BASIC CHARTING ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS

abdomen axillary

arterial blood gases barium enema

before meals twice daily in waking hours

activities of daily living below knee amputation

as desired bowel movement

as evidenced by basal metabolic rate

Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome blood pressure

above knee amputation benign prostatic hypertrophy

morning beats per minute

as manifested by bathroom privileges

amount blood urea nitrogen

anterior-posterior with

apical pulse Celsius, centigrade

AIDS-related complex capsule(s)

acute respiratory distress complete blood count

syndrome

acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) chief complaint

arteriosclerotic heart disease chloride

central nervous system Fahrenheit

complains of fluid

cardiopulmonary resuscitation foot

fever of undetermined (or
culture and sensitivity unknown) origin

cardiovascular fracture
cerebrovascular accident;
costal-vertebral angle gram, grams
gastro-esophageal reflux
discontinue; discharge disease

dilation & curettage gastrointestinal

do not resuscitate gastric tube

dead on arrival drop, drops

dyspnea on exertion genitourinary

Diagnosis gynecology

Electrocardiogram hour

estimated blood loss bicarbonate

electroencephalogram hematocrit

ears, eyes, nose, throat hemoglobin

emergency room / department water

and other hydrogen peroxide

head of bed history of

hour of sleep at bedtime, just thousand, mix

before going to sleep
history microgram

intramuscular midclavicular line

intake and output milliequivalent

injection milligram

intravenous minute

intravenous pyelogram, IV push milliliter

intravenous piggyback millimeter

potassium midnight

kilogram milk of magnesia

liter Mid-sternal line

left motor vehicle accident

laboratory sodium

lateral nasogastric (tube)

pound no known allergies

nothing by mouth
left lower lobe (lung)

left lower quadrant (abdomen) normal saline

level of consciousness non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug

left upper quadrant (abdomen) nausea and vomiting

Electrolytes (Na+,K+, CL-,
HCO3) nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
meter right eye; overdose

out of bed
operating room
Opening, mouth pre-operative
left eye
Preparation

over the counter when necessary

both eyes
every hour
every=two (2) hours; q3h=
after; post every three (3) hours, etc.

pulse every night at bedtime

after meals four times a day in waking hours

partial pressure of carbon Erectile dysfunction

dioxide

physical examination right

pediatrics respiration, rectal

pupils equal, round, and reactive red blood cells, red blood count
to light and accommodation

percutaneous endoscopic right lower lobe (lung)

gastrostomy

past history right lower quadrant (abdomen)

afternoon range of motion

point of maximal impulse rule out

paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea related to

partial pressure oxygen right upper lobe

by mouth right upper quadrant

Prescription; take; therapy

without urinalysis
subcutaneous upper respiratory tract infection
 shortness of breath urinary tract infection

significant other(s) vaginal

Solution
venereal disease

Status/post
tender loving care

Half, one-half
temperature, pulse, respirations
venereal disease research
Soap solution
laboratory (test for syphilis)
Soap solution enema; Soap
suds enema Verbal order

Signs and symptoms Vital signs

White blood count; white blood

At once, immediately
cells

Symmetrical, symmetrically Wheel chair

Within normal limits

tablet(s)

whirlpool
turn, cough, deep breathe

three times a day in waking Units (Must be written out)

hours

ALL ABBREVIATIONS/SYMBOLS MUST BE IN ENGLISH

SYMBOLS
times, as 4X = four times degree
positive negative
equal to unequal
increase(d) decrease(d)
male female
Less than; Greater than and
 Kitty DeGree School of Nursing
CALCULATIONS FOR MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION
EQUIVALENTS TO KNOW
= 1000 mcg

= 1000 mg

= 1000 g

= 2.2 lbs

= 16 ounces

= 1 inch

= 1 tsp

= 1 TBSP

= 1 ounce

= 8 ounces

= 1 qt

= 1 dram

= grains XV or grains 15

= gr 1

= 1 drop = gtt

= 1 pt

= 2 pt = 1 qt

= 1 gal

= 8 oz