Slang terms and acronyms are frequent in nursing. Here is a short list of some of the funnier terms used to describe everything from troublesome patients, to kind old grandmothers.
Noctor
Definition: A nurse who has recently attended a seminar and now behave like doctor.
Usage: That nurse thinks she knows everything, she’s such a noctor.
NPS (New Parent Syndrome)
Definition: A propensity to bring your newborn child to the hospital for trivial health concerns. Used in charting.
Usage: Baby had hiccups, sent home. NPS
Frequent Flyer
Definition: A patient who frequently visits the hospital or doctor for trivial or non-existent health problems. usually seeking drugs or medical certificates.
PITA (Pain In The Arse)
Definition: A patient who is very troublesome to deal with.
Code Brown
Definition: A major bowel movement, typically in the bed or on the floor.
Usage: “There’s a Code brown in room 11”
FLK (Funny Lookin’ Kid)
Definition: Used on charts to distinguish children the nurse believes may have undiagnosed mental/learning difficulties.
VBS (vaginal Bypass Surgery)
Definition: Used when a mother requires a c-section for delivery, effectively bypassing the vagina during birth.
Usage: The pt. in bed 4 needs a VBS
Finger Painting
Definition: When a demented patient soils themselves and plays with it, I’m sure I don’t need to fill you in on the rest.
Road Test
Definition: Ambulating a patient before discharging.
MTF (Metabolise to Freedom)
Definition: The patient may be discharged when the alcohol/drug is sufficiently metabolised (sobered up).
Cranial Rectal Inversion
Definition: Head up their arse. Also; CRCI – Chronic Cranial Rectal Inversion.
Time Bomb
Definition: A home patient who smokes while on oxygen.
Usage: Mrs X is a time bomb if she doesn’t stop smoking.
DAFO (Drunk and Fell Over)
Definition: The patient is intoxicated and fell over. Common in the emergency department.
GOMER (Get Out of My ER)
Definition: A patient who treats the emergency department like a regular GP’s Office.
LOL
Definition: Little old Lady or Lovely old Lady. Used as a term of endearment.
2S2L (Too Stupid To Live)
Definition: Used for patients who either do not conform to life sustaining interventions, or who was injured undertaking a ridiculous activity.
FITH (Freaked out in the Head)
Definition: A patient who is not quite there mentally.
FOS (Full of Sh*t)
Definition: A patient who is constipated with abdominal pain.
HDLT (High Drama, Low Trauma)
Definition: A patient who behaves like they are far sicker than they actually are.
Gravity Storm
Definition: A patient who frequently falls.