WOB

Medical abbreviation · Patient Assessment

WOB
Stands forWork of breathing
CategoriesMedical

WOB stands for Work of breathing, a patient assessment abbreviation.

Effort a patient uses to breathe, judged by rate, depth, accessory muscle use, nasal flaring, retractions, grunting and the ability to speak in full sentences. Increased WOB warns of respiratory failure before oxygen levels fall.

Example: Increased WOB with subcostal retractions and nasal flaring; high-flow started.

Usage notes

Children often show increased WOB long before their saturation drops. Tripod positioning and speaking in short phrases are classic adult signs. In ventilated patients, WOB also refers to the measured mechanical work done by the patient against the ventilator.

More patient assessment abbreviations

  • AP – Apical pulse
  • AVPU – Alert, voice, pain, unresponsive
  • Ax – Axillary
  • BLE – Bilateral lower extremities
  • BMI – Body mass index
  • BP – Blood pressure
  • BPS – Behavioral Pain Scale
  • BS – Bowel sounds
  • BSA – Body surface area
  • BUE – Bilateral upper extremities
  • CAM-ICU – Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit
  • CIWA-Ar – Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol, revised

See all 65 patient assessment abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.