Whether you’re a nursing student, nursing graduate prepping for the NCLEX, or getting ready to start that new nursing job, here are some medical abbreviations you must know!
As a nursing student or newly graduated nurse, you might not be familiar with all the medical abbreviations you will soon be seeing in the clinical setting. The following is a list of the most important medical abbreviations you should familiarize yourself with before stepping foot in the clinical setting.
Medical Abbreviations
| With | c̅ | Every | q |
| Without | s̅ | Once a day | QD |
| Before | ā | Twice a day | BID |
| Before meals | AC | Three times a day | TID |
| At bedtime | HS | Four times a day | QID |
| After | p̄ | By mouth | PO |
| After meals | PC | Diagnosis | Dx |
| Tablet | tab | Treatment | Tx |
| Capsule/s | caps | Prescription | Rx |
| Complains of | c/o | Signs and symptoms | S/S |
| Change | Δ | Antibiotics | ABX |
| Status post | s/p | Secondary to | s/t |
| Surgery | Sx | Related to | r/t |
| Rule out | r/o | Due to | d/t |
| As needed | PRN | Vital signs | VS |
| As desired | ad lib | Vital signs stable | VSS |
Pro Tip: Put these abbreviations on flash cards for a great study resource. Plus be sure to check out Nursing School Must Haves and How to Take the Best Notes in Nursing School if you’re a student!
Studying for the NCLEX? Visit the following posts.
- How to Pass the NCLEX in 75 Questions
- Important Lab Values to Know for NCLEX
- Patient Education: How to Spot a Stroke and Save a Life
- Nursing Fundamentals Series: A Guide to IV Fluids, Diabetes, Pain, and more!
And once you’ve passed be sure to check out these posts!
- So I Passed the NCLEX… Now What?
- Where to Search for Your Dream Job
- 10 Best Amazon Must Haves For New Grad Nurses