FUNDAMENTALS
OF NURSING
Common Medical Abbreviations IV Complications
The Basics of Fundamentals Oxygen Delivery Methods
ADPIE/AAPIE Made Simple Chest Tubes
Writing a Nursing Diagnosis Isolation Precautions
Clinical Judgement Model Rights & Scope of Practice
Uncommon Acronyms Burns and Burn Types
Normal Vitals Along the Lifespan Rule of 9's
Lab Value Ranges 4 Stages of Pressure Ulcer Development
Lab Value Memory Tricks Common Hallmark Signs and Symptoms
Blood Collection Tubes Adult CPR
Blood Collection Order of Draw Key Tidbits for CPR/End-of-Life Care
Blood Type Compatibility The Nervous System
Needle Gauges Top 9 Nutrition Mnemonics
Needle Sizes & Injection Sites
,RNEXPLAINED
MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS
A G
AC – antecubital (L/R) GFR – glomerular filtration rate
a.c. – before meals → “A” before “C” so before meals GI – gastrointestinal
ADL’s – activities of daily living → basic activities we GSW – gunshot wound
perform every day to live independently GT – gastrostomy tube
aeb – as evidenced by → used in writing nursing gtt – drops (liquid measurement)
diagnosis GTT – glucose tolerance test (oral)
AFIB – atrial fibrillation → heart rhythm GU – genitourinary
AMA – against medical advice
AMS – altered mental status H
HA – headache
B Hb – hemoglobin
b.i.d. – twice a day → “Bi” means two so I think twice HLD – hyperlipidemia
BM – bowel movement HPI – history of present illness
BP – blood pressure HR – heartrate
BPH – benign prostatic hyperplasia HS – bedtime → “hours of sleep”
BPM – beats per minutes HTN – hypertension
Hx – history
C
CABG – coronary artery bypass graft → pronounced I
“cabbage” IBD – irritable bowel disease
CBC – complete blood count IBS – irritable bowel syndrome
CC – chief complaint ICP – intracranial pressure
CHF – congestive heart failure I&D – incision and drainage
CKD – chronic kidney disease ID – intradermal
CNS – central nervous system IM – intramuscular
CO – cardiac output I&O – intake and output (urine)
c/o – complains of IUP – intrauterine pregnancy
COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder IV – intravenous
CP – chest pain IVP – intravenous push
CSF – cerebrospinal fluid
c/s – cesarean section J
CTA – clear to auscultation JVD – jugular vein distention
CVA – cerebrovascular accident → stroke
CVAT – costovertebral angle tenderness L
CXR – chest x-ray LBW – low birth weight
LE – lower extremity
D LLL – left lower lobe
d/c – discharge/discontinue LLQ – left lower quadrant
DM – diabetes mellitus → NIDDM – non-insulin LUL – left upper lobe
dependent diabetes mellitus (Type 2) & IDDM – LV – left ventricle
insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (Type 1)
DNR – do not resuscitate M
DOB – date of birth MD – muscular dystrophy
DVT – deep vein thrombosis → blood clot MDD – maximum daily dose
Dx – diagnosis MS – multiple sclerosis
MVA – motor vehicle accident
E
EC – enteric coated N
EEG – electroencephalogram → evaluate electrical NKDA – no known drug allergies
activity in the brain NPO – nothing per os (by mouth)
EKG/ECG – electrocardiogram → evaluate electrical NTG – nitroglycerin
activity in the heart N/V/D – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Ø – no/none
F
FA – forearm O
Fx – fracture → “x” like crossing out a bone or OCD – obsessive compulsive disorder
breaking it OCP – oral contraceptive
OD – right eye → we look right FIRST (“D” comes first)
, RNEXPLAINED
MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS
OS – left eye → we look left SECOND (“S” comes U
second) UC – ulcerative colitis
OSA – obstructive sleep apnea UE – upper extremity
OTC – over the counter UO – urine output
OT – occupational therapy URI – upper respiratory infection
OU – both eyes → then we look both ways (“U” comes UTI – urinary tract infection
last)
P V
VS – vital signs
p.c. – after meals → we play our PC video games after VSS – vital signs stable
we eat our food
PCN – penicillin
PCP – primary care physician W
PE – pulmonary embolism WBC – white blood cell
PEEP – positive-end-expiratory pressure WNL – within normal limits
PID – pelvic inflammatory disease Wt – weight
PMHx – past medical history
PMS – premenstrual syndrome
PNS – peripheral nervous system
PO – per os (by mouth)
PRN – as needed
PSHx – past surgical history
Pt – patient
PT – physical
Q
q – every
q2h – every two hours
q3h – every three hours
qd – once a day
qh – once every hour
qhs – at bedtime
q.i.d – 4x/day → “Q” for quad
R
RA – rheumatoid arthritis
RA – right atrium
RBBB – right bundle branch block
RBC – red blood cell
RF – risk factor
RLL – right lower lobe
RRR – regular rate and rhythm
r/t – related to → used in writing nursing diagnosis
RUL – right upper lobe
RV – right ventricle
Rx – prescription
RXN – reaction
S
SBO – small bowel obstruction
SOB – shortness of breath
s/s – signs and symptoms
STD – sexually transmitted disease
s/t – secondary to → “because of…”
Sx – symptoms
T
Tb – tuberculosis
TBI – traumatic brain injury
t.i.d – 3x/day → “T” for tri
Tx – treatment
, RNEXPLAINED
THE BASICS OF FUNDAMENTALS
HEART AUSCULTATION
AORTIC AREA - Right of sternum at 2nd intercostal space
1 2
3 PULMONIC AREA - Left of sternum at 2nd intercostal space
4
ERB'S POINT - Left of sternum at 3rd intercostal space
5
TRISCUPID AREA - Left of sternum at 4th intercostal space
MITRAL AREA - Left of sternum at 5th intercostal space at
the midclavicular line
MNEMONIC: "ALL PHYSICIANS ENJOY TAKING MONEY"
NORMAL LUNG SOUNDS
tracheal: Bronchial:
CRANIAL NERVES harsh + hollow high-pitched, loud
+ hollow
bronchovesicular:
I - OLFACTORY (smell) low-pitched, hollow vesicular:
anterior + posterior low pitched,
II - OPTIC (visual acuity) blowing
anterior +
III - OCULOMOTOR (eye movement/pupil dilation) posterior
IV - TROCHLEAR (vertical eye movement)
V - TRIGEMINAL (sensory from face/facial expression) ABNORMAL SOUNDS
WHEEZING: high pitched + musical
VI - ABDUCENS (lateral eye movement)
CRACKLES: FINE: hair moving through fingers
VII - FACIAL (taste/facial expression) COARSE: low bubbling sounds
VIII - VESTIBULOCOCHLEAR (hearing & balance) STRIDOR: high pitched + wheezing
RHONCHI: low pitched + rumble
IX - GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL (swallowing)
PLEURAL FRICTION RUB: harsh, grating +
X - VAGUS (sensation in throat/gag reflex) leathery
XI - ACCESSORY (head and shoulder movement)
XII - HYPOGLOSSAL (tongue movement)
ETHICAL/LEGAL PRINCIPLES
Autonomy: the individual right to choose & ability to act on
MNEMONIC! that choice
Beneficence: the duty to promote good
OH OH OH TO TAKE A FAMILY Justice: the obligation to be fair
VACATION GO (TO) VEGAS Negligence: conduct that falls below the standard of care
AFTER HOURS Nonmaleficence: the duty to do no harm to others
Malpractice: negligence committed by a professional that
produces harm to the patient
Veracity: truthfulness, neither lying nor deceiving others
OF NURSING
Common Medical Abbreviations IV Complications
The Basics of Fundamentals Oxygen Delivery Methods
ADPIE/AAPIE Made Simple Chest Tubes
Writing a Nursing Diagnosis Isolation Precautions
Clinical Judgement Model Rights & Scope of Practice
Uncommon Acronyms Burns and Burn Types
Normal Vitals Along the Lifespan Rule of 9's
Lab Value Ranges 4 Stages of Pressure Ulcer Development
Lab Value Memory Tricks Common Hallmark Signs and Symptoms
Blood Collection Tubes Adult CPR
Blood Collection Order of Draw Key Tidbits for CPR/End-of-Life Care
Blood Type Compatibility The Nervous System
Needle Gauges Top 9 Nutrition Mnemonics
Needle Sizes & Injection Sites
,RNEXPLAINED
MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS
A G
AC – antecubital (L/R) GFR – glomerular filtration rate
a.c. – before meals → “A” before “C” so before meals GI – gastrointestinal
ADL’s – activities of daily living → basic activities we GSW – gunshot wound
perform every day to live independently GT – gastrostomy tube
aeb – as evidenced by → used in writing nursing gtt – drops (liquid measurement)
diagnosis GTT – glucose tolerance test (oral)
AFIB – atrial fibrillation → heart rhythm GU – genitourinary
AMA – against medical advice
AMS – altered mental status H
HA – headache
B Hb – hemoglobin
b.i.d. – twice a day → “Bi” means two so I think twice HLD – hyperlipidemia
BM – bowel movement HPI – history of present illness
BP – blood pressure HR – heartrate
BPH – benign prostatic hyperplasia HS – bedtime → “hours of sleep”
BPM – beats per minutes HTN – hypertension
Hx – history
C
CABG – coronary artery bypass graft → pronounced I
“cabbage” IBD – irritable bowel disease
CBC – complete blood count IBS – irritable bowel syndrome
CC – chief complaint ICP – intracranial pressure
CHF – congestive heart failure I&D – incision and drainage
CKD – chronic kidney disease ID – intradermal
CNS – central nervous system IM – intramuscular
CO – cardiac output I&O – intake and output (urine)
c/o – complains of IUP – intrauterine pregnancy
COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder IV – intravenous
CP – chest pain IVP – intravenous push
CSF – cerebrospinal fluid
c/s – cesarean section J
CTA – clear to auscultation JVD – jugular vein distention
CVA – cerebrovascular accident → stroke
CVAT – costovertebral angle tenderness L
CXR – chest x-ray LBW – low birth weight
LE – lower extremity
D LLL – left lower lobe
d/c – discharge/discontinue LLQ – left lower quadrant
DM – diabetes mellitus → NIDDM – non-insulin LUL – left upper lobe
dependent diabetes mellitus (Type 2) & IDDM – LV – left ventricle
insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (Type 1)
DNR – do not resuscitate M
DOB – date of birth MD – muscular dystrophy
DVT – deep vein thrombosis → blood clot MDD – maximum daily dose
Dx – diagnosis MS – multiple sclerosis
MVA – motor vehicle accident
E
EC – enteric coated N
EEG – electroencephalogram → evaluate electrical NKDA – no known drug allergies
activity in the brain NPO – nothing per os (by mouth)
EKG/ECG – electrocardiogram → evaluate electrical NTG – nitroglycerin
activity in the heart N/V/D – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Ø – no/none
F
FA – forearm O
Fx – fracture → “x” like crossing out a bone or OCD – obsessive compulsive disorder
breaking it OCP – oral contraceptive
OD – right eye → we look right FIRST (“D” comes first)
, RNEXPLAINED
MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS
OS – left eye → we look left SECOND (“S” comes U
second) UC – ulcerative colitis
OSA – obstructive sleep apnea UE – upper extremity
OTC – over the counter UO – urine output
OT – occupational therapy URI – upper respiratory infection
OU – both eyes → then we look both ways (“U” comes UTI – urinary tract infection
last)
P V
VS – vital signs
p.c. – after meals → we play our PC video games after VSS – vital signs stable
we eat our food
PCN – penicillin
PCP – primary care physician W
PE – pulmonary embolism WBC – white blood cell
PEEP – positive-end-expiratory pressure WNL – within normal limits
PID – pelvic inflammatory disease Wt – weight
PMHx – past medical history
PMS – premenstrual syndrome
PNS – peripheral nervous system
PO – per os (by mouth)
PRN – as needed
PSHx – past surgical history
Pt – patient
PT – physical
Q
q – every
q2h – every two hours
q3h – every three hours
qd – once a day
qh – once every hour
qhs – at bedtime
q.i.d – 4x/day → “Q” for quad
R
RA – rheumatoid arthritis
RA – right atrium
RBBB – right bundle branch block
RBC – red blood cell
RF – risk factor
RLL – right lower lobe
RRR – regular rate and rhythm
r/t – related to → used in writing nursing diagnosis
RUL – right upper lobe
RV – right ventricle
Rx – prescription
RXN – reaction
S
SBO – small bowel obstruction
SOB – shortness of breath
s/s – signs and symptoms
STD – sexually transmitted disease
s/t – secondary to → “because of…”
Sx – symptoms
T
Tb – tuberculosis
TBI – traumatic brain injury
t.i.d – 3x/day → “T” for tri
Tx – treatment
, RNEXPLAINED
THE BASICS OF FUNDAMENTALS
HEART AUSCULTATION
AORTIC AREA - Right of sternum at 2nd intercostal space
1 2
3 PULMONIC AREA - Left of sternum at 2nd intercostal space
4
ERB'S POINT - Left of sternum at 3rd intercostal space
5
TRISCUPID AREA - Left of sternum at 4th intercostal space
MITRAL AREA - Left of sternum at 5th intercostal space at
the midclavicular line
MNEMONIC: "ALL PHYSICIANS ENJOY TAKING MONEY"
NORMAL LUNG SOUNDS
tracheal: Bronchial:
CRANIAL NERVES harsh + hollow high-pitched, loud
+ hollow
bronchovesicular:
I - OLFACTORY (smell) low-pitched, hollow vesicular:
anterior + posterior low pitched,
II - OPTIC (visual acuity) blowing
anterior +
III - OCULOMOTOR (eye movement/pupil dilation) posterior
IV - TROCHLEAR (vertical eye movement)
V - TRIGEMINAL (sensory from face/facial expression) ABNORMAL SOUNDS
WHEEZING: high pitched + musical
VI - ABDUCENS (lateral eye movement)
CRACKLES: FINE: hair moving through fingers
VII - FACIAL (taste/facial expression) COARSE: low bubbling sounds
VIII - VESTIBULOCOCHLEAR (hearing & balance) STRIDOR: high pitched + wheezing
RHONCHI: low pitched + rumble
IX - GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL (swallowing)
PLEURAL FRICTION RUB: harsh, grating +
X - VAGUS (sensation in throat/gag reflex) leathery
XI - ACCESSORY (head and shoulder movement)
XII - HYPOGLOSSAL (tongue movement)
ETHICAL/LEGAL PRINCIPLES
Autonomy: the individual right to choose & ability to act on
MNEMONIC! that choice
Beneficence: the duty to promote good
OH OH OH TO TAKE A FAMILY Justice: the obligation to be fair
VACATION GO (TO) VEGAS Negligence: conduct that falls below the standard of care
AFTER HOURS Nonmaleficence: the duty to do no harm to others
Malpractice: negligence committed by a professional that
produces harm to the patient
Veracity: truthfulness, neither lying nor deceiving others
