This list provides a review of what you need to know about acronyms and abbreviations used in charting, verbal directives, and study guides.
a: Before (ante)
AAA: Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Ab: Antibody; Abortion
Abd: Abdomen; Abdominal
ABG: Arterial blood gas
ac: Before meals (ante cibum)
ACE: Angiotensin-converting enzyme
ACTH: Adrenocorticotropic hormone
ADH: Antidiuretic hormone
ADHD: Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder
ad lib: As much as desired (ad libitum)
ADLs: Activities of daily living
AED: Automatic external defibrillator
AFB: Acid-fast bacillus
Afib: Atrial fibrillation
Aflutter: Atrial flutter
AFP: Alpha-fetoprotein
AG: Antigen
AGA: Average for gestational age
AGE: Acute gastroenteritis
AHF: Antihemophilic factor
AIDS: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
AK (or AKA): Above-the-knee (amputation)
ALL: Acute lymphocytic (lymphoblastic) leukemia
ALS: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
AMA: Against medical advice
AML: Acute myelogenous leukemia
Amp: Ampule
ANP: Adult nurse practitioner
ANS: Autonomic nervous system
A&O ×3: Alert, oriented to person, place, time
AP: Anteroposterior; Alkaline phosphatase
aPPT: Activated partial thromboplastin time
APSGN: Acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis
ARC: AIDS-related complex
ARDS: Adult respiratory distress syndrome
ARF: Acute renal failure
ARMD: Age-related macular degeneration
AROM: Artificial rupture of membranes
ASA: Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
ASAP: As soon as possible
ASD: Atrial septal defect
AST: Aspartate aminotransferase
AV: Atrioventricular; Arteriovenous; Aortic valve
AVB: Atrioventricular block
AVM: Arteriovenous malformation
AVR: Aortic valve repair
BAC: Blood alcohol concentration
BBT: Basal body temperature
BCLS: Basic cardiac life support
BK (or BKA): Below-the-knee (amputation)
BM: Bowel movement; Bone marrow
BMA: Bone marrow aspiration
BMI: Body mass index
BMR: Basal metabolic rate
BMT: Bone marrow transplant
BOM: Bilateral otitis media
BP: Blood pressure
BPD: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
BPH: Benign prostatic hyperplasia
bpm: Beats per minute
BPP: Biophysical profile
BRP: Bathroom privileges
BSE: Breast self-examination
BUN: Blood urea nitrogen
: With (cum)
CA: Carcinoma; Cancer
CABG: Coronary artery bypass graft operation (×1, 2, 3, 4: number of grafts)
CAD: Coronary artery disease
CBC: Complete blood count
CCU: Cardiac (intensive) care unit
CD: Communicable disease
CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CF: Cystic fibrosis
CHD: Congenital heart disease; Coronary heart disease
CHF: Congestive heart failure
CICU: Cardiac intensive care unit
CMV: Cytomegalovirus
CNS: Central nervous system; Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus; Clinical nurse specialist
C/O: Complains of
COA (CoA): Coarctation of the aorta
COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CP: Cerebral palsy
CPD: Cephalopelvic disproportion
CPK: Creatine phosphokinase (now creatine kinase [CK])
CPR: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CRF: Chronic renal failure; Cardiac risk factors
CRP: C-reactive protein
C&S: Culture and sensitivity
CSF: Cerebrospinal fluid
CSM: Circulation, sensory, and motor
CST: Contraction stress test
CT: Computed tomography
CV: Cardiovascular
CVA: Cerebrovascular accident (now called brain attack); Costovertebral angle
CVP: Central venous pressure
: Change (Greek letter delta)
D&C: Dilation and curettage
D&D: Dehydration and diarrhea
DDH: Developmental dysplasia of the hip
D&E: Dilation and evacuation
DI: Diabetes insipidus
DIC: Disseminated intravascular coagulation
Dig: Digitalis
DJD: Degenerative joint disease
DKA: Diabetic ketoacidosis
DM: Diabetes mellitus
DMD: Duchenne's muscular dystrophy
DNR: Do not resuscitate
DOA: Dead on arrival
DOB: Date of birth
DOE: Dyspnea on exertion
DPT: Diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus
DRG: Diagnosis-related group
DRI: Dietary reference intakes
DTR: Deep tendon reflex
DTs: Delirium tremens
DVT: Deep vein thrombosis
D5W/D5W: 5% dextrose in water
Dx: Diagnosis
ECF: Extended care facility; Extracellular fluid
ECG: Electrocardiogram (purist's version)
Echo: Echocardiogram
ECMO: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
ECT: Electroconvulsive therapy (see EST)
ED: Emergency department (commonly called emergency room); Erectile dysfunction
EDD: Estimated date of delivery
EEG: Electroencephalogram
EENT: Eye, ear, nose, and throat
EFM: Electronic fetal monitoring
EKG: Electrocardiogram (common version)
EMG: Electromyogram
EMS: Emergency medical service
EMT: Emergency medical technician
ENT: Ear, nose, and throat
EPS: Extrapyramidal symptoms
ER: Emergency room
ESR: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
EST: Electroshock therapy
ETOH: Alcohol (ethanol)
FAS: Fetal alcohol syndrome
FBS: Fasting blood sugar
FEV1: Forced expiratory volume in 1 second
FHR: Fetal heart rate
FHT: Fetal heart tones
FNP: Family nurse practitioner
FRC: Functional residual capacity
FSH: Follicle-stimulating hormone
FTT: Failure to thrive
FUO: Fever of unknown origin
FVC: Forced vital capacity
Fx: Fracture
g: Gram
G: Gravida
GABS: Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus
GB: Gallbladder
GBS: Group B streptococcus; Guillain-Barré syndrome
GC: Gonococcus; Gonorrhea
GCS: Glasgow Coma Scale
G&D: Growth and development
GDM: Gestational diabetes mellitus
GER: Gastroesophageal reflux
GI: Gastrointestinal
gm: Gram
gr: Grain
GTT: Glucose tolerance test
gtt(s): Drop(s) (guttae)
GU: Genitourinary
GYN: Gynecological
HAV: Hepatitis A virus
HBGM: Home blood glucose monitoring
HBV: Hepatitis B virus
HCG: Human chorionic gonadotropin
Hct: Hematocrit
HCV: Hepatitis C virus
HDL: High-density lipoprotein
HEENT: Head, eyes, ears, nose, throat
Hgb: Hemoglobin
HgbA1c: Glycosylated hemoglobin
HIB: Haemophilus influenzae type B
HIV: Human immunodeficiency virus
HMO: Health maintenance organization
HOB: Head of bed
HPL: Human placental lactogen
HPS: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
HPV: Human papillomavirus
HR: Heart rate
HRT: Hormone replacement therapy
HSP: Henoch-Schönlein purpura
HSV: Herpes simplex virus
HTN: Hypertension
Hx: History
ICP: Intracranial pressure
ICU: Intensive care unit
I&D: Incision and drainage
IDDM: Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
Ig: Immunoglobulin
IM: Intramuscular
INH: Isoniazid
I/O, I&O: Intake and output
IPPB: Intermittent positive-pressure breathing
IQ: Intelligence quotient
IUD: Intrauterine device
IUFD: Intrauterine fetal death
IV: Intravenous
IVC: Inferior vena cava
IVH: Intraventricular hemorrhage
IVP: Intravenous pyelogram; Intravenous push
JCAHO: Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
JIA: Juvenile ideopathic arthritis
JRA: Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (old term for juvenile ideopathic arthritis)
KD: Kawasaki disease
KUB: Kidneys, ureters, bladder (flat/upright abdominal x-ray)
L&B: Laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy
L-C-P, LCPD: Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
LDL: Low-density lipoprotein
LFTs: Liver function tests
LGA: Large for gestational age
LGI: Lower gastrointestinal
LLL: Left lower (lung) lobe
LLQ: Left lower quadrant
LMP: Last menstrual period
LOC: Loss of consciousness; Level of consciousness
LPN: Licensed practical nurse
LTB: Laryngotracheobronchitis
LTE: Life-threatening event
LUL: Left upper (lung) lobe
LUQ: Left upper quadrant
LVN: Licensed vocational nurse
MAOI: Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
MAP: Mean arterial pressure
MCL: Midclavicular line
MD: Muscular dystrophy
MDI: Metered-dose inhaler
Med: Medication
mEq: Milliequivalent
MI: Myocardial infarction
mL: Milliliter
MMR: Measles, mumps, rubella
MOM: Milk of magnesia
Mono: Mononucleosis
MR: Mitral regurgitation; Mental retardation
MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging
MRSA: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MVR: Mitral valve repair/replacement
NA: Not applicable
NEC: Necrotizing enterocolitis
NG: Nasogastric
NICU: Neonatal intensive care unit
NIDDM: Non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
NL: Normal
NM: Neuromuscular
NOC: Night (nocturnal)
NPH: Neutral protamine Hagedorn (intermediate-acting insulin)
NPO: Nothing by mouth (nil per os)
NS: Normal saline
NSAID: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NSR: Normal sinus rhythm
NST: Nonstress test
NTG: Nitroglycerin
N/V: Nausea, vomiting
NVD: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
O2: Oxygen
OB: Obstetrics
OFTT: Organic failure to thrive
OM: Otitis media
OOB: Out of bed; out of breath
O&P: Ova and parasites
OR: Operating room
OT: Occupational therapy
OTC: Over-the-counter
p: Post (after)
P: Para; Pulse
PA: Posteroanterior; Physician's assistant; Pulmonary artery
PAC: Premature atrial contraction
PACU: Postanesthesia care unit
PAF: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
PaO2: Arterial partial pressure of oxygen
PAO2: Alveolar oxygen pressure
PAS: Para-aminosalicylic acid
PAT: Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
pc: After meals (post cibum)
PCA: Patient-controlled analgesia (pump); Patient care assistant
PCP: Pneumocystis pneumonia; Phencyclidine
PDA: Patent ductus arteriosus
PE: Pulmonary embolus; Pulmonary edema
PEEP: Positive end-expiratory pressure
PERRL(A): Pupils equally round and reactive to light (and accommodation)
PFTs: Pulmonary function tests
PICU: Pediatric intensive care unit
PID: Pelvic inflammatory disease
PIH: Pregnancy-induced hypertension
PKU: Phenylketonuria
PMI: Point of maximum impulse
PMS: Premenstrual syndrome
PND: Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
PNP: Pediatric nurse practitioner
PO: By mouth (per os)
PPD: Purified protein derivative (TB skin test); Percussion and postural drainage
PPHN: Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn
PPO: Preferred provider organization
PQRST: Provoke-quality-radiation-severity-time
prn: When necessary (pro re nata)
PSA: Prostate-specific antigen
Pt: Patient
PT: Prothrombin time; Physical therapy
PTA: Prior to admission
PTCA: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
PTL: Preterm labor
PTSD: Post-traumatic stress disorder
PTT: Partial thromboplastin time
PUD: Peptic ulcer disease
PVC: Premature ventricular contraction
q: Each, every (quaque)
qh: Every hour
R: Respirations
RA: Rheumatoid arthritis; Right atrium
RAD: Reactive airway disease
RBC: Red blood cell
RDA: Recommended daily/dietary allowance
RDS: Respiratory distress syndrome
RHD: Rheumatic heart disease
RLL: Right lower (lung) lobe
RLQ: Right lower quadrant
RML: Right middle (lung) lobe
R/O: Rule out
ROM: Range of motion; Rupture of membranes
ROP: Retinopathy of prematurity
ROS: Review of systems
RR: Respiratory rate
RSV: Respiratory syncytial virus
RT: Respiratory therapy
R/T: Related to
RUL: Right upper (lung) lobe
RUQ: Right upper quadrant
Rx: Prescription/Therapy/Treatment
s: Without (sine)
S1: First heart sound
S2: Second heart sound
S3: Third heart sound
S4: Fourth heart sound
SAB: Spontaneous abortion
SaO2: Arterial blood-oxygen saturation
SBE: Subacute bacterial endocarditis
SCA: Sickle cell anemia
SGA: Small for gestational age
SIADH: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
SICU: Surgical intensive care unit
SIDS: Sudden infant death syndrome
SL: Sublingually
SLE: Systemic lupus erythematosus
SNF: Skilled nursing facility
SOB: Short(ness) of breath
SR: Sinus rhythm
SROM: Spontaneous rupture of membranes
S/Sx: Signs/symptoms
Stat: Immediately (statim)
STI: Sexually transmitted infection
SVD: Spontaneous vaginal delivery
Sx: Symptoms
T: Temperature
T&A: Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
TAB: Therapeutic abortion
TAR: Total all routes (intake)
TB: Tuberculosis
TCA: Tricyclic antidepressant
TEF: Tracheoesophageal fistula
TENS: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
TGV: Transposition of great vessels
TIA: Transient ischemic attack
TKO: To keep open
TLC: Total lung capacity; Tender loving care; Therapeutic lifestyle change
TOF: Tetralogy of Fallot
TOLAC: Trial of labor after cesarean section
TORCH: Toxoplasmosis, other (hepatitis B, syphilis), rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex 2
TPA: Tissue plasminogen activator
TPN: Total parenteral nutrition
TPR: Temperature, pulse, respirations
TSE: Testicular self-examination
TSH: Thyroid-stimulating hormone
TSS: Toxic shock syndrome
TURP: Transurethral resection of prostate
TV: Total volume; Tidal volume
TVH: Total vaginal hysterectomy
Tx: Treatment
UA: Urinalysis
UAP: Unlicensed assistive personnel
UDAB: Urine drugs of abuse
UGI: Upper gastrointestinal
UQ: Upper quadrant
URI: Upper respiratory infection
UTI: Urinary tract infection
UV: Ultraviolet
VBAC: Vaginal birth after cesarean
VC: Vital capacity
VCUG: Voiding cystourethrography
VD: Venereal disease
VF, Vfib: Ventricular fibrillation
VS: Vital signs
VSD: Ventricular septal defect
VZV: Varicella-zoster virus
w/: With
WBC: White blood cell; White blood (cell) count
WHO: World Health Organization
WIC: Women, infants, and children
WNL: Within normal limits
w/o: Without