ABBREVIATIONSa beforeAAA abdominal aortic aneurysmAAS acute abdominal seriesAb abortionsabd. abdominal/ abdomenABG arterial blood gasABO three basic blood groupsABO-Rh ABO and Rh blood factorsac before mealsACE angiotensin converting enzymeACL anterior cruciate ligamentACLS advanced cardiac life supportACTH adrenocorticotropic hormonead lib as desiredAD right earADD attention deficit disorderADH antidiuretic hormoneADL activities of daily livingAdm admissionAF atrial fibrillationAFB acid-fast bacillusAFE amniotic fluid embolism

afebrileAFP alpha-fetoproteinAGA appropriate for gestational ageAICD automatic implantable cardiac defibrillatorAIDS acquired immunodeficiency syndromeAK above the kneeAKA above the knee amputationALP alkaline phosphataseALS advanced life support, amyotrophic lateral sclerosisALT alanine aminostransferasealt.h alternate hoursAM morningAMA against medical adviceamb ambulatoryAMI acute myocardial infarcationAML acute myelogenous leukemiaamp ampuleamt amountAOB alcohol on breathAODM adult onset diabetes mellitusAP apical pulseA-P, AP, A/P anterior-posteriorapprox approximately

APSGN acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritisaq waterARF acute renal failureAROM artificial rupture of membranesAS left earASAP as soon as possibleASCVD arteriosclerotic cardiovascular diseaseASD atrial septal defectASHD arteriosclerotic heart diseaseAST aspartate aminotransferaseATN acute tubular necrosisAU each earA-V, AV, A/V arteriovenous, antrioventricularAVB atrio-ventricular blockA-VO2 arteriovenous oxygenAx axillaryBa bariumBBB blood-brain barrier; bundle-branch blockBBS bilateral breath soundsBCAA branched chain amino acidsBCLS basic cardiac life supportBE barium enemaBEE basal energy expenditurebid, BID twice per daybilat bilateralBK below the kneeBKA below the knee amputationBM bowel movementBMI body mass indexBMR basal metabolic rateBOWI bag of waters intactBP blood pressure, buccopulpalbpm beats per minuteBR bed restBRP bathroom privilegesBS bowel soundsBSA body surface areaBSE breast self-examinationBT bowel tonesBTL bilateral tubal ligationBUN blood urea nitrogenBx biopsyC Celsius (centigrade)c withC&S culture and sensitivity

c/o complains ofCa calciumca cancerCABG coronary artery bypass graftCAD coronary artery diseaseCAPD continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysiscaps capsuleCAT computerized (axial) tomographyCBC, cbc complete blood cellCBD common bile ductCC chief complaintcc* cubic centimeterCCK cholecystokininCCU coronary care unit, critical care unitCF cystic fibrosisCFT complement-fixation testCHD congenital heart disease, coronary heart diseaseCHF congestive heart failureCHO carbohydrateCI cardiac indexCIN cervical intraepithelial neoplasmCK creatinine kinaseCL cleft lipcm centimeterCMS circulation movement sensationCMV cytomegalovirusCNS central nervous systemCO carbon monoxide; cardiac output; castor oilCO2 carbon dioxideCOLD chronic obstructive lung diseaseCOPD chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCP cerebral palsy, cleft palateCPK creatine phosphokinaseCPP cerebral perfusion pressureCPPD chest percussion and post drainageCPR cardiopulmonary resuscitationCRF chronic renal failureCRRT continuous renal replacement therapyCRT capillary refill timeCSF cerebrospinal fluid; colony-stimulating factorCST contraction stress testCT computed tomography; chest tubeCVA cerebrovascular accident, costovertebral angleCVP central venous pressure

Cx cervixCXR chest x-rayd dayD&C dilatation and curettageD5W dextrose 5% in waterDAT diet as tolerateddc, DC,D/C discontinue or dischargeDDx differential diagnosisDEX (DXT) blood sugarDI diabetes insipidusDIC disseminated intravascular coagulationdiff differential blood countdil dilute, dissolveDIP distal interphalangeal jointdisch; DC dischargeDKA diabetic ketoacidosisdl, dL deciliterDM diabetes mellitusDNA deoxyribonucleic acidDNR do not resuscitateDOA dead on arrivalDOB date of birthDOE dyspneic on exertionDPL diagnostic peritoneal lavageDPT diphtheria-pertussis-tetanusdr dramDRG diagnosis-related groupdrsg dressingDSM-IV Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental DisordersDT delirium tremensDTR deep tendon reflexDVT deep vein thrombosisDx diagnosisEBL estimated blood lossEBV Epstein-Barr virusECF extended care facility, extracellular fluidECG electrocardiogram, electrocardiographECHO echocardiographyECT electroconvulsive therapyED emergency departmentEDB estimated date of birthEDC expected date of confinementEDD estimated date of deliveryEEG electroencephalogramEENT eye, ear, nose, throateff effacementEFM electronic fetal monitoring

ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assayelix elixirEMG electromyogramEMS emergency medical serviceEMT emergency medical serviceepid epiduralepis episiotomyER emergency room ERV expiratory reserve volumeESR erythrocyte sedimentation rateESRD end-stage renal diseaseET endotracheal tubeETOH ethanolext extractF FahrenheitFA fatty acidsFBS fasting blood sugarFD fatal dose; focal distanceFe ironFEV forced expiratory volumeFFP fresh frozen plasmaFH, Fhx family historyFHR fetal heart toneFld,Fl fluidFOU fever of unknown originFTT failure to thriveFUO fever of unknown originFVD fluid volume deficitfx fractureg, GM, gm gramG, Gr, Grav gravidagal gallonGB gallbladderGC gonococcus or gonorrhealGDM gestational diabetes mellitusGERD gastroesophageal efflux diseasegest gestationGETT general by endotracheal tubeGFR glomerular filtration rateGGT gamma-glutamyl transferaseGI gastrointestinalgl gastrointestinalgm gramgr grainGSW gunshot woundgtt dropsGU genitourinaryGVHD graft-versus-host-diseaseGXT graded exercise tolerance (stress test)

Gyn gynecologyH hypodermicH&P history and physicalh, hr hourH/H Henderson-hasselbach equation; hemoglobin/hematocrith/o history ofH2O waterH2O2 hydrogen peroxideHA headacheHAA hepatitis B surface antigenHAV hepatitis A virusHBP high blood pressureHCG human chrorionic gonadotropinHCO3 bicarbonateHCT hematocritHDL high-density lipoproteinHEENT head, eye, ear, nose, and throatHELLP Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Lowered PlateletsHg mercuryHgb hemoglobinHIV human immunodeficiency (AIDS) virusHLA histocompatibility locus antigenHO history ofHOB head of bedHPF high power fieldHPI history of present illnessHR heart rateHRT hormone replacement therapyhs* bedtimeHSV herpes simplex virusHT, HTN hypertensionhx, Hx historyhypo hypodermicI&O intake and outputIBC iron binding capacityIBD inflammatory bowel diseaseIBS irritable bowel syndromeIBW ideal body weightICCE intracapsular cataract extractionICF intermediate care facilityICP intracranial pressureICS intercostals spaceICT inflammation of connective tissueICU intensive care unitID intradermalIDDM insulin-dependent diabetes mellitusIDM infant of a diabetic mother

IFM internal fetal Ig immunoglobulinIH infectious hepatitisIHD ischemic heart diseaseIHSS idiopathic hypertropic subaortic stenosisIM intramuscularIMV intermittent mandatory ventilationin inchIN intranasalINR international normalization ratioIPD intermittent peritoneal dialysisIPPB intermittent positive pressure breathingIRDM insulin resistant diabetes mellitusIRV inpiratory reserve volumeITP idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpuraiu*, IU*international unitIUD intrauterine deviceIUPC intrauterine pressure cathererIV intravenousIVC intravenous cholangiogram; inferior vena cavaIVF in vitro fertilizationIVP intravenous pyelogram, intravenous pushIVPB intravenous piggybackJODM juvenile onset diabetes mellitusJVD jugular vein distentionJVP jugular vein pressureK* potassiumKCI potassium chloridekg kilogramKOR keep open rateKUB….kidney/ureter/bladderKVO keep vein openL left, liter, length, lumbar, lethalL&A light and accomodationL&D labor and deliveryL&W living and welllab laboratoryLAD left axis deviation; left anterior descendingLAE left atrial enlargementLAHB left anterior hemiblockLAP left atrial pressure or leukocyte alkaline phosphataselat lateralLB large bowellb poundLBBB left bundle branch block

LDH lactate dehydrogenaseLDL low-density lipoproteinLE lower extremity, lupus erythematosusLFTs liver function testsLGA large for gestational ageLIH left inguinal herniaLIJ left internal jugularliq liquidLLE left lower extremityLLL left lower lobeLLQ left lower quadrantLMP last menstrual periodLNMP last normal menstrual periodLOC level/loss of consciousnessLP lumbar puctureLPN licensed practical nurseLR lactated Ringer’sLSC left subclavianLUE left upper extremityLUL left upper lobeLUQ left upper quadrantLV left ventricleLVEDP left ventricular end diastolic pressureLVH left ventricular hypertrophym mater; minimMAE moves all extremitiesMAO monoamine oxidaseMAP mean arterial pressureMAR medication administration recordMAST medical antishock trousersMBT maternal blood typemcg microgramMCH mean corpuscular hemoglobinMCHC mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrationMCL modified chest leadMCV mean corpuscular volume, molluscumMD muscular dystrophyMDI multiple daily vitaminmeds medicationsmEq milliequivalentMFM Maternal-Fetal MedicineMg magnesium sulfatemg milligramMI myocardial infectionml, mL.milliliterMLE median episiotomymm millimeter

MM mucus membranemmHg millimeters of mercuryMMR maternal mortality rate; measles-mumps-rubellamod moderatemonitoringMRI magnetic resonance imagingMS multiple sclerosisMSF meconium-stained fluidMultip multiparaMVA motor vehicle accidentMVU Montevideo unitN&V, N/V nausea and vomitingN/A not applicableNa+ sodiumNaCl sodium chlorideNAD no apparent distressNANDA North American Nursing Diagnosisneg negativeNG nasogastricNIBP noninvasive blood pressureNICU neonatal intensive care unitNIDDM non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitusNIL not in laborNKA no known allergiesNKDA no known drug allergiesNKMA no known medication allergiesNMR nuclear magnetic resonanceno numbernoc nightnpo, NPO nothing by mouthNS normal salineNSAID non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugsNSD normal spontaneous deliveryNSR normal sinus rhythmNST nonstress testNT nasotrachealNTD neural tube defectNV nausea and vomitingNYD not yet diagnosedO2 oxygenOB obstetricsOBS organic brain syndromeOCG oral cholecystogramOD optical density, overdose, right eyeOGTT oral glucose tolerance testOM otitis mediaOOB out of bed

OPV oral polio vaccineOR operating roomORIF open reduction internal fixationOS left eyeos mouthOT occupational therapyOTC over-the-counterOU each eyeoz ouncep afterP para or pulseP&PD percussion and postural drainageP-A, PA, P/A posterior-anteriorPABA para-aminobenzoic acidPAC premature atrial contractionPALS pediatric advance life supportPAO2 alveolar oxygenPaO2 peripheral arterial oxygen contentPAP pulmonary artery pressurePara I, II, etc unipara, bipara, tripara, etcPAT paroxysmal atrial tachycardiapc after mealPCA patient-controlled analgesiaPCN penicillin; primary care nursePCV packed cell voulmePCWP pulmonary capillary wedge pressurePD peritoneal dialysisPDA patent ductus arteriosusPDD pervasive development disorderPDR physicians desk referencePE physical examination; pulmonary embolus; pleural effusionPEEP positive end expiratory pressurePEFR peak expiratory flow ratePEG percutaneous endoscopic gastrotomyper through or byPeri care perineal carePERRLA pupils equal, regular react to light, accommodationPI pulmonic insufficiency disease; present illnessPICC peripherally inserted central venous catheterPID pelvic inflammatory diseasePIH pregnancy-induced hypertensionPit PitocinPKU phenylketonuriaPM eveningPMH past medical historyPMI point of maximal impulse

PMN polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes (polys)PMS premenstrual syndromePND paroxysmal nocturnal dyspneaPO, poorallyPOD post-op dayPostop postoperativelyPP postpartumPPD purified protein derivative (TB test)PR by rectumPRBC packed red blood cellsPreop preoperativelyprep preaparationpres presentationprimip primiparaPRN, prn as required/when necessarypro time prothrombin timePSA prostate-specific antigenPt patientpt pintPT prothrombin time, physical therapyPTCA percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplastyPTH parathyroid hormonePTL preterm laborPTT partial thromboplastin timePUD peptic ulver diseasePUFT Pelvic Uterine Full TermPVC premature ventricular contractionPVD peripheral vascular diseasePx pneumothoraxq everyq2h every 2 hrsq3h every 3 hrsq4h every 4 hrsqd* every dayqh every hrqid, QID 4x a dayQNS quantity not sufficientqod* every other dayqs as sufficientqt quartQt total cardiac outputR respiration, right, Rickettsia, roentgenR/ takeR/O rule outR/T related toRA rheumatoid arthritisRAD right atrial axis deviationRAE right atrial enlargement

RAI radioactive iodineRAIU radioactive iodine uptakeRAP right atrial pressureRBBB right bundle branch blockRBC, rbc red blood cellRDA recommended daily/dietary allowanceRDS respiratory distress Rh symbol of rhesus factor, symbol for rhodiumRLE right lower extremityRLL right lower lobeRLQ right lower quadrantRML right middle lobe of lungRNA ribonucleic acidROM range of motion, rupture of membraneROS review of systemsRR recovery room, respiratory rateRT radiation therapy; reading test; respiratory therapyRUE right upper extremityRUL right upper lobeRUQ right upper quadrantRx take, prescriptions withouts/p status posts/s signs and symptomsS-A, SA, S/A sinoatrialsc*, SC*, SQ*, Sub-Q subcutaneousSCN special care nurserySed rate sedimentation rateSGA small for gestational ageSGOT serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminaseSGPT serum glutamic pyruvic transaminaseSI Systeme InternationalSIDS sudden infant death syndromeSL sublingualSLE systematic lupus erythematosusSNF skilled nursing facilitySOB shortness of breathsol solutionsp.gr. specific gravityspec specimenSROM spontaneous rupture of membraness one halfSSE soapsuds enemasta stationStaph staphylococcus

stat immediatelySTD sexually transmitted disease; skin test doseStrep streptococcussupp suppositorysusp suspensionSVE sterile vaginal examinationSx symptomssyr syrupT&A tonsillectomy and adenoidectomyT, Tbsp tablespoontab tabletTab therapeutic abortionTB tuberculin, tuberculosis, tubercle bacillusTENS transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulationTIA transient ischemic attackTIBC total iron binding capacitytid, TID .three times a dayTKO to keep openTL tubal ligationTM tympanic membraneTMJ temporomandibular jointTNTC too numerous to countTO telephone orderTPN total parenteral nutritionTPR temperature, pulse and respirationtr, tinct tinctureTSE testicular self-examinationTSH thyroid stimulating hormonetsp teaspoonTURP transurethral resection of prostateTWE tap water enemaTx treatmentU* unit, umbilicusUA urinalysisUAO upper airway obstructionUBT urea breath testUBW usual body weightud as directedUE upper extremityUGI upper gastrointestinalung ointmentUPJ ureteropelvic junctionURI urinary tract infectionUS ultrasound

UUN urinary urea nitrogenUVJ ureterovesical junctionV/Q ventilation-perfusionVA visual acuityVAD vincristine adriblastine dexamethasoneVAMP vincristine adriblastine methylprednisoneVBAC vaginal birth after cesareanVC vital capacityVCUG voiding cysourethrogramVD vaginal deliveryVDRL venereal diseases research laboratoryVE vaginal examination VEB ventricular ectopic beatVF/Vfib ventricular fibrillationVIP vasoactive intestinal peptidevit vitaminVLDL very low density lipoproteinVMA vanillylmandelic acidVO verbal orderVOD volume of distributionvol volumeVPA valproic acidVQ verbal or voice orderVRE vancomycin Resistant EnterococciVS, vs vital signsVSD ventricular septal defectVSS vital signs stableVT ventricular tachycardiaVW vessel wallW/C wheelchairWAT white adipose tissueWB whole bloodWBC, wbc white blood cellsWD well developedWF white femaleWM white maleWN well nourishedWNL within normal limitsWPW wolf-parkinson-whitewt weightXRT x-ray therapyyo years oldZE zollinger-ellison

PREFIXESab away fromad to or towardaer airambi bothamphi about, on both sides, bothampho bothan, a absentana up, back, again, excessiveangio blood vesselante before, forwardanti against, opposed to, reversedapo from, away fromarteri arteryaud earbi twobrady slowcardi heartcata down, according to, completecephalheadcerebro brainchole gallbladderchondr cartilagecircum around, aboutcirrho yellowco, con with, togethercolo coloncom with, togethercon with, togethercontra against, oppositecran headcrani skullcyano bluecysto liquid filled urinary bladderdactyl fingers/toesde down, fromdent (o) teethderma skindia through, apart, acrossdis reversal, apart from, separationdys bad, difficult, disorderede withoutec out fromecto on outer side, situated onem, en inencephala brainendo withinenter intestinesepi upon, onerythro red

ex, extra outside ofexo outside, on outer side, outer layergastr stomachglyco sugarhapat liverhe mi halfhem bloodhemato bloodhemi one halfhyper over, above, excessivehypo under, below, deficientileo ileumili iliumim, in in, intoim, in notinfra belowinter betweenintra withinintro into, withinleuko whitelingu tonguelip fatlitho stonemacro largemal badmega largemelano blackmesi, meso middlemeta beyond, after, changemicro smallmono onemulti manymy musclemyel bone marrowmyelo spinal cordneo new, recentnephr kidneyneuro nervous systemopistho behind, backopthalm eyeosteo boneot earpara beside, beyond, near toper through excessiveperi aroundphag eatphlegm veinpneum lungpolio gray

poly manypost after, behindpre before, in front ofpro before, in front ofproct rectalpsycho the mindre back againren kidneyretro backward, locate behindrhin noserhino nosesemi halfspleenspleen

spondyl spinal cordsub undersuper above, upper, excessivesupra above, upper, excessivesym together, with syndrometachy fasttetra fourtrans across, through, beyondtri threeultra beyond, in excessuni onevascular blood vesselvenous vein

SUFFIXES

ac, al pertaining toalgia painapheresis removalase enzymeate, ize use, subjectatresiaabsence of a normal body opening, occlusion, closurecapniacarbon dioxidecele protrusioncentesis puncture to remove fluidcidal killingclasia, clasis, clast breakcle, cule smallclysis irrigating, washingcrine separate, secretecyte celldesis aurgical fixation, fusiondrome run, runningdynia painectomy removalectopia displacementemesis vomitemia bloodent, er, ist personesis, tion conditiongenic origingram/graphy written recordsia, ism, ity conditioniasis presence ofiatry physician, treatmentible, ile capableictal seizure, attack

itis inflammationlogy study oflysis loosening, dissolution, separatinglytic destroy, reducemalacia softeningmania madness, insane desiremegaly enlargementmetry measurementodia smellodyniapainola, ole smallold resemblingoma tumoroma tumor, swellingopia visionosis, sis abnormalostomy openingous, tic pertaining tooxia oxygenpathy diseasepenia deficiency ofpepsiadigestionpexy, pexis fixationphagia, phagy eatingphilia lovephobia fearphonia sound or voicephoria feelingphysisgrowthplasia formation, development, a growthplasm growth, substance, formationplasty surgical shaping

plegia paralysispnea breathingpoiesis formationporosis passageprandial mealpraxia in front of, beforeptosis prolapse, downptysis spittingrrhage, rrhagia excessive flowrrhea flowrrhexis rupturerrphaphy suturing in placesarcoma malignant tumorsclerosis hardeningscope examination instrumentscopy examinationsis state of

spasmsudden involuntary muscle contractionstalsis contractionstasis control, stopstenosis constriction, narrowingstomy surgical openingtic relating totion conditiontocia birth, labortome instrumenttomy incisiontripsy surgical crushingtrophy nourishmentule smallulum smallulus smalluria urine