Here’s a list of some of the most common medical abbreviations and acronyms that can help you take control of the care-receiver’s healthcare needs: Ac: before meals ad lib: at will, as desired adm: admission, admitted ASAP: as soon as possible Bid: twice a day Bm: bowel movement BP: blood pressure BRP: bathroom privileges C: Centigrade, Celsius Cap: capsule CC: chief complaint cc: cubic centimeter c/o: complains of C02: carbon dioxide CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation CXR: chest x-ray d/c: discontinue or discharge ECG or EKG: electrocardiogram EBL: estimated blood loss ER: emergency room F: Fahrenheit Fb: foreign body fx: fracture gtt: drop-liquid measurement H & P: history and physical HR: heart rate hr: hour hs: hour of sleep (bedtime) H20: water i: 1 ii: 2 iii: 3 iv: 4 v: 5 I & O: intake and output IDDM: insulin dependent diabetes mellitus IV: intravenous IM: intramuscular Mg: milligram Ml: milliliter MVA: motor vehicle accident NPO: nothing by mouth NTG: nitroglycerin O2: oxygen OD: right eye OS: left eye OU: both eyes post-op: postoperative (after surgery) pre-op: preoperative (before surgery) po: by mouth pt: patient prn: as needed pc: after meals qd: every day qh: every hour qid: four times a day qod: every other day Rx: prescription, treatment sc/sq: subcutaneous s: without sx: symptoms s/s: signs and symptoms stat: immediately SOB: short of breath tab: tablet TPR: temperature, pulse, respiration vs: vital signs
