Nursing Acronyms & Charting Terms – Essential
Abbreviations for Exams, Clinicals & NCLEX|Rationales
Graded A+ Latest Updated 2026
ABC
'airway, breathing, circulation,' the order in which nurses assess and prioritize a patient who is
unresponsive or unconscious.
CAB
helps nurses remember 'chest compressions, airway and breathing' as the correct order for
performing CPR.
CBR
'complete bed rest', refers to a patient who is not allowed out of bed at all, even to use the
bathroom.
CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency procedure commonly used when a patient has
stopped breathing.
DNR
Do Not Resuscitate is an end-of-life health directive given by patients who do not wish to be
revived if they stop breathing or go into cardiac arrest.
EHR
Electronic health records (sometimes called EMR) are digital medical records that are updated
each time a patient visits a healthcare facility.
ICU
Intensive care unit.
IV
Intravenous therapy.
L&D
Labor and delivery.
Abbreviations for Exams, Clinicals & NCLEX|Rationales
Graded A+ Latest Updated 2026
ABC
'airway, breathing, circulation,' the order in which nurses assess and prioritize a patient who is
unresponsive or unconscious.
CAB
helps nurses remember 'chest compressions, airway and breathing' as the correct order for
performing CPR.
CBR
'complete bed rest', refers to a patient who is not allowed out of bed at all, even to use the
bathroom.
CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency procedure commonly used when a patient has
stopped breathing.
DNR
Do Not Resuscitate is an end-of-life health directive given by patients who do not wish to be
revived if they stop breathing or go into cardiac arrest.
EHR
Electronic health records (sometimes called EMR) are digital medical records that are updated
each time a patient visits a healthcare facility.
ICU
Intensive care unit.
IV
Intravenous therapy.
L&D
Labor and delivery.
