Abbreviations
Published (updated: ).
Abbreviations
Abbreviations are like 10 codes; they are great when everybody knows what you are trying to say. Otherwise, they are worthless.
| AAA | abdominal aortic aneurysm |
| ABC | airway, breathing, circulation |
| abd | Abdominal |
| AC | antecubital fossa |
| ACS | Acute coronary syndrome |
| AED | automatic external defibrillator |
| Afib | atrial fibrillation |
| AIDS | acquired immune deficiency syndrome |
| ALS | advanced life support |
| AMA | against medical advice |
| AMI | acute myocardial infarction |
| AMS | altered mental status |
| AxO | alert and oriented |
| AP | anterior – posterior |
| ASA | Aspirin |
| ASHD | arteriosclerotic heart disease |
| ATV | automatic transport ventilator or all terrain vehicle |
| AV | atrio-ventricular |
| BAC | blood alcohol content |
| BBB | bundle branch block |
| BG | Blood Glucose |
| BLS | basic life support |
| BM | bowel movement |
| BP | blood pressure |
| Bpm | beats per minute |
| BRBPR | Bright red blood per rectum |
| BSA | body surface area |
| BVM | bag valve mask |
| oC | Celsius/Centigrade |
| /c | With |
| c/c | chief complaint |
| c/o | Complaining of |
| CA | Cancer |
| CABG | coronary artery bypass graft |
| CAD | coronary artery disease |
| CCU | critical care unit |
| CHF | congestive heart failure |
| CNS | central nervous system |
| CO2 | carbon dioxide |
| COPD | chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
| CSF | cerebrospinal fluid |
| CSM | circulatory/sensory/motor function |
| CT | computerized tomography |
| CVA | cerebral vascular accident |
| CxPn | chest pain |
| d/c | Discontinue |
| D5W | 5% Dextrose |
| DCAP-BTLS | Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures/Penetrations, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Seelling |
| DKA | diabetic ketoacidosis |
| DM | diabetes mellitus |
| DO | Osteopathic Doctor |
| DOA | dead on arrival |
| DOB | date of birth |
| DOE | dyspnea on exertion |
| Dr. | Doctor |
| DTs | delirium tremens |
| Dx | Diagnosis |
| ECG/EKG | Electrocardiogram |
| EEG | Electroencephalogram |
| EENT | ears, eyes, nose, throat |
| EID | esophageal intubation detector |
| EJ | external jugular vein |
| EMD | emergency medical dispatch |
| EMS | emergency medical service |
| EMT | emergency medical technician |
| EPI | Epinephrine |
| ET | endotracheal tube |
| ETA | estimated time of arrival |
| EtOH | ethyl alcohol |
| ºF | Fahrenheit |
| FU | follow up |
| FUO | fever of unknown origin |
| Fx | Fracture |
| GCS | Glascow Coma Score |
| GI | Gastrointestinal |
| GSW | gun shot wound |
| GU | Genitourinary |
| GYN | Gynecologic |
| h/o | history of |
| HBV | Hepatitis B Virus |
| HCV | Hepatitis C Virus |
| HIV | Human Immunodefficiency Virus |
| HPI | history of the present illness |
| HTN | hypertension |
| Hx | History |
| ICP | intracranial pressure |
| ICU | intensive care unit |
| IM | intramuscular |
| IO | intraosseous |
| IUD | intrauterine device |
| IV | intravenous |
| IVP | IV push (medication) |
| JVD | jugular venous distention |
| KED | Kendrick Extrication Device |
| Kg | Kilogram |
| KVO | keep vein open |
| L | Liter |
| LLQ | left lower quadrant |
| LMP | last menstrual period |
| LOC | loss of consciousness |
| LPN | Licensed practical nurse |
| LR | Lactated Ringers |
| LUQ | left upper quadrant |
| MCI | multiple casualty incident |
| MD | Medical Doctor |
| Mg | Milligram |
| MI | myocardial infarction |
| Ml | Milliliter |
| Mm | Millimeter |
| MRI | magnetic resonance imaging |
| Morphine | morphine sulfate |
| MVA | motor vehicle accident |
| MVC | motor vehicle crash |
| N/A | not applicable |
| N/V | nausea and vomiting |
| NG | Nasogastric |
| NKA | no known allergies |
| NPA | nasal pharyngeal airway |
| NPO | nothing by mouth |
| NRB | non-rebreather face mask |
| NS | normal saline |
| NSR | normal sinus rhythm |
| NTG | Nitroglycerin |
| O2 | oxygen |
| OB/GYN | obstetrics/gynecology |
| OD | overdose |
| OG | orogastric |
| OPA | oral pharyngeal airway |
| OR | operating room |
| OTC | over-the-counter |
| P | pulse |
| PA | physician assistant |
| PAC | premature atrial contraction |
| PAT | paroxysmal atrial tachycardia |
| PCN | penicillin |
| PE | physical exam |
| PEA | pulseless electrical activity |
| PEARL | pupils equal and reactive to light |
| PIAA | personal injury auto accident |
| PID | pelvic inflammatory disease |
| PMH | past medical history |
| PND | paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea |
| PO | by mouth |
| PR | Per rectum |
| PRN | as needed |
| PSVT | paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia |
| Pt | patient |
| PTA | Prior to arrival |
| PVC | premature ventricular contraction |
| r/o | rule out |
| Re/MAC | Regional Medical Alert Center |
| REMO | Regional Emergency Medical Organization |
| RLQ | right lower quadrant |
| RMA | refused medical assistance |
| RN | registered nurse |
| ROM | range of motion |
| RR | respiratory rate |
| RUQ | right upper quadrant |
| Rx | prescription or treatment |
| SA | sino-atrial |
| SIDS | sudden infant death syndrome |
| SL | Sublingual |
| SOB | shortness of breath |
| SQ or SC | Subcutaneous |
| SSCP | substernal chest pain |
| STAT | Immediately |
| STD | sexually transmitted disease |
| SVT | supraventricular tachycardia |
| TB | Tuberculosis |
| TIA | transient ischemic attack |
| TKO | to keep open |
| TOT | Turned over to |
| Tx | Transfusion (not transport or treatment) |
| U/A | Upon our arrival |
| UA | Urinalysis |
| URI | upper respiratory infection |
| UTI | urinary tract infection |
| VD | venereal disease |
| VF/VFib | ventricular fibrillation |
| VS | vital signs |
| VT/VTach | ventricular tachycardia |
| w/ or /c | With |
| w/o or /s | Without |
| WC | Wheelchair |
| WNL | within normal limits |
| Xport | Transport |
| y/o | year old |
| Symbols | |
| ♂ | male |
| ♀ | female |
| = | equal |
| + | positive |
| – | Negative |
| ↑ | Increase |
| ↓ | Decrease |
| Δ | Change |
| R | Right |
| L | Left |
| x | times or multiply |
What would a patient care report look like if it were written with abbreviations?
Subjective: The patient c/o of r. arm pain following a MVC. The patient advises that the pain was not there before the accident and describes the pain as an achy sensation that radiates up the arm to his r. elbow. The patient rates the pain as a 2 on a scale of 1 – 10. The patient denies loss of consciousness, DIB, N/V/D, CP, neck or back pain, inability to speak. The patient advises that he was wearing his seatbelt and describes the accident, “…I was traveling at approximately 20 mph, when I was distracted by an attractive pedestrian… I wasn’t paying attention when I struck the car in front of me.” The patient states, “…It’s just my arm that hurts, do I really need to go to the hospital?”
Objective: EMS dispatched to an MVC at the intersection of a county road. Upon arrival, EMS found the car, still in the intersection without significant damage. Very little intrusion was found anywhere on the front of the vehicle. Damage was confined to the front bumper. The airbag was deployed. The patient found sitting in the drivers’ seat and did not appear to be in distress and was conversing with police officers. Immediate c-spine stabilization was performed. The a/w was open & clear; Respirations were adequate (Rate – 22 Rhythm and Quality were normal); Circulation was adequate (no obvious bleeding with intact peripheral pulses). Transport was deferred so that a focused history & physical examination could be performed. The focused history and physical examination revealed pain without deformity to the r. hand (which possibly was struck by the airbag). The patient was able to move his right hand without pain and presented with good pulse motor sensory perception.
Assessment: r/o broken right hand
Plan: Per protocol, the patient was immobilized on a long backboard and c-collar. The patient was given a cold pack for his hand and was transported to Some Hospital ER (who was notified while enroute). While enroute, repeated ongoing physical examinations were performed (no changes recorded).
