Overview
Medical terminology provides a standardized way to communicate clinical information.
Many terms are formed using Greek or Latin elements:
Prefix + Root + Suffix
- Prefix: Modifies meaning, often indicating location, number, or intensity.
- Root: Identifies the main structure or concept.
- Suffix: Indicates a condition, process, or specialty.
Examples
| Term | Components | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Hyperthyroidism | Hyper- + thyroid + -ism | Condition of excessive thyroid activity |
| Cardiology | Cardi/o + -logy | Study of the heart |
| Polyneuropathy | Poly- + neur/o + -pathy | Disease affecting multiple peripheral nerves |
Common Prefixes
| Prefix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hyper- | Excessive, increased, or above normal |
| Hypo- | Below normal or deficient |
| Brady- | Slow |
| Tachy- | Fast |
| Poly- | Many or multiple |
| Dys- | Difficult, impaired, or abnormal |
| A- / An- | Without or absence of |
| Ab- | Away from |
| Ad- | Near, closer to |
| Bi- | Two |
| Inter- | Between |
| Peri- | Around |
| Post- | After |
| Pre- | Before |
| Sub- | Under |
Common Suffixes
| Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| -itis | Inflammation |
| -ectomy | Surgical removal |
| -otomy | Surgical incision |
| -logy | Study of |
| -pathy | Disease |
| -emia | Blood-related condition |
| -uria | Urine-related condition |
| -oma | Tumor |
| -osis | Disease or condition |
Common CNA Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ABD | Abdomen / Abdominal |
| ADL | Activities of Daily Living |
| AIDS | Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome |
| AKA | Above-Knee Amputation |
| amb | Ambulation / Ambulate |
| AROM | Active Range of Motion |
| bid / BID | Twice Daily |
| BKA | Below-Knee Amputation |
| BM | Bowel Movement |
| BMI | Body Mass Index |
| BP | Blood Pressure |
| BRP | Bathroom Privileges |
| CA / Ca | Cancer / Calcium (depends on context) |
| cc | Cubic Centimeter (1 mL); mL preferred in medication documentation |
| C. diff | Clostridioides difficile |
| CHF | Congestive Heart Failure |
| CNA | Certified Nursing Assistant |
| c/o | Complains Of |
| COPD | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease |
| CPR | Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation |
| CVA | Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke) |
| d/c | Discontinue / Discharge (ambiguous) |
| DC | Discontinue / Discharge (ambiguous) |
| DNR | Do Not Resuscitate |
| DOB | Date of Birth |
| DON | Director of Nursing |
| Dx | Diagnosis |
| ER | Emergency Room |
| Fx | Fracture |
| GI | Gastrointestinal |
| h | Hour |
| HIV | Human Immunodeficiency Virus |
| HOB | Head of Bed |
| hs | At Bedtime |
| I&O / I & O | Intake and Output |
| IADL | Instrumental Activities of Daily Living |
| LPN | Licensed Practical Nurse |
| LVN | Licensed Vocational Nurse |
| MD | Medical Doctor / Physician |
| MI | Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) |
| mL | Milliliter |
| MRSA | Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus |
| NG | Nasogastric |
| NOC | Night Shift / Nocturnal (depends on context) |
| NPO | Nothing by Mouth (nil per os) |
| NSAID | Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug |
| N&V | Nausea and Vomiting |
| O₂ | Oxygen |
| O₂ sat | Oxygen Saturation |
| OB | Obstetrics |
| OOB | Out of Bed |
| OR | Operating Room |
| OT | Occupational Therapy / Occupational Therapist |
| PO | By Mouth / Orally (per os) |
| PRN | As Needed (pro re nata) |
| PROM | Passive Range of Motion |
| PT | Physical Therapy / Physical Therapist |
| Pt / pt | Patient |
| q | Every |
| qd | Every Day (avoid; write “daily”) |
| qh | Every Hour |
| qhs | Every Night at Bedtime |
| qid | Four Times Daily |
| qod | Every Other Day (avoid; write in full) |
| RN | Registered Nurse |
| ROM | Range of Motion |
| SOB | Shortness of Breath |
| SpO₂ | Peripheral Oxygen Saturation measured by pulse oximetry |
| ST | Speech Therapy / Speech Therapist (may also mean other things) |
| Temp | Temperature |
| TIA | Transient Ischemic Attack |
| tid | Three Times Daily |
| TPN | Total Parenteral Nutrition |
| TPR | Temperature, Pulse, Respiration |
| Tx | Treatment |
| UA | Urinalysis |
| URI | Upper Respiratory Infection |
| UTI | Urinary Tract Infection |
| VRE | Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci |
| VS | Vital Signs |
| w/c | Wheelchair (may mean “with” in some settings; clarify) |
| WNL | Within Normal Limits |
| Wt | Weight |
Important: Some abbreviations have different meanings in different settings. Confirm the meaning from context and the facility’s terminology standards.
For example, AD may have multiple meanings and should not be used without clarification.
Directional Terms
| Term | Direction |
|---|---|
| Medial | Toward, or nearer, the midline of the body |
| Lateral | Away from the midline of the body; the side of the body |
| Anterior | Toward the front side of the body |
| Posterior | Toward the backside of the body |
| Proximal | Closest to; the nearer of two points on the body |
| Distal | Farthest from; the farther of two poitns on the body. |
Abbreviation Safety
The Joint Commission identifies several abbreviations and medication notations that create significant error risks.
Examples to Avoid in Orders and Medication-Related Documentation
| Avoid | Write Instead |
|---|---|
| U or u | unit |
| IU | international unit |
| QD, q.d. | daily |
| QOD, q.o.d. | every other day |
| MS | Write the complete intended medication name |
| MSO4 / MgSO4 | Write the complete intended medication name |
| Trailing zero, e.g. 5.0 mg | 5 mg |
| Missing leading zero, e.g. .5 mg | 0.5 mg |
These restrictions apply to the contexts specified by the relevant standards and organizational policies. They are not a blanket prohibition against every medical abbreviation.
CNA Responsibilities
- Learn abbreviations used by your facility.
- Use only accepted terminology in documentation.
- Ask for clarification when an abbreviation is unclear.
- Avoid ambiguous shortcuts in verbal reports.
- Do not guess when instructions may affect resident safety.
Related
Sources
- CNA Module 15E — Medical Terminology and Abbreviations
- The Joint Commission — Managing Abbreviations and Symbols
- Facility-approved terminology and abbreviation list
Flashcards
Prefixes
What does the prefix "hyper-" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Excessive, increased, or above normal.
What does the prefix "hypo-" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Below normal or deficient.
What does the prefix "brady-" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Slow.
What does the prefix "tachy-" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Fast.
What does the prefix "poly-" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Many or multiple.
What does the prefix "dys-" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Difficult, impaired, or abnormal.
What do the prefixes "a-" and "an-" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Without or absence of.
What does the prefix "ab-" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Away from.
What does the prefix "ad-" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Near, closer to.
What does the prefix "bi-" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Two.
What does the prefix "peri-" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Around.
What does the prefix "post-" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
After.
What does the prefix "pre-" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Before.
What does the prefix "sub-" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Under.
Suffixes
What does the suffix "-itis" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Inflammation.
What does the suffix "-ectomy" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Surgical removal.
What does the suffix "-otomy" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Surgical incision.
What does the suffix "-logy" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Study of.
What does the suffix "-pathy" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Disease or disorder.
What does the suffix "-emia" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Blood condition.
What does the suffix "-uria" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Urine or urination condition.
What does the suffix "-oma" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Tumor.
What does the suffix "-osis" mean?01-foundations / prefixes-and-suffixes
Disease or condition.
Common CNA Abbreviations
A–C
What does ABD mean?01-foundations / abbreviations
Abdomen or abdominal.
What does ADL stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Activities of Daily Living.
What does AIDS stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
What does AKA stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Above-Knee Amputation.
What does "amb" mean?01-foundations / abbreviations
Ambulation or ambulate.
What does AROM stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Active Range of Motion.
What does BID (bid) mean?01-foundations / abbreviations
Twice daily.
What does BKA stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Below-Knee Amputation.
What does BM stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Bowel Movement.
What does BMI stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Body Mass Index.
What does BP stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Blood Pressure.
What does BRP stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Bathroom Privileges.
What can CA or Ca mean in medical terminology?01-foundations / abbreviations
Cancer or calcium, depending on context.
What does cc stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Cubic centimeter; equal to 1 mL.
What does C. diff stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
*Clostridioides difficile*.
What does CHF stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Congestive Heart Failure.
What does CNA stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Certified Nursing Assistant.
What does c/o mean in clinical documentation?01-foundations / abbreviations
Complains of.
What does COPD stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
What does CPR stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
What does CVA stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Cerebrovascular Accident (stroke).
D–H
What can d/c mean?01-foundations / abbreviations
Discontinue or discharge; ambiguous.
What can DC mean?01-foundations / abbreviations
Discontinue or discharge; ambiguous.
What does DNR stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Do Not Resuscitate.
What does DOB stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Date of Birth.
What does DON stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Director of Nursing.
What does Dx stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Diagnosis.
What does ER stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Emergency Room.
What does Fx stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Fracture.
What does GI stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Gastrointestinal.
What does "h" mean in medical notation?01-foundations / abbreviations
Hour.
What does HIV stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
What does HOB stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Head of Bed.
What does hs mean?01-foundations / abbreviations
At bedtime.
I–O
What does I&O or I & O stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Intake and Output.
What does IADL stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living.
What does LPN stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Licensed Practical Nurse.
What does LVN stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Licensed Vocational Nurse.
What does MD stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Medical Doctor / Physician.
What does MI stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Myocardial Infarction (heart attack).
What does mL stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Milliliter.
What does MRSA stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
What does NG stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Nasogastric.
What does NOC usually refer to in nursing schedules?01-foundations / abbreviations
Night shift.
What does NPO mean?01-foundations / abbreviations
Nothing by mouth.
What does NSAID stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug.
What does N&V stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Nausea and Vomiting.
What does O₂ represent?01-foundations / abbreviations
Oxygen.
What does O₂ sat mean?01-foundations / abbreviations
Oxygen Saturation.
What does OB stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Obstetrics.
What does OOB stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Out of Bed.
What does OR stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Operating Room.
What does OT stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Occupational Therapy or Occupational Therapist.
P–R
What does PO mean?01-foundations / abbreviations
By mouth / orally.
What does PRN mean?01-foundations / abbreviations
As needed.
What does PROM stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Passive Range of Motion.
What does PT stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Physical Therapy or Physical Therapist.
What does Pt or pt commonly mean?01-foundations / abbreviations
Patient.
What does q mean in medical frequency notation?01-foundations / abbreviations
Every.
What does qd mean?01-foundations / abbreviations
Every day; avoid and write "daily."
What does qh mean?01-foundations / abbreviations
Every hour.
What does qhs mean?01-foundations / abbreviations
Every night at bedtime.
What does qid mean?01-foundations / abbreviations
Four times daily.
What does qod mean?01-foundations / abbreviations
Every other day; avoid and write it in full.
What does RN stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Registered Nurse.
What does ROM stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Range of Motion.
S–W
What does SOB stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Shortness of Breath.
What does SpO₂ represent?01-foundations / abbreviations
Peripheral Oxygen Saturation measured by pulse oximetry.
What does ST commonly mean in rehabilitation?01-foundations / abbreviations
Speech Therapy or Speech Therapist.
What does Temp stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Temperature.
What does TIA stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Transient Ischemic Attack.
What does tid mean?01-foundations / abbreviations
Three times daily.
What does TPN stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Total Parenteral Nutrition.
What does TPR stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Temperature, Pulse, Respiration.
What does Tx stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Treatment.
What does UA stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Urinalysis.
What does URI stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Upper Respiratory Infection.
What does UTI stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Urinary Tract Infection.
What does VRE stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci.
What does VS stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Vital Signs.
What can w/c mean?01-foundations / abbreviations
Wheelchair or "with," depending on context.
What does WNL stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Within Normal Limits.
What does Wt stand for?01-foundations / abbreviations
Weight.
Abbreviation Safety
Why should ambiguous medical abbreviations be avoided?03-application / reference-guidelines
They can cause misinterpretation and medical errors.
What should a CNA do when an abbreviation is unclear?03-application / reference-guidelines
Ask for clarification instead of guessing.