The Most Common Nursing Abbreviations

Nursing professionals rely on abbreviations daily—but they can sometimes be difficult to interpret. Strengthen your understanding by reviewing some of the most commonly used ones.

If you work in nursing, chances are you encounter numerous abbreviations in your daily practice. However, keeping up with them all can be a challenge, particularly as new terms emerge regularly. In a profession where clarity is critical, a misinterpreted abbreviation can lead to errors.

To support clear and effective communication, we've gathered a list of commonly used nursing abbreviations across various settings. While this list isn't exhaustive, and each workplace may have its own unique terminology, it provides a valuable foundation for reference.

We also have created a list of common Physical Therapy abbreviations, Occupational Therapy abbreviations, and Speech-Language Pathology abbreviations

Common Clinical and Nonclinical Nursing Abbreviations

Clinical Abbreviations

A:

A with a line over the top: before

Abd: abdomen

ABG: arterial blood gas

Abx: antibiotics

Ac: before meals

ACL: anterior cruciate ligament

ACLS: advanced cardiac life support

AD: advance directive

A&D: admission and discharge

ADH: antidiuretic hormone

ADHD: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ADL: activity/activities of daily living

Aeb: as evidenced by

AED: automated external defibrillator

AMA: against medical advice

Amb: ambulatory

Ami: acute myocardial infarction

AML: acute myelogenous leukemia

Amt: amount

AP: appendectomy, apical, apical pulse, or anterior/posterior

Approx: approximately

AAROM: active, assistive range of motion

AROM: active range of motion

ASA: acetylsalicylic acid

ASO: antistreptolysin-O

AST: aspartate aminotransferase

AT: axillary temperature

ATC: around the clock

ATP: adenosine triphosphatase

AV: atrioventricular

B:

BE: base excess, Barium enema, below elbow, or Barrett Esophagus

BID: twice a day

BGL: blood glucose level

BK: below knee

BKA: below knee amputation

BM: bowel movement

BMD: bone mineral density

BMI: body mass index

BMP: basic metabolic panel

BMR: basal metabolic rate

BMT: bone marrow transplant

BP: blood pressure

BPH: benign prostatic hypertrophy

BPM: beats per minute

BSA: body surface area

BSC: bedside commode

BSE: breast self-examination

BSI: body substance isolation

BSL: blood sugar level

BUN: blood urea nitrogen

C:

C with a line over the top: with

CABG: coronary artery bypass graft

CAD: coronary artery disease

CAT: computer axial tomography or computerized adaptive testing

CATH: catheter 

CBC: complete blood count

CC: chief complaint

CCU: cardiac/coronary care unit

CBR: complete bed rest

CEA: carcinoembryonic antigen

CHD: congenital heart disease or congenital heart defect

CHF: congestive heart failure

CKD: chronic kidney disease

CMV: cytomegalovirus

C/O: complains of

COA: coarctation of the aorta

COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CP: chest pain

CN: cranial nerve

CNS: central nervous system

CP: cerebral palsy or chest pain

CPAP: continuous positive airway pressure

CPK: creatine phosphokinase

CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation

C&S: culture and sensitivity

CSF: cerebrospinal fluid

CT: computed tomography

CT scan: computerized axial tomography scan

CTx: chemotherapy

Cu: copper

CV: cardiovascular

CVA: cerebrovascular accident

CVC: central venous catheter

CVP: central venous pressure

CXR: chest X-ray

D:

D&C: dilation and curettage

DC or D/C: Discharge or discontinue

DJD: degenerative joint disease

DMD: diabetes mellitus

DNR: do not resuscitate

DOA: dead on arrival

DOB: date of birth

d/t: due to

DVT: deep vein thrombosis

Dx: diagnosis

E:

EBL: estimated blood loss

EC: enteric coated

ECG/EKG: electrocardiogram

ECT: electroconvulsive therapy

EEG: electroencephalogram

EENT: ears, eyes, nose and throat

ED: emergency department

EOS: end of shift

ER: emergency room

ESRD: end stage renal disease

F:

FAS: fetal alcohol syndrome

FB: foreign body

FBS: fasting blood sugar

FF: forced feeding or forced fluids

FSH: follicle-stimulating hormone

FTT: failure to thrive

FTSG: full thickness skin grafting

FVD: fluid volume deficit

Fx: fracture

G:

GB: gallbladder

GCS: Glasgow coma scale

GERD: gastroesophageal reflux

GFR: glomerular filtration rate

GH: growth hormone

GHB: glycosylated hemoglobin

GI: gastrointestinal or gastroenterologist

GSW: gunshot wound

G tube: gastrointestinal tube

GTT: glucose tolerance test

gtt/min: drops per minute

GU: genito-urinary

GYN: gynecology

H:

HC: head circumference

HCT: hematocrit

HDL: high density lipoprotein

HEENT: head, ears, eyes, nose, and throat

Hep B: hepatitis B

HGB: hemoglobin

H&H: hemoglobin and hematocrit

HIV: human immunodeficiency virus

HOB: head of bed

HPI: history of present illness

H&P: history and physical

HR: heart rate

HS: at bedtime

HTN: hypertension

Hx: history

I:

ICU: intensive care unit

ID: infectious disease or intradermal

IDDM: insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

IgG: immunoglobulin G

IgM: immunoglobulin M

IM: intramuscular

INH: inhaled

I&O: intake and output

Isol: isolation

IV: intravenously

IVF: in vitro fertilization

IVH: intraventricular hemorrhage

IVP: IV push

IVPB: IV piggyback

K:

Kg: kilogram

KUB: kidneys/ureters/bladder

KVO: keep vein open

L:

LDL: low density lipoprotein

LLE: left lower extremity

LLQ: left lower quadrant

LOC: level of consciousness

LP: lumbar puncture

LUE: left upper extremity

LUQ: left upper quadrant

M:

M or MO: month

MAE: moves all extremities

MAO: monoamine oxidase

MAP: medication assistance program

MAR: medication administration record

MCG or mcg: microgram

MDI: metered-dose inhaler

MI: myocardial infarction

mL or ml: milliliter

MMR: measles, mumps, rubella

MRI: magnetic resonance imaging

MRSA: methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus

MVA: motor vehicle accident

N:

N/A: not applicable

NA: sodium

NaCl: sodium chloride

NC: nasal cannula

Neb: nebulizer

NG: nasogastric tube

Noct: at night

NPO: nothing by mouth

NS: normal saline

NSR: normal sinus rhythm

N/V: nausea or vomiting

O:

OD: right eye

Oint: ointment

ORIF: open reduction/internal fixation

OS: left eye

OTC: over the counter

OU: both eyes

P:

P with a line over the top: after

PAC: premature atrial contraction

PAF: paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

PAR: postanesthesia room

Pc: after meals

PCA: patient-controlled analgesia

PCL: posterior cruciate ligament

PCP: primary care provider

PDA: patent ductus arteriosus

PE: pulmonary embolism or pleural effusion

PEG: percutaneous gastrostomy tube

PERRLA: pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation

PICU: pediatric intensive care unit

PMH: past medical history

PO: by mouth

POA: power of attorney

Post-op spec: after-surgery urine specimen

PPBS: post-prandial blood sugar

PPD: purified protein derivative TB test

PPE: personal protective equipment

PR: rectally

PRN: as needed

PROM: passive range of motion or premature rupture of membrane

Pt: patient or pint (dependent on context)

PT: physical therapy

PTT: partial thromboplastin time

PVC: premature ventricular contraction

PVD: peripheral vascular disease

PWB: partial weight bearing

Px: prognosis

Q:

Q1H: every hour

Q2H: every 2 hour

Q3H: every 3 hour

Q4H: every 4 hour

QHS: before bedtime

R:

RBBB: right bundle branch block

RBC: red blood count

RDC: respiratory distress syndrome

REM: rapid eye movement

r/o: rule out

RLQ: right lower quadrant

RLS: restless leg syndrome

ROM: range of motion

ROS: review of system

RR: respiratory rate

R/T: related to

RTx: radiotherapy

RUE: right upper extremity

RUQ: right upper quadrant

Rx: pharmacy or prescription

S:

S with a line over the top: without

SIDS: sudden infant death syndrome

SL: sublingual

SOAP: subjective data, objective data, assessment, plan

SOB: shortness of breath

SQ or SC: subcutaneous

SOB: shortness of breath

s/p: status post

s/s: signs and symptoms

SSS: sick sinus syndrome

Stat: at once, immediately

STD: sexually transmitted disease

s/t: secondary to

ST: sinus tachycardia or speech therapist

Supp: suppository

Susp: suspension

SVT: supraventricular tachycardia

Sx: surgery or symptoms

T:

TB: tuberculosis

TBI: traumatic brain injury

TD: transdermal

TENS: transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

THR: total hip replacement

Thx: therapy

TIA: transient ischemic attack

TID: three times a day

Top: topical

TPN: total parenteral nutrition

TPR: temperature, pulse, respiration

Trach: tracheostomy

TSH: thyroid-stimulating hormone

Tx: treatment

U:

U/A: urinalysis

ULQ: upper left quadrant

URQ: upper right quadrant

US: ultrasound

UTI: urinary tract infection

V:

VA: visual acuity

VAD: ventricular assist device or vascular access device

VBI: vertebro-basilar insufficiency

VC: vital capacity

VER: visually evoked response

VF: ventricular fibrillation

VFT: ventricular fibrillation test

Vibes: vibration

VRE: vancomycin-resistant enterococci

VS: vital signs

VSD: ventricular septal defect

VSS: vital signs stable

VT: ventricular tachycardia

W:

WA: while awake

WB: weight bearing

WBAT: weight bearing as tolerated

WBC: white blood count

WC (or w/c): wheelchair

WD: wound

WFL: within functional limits

W/I or w/i: within

WK: week (as in 3 wk 8)

WNL: within normal limits

WO or w/out: without

Nonclinical Abbreviations

AACRN: Advanced HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse

Auth: Authorization

ACNP: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

ACRN: HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse

ALNC: Advanced Legal Nurse Consultant

ANP: Adult Nurse Practitioner

APRN: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

CBCN: Certified Breast Cancer Care Nurse

CCRN: Critical Care Registered Nurse

CDN: Certified Dialysis Nurse

CEN: Certified Emergency Nurse

CHPCA: Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Administrator

CMN: Certificate of Medical Necessity

CNA: Certified Nursing Assistant

CNE: Certified Nurse Educator

CNL: Clinical Nurse Leader

CNM: Certified Nurse Midwife

CNML: Certified Nurse Manager and Leader

CNRN: Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse

CNO: Chief Nursing Officer

CNS: Clinical Nurse Specialist

COTA: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

CRN: Certified Radiologic Nurse

CRNA: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

CRRN: Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse

CTI: Certification of Terminal Illness

Cx: Cancel

DC: Discharge

Ded: Deductible

DOB: Birth date

DN: Daily note

EMR: Electronic medical record

F2F: face to face evaluation

f/b: Followed by

FNP: Family Nurse Practitioner

GNP: Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

HC: Home care

HHA: Home health aide

IE: Initial evaluation

Ins: Insurance

IV: Insurance verification

l/m: Left message

LPN: Licensed Practical Nurse

LVN: Licensed Vocational Nurse

MC: Medicare

ML: Monthly letter

NA: Nursing Assistant

n/s: No show for appointment

NIC: Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse

NNP: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

NP: Nurse Practitioner

OB/GYN: obstetrics and gynecology

OCN: Oncology Certified Nurse

ONC: Certified Orthopedic Nurse

OON: Out of network

OT: Occupational therapy

OTA: Occupational therapy assistant

PA: Physician’s assistant

PMHNP: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

PMHCNS: Psychiatric & Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist

PNP: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

POC: Plan of care

PN: Progress note

QA: quality assurance

QAPI: quality assurance performance improvement plan

RE: Re-evaluation

RN: Registered Nurse

SLA: Speech-Language Assistant

SLP: Speech-Language Pathologist/Pathology

SLPA: Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

TCRN: Trauma Certified Registered Nurse

Tsp: teaspoon

Via: by the way

VORB: verbal order read back

WHNP: Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Check the Facts Before You Jump to Conclusions!

Abbreviations are a time-saving tool in nursing, but they also pose a risk of miscommunication. As you can see from the list above, some abbreviations (such as AP) can have multiple definitions, which may lead to confusion.

While this resource is designed to help you navigate abbreviations more confidently, always take the extra step to confirm their meaning when uncertainty arises. Continuing to build your skills through nursing training is an important way to promote accuracy, strengthen clinical decision-making, and support patient outcomes. Face-to-face communication remains essential for ensuring safe, high-quality care.