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