What does the abbreviation "WNL" indicate regarding a patient's examination?

The abbreviation "WNL" stands for "with normal limits." This phrase is commonly used in medical documentation to indicate that the findings during a physical examination or assessment are within the expected range for a healthy individual. When a clinician notes that a result is WNL, it suggests that no abnormalities or issues have been observed during the evaluation of the patient, thus indicating their health status is stable and typical.

Using the abbreviation helps streamline communication among healthcare providers, allowing for efficient summarization of examination findings. It implies that the patient's vital signs, physical assessment, laboratory results, or any other measured parameters do not reveal any cause for concern, allowing for a standard approach to patient care.