Acronyms & Abbreviations

UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED

Abbreviation	Expanded
#	Fracture
+ve	Positive
-ve	Negative
<	Less Than
>	Greater Than
≤	Less than or equal to
≥	Greater than or equal to
°C	Degrees Centigrade
°F	Degrees Fahrenheit
1/12	One Month
1/24	One Hour
1/52	One Week
1/60	One Minute
1/7	One Day

Abbreviation	Expanded
AAA	Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
ABG	Arterial Blood Gas
ACD	Advanced Care Directive
ACE	Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
ACLS	Advanced Care Life Support
ACS	Acute Coronary Syndrome
ADH	Antidiuretic Hormone
ADHD	Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
ADL	Activities of Daily Living
admin	Administer/Administration
AED	Automatic External Defibrillator
AF, Afib	Atrial Fibrillation
AFlut	Atrial Flutter
AICD	Automated Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
AIDS	Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
AIVR	Accelerated Ldioventricular Rhythm
ALOC	Altered Level Of Consciousness
ALS	Advanced Life Support
AM	Morning (Note: AM/PM should be avoided; Use 24-hour time instead)
AMA	Against Medical Advice
AMI	Acute Myocardial Infarction
amp	Ampoule
AP	Ambulance Paramedic
APH	Antepartum Haemorrhage
APO	Acute Pulmonary Oedema
APPT	Activated Partial Prothrombin Time
APTT	Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time
ARC	AIDS-Related Complex
ARDS	Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
ART	Arterial Line
ASD	Atrial Septal Defect
assoc	Associated
ATLS	Advanced Trauma Life Support
AV	Atrioventricular
AVNRT	AV Nodal Re-Entry Tachycardia

Abbreviation	Expanded
BGL	Blood Glucose Level
bid	Twice a day
BiPAP	Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure
BLS	Basic Life Support
BM, bm	Bowel Movement
BMI	Body Mass Index
BMR	Basal Metabolic Rate
BNP	Brain Natriuretic Peptide
BP	Blood Pressure
BPH	Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
BPM	Beats Per Minute
BSA	Body Surface Area
BSL	Blood Sugar Level
BVM	Bag Valve Mask

Abbreviation	Expanded
C(A)T	Computerised (Axial) Tomography
C/o	Complaining Of
Ca	Calcium, Cancer, Carcinoma
CABG	Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
CAD	Coronary Artery Disease
CAL	Chronic Airways Limitation
cap	Capsule
CAPD	Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis
cath	Catheter, Catheterize
CBC	Complete Blood Count
CBR	Chemical / Biological / Radiation
CBRN	Chemical / Biological / Radiation / Nuclear
CBRNE	Chemical / Biological / Radiation / Nuclear / Explosive
CC	Chief Complaint
CCF	Congestive Cardiac Failure
CCP	Critical Care Paramedic
CCU	Coronary Care Unit
CDC	Centres for Disease Control (and prevention)
CF	Cystic Fibrosis
CHF	Congestive Heart Failure
CLL	Chronic Lymphatic Leukaemia
cm	Centimetre
cm3	Cubic Centimetre
Cmax	Maximum Concentration
cmHg	Centimetres of Mercury
CML	Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
CNS	Central Nervous System
CO	Carbon Monoxide OR Cardiac Output
CO2	Carbon Dioxide
COAD	Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease
conc	Concentrate/Concentration
COPD	Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
CPAP	Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
CPG	Clinical Practice Guideline
CPHC	College of Pre-Hospital Care
CPR	Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CRP	C-Reactive Protein
CSF	Cerebrospinal Fluid
CRT	Capillary Refill Time
CSL	Ringer's Lactate Solution
CSP	Clinical Support Paramedic
CV(S)	Cardiovascular (System)
CVA	Cerebrovascular Accident
CVL	Central Venous Line
CVP	Central Venous Pressure

Abbreviation	Expanded
D&C	Dilation and Curettage
d/c	Discharged
D5W	5% Dextrose in Water
DAMA	Discharged Against Medical Advice
DBP	Diastolic Blood Pressure
DCCS	Direct Current Counter Shock
DCI	Decompression Illness
ddx, DDX	Differential Diagnosis
DIC	Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
DKA	Diabetic Ketoacidosis
dL	Decilitre
DM	Diabetes Mellitus OR Duty Manager
DNA	Deoxyribonucleic Acid
DNR/DNAR	Do Not Resuscitate
DOA	Dead On Arrival
DOE	Dyspnoea On Exertion
dpm	Drops Per Minute
DRSABCDE	Danger Response Send for Help Airway Breathing Circulation Disability Exposure
DTP	Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis
DVT	Deep Vein Thrombosis
Dx, dx, DX	Diagnosis

Abbreviation	Expanded
EBV	Epstein-Barr Virus
ECC	External Cardiac Compression
ECF	Extracellular Fluid
ECG	Electrocardiogram
ECT	Electroconvulsive Therapy
ED	Emergency Department
EDP	End Diastolic Pressure
EEG	Electroencephalograph
EHS	Event Health Services
elix	Elixir
EMD	Electromechanicai Dissociation
EMG	Electromyogram
ENT	Ear, Nose And Throat
ePCR	Electronic Patient Care Record
esp	Especially
ESRD	End-Stage Renal Disease
etCO2	End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide
ETOH	Ethyl Alcohol
ETT	Endotracheal Tube
exam	Examination
excl	Exclude/Excluding

Abbreviation	Expanded
FAST	Face, Arms, Speech, Time (Stroke Exam) OR Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma
FBC	Full Blood Count
Fe	Iron
FEV	Forced Expiratory Volume
FEV1	Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second
FFP	Fresh Frozen Plasma
FG	French Gauge
FHR	Foetal Heart Rate
FiO2	Fractional Inspired Oxygen Concentration
FRC	Functional Residual Capacity
FSH	Fiona Stanley Hospital

Abbreviation	Expanded
g	Gram(S)
GABA	Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid
GCS	Glasgow Coma Scale
GDM	Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
GFR	Glomerular Filtration Rate
GI(T)	Gastrointestinal (Tract)
GORD	Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Grava I, II, III, etc.	Pregnancy One, Two, Three, Etc.
GSW	Gun Shot Wound
GTN	Glyceryl Trinitrate
GYN, Gyn	Gynaecological

Abbreviation	Expanded
H+	Hydrogen Ion
H2O	Water
HAV/HBV/HCV	Hepatitis A/B/C Virus
Hb	Haemoglobin
HCG	Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin
HDL	High Density Lipoprotein
Hg	Mercury
HGH	Human Growth Hormone
HIV	Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HR / hr(s)	Heart Rate OR Hour(s)
HRT	Hormone Replacement Therapy
HSV	Herpes Simplex Virus
HTN	Hypertension
Hx	History

Abbreviation	Expanded
IBD	Inflammatory Bowel Disease
ICC	Intercostal Catheter
ICD	Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
ICP	Intracranial Pressure
ICS	Intercostal Space
ICU	Intensive Care Unit
IDC	In-Dwelling Catheter
IDDM	Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
IgA, etc.	Immunoglobulin A, Etc.
IHD	Ischaemic Heart Disease
IHT	Interhospital Transfer
ILCOR	International Liaison Committee On Resuscitation
IM	Intramuscular
IM(I)	Intramuscular (Injection)
IN	Intranasal
incl	Include/Including
incr	Increase(d)
INH	Inhalation
inj	Injection
INR	International Normalised Ratio (of prothrombin time)
IO	Intraosseous
IOP	Intraocular Pressure
IPPV	Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilations
ITD	Impedance Threshold Device
IU	International Unit
IU(C)D	Intrauterine (Contraceptive) Device
IV	Intravenous
IV inf	Intravenous Infusion
IV(I)	Intravenous (Injection)
IVF	In Vitro Fertilisation

Abbreviation	Expanded
J	Joules
JHC	Joondalup Health Campus
JVP	Jugular Venous Pressure

Abbreviation	Expanded
K+	Potassium
KED	Kendrick Extrication Device
KEMH	King Edward Memorial Hospital
kg	Kilogram(s)
KVO	Keep Vein Open

Abbreviation	Expanded
L	Litre
L)	Left
L/min	Litres Per Minute
Lac	Laceration
LBBB	Left Bundle Branch Block
LDL	Low Density Lipoprotein
LFT	Liver Function Test
LH	Luteinising Hormone
LLL	Left Lower Lobe
LLQ	Left Lower Quadrant
LMA	Laryngeal Mask Airway
LOC	Loss Of Consciousness
LP	Lumbar Puncture
LRTI	Lower Respiratory Tract Infection
LUQ	Left Upper Quadrant
LV	Left Ventricle
LV(F)	Left Ventricular (Failure)
LVAD	Left Ventricular Assist Device
LVEF	Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
LVF	Left Ventricular Failure
LVH	Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Abbreviation	Expanded
M	Metre
MAC	Minimal Alveolar Concentration
MAOI	Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor
MAP	Mean Arterial Pressure
max.	Maximum
mcg	Microgram(s)
MCI	Multi Casualty Incident
MDI	Metered Dose Inhaler
mEq	Milliequivalent
mg	Milligram
Mg+	Magnesium
MI	Myocardial Infarction
MILS	Manual In Line Stabilisation
min	Minute(s)
ml	Millilitre(s)
mLhr	Millilitres Per Hour
mm	Millimetre
mm3	Cubic Millimetre
mmHg	Millimetres of Mercury
mmol	Millimole
mmol/L	Millimoles per Litre
mod	Moderate
MOI	Mechanism Of Injury
METHANE	Major Incident Declared Exact location Type of incident Hazards Access Number and type of casualties Emergency services present and required
MRI	Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MRSA	Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
MS	Multiple Sclerosis
mV / MV	Millivolt OR Minute Ventilation
MVA / RTA / RTC	Motor Vehicle Accident / Road Traffic Accident / Road Traffic Crash
MW	Molecular Weight
Mx	Manage/Management

Abbreviation	Expanded
N	Nitrogen
n/a	Not Applicable
Na+	Sodium
NAD	Nil Abnormality Detected
neb	Nebule/Nebulised
nec	Necessary
NESB	Non-English Speaking Background
NFR	Not For Resuscitation
NG	Nasogastric
NICU	Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
NIDDM	Noninsulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
NIPPV	Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation
NOF	Neck Of Femur
NPA	Nasopharyngeal Airway
NSAID(S)	Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
NSR	Normal Sinus Rhythm
NSTEACS	Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes
NSTEMI	Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarct

Abbreviation	Expanded
O/A	On Arrival
O/E	On Examination
O2	Oxygen
OA	Osteoarthritis
Obs	Observations
OC(P)	Oral Contraceptive (Pill)
OCD	Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OD	Overdose
OG	Orogastric
OHCA	Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest
OPA	Oropharyngeal Airway
OPQRST	Onset (time) Provocation (activity) Quality (description) Radiates (location) Severity (score) Treatment / Tablets (already administered)
OTC	Over-The-Counter

Abbreviation	Expanded
PAC	Premature Atrial Contraction
PaCO2	Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide (Arterial)
PaO2	Partial Pressure of Oxygen (Arterial)
PCI	Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
PCO2	Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide
PCP	Phencyclidine
PCR	Patient Care Record
PDA	Patent Ductus Arteriosus
PE	Pulmonary Embolism
PEA	Pulseless Electrical Activity
PEARL	Pupils Equal And Reactive to Light
PEEP	Positive End-Expiratory Pressure
PEF	Peak Expiratory Flow
PEFR	Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
per	Through, by way of
PET	Positron Emission Tomography
pH	Hydrogen Ion Concentration (acid / alkaline)
PHC	Peel Health Campus
PID	Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
PIH	Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension
PIT	Pressure Immobilisation Technique
PJC	Premature Junctional Contraction
PM	Afternoon/Evening (AM/PM should be avoided; use 24HR time instead)
PMHx	Past Medical History
PMS/T	Premenstrual Syndrome/Tension
PO	Per Oral
PO2	Partial Pressure of Oxygen
POC	Products Of Conception
poss	Possible/Possibly
PPE	Personal Protective Equipment
PPH	Primary Postpartum Haemorrhage
PPI	Proton Pump Inhibitor
ppm	Permanent Pacemaker OR Parts Per Million
PR	Per Rectum OR Pulse Rate
pref	Preferably
prn	When required, as often as necessary
PSV	Pressure Support Ventilation
PSVT	Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia
Pt / pt / PT	Patient OR Prothrombin Time
PTH	Parathyroid Hormone
PTS	Patient Transfer Service
PTSD	Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTT	Partial Thromboplastin Time
PV	Per Vagina
PVC	Premature Ventricular Complex

Abbreviation	Expanded
q	Every
q2h	Every 2 Hours
q3h	Every 3 Hours
q4h	Every 4 Hours
QE2	Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre
qh	Every Hour
QID	Four times a day
qn	Every night
qod	Every other day
QRS	QRS Complex of ECG

Abbreviation	Expanded
R&R	Rest and Reassurance
R)	Right
RAAS	Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System
RACE	Rapid Arterial Occlusion Exam
RBBB	Right Bundle Branch Block
RBC	Red Blood Cell
RDS	Respiratory Distress Syndrome
RGH	Rockingham General Hospital
Rh-	Negative Rhesus factor
Rh+	Positive Rhesus factor
RHD	Rheumatic Heart Disease
RLQ	Right Lower Quadrant
RNA	Ribonucleic Acid
ROM	Range Of Motion
ROSC	Return Of Spontaneous Circulation
RPH	Royal Perth Hospital
RSI	Rapid Sequence Induction
RSV	Respiratory Syncytial Virus
RUQ	Right Upper Quadrant
RV	Right Ventricle
Rx	Treatment

Abbreviation	Expanded
SAMPLE	Patient assessment Signs and Symptoms Allergies Medications Pertinent History Last oral intake Events leading up to...
SA	Sinoatrial
SAD	Supraglottic Airway Device
SAH	Sub-Arachnoid Haemorrhage
SB	Sinus Bradycardia
SC(I)	Subcutaneous (Injection)
SCGH	Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
SCI	Spinal Cord Injury
sec	Second(s)/Secondary
SG	Specific Gravity
SGA	Supraglottic Airway
SIADH	Syndrome Of Inappropriate ADH Secretion
SIDS	Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
SIMV	Synchronous Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation
SL	Sublingual
SNRI	Serotonin And Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitor
SOB	Shortness Of Breath
SOBOE	Shortness Of Breath On Exertion
soln	Solution
solv	Solvent
SpO2	Oxygen Saturation
SSRI	Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
SSS	Sick Sinus Syndrome
ST	Sinus Tachycardia
stat	Immediately
STD	Sexually Transmitted Disease
SLUDGE-BBB	List of symptoms exhibited by patients experiencing organophosphate toxicity (or other cholinergic crises) Salivation Lacrimation Urination or urinary incontinence Defecation or diarrhoea Gastrointestinal distress Emesis Bradycardia Bronchoconstriction Bronchorrhoea
SOC	State Operations Centre
STEMI	ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Sub-Q, SubQ, subcut	Subcutaneous
suppos	Suppository
susp	Suspension
SV	Stroke Volume
SVT	Supraventricular Tachycardia
Sx	Signs/Symptoms

Abbreviation	Expanded
T½	Half-Life
tab	Tablet
TB	Tuberculosis
TBI	Traumatic Brain Injury
TBSA	Total Burn Surface Area
TCA	Tricyclic Antidepressant
TCP	Transcutaneous Pacing
Tdap	Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis
TdP	Torsades De Pointes
temp	Temperature
TIA	Transient Ischaemic Attack
TID	Three times a day
TKO	To Keep Open
TKVO	To Keen Vein Open
TPN	Total Parenteral Nutrition
TPTx	Tension Pneumothorax
TSH	Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
Tx	Treatment

Abbreviation	Expanded
u	Unit
UA	Unstable Angina; Urinalysis
URTI	Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
UTI	Urinary Tract Infection

Abbreviation	Expanded
VAO	Volunteer Ambulance Officer
VD	Venereal Disease
VDH	Valvular Disease of the Heart
VEB	Ventricular Ectopic Beat
VF	Ventricular Fibrillation
vit	Vitamin
VLDL	Very Low Density Lipoprotein
vol	Volume
vs	Versus
VSD	Ventricular Septal Defect
VSS	Vital Signs Survey
VT	Ventricular Tachycardia

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St John WA

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