Medical Abbreviations

Medical Terminology

Mrs. Opland

Abbreviations “A”

@– at

aa– of each

a– Before

abd– abdominal

ABG– arterial blood gases

ac– before meals

ADL– activities of daily living

ad lib– as desired

adm– admit, admission

AED– automated external defibrillation (defibrillator)

AIDS– acquired immune deficiency syndrome

AM (am)– morning, before noon

amb– ambulate

amt– amount

A & P– anterior and posterior

ap (A)– apical pulse

ASA– Asprin

ASAP– As soon as possible

as tol– as tolerated

ax– axillary

Abbreviations “B” B/B, BB

– bed bath, bowel & bladder BE

– barium enema bid

– twice a day bil

– bilateral bld

– blood

BM (bm)– bowel movement

BMR– basal metabolic rate

BP, b/p– blood pressure

BRP– bathroom privileges

BR– bed rest

BS– blood sugar; bowel sounds; breath sounds

Bx, bx– biopsy

Abbreviations “C”

c– with

CA (ca)– cancer

CAB– coronary artery bypass

_

cal– calorie

cap, caps– capsule, capsules

cath– catheter

CBC– complete blood count

CBR– complete bed rest

CDC– center for disease control

Cl liq– clear liquids

CC– chief complaint

cc– cubic centimeter

CCU– coronary or critical care unit

CF– cystic fibrosis

CHF– congestive heart failure

chol– cholesterol

circ– circulation

cl liq– clear liquids

c/o– complains of

CO2– carbon dioxide

COD– cause of death

COPD– chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CPR– cardiopulmonary resuscitation

C & S– culture and sensitivity

CVA– cerebrovascular accident

Abbreviations “D”

d– day

DAT– diet as tolerated

D & C– dilation and curettage

dc (d/c)– discontinue

DNR– do not resuscitate

DOA– dead on arrival

DOB– date of birth

DR– doctor

drsg– dressing

dx– diagnosis

Abbreviations “E”

E– enema

ECHO– echocardiogram; echocardiography

EDC– estimated date of confinement

EEG– electroencephalogram

EENT– eye, ear, nose & throat

EKG (ECG)– electrocardiogram

EMT– emergency medical technician

ER– emergency room

Abbreviations: “F”

F– fahrenheit

FBS– fasting blood sugar

FBW– fasting blood work

FC– foley catheter

Fe– iron

FH or FHB– fetal heart beat

Fl or fl– fluid

fx– fracture

FF (ff)– force fluids

ft– foot or feet

Abbreviations: “G”

GB– gallbladder

GC– gonorrhea

GI– gastrointestinal

gm– gram

gr– grain

gtt, gtts– drop, drops

GU– genitourinary

gyn– gynecology, gynecologist

Abbreviations: “H”

hct– hematocrit

hgb– hemoglobin

H2O– water

HOB– head of bed

h (hr)– hour

HS (hs)– hour of sleep

ht– height

Abbreviation: “I”

ICU– intensive care unit

I & D– incision and drainage

IM– intramuscular

in– inch

in– inch

inf– inferior

inj– injection

int– internal, interior

I & O– intake and output

IV– intravenous

Abbreviations: “K”

K– potassium

kg– kilogram

+

Abbreviations: “L”

L or l– Liter

lab– laboratory

lat– lateral

lb.– pound

L & D– labor and delivery

liq– liquid

lg– large

LLQ– left lower quadrant

LOC– laxative of choice

LPN– licensed practical nurse

l, lt, lft– left

LUQ– left upper quadrant

Abbreviations: “M”

MD– medical doctor

med– medicine

meq– milliequivalent

mid noc (MN)– midnight

min– minute

ml– milliliter

mm– millimeter

MOM– milk of magnesia

MT– medical technician

Abbreviations: “N”

NA CNA– nurse aide - certified nurse assistant

Na– sodium

NaCl– sodium chloride (salt)

No. (no.)– number

noct– night

NPO– nothing by mouth

n/v– nausea & vomiting

neg– negative

noc– night

neg– negative

noc– night

Abbreviations: “O”

O2– oxygen

OD (o.d.)– right eye

OS (o.s.)– left eye

OT– occupational therapy, occupational therapist

OU– both eyes

oz– Ounce

Abbreviations “P” _ p

– after

P– pulse

path– Pathology

pc– after meals

PDR– physicians desk reference

peds– pediatrics

per– by, through

pharm– pharmacy

PM, pm– after noon

po– by mouth

post– after

post-op– after surgery

pre-op– before surgery

prn– as necessary, as needed

psy– psychiatry, psychology

PT– physical therapy

pt– patient, pint

Abbreviations “Q” q

– every

qd– every day

qh– every hour

qhs– every hour of sleep (bedtime)

q2h– every two hours

q3h– every three hours

q4h– every four hours

qid– four times a day

qod– every other day

qns– quantity nonsufficient

qs – quantity sufficient

qt– quart

Abbreviations “R” R

– rectal

RBC– red blood cells

RLQ– right lower quadrant

RN– registered nurse

R/O, r/o– rule out

ROM– range of motion

RR– recovery room

R, rt– right

RUQ– right upper quadrant

Rx– prescription

Abbreviations “S” _ s

– without SC

– subcutaneous sig

– give according to the following directions SOB

– shortness of breath sol

– solution

SOS– if necessary

spec– specimen

spt– spirits, liquor

_

ss– one half, ½

SSE– soap solution enema

stat– immediately

STD / STI– sexually transmitted disease– sexually transmitted infection

surg– surgery

syp– syrup

Abbreviations “T” T or temp

– temperature

T & A– tonsillectomy and adnoidectomy

tab– tablet

tbsp– tablespoon

tid– three times a day

TLC– tender loving care

TPR– temperature, pulse, respiration

tsp– teaspoon

tx– treatment, traction

Abbreviations “U”

ung– ointment

UA– urine analysis

ur– urine

Abbreviations “V” vag

– vagina, vaginal

VD– venereal disease

VO– verbal order

vol– volume

VS– vital signs

Abbreviations “W”

WBC– White

WC– wardclerk, secretary

w/c– wheelchair

wt– weight

Abbreviations “symbols” >

– greater than

<– less than

X– Times

. – male

.

– female