NAD Medical Abbreviation: What It Means in Health Notes

What Does NAD Mean in Medical Terms?

NAD stands for No Apparent Distress. It’s a short phrase doctors use when examining a patient who appears comfortable and stable during a physical exam. You'll often see it written at the top of medical notes or near the general appearance section.

When Is NAD Used?

Doctors write “NAD” when a patient looks calm, is breathing normally, and doesn’t seem to be in pain or distress. It doesn’t mean the person is completely healthy just that nothing urgent or visibly alarming is happening at that moment.

You may find NAD written in:

• Emergency department notes
• Routine physical exams
• Admission summaries
• Urgent care evaluations

Example: “The patient is alert, cooperative, and in NAD.”

It’s also a common part of structured documentation systems like SOAP notes (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan).

NAD vs Other Medical Abbreviations

NAD is often listed alongside other abbreviations that describe a patient’s condition:

• WNL - Within Normal Limits: Indicates no abnormalities in a specific area.
• A&Ox3 - Alert and Oriented to person, place, and time.
• NKA - No Known Allergies.
• NSR - Normal Sinus Rhythm, used for heart rhythm.
• VS stable - Vital signs are within a safe range.

These shorthand notes help paint a quick picture of a patient’s overall state.