Abbreviations, Acronyms, & Symbols

  1. A.D.
    right ear
  2. A.S.
    left ear
  3. A.U.
    both ears
  4. A&P
    anterior and posterior

    auscultation and percussion
  5. A&W
    alive and well
  6. a.c.
    before meals
  7. AB
    abortion
  8. ABG
    arterial blood gas
  9. ABO
    a system of classifying blood groups
  10. AC
    acromioclavicular
  11. ACE
    Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
  12. ACTH
    adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticotropin
  13. ad lib
    as desired
  14. ADH
    antidiuretic hormone
  15. ADHD
    attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
  16. ADL
    activities of daily living
  17. AED
    automated external defibrilator
  18. Afib
    atrial fibrillation
  19. AFL
    atrial flutter
  20. AIDS
    acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
  21. AK
    actinic keratosis
  22. ALT
    Alanine aminotransferase (SGPT)
  23. AMA
    against medical advice
  24. AMI
    acute myocardial infarction
  25. ANA
    antinuclear antibody
  26. AOB
    alcohol on breath
  27. AP
    anteroposterior
  28. APAP
    acetaminophen
  29. appx
    appendectomy
  30. AQ
    water
  31. ARDS
    ADULT respiratory distress syndrome

    ACUTE respiratory distress syndrome
  32. ARF
    acute renal failure
  33. ASA
    aspirin
  34. ASHD
    atheroscleotic heart disease
  35. AST
    aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT)
  36. AV
    arteriovenous, atrioventricular
  37. B
    black
  38. B (with circle around)
    bilateral
  39. b.i.d.
    twice a day
  40. bact
    bacteriology
  41. bcp, ocp
    birth control pill, oral contraceptive pill
  42. BD
    bipolar disorder
  43. BMR
    basal metabolic rate
  44. BP
    blood pressure
  45. BPH
    benign prostatic hypertrophy
  46. bpm
    beats per minute
  47. BPR
    beats per rectum
  48. BRP
    bathroom privaleges
  49. BS
    bowel sounds or breath sounds;

    blood sugar
  50. BSA
    body surface area
  51. BLS
    basic life support
  52. BUN
    blood urea nitrogen
  53. BX, Bx
    biopsy
  54. C
    celsius, centigrade, complement
  55. C&S
    culture and sensitivity
  56. c*
    with
  57. c/o
    complains of
  58. C/S
    caesarean section
  59. c/w
    consistent with
  60. CA, Ca, ca
    cancer, carcinoma
  61. CABG
    coronary artery bypass graft
  62. CAD
    coronary artery disease
  63. caps
    capsules
  64. CAT
    computed axial tomography
  65. CBC
    complete blood count
  66. CBC w/diff
    complete blood count with white cell differential
  67. cc
    cubic centimeter
  68. CC, C.C.
    chief complaint
  69. CCE
    clubbing, cyanosis, or edema
  70. CCU
    coronary care unit
  71. cg
    centigram
  72. CHD
    coronary heart disease or congenital heart disease
  73. CHF
    congestive heart failure
  74. CK
    creatine kinase
  75. CN (n)
    cranial nerves
  76. CO
    carbon monoxide, cardiac outout
  77. COPD
    chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  78. CP
    chest pain
  79. CPAP
    continuous positive airway pressure
  80. CPD
    cephalopelvic disproportion
  81. CPK
    creatine phosphokinase
  82. CPR
    cardiopulmonary resusitation
  83. CRF
    chronic renal failure
  84. CSF
    cerebrospinal fluid
  85. CT
    computed tomography
  86. CTA
    clear to auscultation
  87. CTA&P
    clear to auscultation and percussion
  88. CTS
    carpal tunnel syndrome
  89. CVA
    cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
  90. CVAT
    costovertebral angle tenderness
  91. CXR
    cheset x-ray
  92. d
    day
  93. D&C
    dilatation and curettage
  94. d/c
    discharge or release from care or discontinue
  95. D/W
    dextrose in water
  96. DBP
    diastolic blood pressure
  97. DDS
    doctor of dental surgery
  98. DDX
    differential diagnosis
  99. DIC
    disseminated intravascular coagulation
  100. DIFF, diff
    differential blood count
  101. DIP
    distal interphalengeal joint
  102. DJD
    degenerative joint disease
  103. DKA
    diabetic ketoacidosis
  104. DM
    diabetes mellitus
  105. DO
    doctor of osteopathy
  106. DOE
    dyspnea on exertion
  107. DP
    dorsalis pedis
  108. DPM
    doctor of pediatric medicine
  109. DPT
    diptheria, pertussis, and tetanus
  110. DRE
    digital rectum exam
  111. DTR
    deep tendon reflex
  112. DVT
    deep vein thrombosis
  113. DX, Dx, dx
    diagnosis
  114. EAC
    external auditory canal
  115. ECF
    extracellular fluid
  116. ECU
    emergency care unit
  117. ED
    emergency departmaent
  118. EDD
    estimated date of delivery
  119. EEG
    electroencephalogram
  120. EGD
    esophagogastroduodenoscopy
  121. EF
    ejection fraction
  122. EJV
    external jugular vein
  123. ENT
    ear, nose, and throat
  124. EOMI
    extraocullar muscles intact
  125. ER
    emergency room
  126. ERCP
    endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
  127. ERT
    estrogen replacement therapy
  128. EtOH
    ethanol
  129. exc
    excision
  130. FBS
    fasting blood sugar
  131. FDLMP
    first day of last menstrual period
  132. FH, FHx
    family history
  133. fl oz
    fluid ounce
  134. FUO
    fever of unknown origin
  135. fx
    fracture
  136. GAD
    generalize anxiety disorder
  137. GB
    gall bladder
  138. GERD
    gastroesophageal reflux disease
  139. GFR
    glomerular filtration rate
  140. GP
    general practitioner
  141. gr
    grain
  142. GSW
    gun shot wound
  143. gt, gtt
    drop, drops
  144. GU
    genitourinary
  145. GYN, gyn
    gynecology
  146. H&P
    history and physical exam
  147. h.s.
    at bedtime, hour of sleep
  148. HA
    headache
  149. HAV
    hepatitis A virus
  150. Hb
    hemoglobin
  151. HBV
    hepatitis B virus
  152. HCT
    hematocrit
  153. HCV
    hepatitis C virus
  154. HDL
    high-density lipoprotein
  155. HEENT
    head, eyes, ears, nose, throat
  156. Hgb
    hemoglobin
  157. Hr
    hour
  158. HR
    heart rate
  159. HRT
    hormone replacement therapy (refers to estrogen plus progestin)
  160. HSM
    hepatosplenomegaly
  161. HSV
    herpes simplex virus
  162. Ht
    height
  163. HTN (HT, HBP)
    hypertension
  164. Hx, hx
    history
  165. HxPI
    history of present illness
  166. I&D
    incision and drainage
  167. I&O
    intake and output
  168. I.M.
    intramuscular
  169. I.V.
    intravenous
  170. ICD
    implantable cardioverter defibrillator
  171. ICF
    intracellular fluid
  172. ICS
    intercostal space
  173. ICU
    intensive care unit
  174. ID
    intradermal
  175. IDDM
    insulin dependant diabetes mellitus
  176. IJV
    internal jugular vein
  177. IMP
    impression
  178. inj
    inject
  179. IP
    interphalangeal joint or inpatient
  180. IU
    international unit
  181. IUD
    intrauterine device
  182. IUP
    intrauterine pregnancy
  183. IVDU
    intravenous drug user
  184. IVP
    interavenous pyelogram
  185. JVD
    jugular venous distension
  186. JVP
    jugular venous pulsation
  187. kcal
    kilocalorie (food calorie)
  188. KO
    keep open
  189. KUB
    kidney, ureter, bladder
  190. L (with circle around)
    left
  191. L&W
    living and well
  192. LAD
    left anterior descending (coronary artery)
  193. lat
    lateral
  194. LE
    lower extremity
  195. LMP
    last menstrual period
  196. LOC
    loss of/level of conciousness
  197. LP
    lumbar puncture
  198. LSB
    left sternal border
  199. lt
    left
  200. LUQ
    left upper quadrant
  201. LV
    left ventricle
  202. LVH
    left ventricular hypertrophy
  203. m
    meter
  204. M
    male
  205. m (with circle around)
    murmur
  206. M.
    muscle
  207. MAL
    midaxillary line
  208. MCH
    mean corpuscular hemoglobin
  209. MCHC
    mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration
  210. MCL
    midclavicular line
  211. MCP
    metacarpophalangeal joint
  212. MCV
    mean corpuscular volume
  213. MD
    medical doctor, muscular dystrophy
  214. MI
    myocardial infarction
  215. MM
    mucous membrane
  216. mo
    month
  217. MRI
    magnetic resonance sulfate
  218. MSL
    midsternal line
  219. MTP
    metatarsophalangeal joint
  220. MUGA
    multiple gated acquisition analysis
  221. MVA
    motor vehicle accident
  222. MVP
    mitral valve prolapse
  223. N
    nitrogen, normal (strengh of solution)
  224. N/V/D/C
    nausea, vomitting, diarrhea, constipation
  225. NABS
    normoactive bowel sounds
  226. NCAT
    normocephalic, atraumatic (refers to the head)
  227. NG
    nasogastric
  228. NGT
    nasogastric tube
  229. NIDDM
    non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
  230. NKA
    no known allergies
  231. NKDA
    no known drug allergies
  232. noc
    night
  233. NPO
    nothing by mouth
  234. NSAID
    non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
  235. NSR
    normal sinus rhythm
  236. O.D.
  237. right eye
  238. O
    eye
  239. O.S.
    left eye
  240. O.U.
    both eyes
  241. A
    ear
  242. ob-GYN
    obstetrics and gynecology
  243. OCD
    obsessive compulsive disorder
  244. OH
    occupational history
  245. OI
    opportunistic infection
  246. ORIF
    open reduction, internal fixation
  247. OV
    office visit
  248. oz
    ounce
  249. P
    pulse, pressure, phosphorus, plan, posterior
  250. p*
    after
  251. p.c.
    after meals
  252. P.O.
    by mouth
  253. p.r.n.
    as needed, whenever neccessary
  254. pack years
    packs smoked per day X number of years smoking
  255. PADx
    peripheral arterial disease
  256. PAP
    papanicolaou smear
  257. PAR
    postanesthetic recovery
  258. PCN
    penicillin
  259. PD
    panic disorder
  260. PDA
    patent ductus arteriosus
  261. PE
    physical examination
  262. peds
    pediatrics
  263. PEFR
    peak expiratory flow rate
  264. per
    by or through
  265. Perrla
    pupils equal, round, react to light and accomodation
  266. PET
    positron emission tomography
  267. PF
    peak flow
  268. PFT
    pulmonary function testing
  269. pH
    hydrogen ion concentration
  270. PH
    past history
  271. PI
    present illness
  272. PID
    pelvic inflammatory disease
  273. PIP
    proximal interphalangeal joint
  274. PKU
    phenylketonuria
  275. PLT
    platelet
  276. PMH
    past medical history
  277. PMI
    point of maximal impulse
  278. PND
    paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
  279. PNS
    peripheral nervous system
  280. PPBS
    post prandial blood sugar
  281. PPD
    purified protein derivative (of tuberculin)
  282. PR
    per rectum
  283. PSA
    prostate specific antigen
  284. PT
    physical therapy
  285. pt.
    patient
  286. PTA
    prior to admission
  287. PTT
    partial thromboplastin time
  288. PUD
    peptic ulcer disease
  289. PV
    per vagina
  290. Px
    physical examination
  291. q
    every
  292. q.d.
    every day
  293. q.h.
    every hour
  294. q.i.d.
    four times a day
  295. q2h
    every 2 hours
  296. q4h
    every 4 hours
  297. qns
    quantity not sufficient
  298. qod
    every other day
  299. R
    respirations
  300. R (with circle around)
    right
  301. R/O
    rule out
  302. R/R/R
    rales, rhonchi, or rubs
  303. RA
    rheumatoid arthritis
  304. RAM
    rapid alternating movements
  305. RCA
    right coronary artery
  306. RCM
    right costal margin
  307. RLQ
    right lower quadrant
  308. RN
    registered nurse
  309. ROM
    range of motion
  310. ROS
    review of systems
  311. RRR
    regular rate and rhythm
  312. RTC
    return to clinic
  313. RUQ
    right upper quadrant
  314. Rx
    prescription, recipe, take thou
  315. S
    subjective
  316. S&S
    signs and symptoms
  317. s*
    without
  318. S.C., SQ, subq
    subcutaneous
  319. S/NT
    soft, non-tender (refers to abdominal exam)
  320. S/P
    status post-after a given medical event
  321. S1, S2, etc.
    heart sounds
  322. SA
    sinoatrial (SA node)
  323. SBP
    systolic blood pressure
  324. SC
    sternoclavicular
  325. SDAT
    senile demitia of Alzheimer type
  326. sec
    second
  327. sequela (sequelae)
    condition following and resultinf from a disease
  328. SH
    social history
  329. SIADH
    syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
  330. SIDS
    sudden infant death syndrome
  331. sI.
    slight
  332. SLE
    systemic lupus erythmatosus
  333. SOB
    shortness of breath
  334. ss*
    one-half
  335. stat
    immediately
  336. SV
    stroke volume
  337. sx
    symptoms
  338. sz
    seizure
  339. T
    temperature
  340. T&A
    tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
  341. T&C
    type and crossmatch
  342. t.i.d.
    three times a day
  343. Tabs
    tablets
  344. TAH BSO
    total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
  345. TB
    tuberculosis
  346. TEDS
    thrombo-embolic disease stockings
  347. TEE
    transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke)
  348. TIBC
    total iron binding capacity
  349. TM
    tympanic membrane
  350. TMJ
    temporomandibular joint
  351. TPA
    tissue plasminogen activator
  352. TPN
    total parenteral nutrition
  353. TPR
    temperature, pulse, respirations
  354. Tr
    treatment
  355. tsp
    teaspoon
  356. TUR, TURP
    transdermal resection of the prostate
  357. tx
    treatment of therapy
  358. U/A, UA
    urinalysis
  359. UE
    upper extremity
  360. ung
    ointment
  361. URI
    upper respiratory infection
  362. US
    ultrasound
  363. UTI
    urinary tract infection
  364. VA
    visual field(s)
  365. Vfib
    ventricular fibrillation
  366. VS
    vital signs
  367. VSS
    vital signs stable
  368. VT
    ventricular tachycardia
  369. W
    white
  370. w/d
    withdrawal
  371. wa
    while awake
  372. WBC
    white blood cell
  373. WDWN
    well developed well nourished
  374. wk
    week
  375. WNL
    within normal limits
  376. Wt
    weight
  377. x*
    except
  378. yo
    years old
Author
LTran674
ID
4132
Card Set
Abbreviations, Acronyms, & Symbols
Description
Abbreviations
Updated