EMS is known to have lots of abbreviations. As someone who is new to emergency medicine, this can be quite daunting and can make learning the necessary medical terms and information that much harder and confusing. Hopefully this page of acronyms and their meanings clears up any confusion and acts as a useful guide to navigating through EMS.
ABC – airway, breathing, circulation
AED – automated external defibrillation (device that delivers electric shocks to the heart)
AEIOU TIPS – alcohol, epilepsy, infection, opiates, uremia, trauma, insulin, poisoning, stroke
A-fib – atrial fibrillation
ALS – advanced life support
AMS – altered mental status
ASA – acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin)
A&Ox4 – alert and oriented to person, place, time, and situation (measures level of consciousness)
BAC – blood alcohol content
BAL – blood alcohol level
BGL – blood glucose level
BLS – basic life support
BP – blood pressure
BSI – body substance isolation
BVM – bag valve mask
CC – chief complaint (describes the primary problem of the patient)
CNS – central nervous system
CPAP – continuous positive airway pressure
CPR – cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CRT – capillary refill time
CSF – cerebral spinal fluid
C-spine – cervical spine
DCAP-BTLS – deformity, contusions, abrasions, punctures/penetrations, burns, tenderness, lacerations, swelling
DNR – do not resuscitate
DOA – dead on arrival
DUMBELS – diarrhea, urination, miosis, bradycardia, emesis, lacrimation, seizures
Dx – diagnosis
ECG – electrocardiogram
ED – emergency department; erectile dysfunction
EEG – electroencephalogram
EMR – emergency medical responder
EMS – emergency medical service
EMT – emergency medical technician
ENT – ears, nose, throat
ET – endotracheal tube
FD – fire department
Fx – fracture
GCS – Glasgow Coma Scale
GI – gastrointestinal
GSW – gunshot wound
Hb – hemoglobin
HIPAA – Health Information Portability and Accountability Act
HR – heart rate
HTN – hypertension
Hx – history
ICU – intensive care unit
ID – intradermal (into the skin)
IM – intramuscular (into the muscle)
IN – intranasal
IO – intraosseous (into the bone)
IV – intravenous (into the vein)
JVD – jugular vein distention
LLQ – left lower quadrant
LOC – loss of consciousness
LUQ – left upper quadrant
MCI – mass casualty incident
MDI – metered dose inhaler
MOA – mechanism of action
MOI – mechanism of injury
MVA – motor vehicle accident
NC – nasal cannula
NIBP – non-invasive blood pressure
NKA; NKDA – no known allergy; no known drug allergy
NOI – nature of illness
NPA – nasopharyngeal airway
NRB – non-rebreather mask
NTG – nitroglycerin
N/V – nausea and vomiting
O2 – oxygen
OD – overdose
OPA – oropharyngeal airway
OPQRST – onset, provocation, quality, radiation, severity, time
OTC – over the counter
P – pulse
PCR – patient care report
PEA – pulseless electrical activity
PEARRL – pupils equal round and reactive to light
PMS – pulse, motor, sensory
PO – per oral (by mouth)
PP – pulse pressure
PPE – personal protective equipment
PR – per rectum
Pt – patient
RLQ – right lower quadrant
RR – respiratory rate
RUQ – right upper quadrant
Rx – prescription
SAMPLE – signs/symptoms, allergies, medications, past pertinent medical history, last oral intake, events leading up to injury
SC – subcutaneous (under the skin)
SL – sublingual (under tongue)
SLUDGEM – salivation, lacrimation, urination, defecation, gastrointestinal distress, emesis, miosis
SOAP – subjective, objective, assessment, plan
SpO2 – pulse oxygen saturation (pulse oximetry)
Sx – symptom
Sz – seizure
Tx – treatment
Vf – ventricular fibrillation
VS – vital signs