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Section 10
ABBREVIATIONS
A
@ |
at
|
a |
before
|
aa |
of each / equal parts
|
AAA or A.A.A |
abdominal aortic aneurysm
|
AAOX4 |
awake, alert and oriented (person, place, time and event)
|
ab |
abortion
|
Abd. |
abdomen
|
ABG’s |
arterial blood gases
|
ABR |
absolute bed rest
|
a.c. |
before meals
|
AC |
antecubital
|
ACE |
angiotensin-converting enzyme
|
ACF |
antecubital fossa
|
ACLS |
advanced cardiac life support
|
ACT |
air care team
|
ACTH |
adrenocorticotrophic hormone
|
A&D |
admission and discharge
|
ADA |
American Diabetes Association
|
ADL |
activities of daily living
|
ad lib |
as desired
|
AED |
automated external defibrillator
|
A-Fib |
atrial fibrillation
|
A-Flutter |
atrial flutter
|
AgNO3 |
silver nitrate
|
AIDS |
acquired immune deficiency syndrome
|
AKA |
also known as / above the knee amputation
|
A-Line |
arterial line
|
ALS |
advanced life support
|
A.M., am |
morning hours, i.e., before noon
|
A.M.A., AMA |
against medical advice / American Medical Association
|
Amb. |
ambulatory
|
AMI |
acute myocardial infarction
|
Amp. |
ampule
|
amt. |
amount
|
anes. |
anesthesia
|
Angio |
angiography/angiogram
|
ant. |
anterior
|
AOS |
arrived on scene
|
AP, A.P., appe |
appendectomy
|
A/P |
anterior/posterior
|
APAP |
acetaminophen
|
APE |
acute pulmonary edema
|
APGAR |
appearance, pulse, grimace, activity and respiratory effort
|
APH |
Arnold Palmer Hospital
|
A.P.& L. |
anterior, posterior and lateral
|
approx. |
approximately
|
Aq. |
aqueous
|
aqua |
water or H2O
|
ARB |
Angiotensin receptor blocker
|
ARC |
AIDS-related complex
|
ARDS |
acute respiratory distress syndrome
|
ARNP |
advanced registered nurse practitioner
|
ASA |
aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid)
|
ASAP |
as soon as possible
|
ASHD |
arteriosclerotic heart disease
|
ASPD |
Altamonte Springs Police Department
|
assist. |
assistance
|
A-Tach |
atrial tachycardia
|
A/V |
atrioventricular
|
B
BAL |
blood alcohol level
|
BBB |
bundle branch block
|
BBS |
bilateral breath sounds
|
BCFD |
Brevard County Fire Department
|
BCP |
birth control pills
|
BCSO |
Brevard County Sheriff¡¦s Office
|
B.E. |
barium enema
|
B/F |
black female
|
B.I.D. |
twice per day
|
BKA |
below the knee amputation
|
Bicarb |
Sodium Bicarbonate
|
bilat |
bilateral
|
bkfst |
breakfast
|
Bld. |
blood
|
BLS |
basic life support
|
B.M. |
bowel movement
|
B/M |
black male
|
B.P., B/P |
blood pressure
|
BR |
bath room
|
b.r. |
bed rest
|
B.R.P. |
bathroom privileges
|
B.S., BS, B/S |
blood sugar/breath sounds/bowel sounds
|
BSA |
body surface area
|
BSN |
Bachelor's of Science in Nursing
|
BUN |
blood urea nitrogen
|
BVM |
bag valve mask
|
Bx |
biopsy
|
C
c |
with
|
C |
centigrade / Celsius
|
C1, C2, C3 |
cervical vertebrae
|
CA |
cancer
|
Ca |
calcium
|
CaCL |
calcium chloride
|
CAD |
coronary artery disease
|
cap |
capsule
|
Cap. Ref. |
capillary refill
|
caps |
capsules
|
cath |
catheterization
|
CATH |
catheter
|
CBC, cbc |
complete blood count
|
C.B.R. |
complete bedrest
|
cc |
cubic centimeter
|
CC, c/c |
chief complaint
|
C-collar |
cervical collar
|
CCU |
coronary care unit / critical care unit
|
CDC |
Center for Disease Control
|
CHF |
congestive heart failure
|
CHO |
carbohydrate
|
CID |
cervical immobilization device
|
cm |
centimeters
|
cmpd |
compound
|
CNS |
central nervous system
|
c/o |
complains of
|
CO |
carbon monoxide
|
C.O. |
cardiac output
|
CO2 |
carbon dioxide
|
cont. |
continuous
|
COPD, |
COLD chronic obstructive lung disease
|
C.P., C/P |
chest pain
|
CPD |
Casselberry Police Department
|
CPR |
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
|
creat |
creatinine
|
C-section |
cesarean section
|
CSF |
cerebral spinal fluid
|
CSM |
circulation, sensation and movement
|
C-spine |
cervical spine
|
CT scan |
computerized axial tomography
|
CUPS |
Critical, unstable, potentially unstable and stable
|
CVA |
cerebral vascular accident
|
CVP |
central venous pressure
|
CXR |
chest X-ray
|
cysto |
cystoscopy
|
D
D5W |
dextrose 5% in water
|
D10W |
dextrose 10% in water
|
D15W |
dextrose 15% in water
|
D50 |
dextrose 50% in water
|
DAT |
diet as tolerated
|
D/C |
discontinue / discharge
|
D&C |
dilatation and curettage
|
defib |
defibrillate
|
dig. |
digoxin
|
dist. |
distilled
|
DNR |
do not resuscitate
|
D.O. |
doctor of osteopathic medicine
|
DOA |
dead on arrival
|
DOB |
date of birth
|
DOE |
dyspnea on exertion
|
Dr. |
doctor
|
drsg., dsg |
dressing
|
DTs |
delirium tremens
|
Dx |
diagnosis
|
DDx or Diff Dx |
differential diagnosis
|
E
EBL |
estimated blood loss
|
ECG, EKG |
electrocardiogram
|
ECHO |
echogram (cardiogram or encephalo)
|
ED, E.D. |
emergency department
|
EEG |
electroencephalogram
|
EENT |
eyes, ears, nose, throat
|
EGD |
esophagogastroduodenoscopy
|
EJ |
external jugular
|
EKG, ECG |
electrocardiogram
|
EMG |
electromyogram
|
EMT |
emergency medical technician
|
EMS |
emergency medical services
|
emul. |
emulsion
|
ENT |
ears, nose, throat
|
EPD |
Eatonville Police Department
|
epi |
epinephrine
|
EPS |
extra pyramidal symptoms
|
ER |
emergency room
|
E&R |
equal and reactive
|
esp. |
especially
|
ET, ETT |
endotracheal tube
|
ETA |
estimated time of arrival
|
etc. |
etcetera
|
ETD |
estimated time of departure
|
etiol. |
etiology
|
ETOH |
ethyl alcohol
|
EVAC |
Volusia County EMS Service
|
exam |
examination
|
exp |
expiratory
|
ext |
external
|
F
F. |
Fahrenheit
|
F., F, |
Fem female
|
FBS |
fasting blood sugar
|
Fe |
iron
|
FF, F.F. |
forced feeding / forced fluids
|
FHA |
Florida Hospital Altamonte
|
FHAP |
Florida Hospital Apopka
|
FHE |
Florida Hospital East
|
FHWP |
Florida Hospital Winter Park
|
FHO |
Florida Hospital Orlando
|
FHP |
Florida Highway Patrol
|
FHT |
fetal heart tones
|
fib |
fibrillation / fibula
|
fl, fld. |
fluid
|
FOB |
foreign object/body
|
FROM |
full range of motion
|
Ft. |
feet
|
FUO |
fever unknown origin
|
fx. |
fracture
|
G
G |
gravida
|
gm |
gram
|
ga |
gauge
|
gal |
gallon
|
GB |
gallbladder
|
GBD |
gallbladder disease
|
GCS |
Glasgow coma scale
|
GE |
gastroenterology
|
gen. |
general
|
GI |
gastrointestinal
|
gluc |
glucose
|
G.P. |
general practitioner
|
gr. |
grain
|
GSW |
gunshot wound
|
gtt. |
drops
|
G.T.T. |
glucose tolerance test
|
GU |
genitourinary
|
GYN |
gynecology
|
H
H2O |
water
|
H2O2 |
hydrogen peroxide
|
H/A, H.A. |
headache / heated aerosol
|
HBD |
has been drinking
|
HBO |
Hyperbaric Oxygen
|
HCH |
Health Central Hospital
|
Hct |
hematocrit
|
HCTZ |
hydrochlorothiazide
|
HEENT |
head, ears, eyes, nose, throat
|
H/F |
Hispanic female
|
H/M |
Hispanic male
|
Hgb. |
hemoglobin
|
HIV |
human immune deficiency virus
|
HazMat |
hazardous materials
|
HOB |
head of bed
|
Hosp. |
hospital
|
H&P |
history and physical
|
Hr., hr., h. (°+) |
hour
|
HR |
heart rate
|
H.S. |
hour of sleep
|
HSV |
herpes simplex virus
|
ht |
height
|
HTN |
hypertension
|
Hx |
history
|
hyper |
above / high
|
hypo |
below / low
|
I
IBS |
irritable bowel syndrome
|
ICM |
intercostal margin
|
ICP |
intracranial pressure
|
ICS |
intercostal space
|
ICU |
intensive care unit
|
I&D |
incision and drainage
|
IDDM |
insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
|
IM |
intramuscular
|
IN |
intranasal
|
Immob. |
immobilized
|
In, in. |
inch
|
I.S. |
incentive spirometry
|
info |
information
|
insp |
inspiratory
|
Int. |
internal
|
IO |
intraosseous
|
I&O |
intake and output
|
IPPB |
intermittent positive pressure breathing
|
Irreg. |
irregular
|
irrig. |
irrigation
|
Isol. |
isolation
|
IU |
international units
|
IUD |
intrauterine device
|
IV |
intravenous
|
IVP, I.V.P. |
intravenous pyelogram / intravenous push
|
IVPB |
intravenous piggy back
|
J
J |
joules
|
jt. |
joint
|
JVD |
jugular vein distension
|
K
K+ |
potassium
|
KCL |
potassium chloride
|
KED |
Kendrick’s extrication device
|
Kg |
kilogram
|
Km |
kilometers
|
KUB |
kidneys, ureter, bladder
|
KVO |
keep vein open
|
L
L |
left
|
L |
liter
|
LA |
left arm
|
Lab |
laboratory
|
lac |
laceration
|
LAC, LA/C |
left antecubital
|
LBB |
long backboard
|
lbs |
pounds
|
LCFD |
Lake County Fire Department
|
LCSO |
Lake County Sheriff’s Office
|
L&D |
labor and delivery
|
LFD |
Longwood Fire Department
|
Lido |
lidocaine
|
LLAQ |
left lower abdominal quadrant
|
LLE |
left lower extremity
|
LLL |
left lower lobe
|
LLQ |
left lower quadrant
|
LLR |
left lateral recumbent
|
LMFD |
Lake Mary Fire Department
|
LMP |
last menstrual period
|
LMPD |
Lake Mary Police Department
|
LOC |
loss of consciousness / level of consciousness
|
LP. |
lumbar puncture
|
LPD |
Longwood Police Department
|
lpm |
liters per minute
|
LPN, L.P.N. |
licensed practical nurse
|
LR, RL |
lactated ringers / ringers lactate
|
L.S. |
lung sounds
|
LSD |
lysergic acid diethylamide
|
L-spine |
lumbar spine
|
L/S |
spine lumbar sacral spine
|
Lt, (L) |
left
|
LUAQ |
left upper abdominal quadrant
|
LUE |
left upper extremity
|
LUL |
left upper lobe
|
LUQ |
left upper quadrant
|
M
M. |
meter
|
M |
male
|
MAE |
moves all extremities
|
MAO |
monoamine oxidase
|
MAST |
military anti-shock trousers / medical anti-shock trousers
|
mcg., µg. |
microgram
|
MCL |
modified chest lead
|
MD, M.D. |
doctor of medicine
|
ME |
medical examiner
|
meas |
measure
|
Mec |
meconium
|
med, meds |
medicine / medications
|
med. |
medium
|
meq, mEq |
milliequivalents
|
MFD |
Maitland Fire Department
|
mg., mgm |
milligram
|
Mg/Dl |
milligrams per deciliter
|
MI |
myocardial infarction
|
min |
minute
|
ml |
milliliter
|
mm |
millimeter
|
mmHg |
millimeter of mercury
|
mn |
midnight
|
M/O |
month old
|
MOI |
mechanism of injury
|
mos |
months
|
MPD |
Maitland Police Department
|
MRI |
magnetic resonance imaging
|
MS, MSO4 |
morphine sulfate
|
MSN |
Master’s of Science in Nursing
|
MVA |
motor vehicle accident
|
MVC |
motor vehicle crash
|
N
Na |
sodium
|
N.A. |
nursing assistant
|
NA, N/A |
not applicable
|
NaCl |
sodium chloride
|
NAD |
no acute distress
|
NaHCO3 |
sodium bicarbonate
|
N.C., N/C |
nasal cannula
|
Neg., Θ |
negative
|
NEURO |
neurological
|
n/g, ng. |
nasogastric tube
|
N.G.T. |
nasogastric tube
|
NIDDM |
non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
|
NKA, NKDA |
no known allergies / no known drug allergies
|
No. |
number
|
NO2 |
nitrous oxide
|
NP |
nurse practitioner
|
NPO |
nothing per os (mouth)
|
NRM, NRB |
non-rebreather mask
|
NS |
normal saline (.9%)
|
NSAID |
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
|
NSG, Nsg |
nursing
|
NSR |
normal sinus rhythm
|
NTG, nitro |
nitroglycerine
|
n/v, |
N&V nausea and vomiting
|
N/V |
neuro/vascular
|
NVD |
nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
|
O
O2 |
oxygen
|
OB |
obstetrics
|
OBS |
organic brain syndrome
|
occ. |
occasionally
|
OCFRD |
Orange County Fire Rescue Division
|
OCSO |
Orange County Sheriff’s Office
|
(OD), od, o.d. |
right eye / overdose
|
OFD |
Oviedo or Orlando Fire Department
|
oint. |
ointment
|
OOB, o.o.b. |
out of bed
|
O.P. |
outpatient
|
OPA |
oralpharyngeal airway
|
OPD |
Oviedo or Orlando Police Department
|
OPD, O.P.D. |
outpatient department
|
OR |
operating room
|
ORHS |
Orlando Regional Healthcare System (ORMC)
|
ORIF |
open reduction internal fixation or orifice
|
ORMC |
Orlando Regional Medical Center
|
ortho. |
orthopedics
|
o.s., (OS) |
left eye
|
O.T. |
occupational therapy
|
(OU), o.u. |
both eyes
|
Ox3 |
oriented to person, place and time
|
oz. |
ounce
|
P
p |
after / post
|
P |
pulse
|
PA |
physician’s assistant / pulmonary artery
|
PAC |
premature atrial contraction
|
palp |
palpation
|
PALS |
pediatric advanced life support
|
PaO2 |
pressure of arterial oxygen
|
PARA |
number of pregnancies
|
PASG |
pneumatic antishock garment
|
PAT |
paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
|
Path. |
pathology
|
Pb |
lead
|
p.c. |
after meals
|
PCA |
patient controlled analgesia
|
PCN |
penicillin
|
PCP |
pneumocystitis carinii pneumonia / phencyclidine
|
PCU |
progressive care unit
|
P Edema |
pulmonary edema
|
P Emb or P Embolies |
pulmonary embolus
|
PEA |
pulseless electrical activity
|
PEARL, PERL |
pupils equal and reactive to light
|
peds. |
pediatrics
|
PEEP |
positive end expiratory pressure
|
PENRL |
pupils equal and non-reactive to light
|
per |
by / through
|
PERRL |
pupils equal reactive responsive to light
|
PID |
pelvic inflammatory disease
|
PJC |
premature junctional contraction
|
P.M., pm |
afternoon
|
PMH |
past medical history
|
PM |
paramedic
|
PMS |
premenstrual syndrome
|
PND |
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
|
po, PO per os |
(mouth) / oral intake
|
POC |
position of comfort
|
pos,⊕ |
positive
|
post. |
posterior
|
post-op |
post-operative
|
POV |
privately owned vehicle
|
p.p., PP |
post prandial
|
PP |
postpartum (after delivery)
|
PPBS |
post prandial blood sugar
|
PPD |
purified protein derivative (TB test)
|
PR, pr |
per rectum
|
pre |
before
|
pre-op |
before surgery
|
pre op spec |
(urine) specimen before surgery
|
prep. |
preparation
|
P.R.N., prn |
pro re nata (as needed)
|
prog. |
prognosis
|
PROM |
passive range of motion / premature rupture of membranes
|
PSVT |
paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
|
pt |
patient
|
P.T. |
physical therapy or medicine
|
PTA |
prior to admission / prior to arrival
|
PTCA |
percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
|
PUD |
peptic ulcer disease
|
PVC |
premature ventricular contraction
|
PVR |
peripheral vascular resistance
|
PVT |
paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia
|
Q
q. |
every
|
QAM, qam |
every morning
|
qd |
every day
|
qh |
every hour
|
q2h |
every two hours
|
q3h |
every three hours
|
q4h |
every four hours
|
q_h |
every (blank) hours
|
QHS, qhs |
every night at bedtime
|
qid, QID |
four times a day
|
qod, QOD |
every other day
|
qt. |
quart
|
R
R, ® |
right
|
R |
rectal / respirations
|
RA |
right arm
|
R/AC |
right antecubital
|
REMT |
registered emergency medical technician
|
REMT-P |
registered emergency medical technician-paramedic
|
resp |
respirations
|
RL |
ringers lactate
|
RLAQ |
right lower abdominal quadrant
|
RLE |
right lower extremity
|
RLL |
right lower lobe
|
RLQ |
right lower quadrant
|
RLR |
right lateral recumbent
|
RM, rm |
room
|
RMA |
Rural Metro Ambulance
|
RML |
right middle lobe
|
R.N. |
registered nurse
|
R/O |
rule out
|
ROM |
range of motion/movement
|
ROSC |
return of spontaneous circulation
|
Rt., (R) |
right
|
R.T. |
respiratory therapist
|
RUAQ |
right upper abdominal quadrant
|
RUE |
right upper extremity
|
RUQ |
right upper quadrant
|
RVR |
rapid ventricular response
|
Rx |
prescription / treatment / therapy
|
S
s |
without
|
SAT |
saturation
|
SBAR |
Situation, background, assessment and recommendation
|
s.c., Subq, subcut, SQ |
subcutaneous
|
SCFD |
Seminole County EMS/Fire/Rescue Division
|
SCHD |
Seminole County Health Department
|
SCSO |
Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
|
SFD |
Sanford Fire Department
|
SIDS |
sudden infant death syndrome
|
sl |
sublingual / slight
|
SNF |
skilled nursing facility
|
SOB |
shortness of breath
|
sol. |
solution
|
sos |
rescue or help needed
|
S/P |
status post
|
sp. gr., S/G |
specific gravity
|
SPD |
Sanford Police Department
|
spec. |
specimen
|
S-spine |
sacral spine
|
SQ |
subcutaneous
|
SR |
sinus rhythm
|
S/S |
signs and symptoms
|
SSCH |
South Seminole Community Hospital
|
staph |
staphylococcus
|
stat, STAT |
immediately
|
STD |
sexually transmitted disease
|
subq |
subcutaneous
|
supp. |
suppository
|
SURG |
surgical
|
SVT |
supraventricular tachycardia
|
SW |
stab wound / sterile water
|
Sx |
symptoms
|
Sz |
seizure
|
T
T., |
temp temperature
|
T&A |
tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
|
tab. |
tablet
|
Tach |
tachycardia
|
TAH |
total abdominal hysterectomy
|
TB |
tuberculosis
|
TBSA |
total body surface area
|
Tbsp. |
tablespoon
|
TCA |
tricyclic antidepressant
|
TCP |
transcutaneous pacemaker
|
TENS |
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
|
THR |
total hip replacement
|
TIA |
transient ischemic attack
|
tib |
tibia
|
TID |
three times per day
|
TKO |
to keep open
|
TLC |
tender loving care
|
T/O |
telephone order
|
Torr |
millimeters mercury (mmHg)
|
T.P.R. |
temperature pulse respiration
|
trach. |
tracheostomy
|
tsp. |
teaspoon
|
T-spine |
thoracic spine
|
T.U.R. |
transurethral resection
|
T.U.R.P. |
transurethral resection prostatectomy
|
T.V. |
tidal volume
|
Tx. |
treatment
|
U
U., u. |
unit
|
UA, U/A |
urinalysis
|
uncon. |
unconscious
|
UND |
undetermined
|
ung |
ointment
|
unilat |
unilateral
|
unkn, UNK |
unknown
|
Unrem. |
unremarkable
|
ur spec |
urine specimen
|
URI, URTI |
upper respiratory tract infection
|
USN |
ultrasonic nebulizer
|
UTI |
urinary tract infection
|
UV |
umbilical vein / ultraviolet
|
V
vag |
vaginal
|
VCFD |
Volusia County Fire Department
|
VCSO |
Volusia County Sheriff’s Office
|
V.D., vd |
venereal disease
|
VDRL |
venereal disease research lab
|
VF, V-Fib |
ventricular fibrillation
|
V/O, v.o. |
verbal order
|
vol |
volume
|
vs., VS |
vital signs
|
VT, V-Tach |
ventricular tachycardia
|
W
w/a |
while awake
|
w/b |
weight bearing
|
WBC,W.B.C. |
white blood count
|
wc., w/c |
wheelchair
|
W/D |
warm and dry
|
W/F |
white female
|
W/M |
white male
|
WNL |
within normal limits
|
W/O |
without
|
WPFD |
Winter Park Fire Department
|
WPH |
Winnie Palmer Hospital
|
WPMH |
Winter Park Memorial Hospital
|
WPPD |
Winter Park Police Department
|
WPW |
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
|
WSFD |
Winter Springs Fire Department
|
WSPD |
Winter Springs Police Department
|
wt. |
weight
|
Y
Y/O, y.o. |
years of age / years old
|
yr |
year
|
OTHER SYMBOLS
> |
greater than
|
< |
less than
|
= |
equal to
|
≠ |
not equal to
|
↑ |
increasing
|
↓ |
decreasing
|
1° |
primary, first degree
|
2° |
secondary, second degree
|
3° |
tertiary, third degree
|
≥ |
greater than or equal to
|
≤ |
less than or equal to
|
Δ |
change
|
≅ |
approximately equal to
|
~ |
approximately
|
≈ |
equivalent to
|
± |
plus or minus
|
α |
alpha
|
Β |
beta
|
c |
with
|
s |
without
|
♂ |
male
|
♀ |
female
|
ø |
none
|
μ |
micro (1/1,000,000)
|
@ |
at
|
a |
before
|
p |
without
|