What Does IS Mean in Medical Terms?

IS stands for incentive spirometer. Breathing device encouraging deep breaths.

Where you will see IS

You will most often see IS in nursing notes, care plans and handovers, respiratory and ventilation charts.

Example

A chart note might use “IS” as shorthand for incentive spirometer when documenting a patient's care.

Related abbreviations

• 1:1 — one-to-one observation
• 2g Na diet — two-gram sodium diet
• 4-point restraints — four-point restraints
• 6MWT — six-minute walk test
• A&O — alert and oriented
• A&O x4 — alert and oriented times four (person place time situation)
• A-a gradient — alveolar-arterial gradient
• A-line — A-line (arterial line shorthand)

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