Common Medical Abbreviations

before

Enema a pre-op

of each

abdominal

reference to the abdomen

before meals

activity of daily living

What patient can or should do on a daily basis

as desired

Patient may have something as desired

morning

Before noon

amount

Usually describes volume

active range of motion

refers to physical therapy or patient activity. Denotes full motion

axillary

Axillary refers to temperature under the arm

two times a day

bowel movement

blood pressure

bathroom privileges

Celsius

C with a degree mark next to letter denotes the temperature in Celsius to convert to F. multiply by 9 / by 5 and add 32

with

calorie

catheter

tube usually inserted through the urethra and into the bladder can also be heart catherization to see vessels that supply blood to the heart

complete bed rest

cubic centimeter

A cc is a unit of measure. It is exactly equal to a ml.

Congestive heart failure

Too much fluid presses against the lungs and the heart

centimeter

A cm is a unit of measure. One inch equals 2.54 cms

charge nurse

A registered nurse who is in charge during a hospital shift

central nervous system

central nervous system consists of brain and spinal cord

complains of

discontinue

discontinue means stop

director of nurses

refers to head of nursing in a facility--usually one one head

doctor

diagnosis

Fahrenheit

Convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32, multiply by 5 and divide by 9

fracture

gastrointestinal

Refers to things concerning the gastrointestinal system

drop or drops

genitourinary

hour

water

hydrogen and oxygen

head of bed

Trendelenberg position is where hips are placed higher than the head. Reverse Trendelenberg means head of bed should remain elevated

hard of hearing

hour of sleep

intake and output

intravenous

Infiltrated means that the IV was no longer in vein and fluid is seeping into surrounding tissues--swollen, red or tender site

kilogram

One kilogram equals 2.2 pounds

liter

one liter equals 1,000 cc's or 33.8 ounces

pound

lower extremity; left lower extremity; left upper extremity

Refers to lower extremity of left lower & upper

left

myocardial infarction

myocardial infarction is a heart attack

millimeter

One mm equals .1 cm, or ten mm's equal 1 cm. To convert mm's to inches, multiply by 10 and divide by 254

night

nothing by mouth

nausea and vomiting

right eye

out of bed

left eye

both eyes

ounce

3 tsp or 15 cc's = 1 tbsp, 1 tsp = 5 cc's, 1 cup = 250 cc's, 1 ounce = 30 cc's, 1 cc = 1 ml

after

abbreviation for post or after

after meals

by mouth

evening

after noon

as needed

passive rangeof motion

passive exercises that are stopped when resistance of any kind is met

patient

every day

medication time is usually 9 a.m.

Procardia medice to lower blood pressure--XL long acting

every hour

every two hours

four times a day

9 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m., and 9 p.m.

every other day

quantity not sufficient

quantity sufficient

rectal

reference to rectal concerning temperature

respirations

respirations are counted in how many breaths are taken per minute

right extremity; right upper extemity; right lower extremity

Referring to the right arm or leg, hand or foot

range of motion

prescription

recipe of prescription