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PRN - As needed; medical abbreviation.

BP - Blood Pressure; measures the amount of pressure with which blood flows through the body.

CMV - Conventional Mechanical Ventilation; respiratory status requiring a machine to perform complete ventilation for the patient.

SIMV - Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation; respiratory setting allowing the patient minor control but mandatory ventilation.

CPAP - Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; respiratory setting just before removal of ventilation, the patient performs the breathing initiative and the machine simply helps.

PEEP - Positive End-Expiratory Pressure; Extra pressure upon expiration to keep lungs open.

GI - Gastrointestinal; pertaining to the digestive tract.

NG - Nasogastric; with regard to tubes, a tube that is run through the nose and ends in the stomach.

BUN - Blood Urea Nitrogen; blood serum measurement that is useful for assessing hydration status.

K-Mag - Potassium and Magnesium; two electrolytes, essential for maintaining proper cardiac function among other things.

MRSA - Methacillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (abbreviation pronounced 'Murr-sah'); dangerous bacteria resistant to all but a few drugs.