Abbreviations

An abbreviation with more than one meaning, most often sustained-release (after a drug name) or sinus rhythm (on a heart strip).

An abbreviation that can mean surgical site infection or sliding scale insulin.

Immediately; at once.

ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a heart attack in which the ECG shows a raised ST segment.

The hospital department that cleans, inspects, packages, sterilizes, stores and sends out reusable instruments and supplies.

The US federal government's supply of drugs, vaccines and medical supplies held for a terrorist attack, an outbreak or another public health emergency.

Triiodothyronine: the more active of the two main thyroid hormones, or the blood test that measures it.

A linear stapler that lays straight, staggered rows of staples across tissue without cutting it, to close an end or an opening.

An abbreviation that can mean triamcinolone, tacrolimus, or a numbing gel of tetracaine, adrenaline and cocaine; ISMP advises full names.

Total body surface area: the whole skin surface of the body, used to describe how much of it a burn covers.

An abbreviation for tricyclic antidepressant, an older class of antidepressant drugs; in biology, it can mean the tricarboxylic acid cycle.

A vaccine against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) for older children, teens and adults.

A teamwork and communication training program for health care teams, created by AHRQ and the US Department of Defense.

The joint in front of each ear where the lower jaw meets the temporal bone, which lets the mouth open and close.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation: mild electric pulses sent through pads on the skin to ease pain.

Tetrahydrocannabinol: the main chemical in cannabis that produces a high.

An abbreviation for "three times a week" that ISMP advises against; write "3 times weekly."

An abbreviation for TNKase (tenecteplase), a clot-dissolving drug; ISMP advises writing the full drug name.

Tumor, Node, Metastasis: a system for describing how far a cancer has grown and spread.

Removal of the whole uterus, including the cervix, through an incision in the abdomen; abbreviated TAH.

An abbreviation for tissue plasminogen activator (alteplase), a clot-dissolving drug; ISMP advises writing the full drug name.

An abbreviation with several meanings, such as text revision (as in DSM-5-TR), tricuspid regurgitation or timed release.

An ultrasound of the heart taken with a probe passed down the esophagus, which lies just behind the heart.

Transfer RNA: small RNA molecules that carry amino acids to the ribosome while a cell builds a protein.

Tech in Surgery-Certified, the NCCT's certification for surgical technologists.

Two times a day; on orders often written BID, from the Latin bis in die.

An abbreviation for tranexamic acid, a drug that slows the breakdown of blood clots; ISMP advises writing the full name.

An abbreviation for "unit" that must not be used in medication orders; write "unit" in full.

Unlicensed assistive personnel: trained workers without a nursing license, such as nursing assistants, who help with client care.

An abbreviation with two common meanings: ulcerative colitis or uterine contractions; the setting shows which.

An abbreviation for "as directed" (Latin ut dictum) that ISMP advises against; write "as directed."

An ultra-low penetration air filter, which traps nearly all particles down to about 0.12 micron, as in a smoke evacuator.

US Preventive Services Task Force: an independent expert panel that reviews evidence and recommends screening tests and other preventive care.

An operation that removes extra tissue of the uvula and soft palate and tightens the throat to treat sleep apnea and snoring.

Very low-density lipoprotein: a particle made by the liver that carries fats, mostly triglycerides, in the blood.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci: Enterococcus bacteria that the antibiotic vancomycin can no longer kill.

Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: staph bacteria that the antibiotic vancomycin can no longer kill.

Women, Infants, and Children: a US government program giving healthy food, nutrition advice and breastfeeding support to families with low incomes.

A charting phrase meaning a finding or test result falls inside the expected range.

An abbreviation with two common meanings: extended-release (after a drug name) or x-ray (in an imaging order).

The chemical shorthand for zinc sulfate, a zinc supplement; ISMP advises writing the full name.

A symbol for microgram that should not be used in medication orders; write "mcg" instead.

Micromoles per liter: a unit for how much of a substance is in a liter of fluid, used on many lab reports.