question

amb

answer

ambulate/ambulatory ( def: walk, move around)

question

ad lib

answer

as desired (Ex: OOB ad lib = out of bed as desired)

question

BRP

answer

bathroom priviledges

question

BR

answer

bed rest

question

OOB

answer

out of bed

question

Afib

answer

atrial fibrillation

question

ASHD

answer

Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease

question

BPH

answer

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (def: enlargement of prostate)

question

Ca

answer

Cancer

question

CAD

answer

Coronary Artery DIsease

question

CHD

answer

Congenital Heart Disease (def: defect of the heart which is present at the time of birth)

question

CHF

answer

Congestive Heart Failure (Loss of the heart's pumping power, which causes fluids to collect in the body, especially in the feet and lungs).

question

COPD

answer

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

question

CRF

answer

Chronic Renal Failure (More severe than CRI)

question

CRI

answer

Chronic Renal Insufficiency (progressive loss in renal function over a period of months or years; less severe than CRF).

question

CVA

answer

Cerebrovascular Accident (aka stroke)

question

DM

answer

Diabetes mellitus

question

HTN

answer

Hypertension (elevated blood pressure: greater than 140/90)

question

IDDM

answer

Insulin-dependent Diabetes mellitus

question

MI

answer

Myocardial infarction (destruction of heart tissue resulting from obstruction of the blood supply to the heart muscle)

question

MD

answer

Muscular dystrophy (hereditary disease of the muscular system characterized by weakness and wasting of skeletal muscles)

question

MS

answer

Multiple Sclerosis (A chronic, typically progressive disease involving damage to the sheaths of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord)

question

NIDDM

answer

Non-Insulin dependent Diabetes mellitus

question

OA

answer

Osteoarthritis (Degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone)

question

PE

answer

Pulmonary Embolism (blockage of the pulmonary artery by foreign matter or by a blood clot)

question

PID

answer

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

question

PVD

answer

Peripheral Vascular Disease

question

RA

answer

Rheumatoid arthritis (A chronic progressive disease causing inflammation in the joints and resulting in painful deformity and immobility, esp. in the fingers, wrists, feet, and ankles)

question

STD

answer

Sexually transmitted disease

question

UGI

answer

Upper Gastrointestinal

question

URI

answer

Upper Respiratory Infection

question

UTI

answer

Urinary tract infection (main agent: E.coli)

question

ABG

answer

Arterial Blood Gas (test that looks for O2 and CO2 levels in arterial blood)

question

BE

answer

Barium Enema (procedure used to examine and diagnose problems with colon)

question

BMP

answer

Basic Metabolic Panel (blood chemistries) (7 to 8 blood tests; measures glucose, electrolyte and fluid balance, and kidney fx)

question

BS

answer

Blood sugar

question

BUN

answer

Blood Urea Nitrogen (Test; A waste product in the blood from the breakdown of protein. The kidneys filter blood to remove urea. As kidney function decreases, the BUN levels increase)

question

CABG

answer

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

question

CBC

answer

Complete Blood Count (wbc + rbc + platelets)

question

CBCdiff

answer

Complete Blood Count with differential (different types of wbc and what amts; able to diagnose anemia and other illnesses; hematocrit etc)

question

Chem7

answer

Basic Metabolic Panel (7 blood tests taken)

question

Chem 12

answer

Complete metabolic panel

question

CMP

answer

Complete metabolic panel

question

c & s

answer

culture & sensitivity (tests that can be used to predict which antibiotics will be most effective in treating the infection; prevents drug-resistance)

question

CT

answer

Cat Scan

question

CXR

answer

Chest X-ray

question

ECG (EKG)

answer

Electrocardiogram

question

EEG

answer

Electroencephalogram

question

FBS

answer

Fasting blood sugar

question

Hgb

answer

Hemoglobin

question

Hct

answer

Hematocrit

question

IVP

answer

Intravenous Pyelogram (special x-ray examination of the kidneys, bladder, and ureters)

question

KUB

answer

X-ray of Kidneys, Ureters and Bladder

question

lytes

answer

Electrolytes

question

ORIF

answer

Open Reduction Internal Fixation (orthopedic surgery used to repair a fractured bone, in those situations where the fracture would not heal properly with a simple cast or splint)

question

Plt

answer

platelets

question

Profile I

answer

Basic Metabolic Panel

question

Profile II

answer

Complete Metabolic Panel

question

RBC

answer

Red blood cell

question

SBFT

answer

Small Bowel Follow Through (Diagnostic procedure in which x-rays are taken of the small intestine as the barium liquid passes through it)

question

THR

answer

Total Hip Replacement

question

TKR

answer

Total Knee Replacement

question

TURP

answer

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (surgical procedure by which portions of the prostate gland are removed through the penis; treats BPH)

question

UA

answer

Urinalysis (urine exam)

question

UGI (test)

answer

Upper GI series (x- rays of esophagus, stomach and duodenum)

question

US

answer

Ultrasound

question

ā

answer

before (from latin: ante)

question

a.c.

answer

before meals

question

abd

answer

abdomen

question

ad lib

answer

as desired

question

abx

answer

antibiotics

question

ADL's

answer

Activities of Daily Living

question

AMA

answer

Against Medical Advice

question

ANL

answer

Above Normal Limits

question

AP

answer

Anterior/Posterior (front/back)

question

ASAP

answer

As Soon As Possible

question

BID

answer

twice daily (from latin: bis a die)

question

BIPAP

answer

Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (provides more pressure when you inhale, making it easier to breathe; used in sleep apnea)

question

BLE

answer

Bilateral Lower Extremities (Bilateral = affects BOTH sides; in this case BOTH legs) (Lower Extremities= from hip to toe)

question

BM

answer

Bowel movement

question

BP

answer

Blood pressure

question

BSD

answer

Bedside drainage

question

Bx

answer

Biopsy

question

c

answer

with (latin: cum)

question

cc

answer

Same as ml; MUST now use ml 1 cc = 1ml

question

cath.

answer

catheritization (operation that introduces a catheter into the body; i.e.: cardiac catheritization uses catheter to observe blockage in the coronary arteries found in the heart)

question

c/o

answer

complains of

question

CMST

answer

Color, Motion, Sensation, Temperature (Can be used to assess circulation; Color = "is it pink?"; Motion = "can you wiggle toes?"; Sensation = "can patient tell me which toes I am moving?"; Temperature = "is the foot warm?"

question

cp

answer

chest pain

question

CPAP

answer

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (treatment that uses mild air pressure to keep lungs open; seen in children with underdeveloped lungs)

question

CPM

answer

Continuous Passive Motion (Machine) (A machine that controls the range of movement a joint is able to do. It is used after surgery in order to regain movement)

question

CPR

answer

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

question

CRM

answer

Clinical Resource Manager

question

CV

answer

Cardiovascular (pertaining to the heart and blood vessels)

question

D5

answer

5% Dextrose solution (solution that contains dextrose, which is a carbohydrate. IV is used to inject this in vein in order to replace lost fluids and carbohydrates)

question

d/c

answer

discontinue

question

D/S

answer

Discharge summary

question

DSD

answer

Dry Sterile Dressing

question

dsg

answer

dressing

question

DOA

answer

Date of Admission

question

DOE

answer

Dyspnea on Exertion (definiton: shortness of breath when you perform an activity; can indicate presence of disease)

question

dx

answer

diagnosis

question

DNR

answer

Do Not Resuscitate

question

elix.

answer

elixir

question

EVNA

answer

Eddy visiting nurse association

question

Fe

answer

Iron

question

FeSO4

answer

Ferrous sulfate (iron)

question

FOB

answer

Foot of bed

question

FWB

answer

Full Weight Bearing

question

fx

answer

fracture

question

G or g

answer

grams

question

GI

answer

Gastrointestinal

question

GT

answer

G tube

question

GTF

answer

G tube feeding

question

gtt

answer

drops

question

GU

answer

Genitourinary

question

H/A

answer

Headache

question

H2O

answer

Water

question

HOB

answer

Head of Bed

question

HOH

answer

Hard of Hearing

question

HR

answer

Heart Rate

question

hs

answer

hours of sleep

question

hx

answer

history (as in medical history)

question

I & O

answer

Intake & Output

question

IM

answer

Intramuscular

question

IU

answer

International Units; NOW USE UNITS!

question

IV

answer

Intravenous

question

KCl

answer

Potassium Chloride

question

KVO

answer

Keep Vein Open

question

Lat.

answer

Lateral (pertaining to the sides)

question

lb.

answer

pound

question

Lt L

answer

Left

question

LLE

answer

Left Lower Extremity

question

LLQ

answer

Left Lower Quadrant

question

LUQ

answer

Left Upper Quadrant

question

mEq

answer

milliequivalent

question

MgSO4

answer

Magnesium Sulfate; MUST NOW USE MAGNESIUM SULFATE!

question

MN

answer

Midnight

question

MOM

answer

Milk of Magnesia

question

MS

answer

Musculoskeletal (**Remember, there are 2 cards for MS, one is for multiple sclerosis, the other is for musculoskeletal)!

question

MSO4

answer

Morphine Sulfate; MUST NOW USE MORPHINE SULFATE!

question

NC

answer

Nasal Cannula

question

neg

answer

negative

question

NG

answer

Nasogastric

question

NGT

answer

Nasogastric tube

question

NKA

answer

No Known Allergies

question

NKDA

answer

No Known Drug Allergies

question

NPO

answer

Nothing by mouth

question

NS

answer

Normal Saline

question

1/2 NS

answer

Half Normal Saline

question

1/4 NS

answer

Quarter Normal Saline

question

N/V

answer

Nausea & Vomiting

question

NWB

answer

Non-weight bearing (leg must NOT touch floor and is NOT allowed to support any weight at all)

question

O2

answer

Oxygen

question

OD

answer

Right Eye (from latin: oculus dexter)

question

OS

answer

Left Eye (from latin: oculus sinister)

question

OU

answer

Both Eyes (from latin: oculus uterque)

question

OT

answer

Occupational Therapy

question

p (with bar on top)

answer

after (from latin: post; i.e.: p.c. = after meals)

question

P (Upper case P)

answer

Pulse

question

PA

answer

Posterior/Anterior (Back/Front)

question

p.c.

answer

After Meals

question

per

answer

By

question

PMH

answer

past medical history (Difference btw PMH and Hx? PMH is PAST medical history, while Hx could be current medical history)

question

PO

answer

By mouth

question

POD#

answer

Post Operative Day # ____

question

Postop

answer

Postoperative (after surgery)

question

PPD

answer

Purified Protein Derivative (Tuberculin Skin Test; exam used to diagnose exposure to Tuberculosis)

question

PR

answer

Per-rectum

question

Preop

answer

Preoperative (Before surgery)

question

PRN

answer

As needed (from latin: pro re nata)

question

PT

answer

Physical Therapy

question

pt

answer

Patient

question

PWB

answer

Partial Weight Bearing

question

Q or q

answer

Every (from latin: quaque)

question

Qam or qam

answer

Every morning (from latin: quaque die ante meridiem = every day before noon)

question

QD or qd

answer

Daily; MUST USE DAILY! (from latin: quaque die = every day)

question

QID

answer

4 times a day (from latin: quater in die)

question

QN

answer

MUST NOW USE NIGHTLY or EVERY NIGHT!

question

QOD

answer

Every Other Day (from latin: quaque altera die)

question

QHS or qhs

answer

At hours of sleep (usually 9pm) (from latin: quaque hora somni)

question

R or resp

answer

respiration

question

rehab

answer

rehabilitation

question

RLE

answer

Right Lower Extremity (Ex: right toe)

question

RUE

answer

Right Upper Extremity

question

RLQ

answer

Right Lower Quadrant

question

RUQ

answer

Right Upper Quadrant

question

R/O

answer

Rule Out

question

ROM

answer

Range Of Motion (Examples: AROM = ACTIVE Range of Motion; PROM = PASSIVE Range of Motion)

question

Rt or R

answer

Right

question

RT

answer

Respiratory Therapy

question

Rx

answer

Prescription

question

s (with a bar on top)

answer

without

question

S/S

answer

Signs and Symptoms

question

SC or SQ

answer

Subcutaneous (Under the skin, more specifically at the hypodermis layer)

question

SOB

answer

Short of Breath (Think: when you sob, you get short of breath)

question

sol'n

answer

solution

question

s/p

answer

status post (patient had a (X) at some point in the past) [example: this is a 55yo caucasian male status post MI in 1992, status post CABG x 2, etc. Meaning: This is a 55 year old male that had a myocardial infarction (heart attack) in 1992 and a double coronary artery bypass graft]

question

SR x2

answer

Side Rails x 2 (both side rails)

question

ST

answer

Speech Therapy

question

STAT

answer

Immediately!

question

supp.

answer

suppository

question

susp.

answer

suspension

question

syp.

answer

syrup

question

T or temp

answer

temperature

question

tab.

answer

tablet

question

TF

answer

tube feeding

question

T.I.D.

answer

3 times daily (from latin: ter in die)

question

T.O.

answer

Telephone order

question

tsp

answer

teaspoon

question

tbsp

answer

tablespoon

question

TTWB

answer

Toe Touch Weight Bearing (foor or toes touch floor for balance, but do NOT support any weight)

question

Tx

answer

Treatment

question

Tx

answer

Traction

question

VM

answer

Venturi Mask (for O2 delivery) *Used in nebulizers

question

VNA

answer

Visiting Nurse Association

question

VS

answer

Vital Signs

question

w/a

answer

while awake

question

w/c

answer

wheelchair

question

WBAT

answer

Weight Bearing As Tolerated (patient can support 50-100% of weight on affected leg)

question

WNL

answer

Within Normal Limits

question

wt.

answer

Weight

question

yoa

answer

years of age

question

x

answer

times (multiplication)

question

x (with bar on top)

answer

except

question

100% NRB

answer

100% O2 Non-Rebreather (mask used in medical emergencies for oxygen therapy)

question

ZnSO4

answer

Zinc Sulfate

question

>

answer

Greater than

question

<

answer

Lesser than

question

↑

answer

Increase

question

↓

answer

Decrease

question

1°

answer

Primary

question

2°

answer

Secondary

question

Δ

answer

Change (Greek letter delta, which is used to mean change)

question

+

answer

positive

question

-

answer

negative

question

♀

answer

female

question

♂

answer

male

question

°

answer

hours

question

/

answer

per

question

°

answer

Degree (Ex: 180° = 180 degrees; angle)

question

∢

answer

angle

question

Apothecary symbols

answer

now use METRIC! (apothecary = grains; metric = mg) USE METRIC!!!

question

Trailing zero

answer

As in 1.0mg (anything AFTER the decimal point) MUST USE: 1mg, NOT 1.0mg!

question

Leading zero

answer

As in .1mg (anything BEFORE the decimal point) MUST USE: 0.1mg (NEED TO WRITE OUT THE ZERO)!

question

a- or an-

answer

no, not, without (Example: ANEMIA = literally no blood but means few red cells)

question

ante-

answer

before, in front of (Example: antecubital = in front of the elbow)

question

anti-

answer

against (Example: antibiotic = against living organisms; it kills disease producing microorganisms)

question

bi-

answer

two (Example: bilateral = 2 sides)

question

Brady-

answer

Slow (Example: bradycardia = slow heart rate)

question

Contra-

answer

Against (Example: contraceptives = against conception)

question

Di-

answer

Two (Example: diamelia = absence of 2 limbs) (Example 2: digyny = DOUBLE female genetic contribution)

question

Dia-

answer

Complete, thorough, through (Example: diabetes mellitus = passing through urine with excessive sugar) (Example 2: dialysis = passing blood THROUGH machine to clean it)

question

Dorso-

answer

Back

question

Dys-

answer

Bad, painful, difficult (Example: dyspnea = aka shortness of breath due to difficulty breathing) (Example 2: dysuria = painful urination)

question

Endo-

answer

within (Example: Endocarditis = inflammation within the heart)

question

Exo-

answer

without

question

Hemi-

answer

Half, partial (Example: hemialgia = pain in half the body)

question

Homo-

answer

Same (Example: homolateral = same side of the body)

question

Hydro-

answer

Water [Example: hydroappendix = watery fluid distending (swelling) appendix].

question

Hyper-

answer

Excessive, More than normal (Example: hyperthyroidism = excessive production of thyroid hormone)

question

Hypo-

answer

Below, Less than normal [Example: hypothyroidism = "Below" (LOW) production of thyroid hormone].

question

Infra-

answer

Below (Example: Infra-axillary = below the armpit)

question

Inter-

answer

Between (Example: interalveolar = between alveoli)

question

Mal-

answer

ill, bad, poor (Example: malnourished = poor nourishment)

question

Mid-

answer

Middle (Example: midbrain = "middle" region of the brain

question

Mono-

answer

One (Example: monoarthritis = arthritis affecting ONE joint)

question

Multi-

answer

Many, much (Example: multicystic = having MANY cysts)

question

Pan-

answer

All (Example: panangiitis = inflammation of ALL layers of blood vessel)

question

Peri-

answer

Around (Example: perianal = around the anus)

question

Poly-

answer

Many, much (Example: polycystic ovaries = MANY cysts in ovaries)

question

Pre-

answer

Before (Example: preoperative = BEFORE operation or procedure)

question

Pro-

answer

Before (Example: prothrombin = occurs BEFORE thrombin)

question

Pseudo-

answer

False (Example: pseudoagglutination = "fake" agglutination or "fake clumping")

question

Quad-

answer

Four (Example: quadrantectomy = removal of a QUARTER (or 1/4) of an organ)

question

Re-

answer

Back (Example: reabsorb = absorb BACK)

question

Retro-

answer

Behind (Example: retroperitoneal = BEHIND the peritoneum)

question

Semi-

answer

Half, partial (Example: semiconscious = PARTIAL consciousness)

question

Sub-

answer

Under, below, beneath (Example: submandibular = beneath the mandible)

question

Super-

answer

Above (Example: superficial = above surface)

question

Supra-

answer

Above (Example: Suprarenal glands = glands ABOVE kidneys)

question

Tachy-

answer

Fast, rapid (Example: tachycardia = fast heart rate)

question

Trans-

answer

Across, through (Example: transabdominal = ACROSS the abdomen)

question

Tri-

answer

Three (Example: tricuspid valve = valve in the heart that has THREE cusps)

question

Uni-

answer

One (Example: uniarticular = pertaining to ONE joint)

question

-al

answer

Pertaining to (Example: esophageal: PERTAINING TO the esophagus)

question

-algia

answer

Pain (Example: arthralgia = joint PAIN)

question

-cyte

answer

Cell (Example: melanocyte = CELL that produces melanin)

question

-centesis

answer

Surgical procedure (Example: amniocentesis = puncture made ("surgery") to withdraw amniotic fluid)

question

-ectomy

answer

Removal, excision (Example: appendectomy =REMOVAL of appendix)

question

-emia

answer

Blood condition (Example: leukemia = BLOOD CONDITION pertaining to the white blood cells)

question

-gram

answer

Record (Example: electrocardiogram = RECORD of electrical heart activity)

question

-ic

answer

Pertaining to (Example: anemic = pertaining to anemia)

question

-ism

answer

Condition (Example: hypothyroidism = CONDITION (disease) of thyroid gland, where there is a low production of thyroid hormone)

question

-itis

answer

Inflammation [Example: endocarditis = inflammation of the inner layer of the heart (endocardium)].

question

-logist

answer

Specialist in the study of ________ (Example: cardiologist: SPECIALIST IN THE STUDY OF the heart)

question

-logy

answer

Study of _______ (Example: rheumatology = STUDY OF joints and connective tissue)

question

-megaly

answer

Enlargement (Example: gastromegaly = ENLARGEMENT of the stomach)

question

-oma

answer

Tumor, mass (Example: lymphoma = TUMOR in the lymph node)

question

-osis

answer

Abnormal condition (Example: cirrhosis = ABNORMAL CONDITION of the liver)

question

-tomy

answer

Process of cutting [Example: duodenotomy = incision (process of cutting) of duodenum]

question

-pathy

answer

Disease [Example: retinopathy = DISEASE of the retina of the eye]

question

-rrhea

answer

Discharge, flow [Example: menorrhea = FLOW of blood at menstruation]

question

-scope

answer

Instrument to visually examine (Example: ophthalmoscope = INSTRUMENT TO VISUALLY EXAMINE the eye)

question

-scopy

answer

Process of visual examination (Example: Upper GI endoscopy = PROCESS OF VISUAL EXAMINATION of the Upper Gastrointestinal region)

question

-sis

answer

state of____ (Example: emesis = state of throwing up)

question

-stasis

answer

Standing still [Example: venous stasis = blood "standing stil" in veins due to a blockage (blood circulation slows down due to blockage)]

question

-stenosis

answer

Constriction, narrowing (Example: spinal stenosis = abnormal NARROWING of the spinal canal)

question

-toxic

answer

Poison

question

superficial

answer

toward the surface of the body

question

Deep (internal)

answer

Away from the surface of the body

question

Abduction

answer

Move AWAY from the midline of the body

question

Adduction

answer

Move TOWARDS the midline of the body (think adding)!

question

Medial

answer

Pertaining to the midline of the body or structure

question

Lateral

answer

Pertaining to a side

question

Superior (Cranial)

answer

Toward the head or upper portion of a structure

question

Inferior (Caudal)

answer

Away from the head or towards the tail or lower part of a structure

question

Proximal

answer

NEAR ATTACHMENT of an extremity

question

Distal

answer

FARTHER from ATTACHMENT of an extremity

question

Anterior (ventral)

answer

Near FRONT of body

question

Posterior (dorsal)

answer

Near BACK of body

question

Parietal

answer

Pertaining to the OUTER WALL of the body

question

Visceral

answer

Pertaining to the COVERING OF AN ORGAN!

question

Prone

answer

lying horizontal with face DOWN towards bed, palms of hand AWAY from bed

question

Supine

answer

Lying ON YOUR BACK with FACE UP or denoting palms of hands or feet facing UPWARD (PALMS TOWARD your body)

question

Inversion

answer

Turning inward or inside out

question

Eversion

answer

Turning outward

Common Nursing Abbreviations – Flashcards

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