Common Medical abbreviations S-W

write; to be labled

When the doctor wants the pharmacist to label the medication with specific instructions

shortness of breath

half

soap suds enema

Introducing a fluid into the rectum

staphylococcus

staph (short) looks like bunch of grapes

immediately

streptococcus

common respiratory infection, the organism looks twisted

syrup

Doctor may order a syrup liquid rather than a pill

temperature

tablet

tablespoon

3 tsps = 1 tbsp.

three times a day

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

telephone

an order given over the phone but needs to be initialed

temperature, pulse and respirations

the three vital signs.

teaspoon

3 tsps = 1 tbsp., 1 tsp=5 cc's, a cup = 250 cc's, an ounce = 30 cc's and 1 cc = 1 ml

universal precautions

indicates that all patients are considered infectious

upper respiratory infection

See during flu season

urinary tract infection

nosocomial means hospital-acquired

verbal order

A code is the time of patient care when a patient's heart or breathing has stopped

vital signs

BP blood pressure, T temperature, P pulse and R respirations

wheelchair

weight

Referred to in both pounds & kilograms