Directional Terms & Common Medical Abbreviations
Terms
undefined, object
copy deck
- Directional terms
- Directional terms describe the position of one body part in relation to another. They give the direction of the body part when a person is standing and facing forward.
- Anterior (ventral)
- at or toward the front of the body or body part
- Distal
- the part farthest from the center or from the point of attachment
- Lateral
- at the side of the body or body part
- Medial
- at or near the middle or midline of the body or body part
- Posterior (dorsal)
- at or toward the back of the body or body part
- Proximal
- the part nearest to the center or to the point or origin
- Abbreviation
- Abbreviations are shortened forms of words or phrases.
- abd
- abdomen
- ac
- before meals
- ADL
- activites of daily living
- ad lib
- as desired
- AM (am)
- morning
- amb
- ambulatory
- amt
- amount
- ap
- apical
- bid
- twice a day
- BM (bm)
- bowel movement
- BP
- blood pressure
- BRP
- bathroom privileges
-
_
c - with
- C
- centigrade
- CA
- cancer
- cath
- catheter
- CBC
- complete blood count
- CBR
- complete bedrest
- cc
- cubic centimeter
- CNA
- certified nursing assistant
- c/o
- complains of
- CPR
- cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- dc (d/c)
- discontinue
- DOA
- dead on arrival
- DON
- director of nursing
- drsg
- dressing
- dx
- diagnosis
- ECG (EKG)
- electrocardiogram
- EEG
- electroencephalogram
- ER
- emergency room
- F
- Fahrenheit
- FBS
- fasting blood sugar
- gal
- gallon
- GB
- gallbladder
- GI
- gastrointestinal
- h (hr)
- hour
- H2O
- water
- HS (hs)
- hour of sleep
- ht
- height
- in
- inch
- I&O
- intake and output
- IV
- intravenous
- L
- left, liter
- lab
- laboratory
- lb
- pound
- liq
- liquid
- LLQ
- left lower quadrant
- LPN
- licensed practical nurse
- lt
- left
- LVN
- licensed vocational nurse
- LUQ
- left upper quadrant
- meds
- medications
- mid noc
- midnight
- min
- minute
- ml
- milliliter
- NA
- nursing assistant
- neg
- negative
- noc
- night
- NPO (npo)
- nothing by mouth
- O2
- oxygen
- OB
- obstetrics
- OOB
- out of bed
- OR
- operating room
- OT
- occupational therapy
- oz (OZ)
- ounce
- pc
- after meals
- peds
- pediatrics
- per
- by, through
- PM (pm)
- after noon
- po (per os)
- by mouth
- postop (post op)
- postoperative
- preop (pre op)
- preoperative
- prep
- preparation
- prn
- when necessary
- Pt (pt)
- patient
- PT
- physical therapy
-
_
q - every
- qd
- every day
- qh
- every hour
- q2h, q3h, etc.
- every 2 hours, every 3 hours, and so on
- qhs
- every night at bedtime
- qid
- four times a day
- qod
- every other day
- R
- rectal temperature; respiration; right
- RBC
- red blood cell; red blood count
- RLQ
- right lower quadrant
- RN
- registered nurse
- ROM
- range of motion
- RUQ
- right upper quadrant
-
_
s - without
- SOB
- shortness of breath
- Spec (spec)
- specimen
- SSE
- soapsuds enema
- stat
- at once, immediately
- tbsp
- tablespoon
- tid
- three times a day
- TLC
- tender loving care
- TPR
- temperature, pulse, and respirations
- tsp
- teaspoon
- U/a (U/A, u/a)
- urinalysis
- VS (vs)
- vital signs
- WBC
- white blood cell; white blood count
- w/c
- wheelchair
- wt
- weight