Nursing Abbreviations A to Z PDF with Infographics

Nursing Abbreviations A to Z PDF! Abbreviations are the short form of different words. Basically, abbreviations make speaking and writing easier. In English, we used abbreviations instead of some most used words to shrink the message or length of text, to make our conversation smart, and quick. Nursing and medical abbreviations are related to medical terms and medical vocabulary.

Let us discuss some useful nursing abbreviations:

List of Nursing Abbreviations A to Z

Abbreviations with A

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

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Abbreviations with B

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

Abbreviations with C

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

Abbreviations with D

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

Nursing Abbreviations with E

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

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Abbreviations with F

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

Abbreviations with G

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

Abbreviations with H

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

Abbreviations with I

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

Abbreviations with K

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

Abbreviations with L

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

Nursing Abbreviations with M

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

Abbreviations with N

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

Abbreviations with O

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

Abbreviations with P

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

Abbreviations with Q

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

Nursing Abbreviations with R

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

Nursing Abbreviations with S

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

Abbreviations with T

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

Nursing Abbreviations with U

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

Abbreviations with V

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

Abbreviations with W

• WNL → Within Normal Limits
• WPM → Words Per Minute
• W/C → Wheel Chair
• WHO → World Health Organization
• wt → Weight

Nursing Abbreviations with Y

• YWCA → Young Women’s Christian Association

Nursing Abbreviations with Z

• Zn → Zinc

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