Common Nursing Acronyms and Abbreviations!

So these can go on for days but I shortened them up for everyone's sake! Below is a funny meme of purely just RN jargin. But then the meanings are further below.

Disclaimer: there is no way that I made this up! Also, sorry this is blurry!

If you would like me to make one, reach out to me or message below!

• *A&D - Admission and discharge

• AAA - Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

• *ABC - Airway, Breathing, Circulation

• *Abd - Abdomen

• ABG - Arterial Blood Gas

• ABI - Ankle-Brachial Index

• *ABO - Blood Types

• *Ac - Before Meals

• ACL - Anterior cruciate ligament

• AD - Advance Directive

• *ADH - Antidiuretic hormone

• ADHD - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

• *ADL - Activities of daily living

• *Ad lib - As Desired

• ADR - Adverse drug reaction

• AD - Right Ear

• AED - Antiepileptic Drug

• AF - Atrial Fibrillation

• *ARF - Acute renal failure

• AIDS- Acquired immune deficiency syndrome

• AIH - Autoimmune Hepatitis

• AIHA - Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

• AIN - Acute Interstitial Nephritis

• *AKA - Above Knee Amputation or Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

• *AKI - Acute kidney injury

• ALL - Acute lymphoblastic leukemia

• ALP - Alkaline Phosphatase

• ALT - Alanine Aminotransferase

• *AMA - Against Medical Advice

• AMI - Acute myocardial infarction

• AML - Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

• *Amt - Amount

• AN - Anorexia Nervosa

• ANA - Antinuclear Antibody

• ANCA - Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody

• Angio - Angiogram

• AP - Anterior/Posterior

• AP - Appendectomy

• AR - Aortic Regurgitation

• ARB - Angiotensin Receptor Blocker

• *ARDS - Acute respiratory distress syndrome

• *ARF - Acute Renal Failure

• *AROM - Active Range of Motion

• ARVD/C-Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy

• ARR - Absolute Risk Reduction

• ASA - Acetylsalicylic Acid (aspirin)

• ASD - Atrial Septal Defect

• AS - Left Ear or Aortic Stenosis

• AST - Aspartate Aminotransferase

• ATP - Adenosine Triphosphatase

• AUS - Abdominal Ultrasound

• AV - Atrioventricular

• AVB - Atrioventricular Block

• AVCD - Atrioventricular Canal Defect

• AVN - Avascular Necrosis

• AVP - Arginine Vasopressin

• AXR - Abdominal X-ray

• B-ALL - B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

• BAS - Balloon Atrial Septostomy

• BB- Beta Blocker

• BE - Barium Enema

• *BG - Blood Glucose (we don't say Blood Sugar....lol)

• *BiPAP - Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure

• *BKA - Below Knee Amputation

• *BLE - Bilateral Lower Extremity

• *BM - Bowel Movement or Breastmilk

• BMD - Bone Mineral Density

• *BMI - Bone Mass Index

• BMP - Basic Metabolic Panel

• BMR - Basal Metabolic Rate

• *BP - Blood Pressure

• BPD - Borderline Personality Disorder

• BPD - Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

• *BPH - Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

• *BPM - Beats Per Minute

• BSA - Body Surface Area

• BSE - Breast Self Examination

• *BUE - Bilateral Upper Extremity

• *BUN - Blood Urea Nitrogen

• *C/O - Complaint of

• C&S - Culture and Sensitivity

• *CaBG - Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

• *CAD - Coronary Artery Disease

• *Cath - Catheter

• *CBC - Complete blood count

• CBD - Common Bile Duct

• CBG - Capillary Blood Gas

• *CC - Chief Complaint

• CEA - Carcinoembryonic Antigen

• CHD - Congenital Heart Disease or Congenital Heart Defect

• *CHF - Congestive Heart Failure

• CK - Creatine Kinase

• CL - Child Life Specialist

• Cl - Chloride

• CMP - Complete Metabolic Panel

• CMV - Cytomegalovirus

• CN - Cranial Nerve

• *CNS - Central Nervous System

• COA - Coarctation of the Aorta

• *COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

• *CPAP: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

• CPK - Creatine Phosphokinase

• CPR - Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

• CPVT- Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia

• Cr - Chromium

• CRP - C-Reactive Protein

• CRT- Cardiac resynchronization therapy

• *CSF - Cerebrospinal Fluid

• *CSM - Circulation, Sensation, Motion

• CT - Computed Tomography

• *CT scan - Computerized Axial Tomography Scan

• Cu - Copper

• *CVA - Cerebrovascular accident or stroke

• *CXR - Chest X-Ray

• *D&C - Dilation and Curettage

• DCM- dilated cardiomyopathy

• *DC or d/c - Discontinue

• DFT- Defibrillation threshold testing

• DIS - Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

• DJD - Degenerative Joint Disease

• *DM - Diabetes Mellitus (1 or 2 will be after with a roman numeral)

• *DNR - Do Not Resuscitate

• DOA - Dead on Arrival

• *DOB - Date of Birth

• DOE - Dyspnea on Exertion

• *ETOH - Alcohol

• DORV - Double Outlet Right Ventricle

• *DVT - Deep Vein Thrombosis

• *Dx - Diagnosis

• *ECF - Extracellular Fluid

• *ECG - Electrocardiogram (or EKG)

• ECMO - Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

• ECT - Electroconvulsive Therapy

• EEG - Electroencephalogram

• EEL - Emergency Exploratory Laparotomy

• *EENT - Ears, Eyes, Nose and Throat

• EJ - external jugular

• EMG - Electromyogram

• EMI- Electromagnetic interference

• ERCP - Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

• ERT - Estrogen Replacement Therapy

• ESR - Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

• *ESRD - End Stage Renal Disease

• *ETT - Endotracheal Tube (or ET tube)

• EVAD - Explantable Venous Access Device

• FAS - Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

• FBD - Functional Bowel Disease

• FBE - Foreign Body Extraction

• FBM - Fortified Breast Milk

• FBS - Fasting blood sugar

• FCU - Flexor Carpi Ulnaris

• FDP - Flexor Digitorum Profundus

• FDS - Flexor Digitorum Superficialis

• FESS - Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

• FF - Forced feeding or forced fluids

• *FFP - Fresh Frozen Plasma

• FOBT - Fecal Occult Blood Test

• FSH - Follicle-Stimulating Hormone

• FTP - Failure To Progress

• *FTT - Failure To Thrive

• FTSG - Full Thickness Skin Grafting

• FVD - Fluid Volume Deficit

• FVS - Fetal Valproate Syndrome

• *Fx - Fracture

• GB - Gallbladder

• GBS - Group B Streptococcus

• GCE - Glycine Encephalopathy

• *GCS - Glasgow Coma Scale

• GDD - Global Developmental Delay

• *GERD - Gastroesophageal Reflux

• GFR - Glomerular Filtration Rate

• GH - Growth Hormone

• *GI - Gastrointestinal

• *GT - Gastronomy Tube

• *gtt/min - Drops per minute

• Gtt - drop

• GTT - Glucose tolerance test

• GUI - Genitourinary

• Gyn - Gynecology

• GYN - Gynecology

• *H&H - Hemoglobin and Hematocrit

• hCG - Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

• HC - Head Circumference

• HCM- hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

• Hct - Hematocrit

• HDL - High Density Lipoprotein

• Hep B - Hepatitis B

• HEENT - Head, Ears, Eyes, Nose, and Throat

• *HFNC - High Flow Nasal Cannula

• HFOV - High Frequency Oscillator Ventilator

• HFV - High Frequency Ventilation

• Hgb - Hemoglobin

• HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus

• HMF - Human Milk Fortifier

• HM - Human Milk

• *HOB - Head of bed

• *HPI - History of Present Illness

• HPT - Hemoperitoneum

• *HR - Heart Rate

• HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy

• HTN - Hypertension

• HUS - Head Ultrasound

• I&D - Incision and Drainage

• *I&O - Intake and output

• IAB - Induced Abortion

• IBG - Iliac Bone Graft

• IBS - Irritable bowel syndrome

• ICD- Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

• ICF - Intracellular fluid

• ICS - Intercostal Space

• IDDM - Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

• ID - Intradermal

• IDM - Infant of Diabetic Mother

• IgG - Immunoglobulin G

• IgM - Immunoglobulin M

• IIH - Indirect Inguinal Hernia

• IJ - internal jugular

• *IM - Intramuscular

• IMV - Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation

• In vivo - in the body

• IPF - Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

• Isol - Isolation

• IUFD - Intrauterine Fetal Demise

• IUGR - Intrauterine Growth Restriction

• IUI - Intrauterine Insemination

• IU - International units

• IVAD - Implantable Vascular Access Device

• IVC - Inferior Vena Cava

• IVF - In Vitro Fertilization

• IVH - Intraventricular Hemorrhage

• *IV - Intravenous

• IVPB - intravenous Piggyback

• IVP - Intravenous Push

• KCL - Potassium Chloride

• KD - Kawasaki Disease

• *Kg - kilogram

• KUB - Kidneys/Ureters/Bladder

• KVO - Keep Vein Open

• *LBBB- left bundle branch block

• LDL - Low Density Lipoprotein

• LE - Lupus Erythematosus

• LES - Lower Esophageal Sphincter

• LFT - Liver Function Test

• LGA - Large for Gestational Age

• LH - Luteinizing Hormone

• LLE - Left Lower Extremity

• LLSB - Lower Left Sternal Border

• LMP - Last Menstrual Period

• *LOC- Level of Consciousness

• *LOC - Loss of Consciousness

• *LP - Lumbar Puncture

• LQTS- Long QT syndrome

• LSB - Left Sternal Border

• *LUE - Left Upper Extremity

• *LUQ - Left Upper Quadrant

• MAOI - Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor

• MAO - Monoamine Oxidase

• *MAP - Mean Airway Pressure

• MAR - Medication Administration Record

• MAS - Meconium Aspiration Syndrome

• MCL - Medial Collateral Ligament

• MCL - Midclavicular Line

• MDI - Metered-Dose Inhaler

• MDR - Multidrug-Resistant

• MICU - Medical Intensive Care Unit

• *MI - Myocardial Infarction

• *mL - Milliliter

• MMR - Measles, Mumps, Rubella

• *MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging

• MRSA - Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

• *MS - Morphine Sulfate

• *N/V - Nausea or vomiting

• *NaCl - Sodium Chloride

• *NA - Not applicable

• *NC - Nasal Cannula

• *NG - Nasogastric

• *NICU - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

• Noct - At night

• NO - Nitric Oxide

• *NPO - Nothing by mouth

• NS - Normal Saline

• *NSR - Normal Sinus Rhythm

• NTD - Neural Tube Defect

• OB - Obstetrics

• *Obs - Observation

• OD - Right Eye

• *OG - oral - gastric tube

• Oint. - Ointment

• *ORIF - Open Reduction/Internal Fixation

• OS - Left Eye

• *OTC - Over the counter

• OT - Occupational Therapist

• *OU - Both Eyes

Whew... you're almost there ;)

• PAC- Premature Atrial Contraction

• PAF - Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

• PCA - Patient-Controlled Analgesia

• PCL - Posterior cruciate ligament

• *PCP - Primary Care Provider

• PC - Pressure Control

• PCR - Polymerase Chain Reaction

• PDA - Patent Ductus Arteriosus

• *PE - Pulmonary embolism

• *PERRLA - Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation

• PFO - Patent Foramen Ovale

• PFT - Pulmonary Function Test

• PICC - Peripherally inserted central catheter

• PIE - Pulmonary Interstitial Emphysema

• PIH - Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

• PIP - Peak Inspiratory Pressure

• PKU - Phenylketonuria

• PLSVC- Persistent Left superior vena cava

• *PMH - Past Medical History

• *PNS - Peripheral Nervous System

• *PO - By mouth

• Post-op spec - After surgery urine specimen

• PPBS - Post-Prandial Blood Sugar

• *PPE - Personal Protective Equipment

• PPHN - Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension

• PPS - Peripheral Pulmonic Stenosis

• *PROM - Passive Range of Motion

• PROM - Premature Rupture of Membrane

• PS - Pressure Support

• PTL - Preterm Labor

• PT - Patient, pint

• *PT - Physical Therapist

• PTT - Partial Thromboplastin Time

• *PVC- Premature Ventricular Contraction

• PVD - Peripheral Vascular Disease

• PVL - Periventricular Leukomalacia

• *Qd - every day

• *Qh - every hour

• *Qid - four times a day

• Qod - every other day

• QTc- corrected QT interval

• R/T - Related to

• *RA - Room Air

• *RBBB- Right bundle branch block

• *RBC - Red Blood Count

• RCM - Right Costal Margin

• *RDS - Respiratory Distress Syndrome

• *REM - Rapid Eye Movement

• *RLQ - Right Lower Quadrant

• RLS - Restless Leg Syndrome

• *RLU - Right Lower Extremity

• *ROM - Range of motion

• ROS - Review of System

• RPR - Rapid Plasma Reagin

• RSB - Right Sternal Border

• *RUE - Right Upper Extremity

• *RUQ - Right Upper Quadrant

• RV - Residual Volume

• SC/SQ - Subcutaneous

• SCI - Spinal Cord Injury

• SGA - Small for Gestational Age

• SICU - Surgical Intensive Care Unit

• SIDS - Sudden infant death syndrome

• SIMV - Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation

• *SL - Sublingual

• SOAP - Subjective Data, Objective Data, Assessment, Plan

• *SOB - Shortness of breath

• SQTS- Short QT Syndrome

• SSS- sick sinus syndrome

• *Stat - At once, immediately

• STD - Sexually Transmitted Disease

• *ST- Sinus Tachycardia

• ST - Speech Therapist

• *Supp - Suppository

• Susp - Suspension

• SVC - Superior Vena Cava

• SVT - Supraventricular tachycardia

• SVT- Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia

• TAPVR - Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return

• TA - Truncus Arteriosus

• TBC - Total Body Cooling

• *TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury

• TB - Tuberculosis

• TCM - Transcutaneous Monitor

• TEN - Total Enteral Nutrition

• *TF - Tube Feeding

• *THA - Total Hip Arthroplasty

• *TIA - Transient Ischemic Attack

• TICU - Trauma Intensive Care Unit

• TOF - Tetralogy of Fallot

• *TPN - Total Parenteral Nutrition

• TPR - Temperature, pulse, respiration

• *Trach - Tracheostomy

• TSE - Testicular Self Examination

• TSH - Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone

• TTN - Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn

• *U/A - Urinalysis

• UAC - Umbilical Arterial Catheter

• *ULQ - Upper Left Quadrant

• *URQ - Upper Right Quadrant

• *US - Ultrasound

• *UTI - Urinary Tract Infection

• UVC - Umbilical Venous Catheter

• VAD - Ventricular Assist Device, Vascular Access Device

• VBG - Venous Blood Gas

• VF- Ventricular fibrillation

• VLDL - Very Low-Density Lipoprotein

• VRE - Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci

• VSD - Ventricular Septal Defect

• *VS - Vital signs

• *VT- Ventricular tachycardia

• VUS- Variant of unknown significance

• *W/C - Wheelchair

• *WBC - White Blood Count

• *WNL - Within Normal Limits

• WPW- Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome

As you can see, there are PLENTY of things to memorize. I put an asterisk (*) by the ones I found to be the most pertinent in my RN schooling and career thus far.

Happy learning ladies and gents!