Medical Acronyms Every Nursing Student Should Know
# Medical Acronyms Every Nursing Student Should Know If you're just starting nursing school, you've probably already noticed something strange: everyone around you seems to be speaking in code. A doctor rattles off "the patient's HTN and DM are stable, but watch for signs of CHF," and you're left nodding along while frantically trying to remember what half of those letters mean. Don't worry — this happens to every single nursing student. Hospitals run on abbreviations, and for good reason: in a fast-paced clinical environment, shorthand saves time and keeps charting efficient. But it also means you have to learn an entirely new vocabulary before you can really understand what's happening around you. The good news is that once these acronyms click, they stick for life. Here's a rundown of the ones you'll run into constantly, grouped by where you'll actually encounter them. ## The Basics: Vital Signs These are the numbers you'll be checki...