MCN's Complete Guide to Nursing Abbreviations and Acronyms

@

@

At

< 

Less Than

> 

Greater Than

A

a

Artery

A (see acc.)

Accommodation (see acc.)

A

Acetum

A

Angström Unit

A

Anode

A

Anterior

A&D (see Adm.)

Admission and Discharge

A&E

Accident and Emergency

A/CA

Accommodative/Convergence Accommodation Ratio

A/G, or A-G ratio

Albumin/Globulin Ratio

a¯

Before

aa

Of Each, Equal Parts, Arteries

AAA

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

AAPB

Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback

AARP

American Association of Retired Persons

AASM

American Academy of Sleep Medicine

AAT

Animal-Assisted Therapy

AATH

American Association for Therapeutic Humor

ABC

Airway, Breathing, Circulation

ABD, Abd, Abdo

Abdominal, or Abdomen

ABG

Arterial Blood Gases

ABI

Ankle-Brachial Index

ABO

Blood Types

ABR

Absolute Bed Rest (See CBR)

AC

Adrenal Cortex, Air Conduction, Alternating Current, or Axiocervical

ac or a.c.

Before Meals

acc. (see A)

Accommodation (see A)

ACE

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme

ACIP

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

ACLS

Advanced Cardiac Life Support

ACS

American Cancer Society

ACTH

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

AD

Alzheimer's Disease

AD

Right Ear

AD

Admitting Diagnosis

AD

Advance Directive

ad lib

Freely, as Desired, if the Patient So Desires

ad sat.

To Saturation

Ad. Spec.

Admission Urine Specimen

ADA

Americans With Disabilities Act

ADH

Antidiuretic Hormone

ADHD

Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder

ADL

Activities of Daily Living

Adm. (see A&D)

Admission and Discharge

admov.

Apply

ADN

Associate Degree Nurse (Nursing)

AEB

As Evidenced By

AED

Antiepileptic Drug

AF

Atrial Fibrillation

AFB

Acid-Fast Bacillus

AFP

Alpha-Fetoprotein

AGC

Atypical Glandular Cells

AHA

American Hospital Association

AHCA

American Health Care Association

AHCPR

Agency for Health Care Policy and Research

AHF

Antihemophilic Factor

AHNA

American Holistic Nurses' Association

AHRQ

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

AI

Adequate Intake

AI

Aortic Incompetence, or Aortic Insufficiency

AICD

Automatic Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator

AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

AK

Above the Knee

AKA

Above Knee Amputation

ALFA

Assisted Living Federation of America

ALT

Alanine Aminotransferase

AM/am/A.M./a.m.

Morning (After Midnight and Before Midday)

AMA

Against Medical Advice

AMA

American Medical Association

Amb

Ambulatory, Walking, Able to Walk

Amt

Amount

ANA

American Nurses Association

ANA

Antinuclear Antibody

Angio

Angiogram

AoA

Administration on Aging

AP

Anterior/Posterior

AP

Apical Pulse

AP

Appendectomy

APIC

Association for Practitioners In Infection Control and Epidemiology

Approx.

Approximately

APRN

Advance Practice Registered Nurse

APS

Adult Protective Services

APS

American Pain Society

APTT

Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time

aqua

Water or H2O

AROM

Active Range of Motion

AS

Left Ear

ASA

Acetylsalicylic Acid

ASO

Antistreptolysin-O

AST

Aspartate Aminotransferase

AT

Axillary Temperature

ATC

Around the Clock

ATP

Adenosine Triphosphatase

AU

Both Ears

AV

Atrioventricular

B

B1

Thiamine

B12

Cobalamin

B2

Riboflavin

B6

Pyridoxine

Ba

Barium

BA

Bowel Action

Ba Meal

Barium Meal

BBA

Balanced Budget Act

BCC

Basal Cell Carcinoma

BD, bd, or bid

Twice A Day

BE

Base Excess

BGL

Blood Glucose Level

BK

Below Knee

BKA

Below Knee Amputation

BMD

Bone Mineral Density

BMI

Body Mass Index

BMR

Basal Metabolic Rate

BNO

Bowels Not Opened

BO

Bowels Opened

BP or B/P

Blood Pressure

BPH

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

BPM

Beats Per Minute

BSA

Body Surface Area

BSE

Breast Self-Examination

BSI

Body Substance Isolation

BSL

Blood Sugar Level

BSN

Bachelor of Science In Nursing

BUN

Blood Urea Nitrogen

BWO

Bowels Wide Opened

C

c

Cup

C

Celsius

C & S

Culture and Sensitivity

C/A

Complementary/Alternative

C/O

Complaint Of

c¯

With

Ca

Calcium or Cancer

Ca++

Calcium Ion

CaBG

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

CaCl2

Calcium Chloride

CAD

Coronary Artery Disease

CAI

Computer-Assisted Instruction

CAM

Complementary/Alternative Medicine

cap

Capsule

Card

Cardiac

CARF

Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities

CAT

Computed Axial Tomography

CAT

Computerized Adaptive Testing

Cath

Catheter

CBC

Complete Blood Count

CBD

Common Bile Duct

CBE

Charting By Exception

CBR

Complete Bed Rest (See ABR)

cc

Cubic Centimeter

CCF (see CHF)

Congestive Cardiac Failure (See CHF)

CCRC

Continuing Care Retirement Community

CCU (see CICU)

Coronary Care Unit, or Cardiac Care Unit (See CICU)

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CEA

Carcinoembryonic Antigen

CEPN-LTC™

Certification Examination for Practical and Vocational Nurses In Long-Term Care

CEU

Continuing Education Unit

CHAP

Community Health Accreditation Program

CHD

Coronary Heart Disease

CHF (see CCF)

Congestive Heart Failure (See CCF)

CHIP

Children's Health Insurance Program

CHO

Carbohydrate (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen)

CHON

Protein (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen)

CICU (see CCU)

Coronary Care Unit, or Cardiac Care Unit (See CCU)

CK or CPK

Creatine Kinase or Creatine Phosphokinase

Cl

Chlorine, Chloride

Cl−

Chloride Ion

CLTC

Certified In Long-Term Care

cm

Centimeter

CMS

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

CN

Cranial Nerve

CNA

Certified Nursing Assistant

CNC

Clinical Nursing Consultant

CNM

Certified Nurse Midwife

CNO

Community Nursing Organization

CNS

Central Nervous System

CNS

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Co

Cobalt

consult

Consultation

CO2

Carbon Dioxide

CO2−

Carbon Dioxide Ion

COBRA

Comprehensive Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act

COOH

Carboxyl Group

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

CPAP

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

CPNP

Council of Practical Nursing Programs

CPR

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

CPR

Computerized Patient Record

Cr

Chromium

CRNA

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

CRP

C-Reactive Protein

C&S

Culture and Sensitivity

CSF

Cerebrospinal Fluid

CSM

Circulation, Sensation, Motion

CT

Computed Tomography

CT scan

Computerized Axial Tomography Scan

Cu

Copper

CVA

Cerebrovascular Accident or Stroke

CVC

Central Venous Catheter

CXR

Chest X-Ray

CWMS

Color, Warmth, Movement, Sensation

D

D5W

Dextrose 5% In Water

D & C

Dilatation and Curettage

DAR

Document, Action, Response

DC or d/c

Discontinue or Discharge

DDB

Disciplinary Data Bank

DDS

Doctor of Dental Surgery

DEA

Drug Enforcement Agency

DHHS

Department of Health and Human Services

DIC

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

DICC

Dynamic Infusion Cavernosometry and Cavernosography

dL

Deciliter

DMD

Diabetes Mellitus

DMD

Doctor of Dental Medicine

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic Acid

DNR

Do Not Resuscitate

DO

Doctor of Osteopathy

DOA

Dead on Arrival

DOB

Date of Birth

DPAHC

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care

dr

Dram

DRG

Diagnosis-Related Group

DRI

Dietary Reference Intake

DSM-V

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition

DST

Dexamethasone Suppression Test

DT

Delirium Tremens

DTaP

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis

DTP

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis

DVT

Deep Vein Thrombosis

DX

Diagnosis

E

EAR

Estimated Average Requirement

ECF

Extended Care Facility

ECF

Extracellular Fluid

ECG (EKG)

Electrocardiogram

ED

Emergency Department

EDTA

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid

EEG

Electroencephalograph/Electroencephalogram

EGD

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

EKG (ECG)

Electrocardiogram

ELISA

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

elix

Elixir

EMG

Electromyogram

EMLA

Eutectic (Cream) Mixture of Local Anesthetics

EMS

Emergency Medical Services

EMT

Emergency Medical Technician

EMT-P

Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency

EPO

Exclusive Provider Organization

ER

Emergency Room

ERCP

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatogram

ERG

Electroretinogram

ERT

Estrogen Replacement Therapy

ESR

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

ET

Ear (Tympanic) Temperature

EVAD

Explantable Venous Access Device

F

F

Fahrenheit

FAS

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

FBS

Fasting Blood Sugar

FCA

False Claims Act

FDA

Food and Drug Administration

Fe

Iron

FeSO4

Iron Sulfate

FF

Forced Feeding, or Forced Fluids

fl

Fluid

Fl

Fluorine

FOBT

Fecal Occult Blood Test

FSH

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone

ft

Foot or Feet

FVD

Fluid Volume Deficit

Fx

Fracture

G

g

Gram

GAO

General Accounting Office

GAS

General Adaptation Syndrome

GCS

Glasgow Coma Scale

g/dL

Grams Per Deciliter

GED

General Education Development

GER

Gastroesophageal Reflux

GFR

Glomerular Filtration Rate

GGT (see GGTP)

Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase (see GGTP)

GGTP (see GGT)

Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase (see GGT)

GH

Growth Hormone

GHB

Glycosylated Hemoglobin

GI

Gastrointestinal

gr

Grain

gtt

Drop

GTT

Glucose Tolerance Test

gtt/min

Drops Per Minute

GU

Genitourinary

Gyn

Gynecology

H

h

Hour(S)

H+

Hydrogen Ion

H2CO3

Carbonic Acid

H2O

Water

H&H

Hemoglobin and Hematocrit

HB5AG

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen

HBV

Hepatitis B Virus

HCFA

Health Care Financing Administration

hCG

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

HCl

Hydrochloric Acid, Hydrochloride

HCO3−

Bicarbonate Ion

Hct

Hematocrit

HCV

Hepatitis C Virus

HDL

High Density Lipoprotein

HDV

Hepatitis D Virus

Hep B

Hepatitis B

HFA

Hospice Foundation of America

Hg

Mercury

Hgb

Hemoglobin

HICPAC

Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee

HIS

Hospital Information System

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

HLA

Human Leukocyte Antigen

HMO

Health Maintenance Organization

HOB

Head of Bed

HPO4

Phosphate

HR

Heart Rate

HRSA

Health Resources and Services Administration

h.s.

Hour of Sleep

I

I

Iodine

I&O

Intake and Output

IADLs

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

IASP

International Association for the Study of Pain

ICF

Intermediate Care Facility

ICF

Intracellular Fluid

ICN

International Council of Nurses

ICU

Intensive Care Unit

ID

Identification

ID

Intradermal

IgG

Immunoglobulin G

IgM

Immunoglobulin M

IHCT

Interdisciplinary Health Care Team

IM

Intramuscular

in

Inch

INR

International Normalized Ratio

I&O

Intake and Output

IOL

Intraocular Lens

IOM

Institute of Medicine

Isol

Isolation

ITT

Insulin Tolerance Test

IV

Intravenous

IVAD

Implantable Vascular Access Device

IVP

Intravenous Push, Intravenous Pyelogram

IVPB

Intravenous Piggyback

J

JCAHO

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations

K

K

Potassium

K+

Potassium Ion

kcal

Kilocalorie

KCl

Potassium Chloride

kg

Kilogram

KS

Ketosteroids

KUB

Kidneys/Ureters/Bladder

KVO

Keep Vein Open

L

L

Liter

LAS

Local Adaptation Syndrome

lb

Pound

LDH

Lactic Dehydrogenase

LDL

Low Density Lipoprotein

LE

Lupus Erythematosus

LES

Lower Esophageal Sphincter

LFT

Liver Function Test

LH

Luteinizing Hormone

LLQ

Left Lower Quadrant

LMP

Last Menstrual Period

L/min

Liters Per Minute

LOC

Level of Consciousness

LP

Lumbar Puncture

LP/VN

Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse

LPN

Licensed Practical Nurse

LUQ

Left Upper Quadrant

LVN

Licensed Vocational Nurse

M

m

Meter

m2

Square Meter

MAO

Monoamine Oxidase

MAOI

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor

MAR

Medication Administration Record

mcg (or μg)

Microgram

MD

Doctor of Medicine

MDI

Metered-Dose Inhaler

MDR

Multidrug-Resistant

MDR-TB

Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis

MDS

Minimum Data Set

mEq

Milliequivalent

mEq/L

Milliequivalents Per Liter

mg

Milligram

mg/dL

Milligrams Per Deciliter

Mg

Magnesium

Mg++

Magnesium Ion

MgCl

Magnesium Chloride

MgSO4

Magnesium Sulfate

MI

Myocardial Infarction

min

Minute

mL

Milliliter

mm3

Cubic Millimeter

mm Hg

Millimeters of Mercury

mmol/L

Millimoles Per Liter

MMR

Measles, Mumps, Rubella

Mn

Manganese

Mo

Molybdenum

MOM

Milk of Magnesia

mOsm/kg

Milliosmoles/Kilogram

MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRSA

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

MS

Morphine Sulfate

MSDS

Material Safety Data Sheet

MUGA

Multi-Gated Acquisition

N

N2

Nitrogen

Na

Sodium

Na+

Sodium Ion

Na2SO4

Sodium Sulfate

NaCl

Sodium Chloride

NA

Not Applicable

NADSA

National Adult Day Services Associations

NaH2PO4

Sodium Dihydrogen Phosphate

Na2HPO4

Disodium Phosphate

NAHC

National Association for Home Care

NaHCO3

Sodium Bicarbonate

NaHPO4

Sodium Monohydrogen Phosphate

NANDA

North American Nursing Diagnosis Association

NaOH

Sodium Hydroxide

NAPNE

National Association of Practical Nurse Education

NAPNES

National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Services

NCCAM

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

NCHS

National Center for Health Statistics

NCLEX®

National Council Licensure Examination

NCLEX-PN®

National Council Licensure Examination—Practical Nurse

NCLEX-RN®

National Council Licensure Examination—Registered Nurse

NCLD

National Center for Learning Disabilities

NCOA

National Council on Aging

NCSBN

National Council of State Boards of Nursing

NCVHS

National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics

NF

National Formulary

NFLPN

National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses, Inc.

NG

Nasogastric

NH2

Amino Group

NHO

National Hospice Organization

NIA

National Institute on Aging

NIC

Nursing Interventions Classification

NICU

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

NIH

National Institutes of Health

NIOSH

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

NIS

Nursing Information System

NLEA

Nutrition, Labeling, and Education Act

NLN

National League for Nursing

NLNAC

National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission

NMDS

Nursing Minimum Data Set

NOC

Nursing Outcomes Classification

Noct

At Night

NP

Nurse Practitioner

NPDB

National Practitioner Data Bank

NPO

Nil per os, Latin for “Nothing By Mouth”

NREM

Non-Rapid Eye Movement

NS

Normal Saline

NSAID

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug

NSF

National Sleep Foundation

NPO

Nothing By Mouth

O

O&P

Ova and Parasite

O2

Oxygen

OAM

Office of Alternative Medicine

OBRA

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act

OD

Right Eye

OH−

Hydroxyl

OR

Operating Room

ORIF

Open Reduction/Internal Fixation

OS

Left Eye

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OT

Occupational Therapist

OT

Oral Temperature

OTC

Over-The-Counter

OU

Both Eyes

oz

Ounce

P

p¯

After

P

Phosphorus

P

Pulse

PA

Physician's Assistant

PA

Posteroanterior

PaCO2

Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide

PaO2

Partial Pressure of Oxygen

Pap

Papanicolaou Test

PAR

Postanesthesia Room

p.c.

After Meals

PCA

Patient-Controlled Analgesia

PCO2(PaCO2)

Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide

PCP

Primary Care Provider

PCR

Polymerase Chain Reaction

PCV

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

PDPH

Postdural Puncture Headache

PEG

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy

PERRLA

Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation

PET

Positron Emission Tomography

PFT

Pulmonary Function Test

pH

Potential Hydrogen

PICC

Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter

PICU

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

PIE

Problem, Implementation, Evaluation

PKU

Phenylketonuria

PLMS

Periodic Limb Movements In Sleep

PMI

Point of Maximum Intensity

PMR

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

PMS

Premenstrual Syndrome

PNI

Psychoneuroimmunology

PNS

Peripheral Nervous System

PO

By Mouth (Per os In Latin)

PO2(PaO2)

Partial Pressure of Oxygen

PO4−−

Phosphate Ion

POMR

Problem-Oriented Medical Record

POR

Problem-Oriented Record

Post op spec

After Surgery Urine Specimen

PPBS

Post Prandial Blood Sugar

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment

PPG

Post Prandial Glucose

PPO

Preferred Provider Organization

PPS

Prospective Payment System

PRA

Plasma Renin Activity

PRL

Prolactin Level

PRN

Pro Re Nata, Latin for “As Required”

PRO

Peer Review Organization

PROM

Passive Range of Motion

PSA

Prostate Specific Antigen

PSDA

Patient Self-Determination Act

PSP

Phenolsulfonphthalein

pt

Pint

PT

Patient

PT

Physical Therapist

PT

Prothrombin Time

PTH

Parathyroid Hormone

PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTT

Partial Thromboplastin Time

PVD

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Q

q

Quaque, Latin for “Every”

qd

Every Day

qh

Every Hour

qid

Four Times A Day

qod

Every Other Day

qs

Quantity Sufficient

q2h

Every 2 Hours

qt

Quart

R

R (Resp)

Respiration

RAIU

Radioactive Iodine Uptake

RAST

Radio Allergosorbent Test

RBC

Red Blood Count, Red Blood Cell

RD

Registered Dietician

RDA

Recommended Dietary Allowance

REM

Rapid Eye Movement

RF

Rheumatoid Factor

RLQ

Right Lower Quadrant

RLS

Restless Leg Syndrome

RN

Registered Nurse

RNA

Ribonucleic Acid

RNFA

Registered Nurse First Assistant

ROM

Range of Motion

ROS

Review of Systems

RPCH

Rural Primary Care Hospital

RPh

Registered Pharmacist

RPR

Rapid Plasma Reagin

RR

Recovery Room

RSV

Respiratory Syncytial Virus

R/T

Related To

RT

Rectal Temperature

RT

Respiratory Therapist

RTI

Respiratory Tract Infection

RUGS

Resource Utilization Group System

RUQ

Right Upper Quadrant

RWJF

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

S

s¯

Without

S

Sulfur

SAMe

S-Adenosylmethionine

SaO2

Oxygen Saturation

SBC

School-Based Clinic

SC/SQ

Subcutaneous

SCHIP

State Children's Health Insurance Program

Se

Selenium

SGOT

Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase

SGPT

Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase

SL

Sublingual

SNF

Skilled Nursing Facility

SOAP

Subjective Data, Objective Data, Assessment, Plan

SOAPIE

Subjective Data, Objective Data, Assessment, Plan, Implementation, Evaluation

SOAPIER

Subjective Data, Objective Data, Assessment, Plan, Implementation, Evaluation, Revision

SOB

Shortness of Breath

SPF

Sun Protection Factor

s¯s¯

One Half

SSA

Social Security Administration

STAT/Stat

Immediately, (Statim In Latin)

STD

Sexually Transmitted Disease

supp

Suppository

susp

Suspension

SW

Social Worker

T

T

Temperature

T3

Triiodothyronine

T4

Thyroxine

tab

Tablet

TAC

Tetracaine, Adrenaline, Cocaine

TB

Tuberculosis

Tbsp

Tablespoon

Td

Tetanus/Diphtheria

TDD

Telecommunication Device for the Deaf

TEFRA

Tax Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act

TENS

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

TF

Tube Feeding

THA

Total Hip Arthroplasty

TIA

Transient Ischemic Attack

TIBC

Total Iron Binding Capacity

TICU

Trauma Intensive Care Unit

t.i.d.

Three Times A Day

TMJ

Temporomandibular Joint

t.o.

Telephone Order

TPN

Total Parenteral Nutrition

TPR

Temperature, Pulse, Respiration

Tr or tinct

Tincture

TRH

Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone

TSE

Testicular Self Examination

TSH

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone

tsp

Teaspoon

U

U

Unit

U/L

Unit Per Liter

UA or U/A

Routine Urinalysis

UAP

Unlicensed Assistive Personnel

UIS

Universal Intellectual Standards

UL

Upper Intake Level

UMLS

Universal Medical Language System

UNOS

United Network for Organ Sharing

U-100

100 Units Insulin Per Cc

UPP

Urethra Pressure Profile

URQ

Upper Right Quadrant

USDHHS

United States Department of Health and Human Services

USP

United States Pharmacopeia

USPHS

United States Public Health Service

UTI

Urinary Tract Infection

V

VA

Veterans Administration, Veterans Affairs

VAD

Ventricular Assist Device, Vascular Access Device

VAS

Visual Analog Scale

VDRL

Venereal Disease Research Laboratory

VLDL

Very Low-Density Lipoprotein

VMA

Vanillymandelic Acid

VRE

Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci

VS

Vital Signs

W

W/C

Wheel Chair

WBC

White Blood Cell, White Blood Count

WHO

World Health Organization

WNL

Within Normal Limits

WPM

Words Per Minute

wt

Weight

Y

YWCA

Young Women's Christian Association

Z

Zn

Zinc