Dictionary

Abbreviations

Abbreviations nurses read and write, with the ones never to use.

PACAn abbreviation with more than one meaning, most often premature atrial contraction or pulmonary artery catheter.

PaCO2The partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood, measured in a blood gas test.

PACUPost-anesthesia care unit: the area where clients are watched closely as they wake up after surgery.

PADAn abbreviation that most often means peripheral artery disease, a narrowing of the arteries outside the heart and brain.

PaO2The partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood: a measure of how much oxygen is dissolved in the blood, from an arterial blood gas.

PAPRPowered air-purifying respirator: a respirator with a battery fan that pushes filtered air into a hood or mask.

PCPAn abbreviation with several meanings: most often primary care provider, but also a type of pneumonia or the street drug phencyclidine.

PCRPolymerase chain reaction: a lab method that copies tiny amounts of genetic material so a germ or a gene can be detected.

PDAn abbreviation with more than one meaning, most often Parkinson disease or peritoneal dialysis.

PEAn abbreviation that most often means pulmonary embolism; it can also mean physical examination or pleural effusion.

PEGAn abbreviation that can mean a feeding tube placed through the belly into the stomach, or the laxative polyethylene glycol.

per osLatin for "by mouth"; a way of writing the oral route that should not be used.

PERRLAPupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation: charting shorthand for a normal pupil exam.

pg/mLPicograms per milliliter: a unit for very small amounts of a substance in a fluid.

PhDDoctor of Philosophy: the highest research degree; in nursing, a doctorate focused on research.

PICCPeripherally inserted central catheter: a long, thin IV tube put into an arm vein with its tip in a large vein near the heart.

PITAn abbreviation for Pitocin (oxytocin); ISMP advises writing the full drug name.

PMHAn abbreviation for past medical history; in mental health, it can mean psychiatric-mental health.

PMIPoint of maximal impulse: the spot on the chest wall where the heartbeat can be felt most strongly.

PNAn abbreviation with two common meanings: parenteral nutrition, or practical nurse.

PNVAn abbreviation for prenatal vitamins; ISMP advises writing the full name.

POLSTA medical order form, signed by a provider and the client, that states the client's wishes about life-sustaining treatment.

PPROMPreterm premature rupture of membranes: the amniotic sac breaks before 37 weeks of pregnancy and before labor starts.

PRAn abbreviation most often meaning per rectum (by way of the rectum); on an ECG it names the PR interval.

PRNAs needed: an order for a drug or treatment to be given only when the client needs it, within set limits.

PROMAn abbreviation with two common meanings: prelabor (premature) rupture of membranes, or passive range of motion.

PTAn abbreviation with two common meanings: physical therapy (or therapist), or prothrombin time, a blood clotting test.

PTUA short form of propylthiouracil, an antithyroid drug; ISMP advises writing the full drug name.

PVAn abbreviation with several meanings, such as polycythemia vera, portal vein, or per vagina (through the vagina).