left upper quadrant
M
MAP mean arterial pressure
MAR medication administration record
MCL modified chest lead
MDI multiple daily vitamin
MI myocardial infarction
MLC midline catheter
MM mucous membrane
MoAbs monoclonal antibodies
MOM Milk of Magnesia
MRDD mental retarded/developmentally disabled
MRI magnetic resonance imaging
MRM modified radical mastectomy
MS multiple sclerosis, morphine sulfate
N
Na sodium
NaCl sodium chloride
NED no evidence of disease
NICU neonatal intensive care unit
NIDDM noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus
NKA no known allergies
NKDA non-ketotic diabetic acidosis
NKMA no known medcation allergies
NPD nightly peritoneal dialysis
NPO nothing by mouth
NSAID nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NTD neural tube defect

NV nausea & vomiting

NYD not yet diagnosed
O
OD right eye
OGTT oral glucose tolerance test
ORIF open reduction internal fixation
OS left eye
OU both eyes
P
PABA para-aminobenzoic acid
pc after meals
PCA patient controlled analgesia, posterior communicating artery
PCN penicillin, primary care nurse
PCV packed cell volume
PD peritoneal dialysis
PDA patent ductus arteriosus, posterior descending artery
PDD pervasive development disorder
PDR physician's desk reference
PEG percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
PEJ percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy
PERL pupils equal, react to light
PERRLA pupils equal, round, react to light, accommodation
PET positron emission tomography
PFT pulmonary function test
PG prostaglandin
PH past history
PI present illness
PICC peripherally inserted central venous catheter
PID pelvic inflammatory disease
PMI point of maximal impulse
PNH paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
PO by mouth
PRBC packed red blood cells
PS pyloric stenosis
PSA prostate specific antigen
PT prothrombin time
PTT partial thromboplastin time
PUD peptic ulcer disease
PVD peripheral vascular disease
Px pneumothorax
Q
QD everyday

QID four times a day

qns quantity not sufficient
QOD every other day
qs quantity sufficient, quantity required
R
RA rheumatoid arthritis
RAD reactive airway disease
RAI radioactive iodine
RAIU radioactive iodine uptake
RCA right coronary artery
RDW red cell distribution width
REEDA redness, edema, ecchymosis, drainage, approximation
RHD rheumatic heart disease, relative hepatic dullness
RIJ right internal jugular
RLQ right lower quadrant
RM respiratory movement
ROM range of motion
ROS review of systems
RSC right subclavian
RUQ right upper quadrant
Rx prescription, pharmacy
S
S/S signs & symptoms
SAB spontaneous abortion
SAST serum aspartate aminotransferase
SB spina bifida
SBO small bowel obstruction
SGPT serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
SLE systemic lupus erythematosus
SNF skilled nursing facility
SOB short(ness) of breath
SR sedimentation rate
SS social services
STD sexually transmitted disease
STH somatotropic hormone
STM short term memory
SUI stress urinary incontinence
SVR systemic vascular resistance
Sx symptoms
T
T3 triiodothyronine
T4 thyroxine

TBSA total body surface area

TCDB turn, cough, deep breathe
TED (hose) thrombo-embolism deterrent
TEP transesophageal puncture
THR total hip replacement
TIA transient ischemic attack
TIBC total iron binding capacity
TID three times a day
TIL tumor infiltrating lymphocytes
TKR total knee replacement
TNF tumor necrosis factor
TNM tumor, node, metastases
TNTC too numerous to mention
TP tuberculin precipitation
TPN total parenteral nutrition
TTN transient tachypnea of the newborn
TTP thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura
TUPR trans-urethral prostatic resection
TUR (or TURP) trans-urethral resection of the prostate
TWB touch weight bear
TWE tap water enema
Tx treatment, traction
U
UA urinalysis
UAO upper airway obstruction
UBW usual body weight
UGI upper gastrointestinal
UPJ ureteropelvic junction
URI upper respiratory infection
US ultrasonic
UTI urinary tract infection
UVJ ureterovesical junction
V
VA visual acuity
VBAC vaginal birth after caeserean
VF/Vfib ventricular fibrillation
VLDL very low density lipoprotein
VMA vanillylmandelic acid
VSD ventricular septal defect
VT/Vtach ventricular tachycardia
VW vessel wall

W
W/C wheelchair
WBC white blood cell
WD well developed
WHO World Health Organization
WN well nourished
WNL within normal limits