DNI
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | Do not intubate |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Medical, Government & Politics, Texting & Internet Slang |
DNI has three meanings. The most common are Do not intubate (emergency medicine) and Director of National Intelligence (political); it can also stand for Do not interact.
Meanings of DNI at a glance
| # | DNI stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Do not intubate | Medical › Emergency Medicine |
| 2 | Director of National Intelligence | Government & Politics › Political |
| 3 | Do not interact | Texting & Internet Slang › Social Media |
1. Do not intubate
Medical · Emergency Medicine Abbreviations
Code status order stating that the patient should not receive endotracheal intubation or invasive mechanical ventilation. It is often combined with a DNR order but can exist alone.
Example: DNR/DNI; BiPAP acceptable, comfort-focused if respiratory failure progresses.
Patients who are DNI may still accept noninvasive ventilation, high-flow oxygen and other treatments, so documentation should specify. A full code with DNI is uncommon but possible. Clarifying preferences early in admission avoids crisis decisions at night.
2. Director of National Intelligence
Government & Politics · Political Abbreviations
Cabinet-level official who heads the US Intelligence Community, oversees the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and serves as the President's principal intelligence adviser. The DNI is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
Example: The DNI told the Senate Intelligence Committee that foreign influence operations had increased.
The post was created by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, following recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, and was first filled in 2005. Before then the Director of Central Intelligence led both the CIA and the wider intelligence community. The DNI does not run CIA operations day to day.
3. Do not interact
Texting & Internet Slang · Social Media Abbreviations
Statement in a social media bio or pinned post listing the kinds of users the account owner does not want to engage with them, as in "DNI if you're under 18" or "DNI: spoiler accounts."
Example: DNI: bigots, spoiler accounts and anyone under 18.
Common on Twitter and Tumblr since the late 2010s, especially in fandom, art and activist communities. DNI lists have no technical force, but they set expectations and justify blocking. Critics say long DNI lists can feel hostile or performative.
Related abbreviations
More emergency medicine abbreviations
- CTAS – Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale
- DCAP-BTLS – Deformities, contusions, abrasions, punctures/penetrations, burns…
- DNACPR – Do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- DNAR – Do not attempt resuscitation
- DNR – Do not resuscitate
- DOA – Dead on arrival
- DPL – Diagnostic peritoneal lavage
- eFAST – Extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma
See all 97 emergency medicine abbreviations →
More political abbreviations
- DCCC – Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
- DGA – Democratic Governors Association
- DINO – Democrat in name only
- DNC – Democratic National Committee
- DSA – Democratic Socialists of America
- DSCC – Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
- EC – Electoral College
- EO – Executive order
See all 91 political abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.