BP – blood pressure
P – pulse
qds – four times a day
MI – myocardial infarction, or heart attack
GTN – glyceryl trinitrate; also called nitrolingual
SHO – Senior House Officer (zdravnikovo prvo leto dela)
4° – four hourly, or every four hours; also 4/24
c/o – complain of
sl – sublingual, or inder the tongue
O2 – oxygen
ECG – electrocardiogram
ADLs – activities of daily living
Pt – patient
obs. – observations
220/100 – 220 over 100
UNIT 2: Respiratory rates
URTI – upper respiratory tract infection
SOB – shortness of breath; difficulty breathing (dyspnoea)
RR – respiratory rate
CXR – chest X-ray
p/f – peak flow; the most air which is expired
Pt ed. – patient education
UNIT 3: wound care
CNS – clinical nurse specialist
PVD – peripheral vascular disease
Doppler – ultrasound device which measures blood flow through arteries and veins
bugs – microbes
spike a temperature – have episodes of pyrexia
IV Abs – antibiotics which are given through a vein
VAC – vasuum assisted closure; also pronounced vac
ICP – integrated care pathway
CPD – continuous professional development
EBP – evidence-based practice
N/A – not applicable
3rd daily – three times a day
TDS – twice a day
L – left
IV – intravenous
amt – amount
UNIT 4: diabetes care
BSL – blood sugar level
DKA – diabetic ketoacidosis
GP – general practitionec
l’ade – lemonade
UNIT 5: medical specimens
UTI – urinary tract infection
IDC – indwelling catheter
MSU – midstream urine
UNIT 6: medications
CDs – controlled drugs
INR – international normalised ratio
tab – solid medication, also called a pill
cap. – gelatine-coated medication
mg – milligram-unit of mass which is 1/1000 of a gram
mcg – microgram-unit of mass which is 1/1000 of a milligram
ml – millilitre-unit od volume which is 1/1000 of a litre
po – from the Latin per os: by mouth, orally
sc – injection given into the subcutaneous layer of the skin
IM – injection given into the muscle
mane – in the morning
nocte – at night
UNIT 7: intravenous infusions
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IV fluids – intravenous fluids
IVC – cannula
K – potassium
N/S – normal saline
Mmols – milimols
KCl – potassium chloride
IV ABs – IV antibiotics
PICC line – peripherally inserted central catheter
KVO – keep the vein open
UNIT 8: pre-operative patient assessment
DVTs – deep vein thrombosis
O/T – operating theatre
UNIT 9: post-operative patient assessment
RTA – road traffic accident
GCS – glasgow coma scale; records the conscious state of a patient
neuro obs. – observations which assess neurological function and include a GCS assessment
oxygen sats / SaO2 – measure of the amount of oxygen which is loaded or saturated into the red blood cells as they pass through the lungs
NAD – non-adhesive dressing
prn – from the Latin pro re nata: take whenever required
ABM – aggressive behaviour management
UNIT 10: discharge planning
CVA – cerebrovascular accident or stroke