Lesson 3: Patient Status Abbreviations

Question 1

alert, awake, and oriented (AAO)

Answer 1

Alert, awake, and oriented patients are awake, know who and where they are, recognize those around them, and know the date and time.

Question 2

afebrile (afeb)

Answer 2

Afebrile indicates no fever and denotes a patient with a normal body temperature of approximately 98.6°F.

Question 3

while awake (WA)

Answer 3

While awake indicates that an action must take place while the patient is awake.

Question 4

loss of consciousness (LOC)

Answer 4

Loss of consciousness indicates that the patient at some point lost awareness and could not respond to cues.

Question 5

range of motion (ROM)

Answer 5

Range of motion is a description of the ability of a patient to move his or her joints.

Question 6

prescription (Rx)

Answer 6

Prescription indicates the drugs a patient is currently taking or has formerly been ordered to take.

Question 7

prognosis (Px)

Answer 7

Prognosis is an indication of the probable course or outcome of a patient’s disease or condition.