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The Ultimate Guide to Nursing Acronyms and Abbreviations

Written By: Kathleen Gaines

MSN, RN, BA, CBC

13 Min Read Published December 3, 2020

Types of Nurses
Nursing Degrees
Nursing Exams & Tests
Certifications
Common Hospital Units
Medical Chart & Record Abbreviations & Acronyms

By: Kathleen Gaines MSN, BA, RN, CBC

Acronyms and abbreviations are used throughout nursing and the healthcare profession. At times, they can be incredibly confusing, especially because some abbreviations can mean multiple things.

It can be extremely challenging, even for veteran nurses, and newer nurses are often left confused by the ongoing use of acronyms and abbreviations. This comprehensive guide will help you master the lingo!

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Types of Nurses

APRN - Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
CMA - Certified Medical Assistant
CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant
CNE - Certified Nurse Educator
CNL - Clinical Nurse Leader
CNS - Clinical Nurse Specialist
- AGCNS- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
- AOCNS - Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist
- DCNS - Diabetic Clinical Nurse Specialist
- HHCNS - Home Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
- NCNS- Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist
- OCNS-C - Orthopaedic Clinical Nurse Specialist – Certified
- PCNS- Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
- PMHCNS - Psychiatric and Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
- UCNS- Urologic Clinical Nurse Specialist
CNM - Certified Nurse Midwife
CRNA - Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice
LPN - Licensed Practical Nurse
LVN - Licensed Vocational Nurse
NA - Nursing Assistant or Nursing Aide
NP - Nurse Practitioner
- ACHPN - Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner
- ACNP - Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- ACONP - Oncology Nurse Practitioner
- AGACNP-BC or ACNPC-AG - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- AGPCNP-BC or A-GNP - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- ANVP - Advanced Neurovascular Practitioner
- CPNP-AC - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- CPNP-AC - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- CUNP - Certified Urologic Nurse Practitioners
- DCNP - Dermatology Nurse Practitioner
- ENP-BC or ENP - Emergency Nurse Practitioner
- FNP-BC or FNP - Family Nurse Practitioner
- NNP-BC - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- ONP-C - Orthopedics Nurse Practitioner
- PMHNP-BC - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- PPCNP-BC or CPNP-PC - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- SNP-BC - School Nurse Practitioners
- TNP - Telephone Nursing Practitioner
- WHNP-BC - Women’s Health-Gender Related Nurse Practitioner
PRN - Pro re nata (per diem nurse)
RN - Registered Nurse
CNO - Chief Nursing Officer
FAANP - Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners
NE - Nurse Executive
NM - Nurse Manager
ND - Nurse Director

Nursing Degrees

AAS - Associate of Applied Science
ADN - Associate's Degree in Nursing
ASN - Associate of Science in Nursing
BPS- Bachelor of Professional Studies with a concentration in Nursing
BS- Bachelor of Science with Nursing Major
BSN - Bachelor's of Science in Nursing
D.N.Sc. or DNS - Doctor of Nursing Science
DHA - Doctor of Healthcare Administration
DNAP - Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia
DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice
EdD - Doctor of Education
MBA - Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management
MHA - Master of Healthcare Administration
MPH - Master of Public Health
MSN - Master of Science in Nursing
Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy

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Nursing Exams & Tests

NCLEX-RN - National Council Licensure Examination Registered Nurse
NCLEX-PN - National Council Licensure Examination Practical Nurse
BLS - Basic Life Support
ACLS - Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support
NRP - Neonatal Resuscitation Program
STABLE - Sugar, Temperature, Airway, Blood Pressure, Lab work, Emotional Support of the newborn
ECC - Emergency Cardiovascular Care

Certifications

ACHPN – Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse
ALNC - Advanced Legal Nurse Consultant
AFN-BC - Advanced Forensic Nurses
BMTCN - Blood & Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse
CCCTM – Certified in Care Coordination and Transition Management
CCRN - Critical Care Registered Nurse
CEN – Certified Emergency Nurse
CFRN – Certified Flight Registered Nurse
CLC - Certified Lactation Counselor
CLNC - Certified Legal Nurse Consultant
CMSRN – Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse
CPON - Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse
RNC-NIC – Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing
RNC-OB – Inpatient Obstetric Nursing
SANE-A - Certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Adult/Adolescent
SANE-P - Certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Pediatric
TCRN - Trauma Certified Registered Nurse

Check out our complete list of nursing certifications.

Common Hospital Units

ACU - Acute Care Unit
CCN - Continuing Care Nursery
CCU - Coronary Cardiac Unit
CICU - Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
ED - Emergency Department
ER - Emergency Room
HEM-ONC - Hematology-Oncology
ICCU - Intermediate Cardiac Care Unit
ICU - Intensive Care Unit
L&D - Labor and Delivery
NBN - Newborn Nursery
NICU - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
OR - Operating Room
PACU - Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
PCU - Progressive Care Unit
PICU - Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
TCU - Transitional Care Unit
TICU - Trauma Intensive Care Unit
SDU - Special Delivery Unit
SICU - Surgical Intensive Care Unit
VICU - Vascular Intermediate Care Unit

Medical Chart & Record Abbreviations & Acronyms

A&D - Admission and discharge
AAA - Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
AAT - Animal Assisted Therapy
ABC - Airway, Breathing, Circulation
Abd - Abdomen
ABG - Arterial Blood Gas
ABG - Arterial Blood Gas
ABI - Ankle-Brachial Index
ABO - Blood Types
ABR - Absolute Bed Rest
Ac - Before Meals
ACL - Anterior cruciate ligament
AD - Advance Directive
ADH - Antidiuretic hormone
ADHD - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
ADL - Activities of daily living
Ad lib - As Desired
ADR - Adverse drug reaction
AD - Right Ear
AEB - As Evidenced By
AED - Antiepileptic Drug
AF - Atrial Fibrillation
AF - Atrial Fibrillation
AFR - Acute renal failure
AGC - Atypical Glandular Cells
AHF - Antihemophilic Factor
AIDS- Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AIH - Autoimmune Hepatitis
AIHA - Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
AIN - Acute Interstitial Nephritis
AKA - Above Knee Amputation or Alcoholic Ketoacidosis
AKI - Acute kidney injury
ALL - Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
ALP - Alkaline Phosphatase
ALT - Alanine Aminotransferase
ALTE - Apparent Life-Threatening Episode
AMA - Against Medical Advice
Amb - Ambulatory
AMI - Acute myocardial infarction
AML - Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
Amt - Amount
AN - Anorexia Nervosa
ANA - Antinuclear Antibody
ANCA - Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody
Angio - Angiogram
AP - Anterior/Posterior
AP - Appendectomy
AR - Aortic Regurgitation
ARB - Angiotensin Receptor Blocker
ARDS - Acute respiratory distress syndrome
ARF - Acute Renal Failure
AROM - Active Range of Motion
ARVD/C-Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy
ARR - Absolute Risk Reduction
ASA - Acetylsalicylic Acid (aspirin)
ASD - Atrial Septal Defect
AS - Left Ear or Aortic Stenosis
AST - Aspartate Aminotransferase
ATP - Adenosine Triphosphatase
AUS - Abdominal Ultrasound
AV - Atrioventricular
AVB - Atrioventricular Block
AVCD - Atrioventricular Canal Defect
AVN - Avascular Necrosis
AVP - Arginine Vasopressin
AXR - Abdominal X-ray
BA - Bone Age
B-ALL - B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
BAS - Balloon Atrial Septostomy
BB- Beta Blocker
BE - Barium Enema
BG - Blood Glucose
BiPAP - Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure
BKA - Below Knee Amputation
BLE - Bilateral Lower Extremity
BM - Bowel Movement or Breastmilk
BMA - Bone Marrow Aspirate
BMD - Bone Mineral Density
BMI - Bone Mass Index
BMP - Basic Metabolic Panel
BMR - Basal Metabolic Rate
BP - Blood Pressure
BPD - Borderline Personality Disorder
BPD - Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
BPH - Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
BPM - Beats Per Minute
BrS- Brugada Syndrome
BSA - Body Surface Area
BSE - Breast Self Examination
BUE - Bilateral Upper Extremity
BUN - Blood Urea Nitrogen
C/O - Complaint of
C&S - Culture and Sensitivity
CaBG - Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
CAD - Coronary Artery Disease
CAM - Complementary/Alternative Medicine
Cath - Catheter
CBC - Complete blood count
CBD - Common Bile Duct
CBG - Capillary Blood Gas
CBR - Complete bed rest
CC - Chief Complaint
CEA - Carcinoembryonic Antigen
CHD - Congenital Heart Disease or Congenital Heart Defect
CHF - Congestive Heart Failure
CK - Creatine Kinase
CL - Child Life Specialist
Cl - Chloride
CMP - Complete Metabolic Panel
CMV - Cytomegalovirus
CN - Cranial Nerve
CNS - Central Nervous System
COA - Coarctation of the Aorta
COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
CPAP: Continuous POsitive Airway Pressure
CPK - Creatine Phosphokinase
CPR - Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CPVT- Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
Cr - Chromium
CRP - C-Reactive Protein
CRT- Cardiac resynchronization therapy
CSF - Cerebrospinal Fluid
CSM - Circulation, Sensation, Motion
CT - Computed Tomography
CT scan - Computerized Axial Tomography Scan
Cu - Copper
CVA - Cerebrovascular accident or stroke
CXR - Chest X-Ray
D&C - Dilation and Curettage
DCM- dilated cardiomyopathy
DC or d/c - Discontinue
DFT- Defibrillation threshold testing
DIS - Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
DJD - Degenerative Joint Disease
DMD - Diabetes Mellitus
DNR - Do Not Resuscitate
DOA - Dead on Arrival
DOB - Date of Birth
DOE - Dyspnea on ExertionETOH - Alcohol
DORV - Double Outlet Right Ventricle
DVT - Deep Vein Thrombosis
Dx - Diagnosis
ECF - Extracellular Fluid
ECG - Electrocardiogram
ECMO - Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
ECT - Electroconvulsive Therapy
EEG - Electroencephalogram
EEL - Emergency Exploratory Laparotomy
EENT - Ears, Eyes, Nose and Throat
EJ - external jugular
EMG - Electromyogram
EMI- Electromagnetic interference
ERCP - Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
ERT - Estrogen Replacement Therapy
ESR - Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
ESRD - End Stage Renal Disease
ETT - Endotracheal Tube
EVAD - Explantable Venous Access Device
FAS - Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
FBD - Functional Bowel Disease
FBE - Foreign Body Extraction
FBM - Fortified Breast Milk
FBS - Fasting blood sugar
FCU - Flexor Carpi Ulnaris
FDP - Flexor Digitorum Profundus
FDS - Flexor Digitorum Superficialis
FESS - Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
FF - Forced feeding or forced fluids
FFP - Fresh Frozen Plasma
FOBT - Fecal Occult Blood Test
FSH - Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
FTP - Failure To Progress
FTT - Failure To Thrive
FTSG - Full Thickness Skin Grafting
FVD - Fluid Volume Deficit
FVS - Fetal Valproate Syndrome
Fx - Fracture
GB - Gallbladder
GBS - Group B Streptococcus
GCE - Glycine Encephalopathy
GCS - Glasgow Coma Scale
GDD - Global Developmental Delay
GERD - Gastroesophageal Reflux
GFR - Glomerular Filtration Rate
GH - Growth Hormone
GI - Gastrointestinal
GT - Gastronomy Tube
gtt/min - Drops per minute
Gtt - drop
GTT - Glucose tolerance test
GUI - Genitourinary
Gyn - Gynecology
GYN - Gynecology
H&H - Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
hCG - Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
HC - Head Circumference
HCM- hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hct - Hematocrit
HDL - High Density Lipoprotein
Hep B - Hepatitis B
HEENT - Head, Ears, Eyes, Nose, and Throat
HFJV - High Frequency Jet Ventilation
HFNC - High Flow Nasal Cannula
HFOV - High Frequency Oscillator Ventilator
HFV - High Frequency Ventilation
Hgb - Hemoglobin
HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HMF - Human Milk Fortifier
HM - Human Milk
HOB - Head of bed
HPI - History of Present Illness
HPT - Hemoperitoneum
HR - Heart Rate
HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy
HTN - Hypertension
HUS - Head Ultrasound
I&D - Incision and Drainage
I&O - Intake and output
IAB - Induced Abortion
IBG - Iliac Bone Graft
IBS - Irritable bowel syndrome
ICD- Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
ICF - Intracellular fluid
ICS - Intercostal Space
IDDM - Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
ID - Intradermal
IDM - Infant of Diabetic Mother
IgG - Immunoglobulin G
IgM - Immunoglobulin M
IIH - Indirect Inguinal Hernia
IJ - internal jugular
IM - Intramuscular
IMV - Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation
In vivo - in the body
IPF - Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Isol - Isolation
IUFD - Intrauterine Fetal Demise
IUGR - Intrauterine Growth Restriction
IUI - Intrauterine Insemination
IU - International units
IVAD - Implantable Vascular Access Device
IVC - Inferior Vena Cava
IVF - In Vitro Fertilization
IVH - Intraventricular Hemorrhage
IV - Intravenous
IVPB - intravenous Piggyback
IVP - Intravenous Push
KCL - Potassium Chloride
KD - Kawasaki Disease
Kg - kilogram
KUB - Kidneys/Ureters/Bladder
KVO - Keep Vein Open
LBBB- left bundle branch block
LDL - Low Density Lipoprotein
LE - Lupus Erythematosus
LES - Lower Esophageal Sphincter
LFT - Liver Function Test
LGA - Large for Gestational Age
LH - Luteinizing Hormone
LLE - Left Lower Extremity
LLSB - Lower Left Sternal Border
LMP - Last Menstrual Period
LOC- Level of Consciousness
LP - Lumbar Puncture
LQTS- Long QT syndrome
LSB - Left Sternal Border
LUE - Left Upper Extremity
LUQ - Left Upper Quadrant
MAOI - Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor
MAO - Monoamine Oxidase
MAP - Mean Airway Pressure
MAR - Medication Administration Record
MAS - Meconium Aspiration Syndrome
MCL - Medial Collateral Ligament
MCL - Midclavicular Line
MDI - Metered-Dose Inhaler
MDR - Multidrug-Resistant
MICU - Medical Intensive Care Unit
MI - Myocardial Infarction
mL - Milliliter
MMR - Measles, Mumps, Rubella
MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MRSA - Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
MS - Morphine Sulfate
N/V - Nausea or vomiting
NaCl - Sodium Chloride
NA - Not applicable
NC - Nasal Cannula
NG - Nasogastric
NICU - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Noct - At night
NO - Nitric Oxide
NPO - Nothing by mouth
NS - Normal Saline
NSR - Normal Sinus Rhythm
NTD - Neural Tube Defect
OB - Obstetrics
Obs - Observation
OD - Right Eye
OG - oral - gastric tube
Oint. - Ointment
ORIF - Open Reduction/Internal Fixation
OS - Left Eye
OTC - Over the counter
OT - Occupational Therapist
OU - Both Eyes
PAC- Premature Atrial Contraction
PAF - Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
PCA - Patient-Controlled Analgesia
PCL - Posterior cruciate ligament
PCP - Primary Care Provider
PC - Pressure Control
PCR - Polymerase Chain Reaction
PDA - Patent Ductus Arteriosus
PE - Pulmonary embolism
PERRLA - Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation
PFO - Patent Foramen Ovale
PFT - Pulmonary Function Test
PICC - Peripherally inserted central catheter
PIE - Pulmonary Interstitial Emphysema
PIH - Pregnancy Induced Hypertension
PIP - Peak Inspiratory Pressure
PKU - Phenylketonuria
PLSVC- Persistent Left superior vena cava
PMH - Past Medical History
PMS - Premenstrual Syndrome
PNS - Peripheral Nervous System
PO - By mouth
Post-op spec - After surgery urine specimen
PPBS - Post-Prandial Blood Sugar
PPE - Personal Protective Equipment
PPHN - Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension
PPS - Peripheral Pulmonic Stenosis
PROM - Passive Range of Motion
PROM - Premature Rupture of Membrane
PS - Pressure Support
PTL - Preterm Labor
PT - Patient, pint
PT - Physical Therapist
PTT - Partial Thromboplastin Time
PVC- Premature Ventricular Contraction
PVD - Peripheral Vascular Disease
PVL - Periventricular Leukomalacia
Qd - every day
Qh - every hour
Qid - four times a day
Qod - every other day
QTc- corrected QT interval
R/T - Related to
RA - Room Air
RBBB- Right bundle branch block
RBC - Red Blood Count
RCM - Right Costal Margin
RDS - Respiratory Distress Syndrome
REM - Rapid Eye Movement
RLQ - Right Lower Quadrant
RLS - Restless Leg Syndrome
RLU - Right Lower Extremity
ROM - Range of motion
ROS - Review of System
RPR - Rapid Plasma Reagin
RSB - Right Sternal Border
RUE - Right Upper Extremity
RUQ - Right Upper Quadrant
RV - Residual Volume
SC/SQ - Subcutaneous
SCI - Spinal Cord Injury
SGA - Small for Gestational Age
SICU - Surgical Intensive Care Unit
SIDS - Sudden infant death syndrome
SIMV - Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation
SL - Sublingual
SOAP - Subjective Data, Objective Data, Assessment, Plan
SOB - Shortness of breath
SQTS- Short QT Syndrome
SSS- sick sinus syndrome
Stat - At once, immediately
STD - Sexually Transmitted Disease
ST- Sinus Tachycardia
ST - Speech Therapist
Supp - Suppository
Susp - Suspension
SVC - Superior Vena Cava
SVT - Supraventricular tachycardia
SVT- supraventricular tachycardia
SVT- Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia
TAPVR - Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return
TA - Truncus Arteriosus
TBC - Total Body Cooling
TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury
TB - Tuberculosis
TCM - Transcutaneous Monitor
TEN - Total Enteral Nutrition
TF - Tube Feeding
THA - Total Hip Arthroplasty
TIA - Transient Ischemic Attack
TICU - Trauma Intensive Care Unit
TOF - Tetralogy of Fallot
TPN - Total Parenteral Nutrition
TPR - Temperature, pulse, respiration
Trach - Tracheostomy
TSE - Testicular Self Examination
TSH - Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
TTN - Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn
U/A - Urinalysis
UAC - Umbilical Arterial Catheter
ULQ - Upper Left Quadrant
URQ - Upper Right Quadrant
US - Ultrasound
UTI - Urinary Tract Infection
UVC - Umbilical Venous Catheter
VAD - Ventricular Assist Device, Vascular Access Device
VBG - Venous Blood Gas
VF- Ventricular fibrillation
VLDL - Very Low-Density Lipoprotein
VRE - Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci
VSD - Ventricular Septal Defect
VS - Vital signs
VT- Ventricular tachycardia
VUS- Variant of unknown significance
W/C - Wheelchair
WBC - White Blood Count
WNL - Within Normal Limits
WPW- Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome