What Does DNI Mean in Medical Terms?

DNI stands for do not intubate. Order to withhold breathing tube placement.

Where you will see DNI

You will most often see DNI in nursing notes, care plans and handovers, emergency department and intensive care records.

Example

A chart note might use “DNI” as shorthand for do not intubate when documenting a patient's care.

Related abbreviations

• 1:1 — one-to-one observation
• 2g Na diet — two-gram sodium diet
• 3% saline — three percent saline (hypertonic)
• 3D-CAM — 3-minute Diagnostic Confusion Assessment Method
• 4-point restraints — four-point restraints
• 4F-PCC — four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate
• 5150 — 5150 hold (California)
• 5150 hold eval — 72-hour hold evaluation

Browse the full Medical Abbreviations guide — 5,715 entries, searchable A–Z and by specialty.