VITALS
What does BP stand for?
Blood Pressure
What does Rx mean?
Prescription
What does NPO stand for?
Nothing by mouth
What does Dx mean on a chart?
Diagnosis
What does the symbol ↑ mean?
Increase
What vital sign is measured in beats per minute (bpm)?
Heart Rate (HR)
What does PRN mean?
As needed
What does it mean when a doctor writes an order as Stat?
Immediately
What does Tx stand for?
Treatment
What does the symbol ↓ mean?
Decrease
What does RR measure?
Respiratory Rate
If a medication is given PO, how is it taken?
By mouth
If a medication is ordered BID, how often should it be given?
Twice a day
What does Hx mean?
History
What does → mean in chart notes?
Leads to
A patient’s T is 101°F — what does T stand for?
Temperature
What does IM stand for?
Intramuscular
How often is a medication given if ordered QID?
Four times a day
What does Fx stand for?
Fracture
What does ♂ represent?
Male
Name all four vital signs commonly recorded at intake.
Blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature
What does IV mean, and where is the medicine delivered?
Intravenous — into the vein
A nurse notes “Pt NPO pre-op.” Explain what this means.
Patient should have nothing by mouth before surgery
Decode this chart note: “Pt Dx: Fx radius. Tx: cast.”
Patient diagnosed with a broken radius. Treatment: cast.
What does ♀ represent?
Female