A Parent's Guide to the NICU

Common Abbreviations

A & B - Apnea and Bradycardia

Bili - Bilirubin

BP - Blood Pressure, see Low Blood Pressure

BPD - Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

cc or ml - Metric measures of liquid; 30cc (or ml) is 1 ounce; 5 cc is ~1 teaspoon

CNS - Central Nervous System (brain and spinal cord) or Clinical Nurse Specialist

CPAP - Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (air or oxygen delivered under a small amount of pressure)

CPR - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

ET - Endotracheal (refers to a tube placed through the mouth or nose to the wind pipe)

Gms or grams - Metric weight; 450 grams = 1 pound; 1 kilogram (Kg) = 1000 grams

HFOV - High Frequency Ventilator

IMV - Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation - # of breaths per minute by the ventilator

IV - Intravenous (by vein)

IVH - Intraventricular Hemorrhage

LP - Lumbar Puncture (getting sample of spinal fluid using a needle)

NEC - Necrotizing Enterocolitis

NG - Nasal Gastric (tube going from nose to stomach)

NICU - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

NNP- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

NPO - Nothing by Mouth

O2 - Oxygen

OG - Oral Gastric (tube going from mouth to stomach)

OT - Occupational Therapist

PDA - Patent Ductus Arteriosus

PICC - an tiny catheter or tube placed into a vein to give fluids or nutrition

PT - Physical Therapist

PVL - Periventricular Leukomalacia

RN - Registered Nurse

ROP - Retinopathy of Prematurity

RDS - Respiratory Distress Syndrome

SIMV - Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (machine breaths timed to baby's)

TPR - Temperature, pulse and respiration

TTNB - Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn

TPN  - Total Parenteral Nutrition (nutrition by vein)

UAC - Umbilical Artery Catheter

UTI - Urinary Tract (kidney or bladder) Infection

UVC - Umbilical Venous Catheter

VS - Vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure)