Common Health Care Abbreviations: CCA Study Notes

The Big Picture

An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. Abbreviations save time and space when people write information.

Each employer has a list of accepted abbreviations. Use only the abbreviations accepted by your employer. If you are unsure whether an abbreviation is acceptable, write the term in full.

Look for Nova Scotia CCA Notes throughout this page for current provincial guidance.

Start Here If You’re Overwhelmed

Focus on these core ideas:

An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase.
Each employer has a list of accepted abbreviations.
Use only the abbreviations your employer accepts.
If you are unsure about an abbreviation, write the term out in full.
Dc and d/c mean discontinue. They must NEVER mean discharge.
pt means patient, while PT means physiotherapy.

Course Notes: Key Ideas You Need to Know

What Abbreviations Are

An abbreviation shortens a word or phrase. Abbreviations help save time and space in written communication.

Each employer has its own list of accepted abbreviations. As a support worker, you should obtain this list when you are hired.

Key fact: Use only abbreviations accepted by your employer. If you are unsure whether an abbreviation is acceptable, write the term in full so your communication stays accurate.

Common Abbreviations: A to B

AAT: activities as tolerated
Abd, abd: abdomen
ac: before meals
ADL: activities of daily living
ad lib: as desired
A.M., a.m.: morning
amb: ambulatory
amt: amount
bid: twice a day
BM, bm: bowel movement
BP, b/p, B/P: blood pressure
BRP: bathroom privileges

Common Abbreviations: C to H

C: centigrade
CA: cancer
cath: catheter
CBC: complete blood count
CBR: complete bed rest
c/o: complains of
CO₂: carbon dioxide
CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Dc, d/c: discontinue. NEVER use these abbreviations for “discharge.”
DOA: dead on arrival
DON: director of nursing
Dx: diagnosis
ECG, EKG: electrocardiogram
EEG: electroencephalogram
ED: emergency department
°F: Fahrenheit
FBS: fasting blood sugar
gal: gallon
GI: gastrointestinal
h, hr: hour
H₂O: water
HS, hs: hour of sleep; bedtime
Ht: height

Nova Scotia CCA Note

Sorrentino’s Canadian Textbook for the Support Worker, 5th Edition teaches Dc and d/c as abbreviations for discontinue and says they must never mean discharge. Nova Scotia Health uses a stricter rule for medication-related documentation and communication. Its Do Not Use list includes D/C because it can mean either discharge or discontinue. The policy directs health care providers who document in the patient health record to write the intended word instead.

Why this matters in Nova Scotia: Learn the Sorrentino meaning for study recognition, but remember that Nova Scotia Health does not allow D/C in medication-related documentation. Your employer’s accepted abbreviation rules still matter.

Official source: “Do Not Use” Abbreviations, Symbols and Dose Designations – Policy – NSHA MM-SR-005

Last checked: September 17, 2026

Common Abbreviations: I to P

iADL, IADL: instrumental activities of daily living
I&O: intake and output
in.: inch
IV: intravenous
lab: laboratory
LLQ: left lower quadrant
LPN: licensed practical nurse or licensed psychiatric nurse, in most provinces except Ontario
LUQ: left upper quadrant
LVN: licensed vocational nurse
meds: medications
min: minute
mL: millilitre
neg: negative
NPO, npo: nothing by mouth
O₂: oxygen
OB: obstetrics
OR: operating room
OT: occupational therapy
pc: after meals
peds: pediatrics
per: by, through
P.M., p.m.: after noon
po (per os): by mouth
postop, post op: postoperative
preop, pre op: preoperative
prep: preparation
prn: when necessary; as needed
pt (pt): patient
PT: physiotherapy

Common Abbreviations: Q to W

qh: every hour
q2h, q3h, etc.: every 2 hours, every 3 hours, and so on
qhs: every night at bedtime
qid: four times a day
R: rectal temperature; respiration; right
RBC: red blood cell; red blood count
RLQ: right lower quadrant
RN: registered nurse
ROM: range of motion
RPN: registered practical nurse; registered psychiatric nurse
RUQ: right upper quadrant
s−: without
SOB: shortness of breath
stat: at once, immediately
tbsp: tablespoon
tid: three times a day
TLC: tender loving care
TPR: temperature, pulse, and respirations
tsp: teaspoon
U/a, U/A, u/a: urinalysis
V/S, vs: vital signs
WBC: white blood cell; white blood count
w/c: wheelchair
wt: weight

Abbreviations That Express Time or Frequency

Several abbreviations tell you when or how often something occurs:

ac: before meals
bid: twice a day
h, hr: hour
HS, hs: hour of sleep; bedtime
pc: after meals
prn: when necessary; as needed
qh: every hour
q2h, q3h, etc.: every 2 hours, every 3 hours, and so on
qhs: every night at bedtime
qid: four times a day
stat: at once, immediately
tid: three times a day

Abbreviations for Abdominal Quadrants

Four abbreviations identify abdominal quadrants:

LLQ: left lower quadrant
LUQ: left upper quadrant
RLQ: right lower quadrant
RUQ: right upper quadrant

Abbreviations With More Than One Meaning

Some abbreviations in this list have more than one stated meaning. Learn all meanings given for them.

HS, hs: hour of sleep; bedtime
R: rectal temperature; respiration; right
RBC: red blood cell; red blood count
RPN: registered practical nurse; registered psychiatric nurse

Take the Quiz

Exam Clue Words

Only: Use only abbreviations accepted by your employer.
Never: Dc and d/c mean discontinue. NEVER use them to mean discharge.
If you are not sure: Write the term out in full to communicate accurately.

Common Mix-Ups

Wrong Idea	Better Idea
`Dc` or `d/c` means discharge.	`Dc` or `d/c` means discontinue and must NEVER mean discharge.

Fast Review

Abbreviations pack information into fewer letters, so pay close attention to the exact abbreviation and its meaning.

An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase.
Use only abbreviations accepted by your employer.
If you are unsure whether an abbreviation is acceptable, write the term in full.
Dc and d/c mean discontinue. NEVER use them for discharge.
ac means before meals. pc means after meals.
bid means twice a day, tid means three times a day, and qid means four times a day.
qh means every hour. q2h means every 2 hours, and q3h means every 3 hours.
prn means when necessary or as needed. stat means at once or immediately.
pt means patient. PT means physiotherapy.
LLQ, LUQ, RLQ, and RUQ identify the four abdominal quadrants.

Final Pep Talk

There are many abbreviations here, so focus on learning them in small groups and watch closely for similar-looking entries. Extra review helps you separate abbreviations such as ac and pc, or pt and PT, without trying to remember the whole list at once.