Medical abbreviations...

I'm looking for a listing of common medical abbreviations, either to download to PDA or just a list I can print out and enter myself.

I have Taber's on my PDA so all of the harder abbreviations are on there (tests, chemical elements, etc.) but not the really common ones like WM-white male, oc-office call, tx-treatment...those types of things.

TIA,

Lorraine
within the past several months, the medical/nsg abbreviations that we were accustomed to using are now no longer valid and we're not allowed to use them anymore. that's because there were too many errors reading these abbreviations.your facility or school should have the current list of acceptable abbreviations.leslie

Quote from LorraineCNAI'm looking for a listing of common medical abbreviations, either to download to PDA or just a list I can print out and enter myself. I have Taber's on my PDA so all of the harder abbreviations are on there (tests, chemical elements, etc.) but not the really common ones like WM-white male, oc-office call, tx-treatment...those types of things.TIA,Lorraine

Per JCAHO, we are no longer supposed to use the term "cc"......now everything is in "ml".

Anything that is not on a facility's list of approved abbreviations I would clarify, just so the doc (or whoever abbreviated) can't alter what the abbreviation was meant to represent at a later time. Most hospitals are really cracking down on abbreviations anyway to comply with JCAHO.

Quote from allamericangirlLorraine: This is a list that I have of some of the basic abbreviations that we learned in my CNA class last week. Hope this is helpful to you.DiagnosesCHF congestive heart failureCOPD chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCVA cerebrovascular accidentDD developmentally disabledHOH hard of hearingMI Myocardial InfarctionMS Multiple Sclerosis SOB short of breathstaph staphylococcusTIA transient ischemic attackURI upper respiratory infectionUTI urinary tract infectionVD venereal diseaseMeasurementsc centigradecc cubic centimetersF Fahrenheitgm gramht heightlb poundmg milligramml milliliteroz ouncess one halftbsp (Tbsp) tablespoontsp teaspoonwt weight> greater than< less than= equals# number, poundTimesac before mealsad lib as desiredASAP as soon as possiblebid two times a daypc after mealsprn as necessaryqh every hourqid four times a daystat immediatelytid three times a dayx timesNo longer abbreviated times and must be written out:hour of sleepevery dayevery other dayPatient Orders and ChartingADL activities of daily livingamb ambulate or ambulatoryBM bowel movementB/P (BP) blood pressureBRP bathroom privilegesĈ withcath catheterize, catheterizationc/o complains ofCPR cardiopulmonary resuscitationdc, DC discontinueDNR do not resuscitateFF (ff) force fluidsI&O intake and outputL with a circle drawn around LeftNPO nothing by mouthN&V nausea and vomitingOOB out of bedperi perinealpo (PO) by mouthPt pt patientR with a circle drawn around RightROM range of motionŝ withoutSSE soap suds enemaTLC tender loving careTPR temperature, pulse, respirationTWE tap water enemaVO verbal orderVS vital signsWC wheel chair♀ female♂ malePlaces and TitlesDON director of nursingGI gastrointestinalGyn gynecologyNG nasogastricOt occupational therapyPt physical therapySLP speech / language / pathologistSW social workerMiscellaneous30 cc 1 ounce (oz)6 tsp2TbspH2o WaterO2 Oxygen

Greatly appreciated!LorraineCNAalmost MA

I found a wonderful site that helps with abbreviations.quizlet.com and search for abbreviation flash cards. I just printed out the medical abbreviations and pharmaceutical abbreviations. This website was suggested by the online course I just finished called "Medication Administration".