Common Medical Abbreviations

State Standard Review the definition of anatomy and physiology (A&P) from previous courses, identifying the sections, planes, and regions with associated organs in each. In the review, explain using correct medical terminology why the body is organized into systems and how the cellular building blocks (atoms, molecules, cells, and tissue) work together to form each of the organs.

Objective Students will be able to… Identify common medical abbreviations and decode them to determine the purpose of a Doctor’s order.

@ at ac before meals ad lib: as desired b.i.d. twice a day c with

t.i.d. = q.i.d. = qd = NPO = three times a day four times a day daily nothing by mouth.

p.c. = p.r.n. = p.o. = q.h. = after meals as needed by mouth every hour

a.m. = ADLs = BP = cc = morning activities of daily living blood pressure cc = cubic centimeter (same as ml)

CPR = EMS = mmHg = BR or br = cardiopulmonary resuscitation Emergency Medical Services mmHg = millimeters of mercury BR or br = bed rest

brp or BRP = ASAP = BM = CC = bathroom privileges as soon as possible bowel movement CC = chief complaint

cl liq = cm = DAT = D/C = clear liquids centimeter diet as tolerated discontinue; discharge

DNR = DOA = DOB = Dr. = do not resuscitate dead on arrival date of birth Dr. = doctor

Dx or dx = ECG or EKG = gtt or gtts = HOB = diagnosis electrocardiogram gtt or gtts = drop; drops HOB = head of bed

I&O = Gm or g = H&P = HS = intake and output gram history and physical hour of sleep; bedtime

IV = Kg or kg = L&D = lb = intravenous kilogram labor and delivery pound

LLQ = LMP = LUQ = mg = Left lower quadrant last menstrual period left upper quadrant mg = milligram

MRI = N/A = N/V or N&V = OOB = magnetic resonance imaging not applicable N/V or N&V = nausea and vomiting OOB = out of bed

oz = PDR = p.m. = PPE = ounce Physician’s Desk Reference Afternoon personal protective equipment

Fx = q2h = qod = RLQ = fracture every 2 hours every other day right lower quadrant

RUQ = Rx = T = VS = right upper quadrant prescription temperature vital signs

Tbs or tbsp = tsp = TPR = w/c = tablespoon teaspoon temperature, pulse, respiration w/c = wheelchair

WNL = wt = y/o = < = Stat = within normal limits weight years old less than Stat = now

Activity Work to decode the following Dr. orders on the following slides. Rewrite the order without abbreviations. Create your own Dr’s orders using abbreviations and share with your table partner to see if they can decode it. Once finished write a paragraph about the “pros” and “cons” of using medical abbreviations. 4 complete sentences. Proper punctuation and grammar.

Interpreting abbreviations Pt is to be OOB ad lib. Elevate HOB 45° prn for 30 min pc. Cl liq x 24h; then DAT. ASA 1 tab q6h prn headache. TPR and BP ASAP and q4h. BRP ad lib. I&O q8h.

D/C IV p EKG. MRI of RUQ stat. Move pt to ICU stat; strict BR; I&O q2h. D/C to home in a.m. F/U with PT in one week.