UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED

AbbreviationExpanded
#Fracture
+vePositive
-veNegative
<Less Than
>Greater Than
Less than or equal to
Greater than or equal to
°CDegrees Centigrade
°FDegrees Fahrenheit
1/12One Month
1/24One Hour
1/52One Week
1/60One Minute
1/7One Day
AAAAbdominal Aortic Aneurysm
ABGArterial Blood Gas
ACDAdvanced Care Directive
ACEAngiotensin Converting Enzyme
ACLSAdvanced Care Life Support
ACSAcute Coronary Syndrome
ADHAntidiuretic Hormone
ADHDAttention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
ADLActivities of Daily Living
adminAdminister/Administration
AEDAutomatic External Defibrillator
AF, AfibAtrial Fibrillation
AFlutAtrial Flutter
AICDAutomated Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
AIDSAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
AIVRAccelerated Ldioventricular Rhythm
ALOCAltered Level Of Consciousness
ALSAdvanced Life Support
AMMorning (Note: AM/PM should be avoided; Use 24-hour time instead)
AMAAgainst Medical Advice
AMIAcute Myocardial Infarction
ampAmpoule
APAmbulance Paramedic
APHAntepartum Haemorrhage
APOAcute Pulmonary Oedema
APPTActivated Partial Prothrombin Time
APTTActivated Partial Thromboplastin Time
ARCAIDS-Related Complex
ARDSAcute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
ARTArterial Line
ASDAtrial Septal Defect
assocAssociated
ATLSAdvanced Trauma Life Support
AVAtrioventricular
AVNRTAV Nodal Re-Entry Tachycardia
BGLBlood Glucose Level
bidTwice a day
BiPAPBi-Level Positive Airway Pressure
BLSBasic Life Support
BM, bmBowel Movement
BMIBody Mass Index
BMRBasal Metabolic Rate
BNPBrain Natriuretic Peptide
BPBlood Pressure
BPHBenign Prostatic Hypertrophy
BPMBeats Per Minute
BSABody Surface Area
BSLBlood Sugar Level
BVMBag Valve Mask
C(A)TComputerised (Axial) Tomography
C/oComplaining Of
CaCalcium, Cancer, Carcinoma
CABGCoronary Artery Bypass Graft
CADCoronary Artery Disease
CALChronic Airways Limitation
capCapsule
CAPDContinuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis
cathCatheter, Catheterize
CBCComplete Blood Count
CBRChemical / Biological / Radiation
CBRNChemical / Biological / Radiation / Nuclear
CBRNEChemical / Biological / Radiation / Nuclear / Explosive
CCChief Complaint
CCFCongestive Cardiac Failure
CCPCritical Care Paramedic
CCUCoronary Care Unit
CDCCentres for Disease Control (and prevention)
CFCystic Fibrosis
CHFCongestive Heart Failure
CLLChronic Lymphatic Leukaemia
cmCentimetre
cm3Cubic Centimetre
CmaxMaximum Concentration
cmHgCentimetres of Mercury
CMLChronic Myeloid Leukaemia
CNSCentral Nervous System
COCarbon Monoxide OR Cardiac Output
CO2Carbon Dioxide
COADChronic Obstructive Airways Disease
concConcentrate/Concentration
COPDChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
CPAPContinuous Positive Airway Pressure
CPGClinical Practice Guideline
CPHCCollege of Pre-Hospital Care
CPRCardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CRPC-Reactive Protein
CSFCerebrospinal Fluid
CRTCapillary Refill Time
CSLRinger's Lactate Solution
CSPClinical Support Paramedic
CV(S)Cardiovascular (System)
CVACerebrovascular Accident
CVLCentral Venous Line
CVPCentral Venous Pressure
D&CDilation and Curettage
d/cDischarged
D5W5% Dextrose in Water
DAMADischarged Against Medical Advice
DBPDiastolic Blood Pressure
DCCSDirect Current Counter Shock
DCIDecompression Illness
ddx, DDXDifferential Diagnosis
DICDisseminated Intravascular Coagulation
DKADiabetic Ketoacidosis
dLDecilitre
DMDiabetes Mellitus OR Duty Manager
DNADeoxyribonucleic Acid
DNR/DNARDo Not Resuscitate
DOADead On Arrival
DOEDyspnoea On Exertion
dpmDrops Per Minute
DRSABCDE
  • Danger
  • Response
  • Send for Help
  • Airway
  • Breathing
  • Circulation
  • Disability
  • Exposure
DTPDiphtheria Tetanus Pertussis
DVTDeep Vein Thrombosis
Dx, dx, DXDiagnosis
EBVEpstein-Barr Virus
ECCExternal Cardiac Compression
ECFExtracellular Fluid
ECGElectrocardiogram
ECTElectroconvulsive Therapy
EDEmergency Department
EDPEnd Diastolic Pressure
EEGElectroencephalograph
EHSEvent Health Services
elixElixir
EMDElectromechanicai Dissociation
EMGElectromyogram
ENTEar, Nose And Throat
ePCRElectronic Patient Care Record
espEspecially
ESRDEnd-Stage Renal Disease
etCO2End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide
ETOHEthyl Alcohol
ETTEndotracheal Tube
examExamination
exclExclude/Excluding
FASTFace, Arms, Speech, Time (Stroke Exam) OR
Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma
FBCFull Blood Count
FeIron
FEVForced Expiratory Volume
FEV1Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second
FFPFresh Frozen Plasma
FGFrench Gauge
FHRFoetal Heart Rate
FiO2Fractional Inspired Oxygen Concentration
FRCFunctional Residual Capacity
FSHFiona Stanley Hospital
gGram(S)
GABAGamma-Amino Butyric Acid
GCSGlasgow Coma Scale
GDMGestational Diabetes Mellitus
GFRGlomerular Filtration Rate
GI(T)Gastrointestinal (Tract)
GORDGastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Grava I, II, III, etc.Pregnancy One, Two, Three, Etc.
GSWGun Shot Wound
GTNGlyceryl Trinitrate
GYN, GynGynaecological
H+Hydrogen Ion
H2OWater
HAV/HBV/HCVHepatitis A/B/C Virus
HbHaemoglobin
HCGHuman Chorionic Gonadotrophin
HDLHigh Density Lipoprotein
HgMercury
HGHHuman Growth Hormone
HIVHuman Immunodeficiency Virus
HR / hr(s)Heart Rate OR Hour(s)
HRTHormone Replacement Therapy
HSVHerpes Simplex Virus
HTNHypertension
HxHistory
IBDInflammatory Bowel Disease
ICCIntercostal Catheter
ICDImplantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
ICPIntracranial Pressure
ICSIntercostal Space
ICUIntensive Care Unit
IDCIn-Dwelling Catheter
IDDMInsulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
IgA, etc.Immunoglobulin A, Etc.
IHDIschaemic Heart Disease
IHTInterhospital Transfer
ILCORInternational Liaison Committee On Resuscitation
IMIntramuscular
IM(I)Intramuscular (Injection)
INIntranasal
inclInclude/Including
incrIncrease(d)
INHInhalation
injInjection
INRInternational Normalised Ratio (of prothrombin time)
IOIntraosseous
IOPIntraocular Pressure
IPPVIntermittent Positive Pressure Ventilations
ITDImpedance Threshold Device
IUInternational Unit
IU(C)DIntrauterine (Contraceptive) Device
IVIntravenous
IV infIntravenous Infusion
IV(I)Intravenous (Injection)
IVFIn Vitro Fertilisation
JJoules
JHCJoondalup Health Campus
JVPJugular Venous Pressure
K+Potassium
KEDKendrick Extrication Device
KEMHKing Edward Memorial Hospital
kgKilogram(s)
KVOKeep Vein Open
LLitre
L)Left
L/minLitres Per Minute
LacLaceration
LBBBLeft Bundle Branch Block
LDLLow Density Lipoprotein
LFTLiver Function Test
LHLuteinising Hormone
LLLLeft Lower Lobe
LLQLeft Lower Quadrant
LMALaryngeal Mask Airway
LOCLoss Of Consciousness
LPLumbar Puncture
LRTILower Respiratory Tract Infection
LUQLeft Upper Quadrant
LVLeft Ventricle
LV(F)Left Ventricular (Failure)
LVADLeft Ventricular Assist Device
LVEFLeft Ventricular Ejection Fraction
LVFLeft Ventricular Failure
LVHLeft Ventricular Hypertrophy
MMetre
MACMinimal Alveolar Concentration
MAOIMonoamine Oxidase Inhibitor
MAPMean Arterial Pressure
max.Maximum
mcgMicrogram(s)
MCIMulti Casualty Incident
MDIMetered Dose Inhaler
mEqMilliequivalent
mgMilligram
Mg+Magnesium
MIMyocardial Infarction
MILSManual In Line Stabilisation
minMinute(s)
mlMillilitre(s)
mLhrMillilitres Per Hour
mmMillimetre
mm3Cubic Millimetre
mmHgMillimetres of Mercury
mmolMillimole
mmol/LMillimoles per Litre
modModerate
MOIMechanism Of Injury
METHANE
  • Major Incident Declared
  • Exact location
  • Type of incident
  • Hazards
  • Access
  • Number and type of casualties
  • Emergency services present and required
MRIMagnetic Resonance Imaging
MRSAMethicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
MSMultiple Sclerosis
mV / MVMillivolt OR Minute Ventilation
MVA / RTA / RTCMotor Vehicle Accident / Road Traffic Accident / Road Traffic Crash
MWMolecular Weight
MxManage/Management
NNitrogen
n/aNot Applicable
Na+Sodium
NADNil Abnormality Detected
nebNebule/Nebulised
necNecessary
NESBNon-English Speaking Background
NFRNot For Resuscitation
NGNasogastric
NICUNeonatal Intensive Care Unit
NIDDMNoninsulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
NIPPVNon-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation
NOFNeck Of Femur
NPANasopharyngeal Airway
NSAID(S)Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
NSRNormal Sinus Rhythm
NSTEACSNon-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes
NSTEMINon-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarct
O/AOn Arrival
O/EOn Examination
O2Oxygen
OAOsteoarthritis
ObsObservations
OC(P)Oral Contraceptive (Pill)
OCDObsessive Compulsive Disorder
ODOverdose
OGOrogastric
OHCAOut of Hospital Cardiac Arrest
OPAOropharyngeal Airway
OPQRST
  • Onset (time)
  • Provocation (activity)
  • Quality (description)
  • Radiates (location)
  • Severity (score)
  • Treatment / Tablets (already administered)
OTCOver-The-Counter
PACPremature Atrial Contraction
PaCO2Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide (Arterial)
PaO2Partial Pressure of Oxygen (Arterial)
PCIPercutaneous Coronary Intervention
PCO2Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide
PCPPhencyclidine
PCRPatient Care Record
PDAPatent Ductus Arteriosus
PEPulmonary Embolism
PEAPulseless Electrical Activity
PEARLPupils Equal And Reactive to Light
PEEPPositive End-Expiratory Pressure
PEFPeak Expiratory Flow
PEFRPeak Expiratory Flow Rate
perThrough, by way of
PETPositron Emission Tomography
pHHydrogen Ion Concentration (acid / alkaline)
PHCPeel Health Campus
PIDPelvic Inflammatory Disease
PIHPregnancy-Induced Hypertension
PITPressure Immobilisation Technique
PJCPremature Junctional Contraction
PMAfternoon/Evening (AM/PM should be avoided; use 24HR time instead)
PMHxPast Medical History
PMS/TPremenstrual Syndrome/Tension
POPer Oral
PO2Partial Pressure of Oxygen
POCProducts Of Conception
possPossible/Possibly
PPEPersonal Protective Equipment
PPHPrimary Postpartum Haemorrhage
PPIProton Pump Inhibitor
ppmPermanent Pacemaker OR Parts Per Million
PRPer Rectum OR Pulse Rate
prefPreferably
prnWhen required, as often as necessary
PSVPressure Support Ventilation
PSVTParoxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia
Pt / pt / PTPatient OR Prothrombin Time
PTHParathyroid Hormone
PTSPatient Transfer Service
PTSDPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTTPartial Thromboplastin Time
PVPer Vagina
PVCPremature Ventricular Complex
qEvery
q2hEvery 2 Hours
q3hEvery 3 Hours
q4hEvery 4 Hours
QE2Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre
qhEvery Hour
QIDFour times a day
qnEvery night
qodEvery other day
QRSQRS Complex of ECG
R&RRest and Reassurance
R)Right
RAASRenin Angiotensin Aldosterone System
RACERapid Arterial Occlusion Exam
RBBBRight Bundle Branch Block
RBCRed Blood Cell
RDSRespiratory Distress Syndrome
RGHRockingham General Hospital
Rh-Negative Rhesus factor
Rh+Positive Rhesus factor
RHDRheumatic Heart Disease
RLQRight Lower Quadrant
RNARibonucleic Acid
ROMRange Of Motion
ROSCReturn Of Spontaneous Circulation
RPHRoyal Perth Hospital
RSIRapid Sequence Induction
RSVRespiratory Syncytial Virus
RUQRight Upper Quadrant
RVRight Ventricle
RxTreatment
SAMPLEPatient assessment
  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Allergies
  • Medications
  • Pertinent History
  • Last oral intake
  • Events leading up to...
SASinoatrial
SADSupraglottic Airway Device
SAHSub-Arachnoid Haemorrhage
SBSinus Bradycardia
SC(I)Subcutaneous (Injection)
SCGHSir Charles Gairdner Hospital
SCISpinal Cord Injury
secSecond(s)/Secondary
SGSpecific Gravity
SGASupraglottic Airway
SIADHSyndrome Of Inappropriate ADH Secretion
SIDSSudden Infant Death Syndrome
SIMVSynchronous Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation
SLSublingual
SNRISerotonin And Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitor
SOBShortness Of Breath
SOBOEShortness Of Breath On Exertion
solnSolution
solvSolvent
SpO2Oxygen Saturation
SSRISelective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
SSSSick Sinus Syndrome
STSinus Tachycardia
statImmediately
STDSexually Transmitted Disease
SLUDGE-BBBList 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
SOCState Operations Centre
STEMIST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Sub-Q, SubQ, subcutSubcutaneous
supposSuppository
suspSuspension
SVStroke Volume
SVTSupraventricular Tachycardia
SxSigns/Symptoms
Half-Life
tabTablet
TBTuberculosis
TBITraumatic Brain Injury
TBSATotal Burn Surface Area
TCATricyclic Antidepressant
TCPTranscutaneous Pacing
TdapTetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis
TdPTorsades De Pointes
tempTemperature
TIATransient Ischaemic Attack
TIDThree times a day
TKOTo Keep Open
TKVOTo Keen Vein Open
TPNTotal Parenteral Nutrition
TPTxTension Pneumothorax
TSHThyroid Stimulating Hormone
TxTreatment
uUnit
UAUnstable Angina; Urinalysis
URTIUpper Respiratory Tract Infection
UTIUrinary Tract Infection
VAOVolunteer Ambulance Officer
VDVenereal Disease
VDHValvular Disease of the Heart
VEBVentricular Ectopic Beat
VFVentricular Fibrillation
vitVitamin
VLDLVery Low Density Lipoprotein
volVolume
vsVersus
VSDVentricular Septal Defect
VSSVital Signs Survey
VTVentricular Tachycardia

References
References

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