Appendix 4

COMMONLY USED
ABBREVIATIONS

Abbreviations in use can vary widely from place to place. Each Abbreviation Meaning
institution’s list of acceptable abbreviations is the best authority COLD chronic obstructive lung disease
for its records.
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Abbreviation Meaning CPAP continuous positive airway pressure
ABG arterial blood gases CPM continuous passive motion
ABO three basic blood groups CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation
ACE angiotensin-converting enzyme CSF cerebrospinal fluid
ACTH adrenocorticotrophic hormone CT computed tomography
ADHD attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder CVA cerebrovascular accident
ADH antidiuretic hormone CVP central venous pressure
ADL activities of daily living CVS chorionic villi sampling
AF atrial fibrillation CXR chest X-ray
AFB acid-fast bacillus D&C dilation (dilatation) and curettage
AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome DIC desseminated intravascular
AK above the knee coagulopathy/coagulation
ALS advanced life support; amyotrophic DKA diabetic ketoacidosis
lateral sclerosis DM diabetes mellitus
AMI acute myocardial infarction DNA deoxyribonucleic acid
BK below the knee DNR do not resuscitate
BMI body mass index DOA dead on arrival
BMR basal metabolic rate DOB date of birth
BP blood pressure DOE dyspnoea on exertion
BPH benign prostatic hypertrophy DRG diagnostic-related groups
bpm beats per minute DT delirium tremens
BSE breast self-examination DVT deep venous thrombosis
Bx biopsy EBP evidence-based practice
./c with ECG electrocardiogram; electrocardiograph
CABG coronary artery bypass graft ECHO echocardiography
CAT computed (axial) tomography ED emergency department
CCU coronary care unit; critical care unit EEG electroencephalogram;
CF cystic fibrosis electroencephalograph
CHF congestive heart failure ENT ears, nose and throat
CHO carbohydrate ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate
CI cardiac index; cardiac insufficiency; ESRD end-stage renal disease
cerebral infarction F fahrenheit
CMV cytomegalovirus FEV forced expiratory volume
CNC clinical nurse consultant FH, Fhx family history
CNS central nervous system; clinical nurse FSH follicle-stimulating hormone
specialist GI gastrointestinal; glycaemic index
c/o complains of/complaints of GP general practitioner
COAD chronic obstructive airways disease GTT glucose tolerance test

TABBNER’S NURSING CARE 5E; FUNNELL, KOUTOUKIDIS, LAWRENCE. © ELSEVIER AUSTRALIA 2009
 Abbreviation Meaning Abbreviation Meaning
GU genitourinary PE pulmonary embolism
Hb; Hgb haemoglobin PET positron emission tomography
HCT haematocrit pH hydrogen ion concentration (alkalinity
HDL high-density lipoprotein and acidity in urine and blood analysis)
HIV human immunodeficiency (AIDS) virus PID pelvic inflammatory disease
Hx; hx history PKU phenylketonuria
ICP intracranial pressure PM evening
ICU intensive care unit PMT premenstrual tension
IDC indwelling catheter PRN as needed
IDDM insulin dependent diabetes mellitus PUO pyrexia of unknown origin
(type 1 diabetes) PVC premature ventricular contraction
Ig immunoglobulin PVD peripheral vascular disease
IM intramuscular qid four times a day
IOP intraocular pressure RBC red blood cell; red blood count
IPPB intermittent positive pressure breathing Rh rhesus factor
IQ intelligence quotient ROM range of motion
IV intravenous rpm revolutions per minute
IVP intravenous pyelogram RUQ right upper quadrant
K potassium Rx treatment
KVO keep vein open SC subcutaneous
lab laboratory SGOT serum glutamic oxaloacetic
LLQ left lower quadrant transaminase
LMP last menstrual period SIDS sudden infant death syndrome
LOC level of consciousness; loss of Sl sublingual
consciousness SLE systemic lupus erythematosus
LP lumbar puncture SOB shortness of breath
MI myocardial infarction SG; sp.gr. specific gravity
MRI magnetic resonance imaging SR sedimentation rate
MS multiple sclerosis s/s signs and symptoms
MVA motor vehicle accident Staph Staphylococcus
N nitrogen stat immediately (statim)
Na sodium STD sexually transmitted disease
NaCl sodium chloride Strep Streptococcus
N/A not applicable; not available TB tuberculosis; tubercle bacillus
NAD no abnormalities detected; non- TENS transcutaneous electrical nerve
adherent dressing stimulation
NBM nil by mouth TIA transient ischaemic attack
neg negative TPN total parenteral nutrition
NG, ng nasogastric TPR temperature, pulse and respiration
NICU neonatal intensive care unit TURP transurethral resection of prostate
NIDDM non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus Tx; Rx treatment
(type 2 diabetes) UA urinalysis
NS normal saline URI upper respiratory infection
NSAID non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug UTI urinary tract infection
OR operating room VSD ventricular septal defect
OTC over-the-counter WBC; wbc white blood cell; white blood count
PACU post anaesthesia care unit wt weight
Pap test Papanicolaou smear X-ray Roentgen ray
PCA patient-controlled analgesia (adapted from deWit 2005; reproduced with permission)

TABBNER’S NURSING CARE 5E; FUNNELL, KOUTOUKIDIS, LAWRENCE. © ELSEVIER AUSTRALIA 2009