Symbols and abbreviations

cross reference

>
greater than

<
less than

AAA
abdominal aortic aneurysm

ABG
arterial blood gas

AF
artrial fibrillation

AIDS
acquired immune deficiency syndrome

AMI
acute myocardial infarction

ATLS
Advanced Trauma Life Support

AV
arteriovenous

AXR
abdominal x-ray

BhCG
beta-human chorionic gonadotropin

BP
blood pressure

bpm
beats per minute

C&S
culture and sensitivity

CCU
coronary care unit

CN
cyanide

CO
carbon monoxide

CO₂
carbon dioxide

COHb
carboxyhaemoglobin

COPD
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

COSHH
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

CRP
C-reactive protein

CSF
cerebrospinal fluid

CT
computed tomography

CT-PA
computed tomography pulmonary angiogram

CVA
cerebral vascular accident

CVE
cerebral vascular event

CXR
chest x-ray

D&C
dilation and curettage

DKA
diabetic ketoacidosis

DPL
diagnostic peritoneal lavage

DSF(ab)
digoxin-specific Fab

DTs
delirium tremens

DVLA
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

DVT
deep vein thrombosis

ECG
electrocardiogram

EDC
date of confinement

ENT
ear, nose, and throat

FB
foreign body

FBC
full blood count

G
gauge

GA
general anaesthetic

GCS
glucocorticosteroid or Glasgow Coma Score

GI
gastro-intestinal

GORD
gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

GP
general practitioner

GTN
glyceryl trinitrate

GUM
genitourinary medicine

Hb
haemoglobin

HDU
high dependency unit

HIV
human immunodeficiency virus

HRT
hormone replacement therapy

ICP
intracranial pressure

ICU
intensive care unit

IDDM
insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

IM
intramuscular

IU
international units

IUD
intrauterine device

IV
intravenous

KUB
kidney, ureter, bladder

L
litre(s)

LFT
liver function test

LMP
last menstrual period

LOC
level of consciousness

LVF
left ventricular failure

m
metre

mcg
microgram

mg
milligram

MI
myocardial infarction

min
minute(s)

MRC
Medical Research Council

NAC
N-acetylcysteine

NG
nasogastric

NICE
National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence

NIDDM
non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

NSAID
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

O₂
oxygen

OCP
oral contraceptive pill

OPG
orthopantomogram

OTC
over-the-counter

PaCO₂
partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood

PCI
percutaneous coronary intervention

PE
pulmonary embolism

PEA
pulseless electrical activity

PEFR
peak expiratory flow rate

PHTLS
Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support

PID
pelvic inflammatory disease

PPE
personal protective equipment

PQRST
palliative/provocative, quality, region/radiation, severity, timing

PR
per rectum

PROM
premature rupture of membranes

PV
vaginal bleeding

SAH
subarachnoid haemorrhage

SC
subcutaneous

sec
second(s)

SPF
sun protection factor

SpO₂
saturation of peripheral oxygen

STD
sexually transmitted disease

SVT
supraventricular tachycardia

TB
tuberculosis

TBSA
total body surface area

TCA
tricyclic antidepressant

TFT
thyroid function test

TIA
transient ischaemic attack

TMJ
temporomandibular joint

TNCC
Trauma Nursing Core Courses

TPR
temperature, pulse, and respirations

U&Es
urea and electrolytes

URTI
upper respiratory tract infection

UTI
urinary tract infection

V/Q
ventilation/perfusion

VF
ventricular fibrillation

VT
ventricular tachycardia

XR
X-ray