Acronyms and abbreviations for medical terms are frequently used by health care providers. It can be challenging to keep up with the lingo—especially as a new nurse. The following acronyms and abbreviations are used in hospitals across the United States. Whether you are working on mastering medical abbreviations or just looking for a review, these lists will get you started.
Click here for our comprehensive guide.
Nursing degree acronyms
The following are nursing degrees you might consider, depending on your level of experience and education.
A.S.N.–Associate of Science in Nursing
B.S.N.–Bachelor of Science in Nursing
D.N.P.–Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP–Family nurse practitioner
M.S.N. – Master of Science in Nursing
Ph.D. – Doctor of Philosophy in nursing
Nursing role acronyms
Understanding these jobs and their acronyms can help you get to know the workers in your hospital, and it can help you think about your own career options as well.
CNA–Certified nursing assistants. Also referred to as patient care technicians and nurses’ aides.
CNM–Certified nurse midwife
CNS–Clinical nurse specialist
CRNA–Certified registered nurse anesthetist
LPN–Licensed practical nurse
RN–Registered nurse
Common hospital location acronyms
Know your way around the acronyms even before you know your way around the hospital.
| CCU | Coronary Cardiac Unit |
| ED | Emergency Department |
| ER | Emergency Room |
| ICU | Intensive Care Unit |
| NICU | Neonatal Intensive Care Unis |
| PACU | Post-Anesthesia Care Unit |
| PICU | Pediatric Intensive Care Unit |
| TICU | Trauma Intensive Care Unit |
| SICU | Surgical Intensive Care Unit |
Nursing acronyms for nursing organizations and affiliations
The following is a list of organizations and affiliations that you may interact with or hear reference to when on the job.
| AAPB | Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback |
| AARP | American Association of Retired Persons |
| AASM | American Academy of Sleep Medicine |
| AATH | American Association for Therapeutic Humor |
| AHA | American Hospital Association |
| AHCA | American Health Care Association |
| AHCPR | Agency for Health Care Policy and Research |
| AHNA | American Holistic Nurses’ Association |
| AHRQ | Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality |
| ALFA | Assisted Living Federation of America |
| AMA | American Medical Association |
| ANA | American Nurses Association |
| APIC | Association for Practitioners In Infection Control and Epidemiology |
| ARC | American Red Cross |
| CARF | Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities |
| CHAP | Community Health Accreditation Program |
| FDA | Food and Drug Administration |
| HPNA | Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association |
| HRSA | Health Resources and Services Administration |
| INA | Illinois Nurses Association |
| NAPNE | National Association of Practical Nurse Education |
| NAPNES | National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Services |
| NCCAM | National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine |
| NCHS | National Center for Health Statistics |
| NCLD | National Center for Learning Disabilities |
| NCLEX® | National Council Licensure Examination |
| NCLEX-PN® | National Council Licensure Examination—Practical Nurse |
| NCLEX-RN® | National Council Licensure Examination—Registered Nurse |
| NCOA | National Council on Aging |
| NCSBN | National Council of State Boards of Nursing |
| NCVHS | National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics |
| NF | National Formulary |
| NFLPN | National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses, Inc. |
| NSNA | National Student Nurses Association |
| SCHIP | State Children’s Health Insurance Program |
| SNAI | Student Nurses Association of Illinois |
| YWCA | Young Women’s Christian Association |
Common nursing measurement acronyms
Know before you measure.
| @ | At |
| < | Less Than |
| > | Greater Than |
| a¯ | Before |
| aa | Of Each, Equal Parts, Arteries |
| c | Cup |
| cc | Cubic Centimeters |
| cm | Centimeters |
| dr | Drams |
| dss | 2 teaspoons |
| fl | Fluid ounces |
| ft | Foot |
| g | Grams |
| gal | Gallon |
| gl | Glass |
| gr | Grains |
| gt | Drop |
| gtt | Drops |
| in | Inches |
| kg | Kilograms |
| L | Liters |
| lb | Pound |
| m | Meters |
| mcg | Micrograms |
| mEq | Milliquivalents |
| mg | Milligrams |
| mL | Milliliters |
| mm | Millimeters |
| oz | Ounce |
| pt | Pint |
| qt | Quart |
| tbsp. | Tablespoons |
| tsp | Teaspoons |
| U | Unit |
Other key nursing acronyms and abbreviations
The following are some further key acronyms to make sure you’ve got down. For the complete list, refer to our website.
| A&D or Adm. | Admission and Discharge |
| A&E | Accident and Emergency |
| a¯ | Before |
| aa | Of Each, Equal Parts, Arteries |
| AAA | Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm |
| ABC | Airway, Breathing, Circulation |
| ABD, Abd, Abdo | Abdominal, or Abdomen |
| ac or a.c. | Before Meals |
| ATC | Around the Clock |
| BSI | Body Substance Isolation |
| C/O | Complaint of |
| CBR | Complete Bed Rest |
| CNS | Central Nervous System |
| CPR | Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation |
| CSM | Circulation, Sensation, Motion |
| D/C | Discontinue |
| DAR | Document, Action, Response |
| DX | Diagnosis |
| FBS | Fasting blood sugar |
| Fx | Fracture |
| gtt/min | Drops Per Minute |
| MAR | Medication Administration Record |
| PO | By mouth |
| q2h | Every 2 Hours |
| qd | Every Day |
| qh | Every Hour |
| qid | Four Times A Day |
| qod | Every Other Day |
| qs | Quantity Sufficient |
| SOB | Shortness of breath |
| Stat | Immediately |
| TPR | TPR – Temperature, pulse, respiration |
| VS | Vital Signs |
| W/C | Wheel Chair |
| wt | Weight |
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