= before

abd = abdomen

ABGs = arterial blood gases

ABS = active bowel sounds

a.c. = before meals

AD = right ear

ad lib = as desired

ADH = antidiuretic hormone

aq. = water

alt. h. = alternate hours

AKA = also known as

AK = above the knee

AMA = against medical advice

APTT = activated partial thromboplastin time

AS = left ear

ASHD = arteriosclerotic heart disease

AU = both ears

 = bilateral

b.i.d. = twice a day

b.i.n. = twice a night

BK = below the knee

BP = blood pressure

BPH = benign prostatic hypertrophy

bpm = beats per minute

BRP = bathroom privileges

BS = blood sugar

BSA = body surface area

BUN = blood urea nitrogen

Bx = biopsy

= with

C = Celsius

CAD = coronary artery disease

CAO = conscious, alert & oriented

cap = capsule

cc = cubic centimeter ( = milliliter)

CC = chief complaint

CCU = coronary care unit

cm = centimeter

CO = cardiac output

CPK = creatinine phosphokinase

DC or D/C = discharge, discontinue

D&I = dry & intact

DM = diabetes mellitus

DOA = dead on arrival

DP = dorsalis pedis

dsg = dressing

ECU = emergency care unit

ED =  emergency department

ER = emergency room

ETOH = ethyl alcohol

F = Fahrenheit

fl oz = fluid ounce

FHT = fetal heart tones

fx = fracture

g = gram

gr = grain

gtt = drops

h. or hr = hour

H. = hypodermically

H&H = hematocrit & hemoglobin

Hct = hematocrit

Hgb = hemoglobin

HNV = has not voided

HOB = head of bed

HR = heart rate

h.s. = hour of sleep

Ht = height

I&O = intake & output

ICU = intensive care unit

ID = intradermally

IM = intramuscularly

IS = incentive spirometry

kg = kilogram

KO = keep open

KVO = keep vein open

 = left

L = liter

lb = pound

LLE = left lower extremity

LLL = left lower lobe

LLQ = left lower quadrant

LOC = level of consciousness

LUL = left upper lobe

m = meter

MAP = mean arterial pressure

mEq = milliequivalent

mcg or  = microgram

mg = milligram

ml = milliliter

mm = millimeter

N&V = nausea & vomiting

NKA = no known allergies

NKDA = no known drug allergies

noc = night

NPO = nothing by mouth

NTG = nitroglycerine

o.d. or q.d. = once a day

O.D. = right eye

OOB = out of bed

OP = outpatient

OR = operating room

O.S. = left eye

O.U. = both eyes

oz = ounce

p or = after, per

P = pulse

per = by or through

PAM = pulmonary artery mean pressure

PAWP = pulmonary artery wedge pressure

p.c. = after meals

PCN = penicillin

PERRLA = pupils equally round & reactive to light & accomadation

p.o., per os = by mouth

PR = per rectum

p.r.n. = as needed

pt = patient

PVR = pulmonary vascular resistance

q or = each, every

q h = every hour

q.i.d. = four times a day

q.o.d. = every other day

 = right

R = respirations

RAP = right arterial pressure

R/O = rule out

RLL = right lower lobe

RML = right middle lobe

ROM = range of motion

RTC = return to clinic

RTO = return to office

RUL = right upper lobe

Rx = therapy, treatment, or prescription

= without

SC = subcutaneous

SOB = short of breath

s.o.s. = if needed

 = half

STAT = immediately

SV = stroke volume

SVR = systemic vascular resistance

T = temperature

tab = tablet

tbsp = tablespoon

TCDB = turn, cough, deep breath

t.i.d. = three times a day

TKO = to keep open

top = topical

tsp = teaspoon

Tx = treatment

UA = urinalysis

ung = ointment

US = ultrasound

vd = void

VS = vital signs

w/d = warm & dry

WDWN = well developed, well nourished

wk = week

WNL = within normal limits

Wt = weight

y.o. = years old

# = before a digit, means "number"; after a digit or digits means "pounds"

> = greater than

< = less than

" = inches

' = feet