Diagnoses and Terms
Sometimes the lingo used by doctors, nurses, and caregivers can be confusing and hard to remember. There are many, many terms used in the field. We hope these lists help you and your loved ones make sense of some of the diagnoses and terminology you will likely hear or read. The lists are ordered alphabetically by acronym.Diagnoses
- A-FIB - atrial fibrillation
- AKA - above the knee amputation
- CA - cancer
- CAD - coronary artery disease
- CHF - congestive heart failure
- COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- CVA - cerebral vascular accident (stroke)
- Dx - diagnosis
- GERD - gastroesophageal reflux disease
- HOH - hard of hearing
- HTN - hypertension
- IDDM - insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
- NKDA - no known drug allergy
- MI - myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- SOB - shortness of breath
- UTI - urinary tract infection
General Terms
- ADLs - Activities of daily living
- AL - Assisted living facility
- Amb - Ambulation
- BP - Blood pressure
- CM - Case management
- CG - Caregiver
- CNA - Certified nurse aide
- CPAP - Continuous positive airway pressure
- DNR - Do not resuscitate
- FBS - Fasting blood sugar
- Fx - Fracture
- HCCP - Hill Country Care Providers
- IL - Independent living facility
- ISP - Individual service plan
- LVN - Licensed vocational nurse
- MAR -Medication administration record
- MPOA - Medical power of attorney
- O2 - Oxygen
- OT - Occupational therapy
- PT - Physical therapy
- POT - Plan of Treatment
- POA - Power of attorney
- ROE - Rights of the Elderly
- SN - Skilled nurse
- SNF - Skilled nursing facility
- SP - Speech therapy
- Tx - Treatment
- VS - Vital signs
- a - Before
- Δ - Change
Medication Terms
- AC - Before meals
- AD LIB - Use as much as one desires
- BID - Two times daily
- CAPS - Capsules
- DA or DAW - Dispense as written
- G or GM - Gram
- GTT - Drops
- H - Hour
- HS - Bedtime
- IM - Injected into the muscle
- IV - Intravenous
- KCL - Potassium chloride
- MG - Milligrams
- MEQ - Milliequivalents
- ML - Milliliters
- NARC - Narcotic
- OTC - Over the counter
- PC - After meals
- PO - By mouth, orally
- PR - Per rectum
- Pt - Patient
- PT - Per feeding tube
- NPO - Nothing taken orally
- Q - Every
- QD - Every day
- Q__H - Every __ hours (Example: Every 4 hours)
- QH - Every hour
- QID - Four times daily
- QOD - Every other day
- QW - Weekly
- PCN - Penicillin
- PRN - As needed
- SQ - Injected into the skin
- SL - Subliminal - dissolve under the tongue
- SUPP - Suppository
- TABS - Tablets
- TID - Three times daily
- TOP - Topically, on skin
