Common Abrreviations
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Some common abbreviations CNA’s might encounter:
@ at
a before
abd abdomen
ac before meals
ADL activities of daily living
ad lib as desired
AM (am) morning
amb ambulatory
amt amount
ap (A) apical
as tol as tolerated
B/B, BB bed bath, bowel & bladder
bid twice a day
BM (bm) bowel movement
BP blood pressure
BRP bathroom privileges
BR bedrest
c with
CA (ca) cancer, calcium
cath catheter
CBC complete blood count
CBR complete bed rest
cl liq clear liquid
cc cubic centimeters
CCU coronary care unit
c/o complains of
CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CVA cardiovascular accident
dc (d/c) discontinue
DNR do not resuscitate
drsg dressing
Dx diagnosis
EKG (ECG) electrocardiogram
ER emergency room
FBS fasting blood sugar
FF (ff) force fluids
ft foot or feet
GI gastrointestinal
h (hr) hour
HOB head of bed
H2O water
HS (hs) hour of sleep
ht height
ICU intensive care unit
in inch
I&O intake and output
IV intravenous
L left, liter
lb pound
liq liquid
lg large
LLQ left lower quadrant
lt left
LUQ left upper quadrant
meds medications
mid noc mid night
MN midnight
min minute
ml milliliter
na sodium
n/v nausea and vomiting
neg negative
noc night
NPO (npo) nothing by mouth
O2 oxygen
od (o.d.) right eye
os (o.s.) left eye
ou (o.u.) both eyes
oint ointment
OOB out of bed
OR operating room
OT occupational therapy
oz (OZ) ounce
p after
pc after meals
per directed/ordered by, through
PM (pm) after noon
po (per os) by mouth
post op postoperative
preop preoperative
prep preparations
prn (PRN) when necessary
pt (Pt.) patient
PT physical therapy
q every
q_h every __ hours
qd every day
qh every hour
qhs every hour sleep
qid four times a day
qod every other day
R right, respirations, rectal
RLQ right lower quadrant
ROM range of motion
Rt right
RUQ right upper quadrant
s without
S/D safety device
SOB shortness of breath
spec specimen
SSE soap suds enema
stat immediately
supp suppository
tbsp tablespoon
tid three times a day
TLC tender loving care
TPR temperature, pulse,,respirations
tsp teaspoon
UA (ua) urinalysis
VS (vs) vital signs
WBC white blood count
w/c wheelchair
wt weight
x times
February 3, 2008
