Important Nursing Abbreviations Full List

Nursing Abbreviations

1. Abbreviations 2023
ABCs Airway, Breathing, Circulation HOB Head of bed R/O Rule out
ABG Arterial blood gas H&P History & physical ROM Range of motion
ac Before meals HTN Hypertension r/t Related to
AC Antecubital Hx History SOB Shortness of breath
Ad lib Freely, as desired ICP Intracranial pressure SQ/SC Subcutaneous
ADL Activity of daily living ID Infectious disease s/p Status post (after)
AMA Against medical advice I&D Incision & drainage S/S Signs and symptoms
BG Blood glucose IM Intramuscular Sx Symptoms
BID Twice daily IVF Intravenous fluid L, R Left, Right
BP Blood pressure KUB Kidneys, ureters, bladder U, L Upper, Lower +
BMP Basic metabolic panel KVO Keep vein open E Extremity (arm or leg) Ex. RLE
BSL Baseline LPM Liters per minute Q Quadrant (references abdomen) Ex. LLQ
CBC Complete blood count LP Lumbar puncture L Lobe (reference lungs) Ex. RUL
CC Chief complaint LOC Level/loss of consciousness Disease Specific Abbreviations
CMO Comfort measures only MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging AKI Acute kidney injury
CT Computerized Tomography MVA Motor vehicle accident ARF Acute renal failure
CVC Central Venous Catheter NAD No apparent distress CAD Coronary artery disease
Cx Culture NGT Nasogastric tube CHF Congestive heart failure
CXR Chest x-ray NKA No known allergies CVA Cerebral Vascular Accident
DC Discharge or discontinue NPO Nothing by mouth CKD Chronic kidney disease
DNR Do not resuscitate NSR Normal sinus rhythm COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder
DVT Deep vein thrombosis N/V Nausea/vomiting DM Diabetes mellitus
Dx Diagnosis OR Operating room ESLD End stage liver disease
ETOH Alcohol OOB Out of bed ESRD End stage renal disease
Fx Fracture PMH Past medical history GERD Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease
GCS Glasgow Coma Scale PEG Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy MI Myocardial infarction
GT Gastrostomy tube PRN As needed MRSA Methicillin-resistant staph aureus
gtt Drops Q Every PE Pulmonary embolism
HA Headache QID Four times daily PNA Pneumonia
TID Three times daily DNI Do not intubate TBITraumatic brain injury
TPR Temperature, pulse, respiration WNL Within normal limits WOBWork of breathing

2. H&H Hemoglobin and hematocrit RBC Red blood cell SDH Subdural hematoma
PERRLA Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation TIA Transient ischemic attack
UA Urinalysis