Most Common Nursing Abbreviations

The abbreviations that are used by nurses, or other medical professionals people to write a description are known as Nursing abbreviations.

Here is the list of most common nursing abbreviations

<	ess Than
>	reater Than
@	At

AV	Atrioventricular
AU	Both Ears
ATP	Adenosine Triphosphatase
ATC	Around the Clock
AT	Axillary Temperature
AST	Aspartate Aminotransferase
ASO	Antistreptolysin-O
ASA	Acetylsalicylic Acid
AS	Left Ear
AROM	Active Range of Motion
aqua	Water or H2O
APTT	Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time
Approx.	Approximately
AP	Appendectomy
AP	Apical Pulse
AP	Anterior/Posterior
AoA	Administration on Aging
Angio	Angiogram
ANA	Antinuclear Antibody
ANA	American Nurses Association
Amt	Amount
Amb	Ambulatory, Able to Walk, Walking
AMA	American Medical Association
AMA	Against Medical Advice
AM/am/A.M./a.m.	Morning
ALT	Alanine Aminotransferase
AK	Above the Knee
AIDS	Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
AICD	Automatic Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator
AI	Aortic Incompetence
AI	Adequate Intake
AHNA	American Holistic Nurses’ Association
AHF	Antihemophilic Factor
AHCPR	Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
AHCA	American Health Care Association
AHA	American Hospital Association
AFP	Alpha-Fetoprotein
AFB	Acid-Fast Bacillus
AF	Atrial Fibrillation
AED	Antiepileptic Drug
AEB	As Evidenced By
ADN	Associate Degree Nurse (Nursing)
admov.	Apply
Adm	Admission and Discharge
ADL	Activities of Daily Living
ADHD	Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder
ADH	Antidiuretic Hormone
ADA	Americans With Disabilities Act
Ad. Spec.	Admission Urine Specimen
ad sat.	To Saturation
ad lib	as Desired, Freely
AD	Right Ear
ACTH	Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
ACS	American Cancer Society
ACE	Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme
acc. (see A)	Accommodation (see A)
ac or a.c.	Before Meals
AC	Adrenal Cortex, Air Conduction
ABR	Absolute Bed Rest (See CBR)
ABO	Blood Types
ABI	Ankle-Brachial Index
ABG	Arterial Blood Gases
ABD, Abd, Abdo	Abdomen, or Abdominal
ABC	Airway, Breathing, Circulation
AATH	American Association for Therapeutic Humor
AAT	Animal-Assisted Therapy
AASM	American Academy of Sleep Medicine
AAA	Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
aa	Equal Parts, Arteries
a¯	Before
A/G, or A-G ratio	Albumin and Globulin Ratio
A/CA	Accommodative/Convergence Accommodation Ratio
A&E	Accident and Emergency
A&D (see Adm.)	Admission and Discharge
A (see acc.)	Accommodation
A	Anterior
A	Anode
A	Acetum

BWO	Bowels Wide Opened
BUN	Blood Urea Nitrogen
BSN	Bachelor of Science In Nursing
BSL	Blood Sugar Level
BSI	Body Substance Isolation
BSE	Breast Self-Examination
BSA	Body Surface Area
BPM	Beats Per Minute
BPH	Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
BP or B/P	Blood Pressure
BO	Bowels Opened
BNO	Bowels Not Opened
BMR	Basal Metabolic Rate
BMI	Body Mass Index
BMD	Bone Mineral Density
BKA	Below Knee Amputation
BK	Below Knee
BGL	Blood Glucose Level
BE	Base Excess
BD, or bid	Twice A Day
BCC	Basal Cell Carcinoma
BBA	Balanced Budget Act
Ba Meal	Barium Meal
BA	Bowel Action
Ba	Barium
B6	Pyridoxine
B2	Riboflavin
B12	Cobalamin
B1	Thiamine

CXR	Chest X-Ray
CVC	Central Venous Catheter
CVA	Cerebrovascular Accident or Stroke
Cu	Copper
CT scan	Computerized Axial Tomography Scan
CT	Computed Tomography
CSM	Circulation, Sensation, Motion
CSF	Cerebrospinal Fluid
CRNA	Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Cr	Chromium
CPR	Computerized Patient Record
CPR	Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
COOH	Carboxyl Group
consult	Consultation
COBRA	Comprehensive Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
CO2−	Carbon Dioxide Ion
CO2	Carbon Dioxide
Co	Cobalt
CNS	Clinical Nurse Specialist
CNO	Community Nursing Organization
CNM	Certified Nurse Midwife
CNC	Clinical Nursing Consultant
CNA	Certified Nursing Assistant
CN	Cranial Nerve
CMS	Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
cm	Centimeter
CLTC	Certified In Long-Term Care
Cl−	Chloride Ion
Cl	Chlorine, Chloride
CK or CPK	Creatine Phosphokinase or Creatine Kinase
CICU	Coronary Care Unit
CHON	Protein (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Nitrogen)
CHO	Carbohydrate (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen)
CHIP	Children’s Health Insurance Program
CHD	Coronary Heart Disease
CHAP	Community Health Accreditation Program
CEU	Continuing Education Unit
CEA	Carcinoembryonic Antigen
CDC	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CCU	Cardiac Care Unit (See CICU)
CCRC	Continuing Care Retirement Community
CCF	Congestive Cardiac Failure
CBR	Complete Bed Rest
CBE	Charting By Exception
CBD	Common Bile Duct
CBC	Complete Blood Count
Cath	Catheter
CAT	Computerized Adaptive Testing
CAT	Computed Axial Tomography
CARF	Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities
Card	Cardiac
cap	Capsule
CAM	Complementary/Alternative Medicine
CAI	Computer-Assisted Instruction
CAD	Coronary Artery Disease
CaCl2	Calcium Chloride
CaBG	Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
Ca++	Calcium Ion
Ca	Calcium or Cancer
C/O	Complaint Of
C/A	Complementary/Alternative
C&S	Culture and Sensitivity
C & S	Culture and Sensitivity
c	Cup
C	Celsius

DX	Diagnosis
DVT	Deep Vein Thrombosis
DTP	Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
DTaP	Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis
DT	Delirium Tremens
DST	Dexamethasone Suppression Test
DRI	Dietary Reference Intake
DRG	Diagnosis-Related Group
dr	Dram
DOB	Date of Birth
DOA	Dead on Arrival
DO	Doctor of Osteopathy
DNR	Do Not Resuscitate
DNA	Deoxyribonucleic Acid
DMD	Doctor of Dental Medicine
DMD	Diabetes Mellitus
dL	Deciliter
DICC	Dynamic Infusion Cavernosometry and Cavernosography
DIC	Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
DHHS	Department of Health and Human Services
DEA	Drug Enforcement Agency
DDS	Doctor of Dental Surgery
DDB	Disciplinary Data Bank
DC or d/c	Discontinue or Discharge
DAR	Document, Action, Response

EVAD	Explantable Venous Access Device
ET	Ear (Tympanic) Temperature
ESR	Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
ERT	Estrogen Replacement Therapy
ERG	Electroretinogram
ERCP	Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatogram
ER	Emergency Room
EPO	Exclusive Provider Organization
EPA	Environmental Protection Agency
EMT	Emergency Medical Technician
EMS	Emergency Medical Services
EMG	Electromyogram
elix	Elixir
ELISA	Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
EKG (ECG)	Electrocardiogram
EGD	Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
EEG	Electroencephalograph/Electroencephalogram
EDTA	Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid
ED	Emergency Department
ECG (EKG)	Electrocardiogram
ECF	Extracellular Fluid
ECF	Extended Care Facility
EAR	Estimated Average Requirement

Fx	Fracture
FVD	Fluid Volume Deficit
ft	oot or Feet
FSH	Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
FOBT	Fecal Occult Blood Test
Fl	Fluorine
fl	luid
FF	Forced Feeding, or Forced Fluids
FeSO4	Iron Sulfate
Fe	Iron
FDA	Food and Drug Administration
FCA	False Claims Act
FBS	Fasting Blood Sugar
FAS	Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
F	Fahrenheit

Gyn	Gynecology
GU	Genitourinary
gtt/min	Drops Per Minute
GTT	Glucose Tolerance Test
gtt	Drop
gr	Grain
GI	Gastrointestinal
GHB	Glycosylated Hemoglobin
GH	Growth Hormone
GGTP	Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase
GGT	Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase
GFR	Glomerular Filtration Rate
GER	Gastroesophageal Reflux
GED	General Education Development
GCS	Glasgow Coma Scale
GAS	General Adaptation Syndrome
GAO	General Accounting Office
g/dL	Grams Per Deciliter
g	Gram

HRSA	Health Resources and Services Administration
HR	Heart Rate
HPO4	Phosphate
HOB	Head of Bed
HMO	Health Maintenance Organization
HLA	Human Leukocyte Antigen
HIV	Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HIS	Hospital Information System
Hgb	Hemoglobin
Hg	Mercury
HFA	Hospice Foundation of America
Hep B	Hepatitis B
HDV	Hepatitis D Virus
HDL	High Density Lipoprotein
HCV	Hepatitis C Virus
Hct	Hematocrit
HCO3−	Bicarbonate Ion
HCl	Hydrochloric Acid, Hydrochloride
hCG	Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
HCFA	Health Care Financing Administration
HBV	Hepatitis B Virus
HB5AG	Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
H2O	Water
H+	Hydrogen Ion
h.s.	Hour of Sleep
H&H	Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
h	Hour(S)

IVPB	Intravenous Piggyback
IVP	Intravenous Push, Intravenous Pyelogram
IVAD	Implantable Vascular Access Device
IV	Intravenous
ITT	Insulin Tolerance Test
Isol	Isolation
IOM	Institute of Medicine
IOL	Intraocular Lens
INR	International Normalized Ratio
in	Inch
IM	Intramuscular
IHCT	Interdisciplinary Health Care Team
IgM	Immunoglobulin M
IgG	Immunoglobulin G
ID	Intradermal
ID	Identification
ICU	Intensive Care Unit
ICN	International Council of Nurses
ICF	Intracellular Fluid
ICF	Intermediate Care Facility
IADLs	Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
I&O	Intake and Output
I	Iodine

KVO	Keep Vein Open
KUB	Kidneys/Ureters/Bladder
KS	Ketosteroids
kg	Kilogram
KCl	Potassium Chloride
kcal	Kilocalorie
K+	Potassium Ion
K	Potassium

LPN	Licensed Practical Nurse
LP/VN	Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse
LP	Lumbar Puncture
LOC	Level of Consciousness
LMP	Last Menstrual Period
LLQ	Left Lower Quadrant
LH	Luteinizing Hormone
LFT	Liver Function Test
LES	Lower Esophageal Sphincter
LE	Lupus Erythematosus
LDL	Low Density Lipoprotein
LDH	Lactic Dehydrogenase
lb	Pound
LAS	Local Adaptation Syndrome
L/min	Liters Per Minute
L	Liter

MUGA	Multi-Gated Acquisition
MSDS	Material Safety Data Sheet
MS	Morphine Sulfate
MRSA	Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
MRI	Magnetic Resonance Imaging
mOsm/kg	Milliosmoles/Kilogram
MOM	Milk of Magnesia
Mo	Molybdenum
Mn	Manganese
MMR	Measles, Mumps, Rubella
mmol/L	Millimoles Per Liter
mL	Milliliter
min	Minute
MI	Myocardial Infarction
MgSO4	Magnesium Sulfate
MgCl	Magnesium Chloride
Mg++	Magnesium Ion
mg/dL	Milligrams Per Deciliter
mg	Milligram
Mg	Magnesium
mEq/L	Milliequivalents Per Liter
mEq	Milliequivalent
MDS	Minimum Data Set
MDR-TB	Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis
MDR	Multidrug-Resistant
MDI	Metered-Dose Inhaler
MD	Doctor of Medicine
mcg (or μg)	Microgram
MAR	Medication Administration Record
MAOI	Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor
MAO	Monoamine Oxidase
m2	Square Meter
m	Meter

NSF	National Sleep Foundation
NS	Normal Saline
NREM	Non-Rapid Eye Movement
NPO	Nothing By Mouth
NPO	Nil per os, Latin for “Nothing By Mouth”
NPDB	National Practitioner Data Bank
NP	Nurse Practitioner
Noct	At Night
NOC	Nursing Outcomes Classification
NMDS	Nursing Minimum Data Set
NLN	National League for Nursing
NIS	Nursing Information System
NIOSH	National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
NIH	National Institutes of Health
NICU	Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
NIC	Nursing Interventions Classification
NIA	National Institute on Aging
NHO	National Hospice Organization
NH2	Amino Group
NG	Nasogastric
NCLD	National Center for Learning Disabilities
NCHS	National Center for Health Statistics
NAPNE	National Association of Practical Nurse Education
NaOH	Sodium Hydroxide
NANDA	North American Nursing Diagnosis Association
NaHPO4	Sodium Monohydrogen Phosphate
NaHCO3	Sodium Bicarbonate
NAHC	National Association for Home Care
NaH2PO4	Sodium Dihydrogen Phosphate
NADSA	National Adult Day Services Associations
NaCl	Sodium Chloride
Na2SO4	Sodium Sulfate
Na2HPO4	Disodium Phosphate
Na+	Sodium Ion
Na	Sodium
NA	Not Applicable
N2	Nitrogen

oz	Ounce
OU	Both Eyes
OTC	Over-The-Counter
OT	Oral Temperature
OT	Occupational Therapist
OSHA	Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OS	Left Eye
ORIF	Open Reduction/Internal Fixation
OR	Operating Room
OH−	Hydroxyl
OD	Right Eye
OBRA	Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
OAM	Office of Alternative Medicine
O2	Oxygen
O&P	Ova and Parasite

PVD	Peripheral Vascular Disease
PTT	Partial Thromboplastin Time
PTSD	Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTH	Parathyroid Hormone
PT	Prothrombin Time
pt	Pint
PT	Physical Therapist
PT	Patient
PSP	Phenolsulfonphthalein
PSDA	Patient Self-Determination Act
PSA	Prostate Specific Antigen
PROM	Passive Range of Motion
PRO	Peer Review Organization
PRN	Pro Re Nata
PRL	Prolactin Level
PRA	Plasma Renin Activity
PPS	Prospective Payment System
PPO	Preferred Provider Organization
PPG	Post Prandial Glucose
PPE	Personal Protective Equipment
PPBS	Post Prandial Blood Sugar
Post op spec	After Surgery Urine Specimen
PO4−−	Phosphate Ion
PO2(PaO2)	Partial Pressure of Oxygen
PO	By Mouth (Per os In Latin)
PNS	Peripheral Nervous System
PNI	Psychoneuroimmunology
PMS	Premenstrual Syndrome
PMR	Progressive Muscle Relaxation
PMI	Point of Maximum Intensity
PLMS	Periodic Limb Movements In Sleep
PKU	Phenylketonuria
PIE	Problem, Implementation, Evaluation
PICU	Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
PICC	Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter
pH	Potential Hydrogen
PFT	Pulmonary Function Test
PET	Positron Emission Tomography
PEG	Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy
PDPH	Postdural Puncture Headache
PCV	Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
PCR	Polymerase Chain Reaction
PCP	Primary Care Provider
PCO2	Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide
PAR	Postanesthesia Room
Pap	Papanicolaou Test
PA	Posteroanterior
PA	Physician’s Assistant
p¯	After
p.c.	After Meals
P	Pulse
P	Phosphorus

qd	Every Day
qt	Quart
qh	Every Hour
qs	Quantity Sufficient
qod	Every Other Day
qid	Four Times A Day
q2h	Every 2 Hours
q	Quaque, Latin for “Every”

RWJF	Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
RUQ	Right Upper Quadrant
RUGS	Resource Utilization Group System
RTI	Respiratory Tract Infection
RT	Respiratory Therapist
RT	Rectal Temperature
RSV	Respiratory Syncytial Virus
RR	Recovery Room
RPR	Rapid Plasma Reagin
RPh	Registered Pharmacist
RPCH	Rural Primary Care Hospital
ROS	Review of Systems
ROM	Range of Motion
RNFA	Registered Nurse First Assistant
RNA	Ribonucleic Acid
RN	Registered Nurse
RLS	Restless Leg Syndrome
RLQ	Right Lower Quadrant
RF	Rheumatoid Factor
REM	Rapid Eye Movement
RDA	Recommended Dietary Allowance
RD	Registered Dietician
RBC	Red Blood Count, Red Blood Cell
RAST	Radio Allergosorbent Test
RAIU	Radioactive Iodine Uptake
R/T	Related To
R (Resp)	Respiration

SW	Social Worker
susp	Suspension
supp	Suppository
STD	Sexually Transmitted Disease
STAT/Stat	Immediately, (Statim In Latin)
SSA	Social Security Administration
SPF	Sun Protection Factor
SOB	Shortness of Breath
SOAP	Subjective Data, Objective Data, Assessment, Plan
SNF	Skilled Nursing Facility
SL	Sublingual
SGPT	Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase
SGOT	Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase
Se	Selenium
SCHIP	State Children’s Health Insurance Program
SC/SQ	Subcutaneous
SBC	School-Based Clinic
SaO2	Oxygen Saturation
SAMe	S-Adenosylmethionine
S	Sulfur

tsp	Teaspoon
TSH	Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
TSE	Testicular Self Examination
TRH	Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone
Tr or tinct	Tincture
TPR	Temperature, Pulse, Respiration
TPN	Total Parenteral Nutrition
TMJ	Temporomandibular Joint
TICU	Trauma Intensive Care Unit
TIBC	Total Iron Binding Capacity
TIA	Transient Ischemic Attack
THA	Total Hip Arthroplasty
TF	Tube Feeding
TENS	Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Td	Tetanus/Diphtheria
Tbsp	Tablespoon
TB	Tuberculosis
TAC	Tetracaine, Adrenaline, Cocaine
tab	Tablet
T4	Thyroxine
T3	Triiodothyronine
t.o.	Telephone Order
T	Temperature

UTI	Urinary Tract Infection
USP	United States Pharmacopeia
URQ	Upper Right Quadrant
UPP	Urethra Pressure Profile
UMLS	Universal Medical Language System
UL	Upper Intake Level
UIS	Universal Intellectual Standards
UAP	Unlicensed Assistive Personnel
UA or U/A	Routine Urinalysis
U-100	100 Units Insulin Per Cc
U/L	Unit Per Liter
U	Unit

VS	Vital Signs
VRE	Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci
VMA	Vanillymandelic Acid
VLDL	Very Low-Density Lipoprotein
VDRL	Venereal Disease Research Laboratory
VAS	Visual Analog Scale
VAD	Ventricular Assist Device, Vascular Access Device
VA	Veterans Administration, Veterans Affairs