Medical Abbreviations Medical Terminology Utah State Office of

Medical Abbreviations Medical Terminology Utah State Office of Education

Medical Abbreviations n In both written and oral communication, medical personnel use a large number of abbreviations to save time as well as to save space on forms. n Some abbreviations are immediately obvious or make sense; others are not and can be very confusing. Utah State Office of Education

Medical Abbreviations n The use of the incorrect abbreviation can result in serious problems for a patient, as well as with insurance records and processing. n If you have any concern that you will confuse someone by using an abbreviation, spell out the word instead. n It is NEVER a good idea to use your own abbreviations. Utah State Office of Education

Medical Abbreviations n Each hospital, clinic, or healthcare setting has its own list of acceptable charting abbreviations. n Be sure to request a list and use them appropriately. Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n A - assessment n a – before n ac – before meals n ADL – activities of daily living n ad lib – as desired n AIDS – acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome n am/AM – between midnight and noon n amb – ambulate, ambulatory n amt – amount Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n AP – anterior posterior n ASA – aspirin n ASAP – as soon as possible n av/AV/A-V – atrioventricular n ax – axillary n B – bilateral n bid – twice a day n BM – bowel movement n BP – blood pressure Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n BS – blood sugar OR bowel sounds OR breath sounds n Bx – biopsy n c – with n C – celsius n CA – cancer n CBC – complete blood count n CC – chief complaint n cc – cubic centimeter Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n CHF – congestive heart failure n cm – centimeter n CNS – central nervous system n c/o – complains of n CO 2 – carbon dioxide n COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease n CPR – cardiopulmonary resuscitation n CSF – cerebrospinal fluid n CT – computer tomography Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n CVA – cerebrovascular accident n CXR – chest xray n d – day n dc/DC or D/C – discontinue n DM – diabetes mellitus n DNR – do not resuscitate n DOA – dead on arrival n DOB – date of birth n DRG – diagnosis-related group Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n DVT – deep vein thrombosis n Dx – diagnosis n ECG/EKG – electrocardiogram n EEG – electroencephalogram n EMG – electromyogram n ENT – ear, nose, and throat n ER – emergency room n ETA – estimate time of arrival n ETOH – alcohol (beverage) Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n F – Fahrenheit n FBS – fasting blood sugar n FUO – fever of unknown origin n fx – fracture n g or gm – gram n GERD – gastroesophageal reflux disease n GI – gastrointestinal n gtt or gtts – drop or drops n GTT – glucose tolerance test Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n GU – genitourinary n GYN/gyn – gynecology n h – hour n HA – headache n HBV – hepatitis B virus n Hct – hematocrit n HEENT – head, eyes, ears, nose, throat n Hg – mercury n Hgb/Hb - hemoglobin Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n H 2 O – water n H 2 O 2 – hydrogen peroxide n HIB – haemophilus influenzae type B n HIV – human immunodeficiency virus n H&P or Hx. Px – history and physical n HR – heart rate n hs – hour of sleep (bedtime) n Ht – height n Hx - history Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n ICU – intensive care unit n IDDM – insulin-dependant diabetes mellitus n I&D – incision and drainage n I&O – intake and output n IP – inpatient n IV – intravenous n K/K+ - potassium n kg – kilogram n L - left Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n L/l – liter n lb or # - pound n L&D – labor and delivery n LLQ – left lower quadrant n LMP – last menstrual period n LOC – level of consciousness or loss of consciousness n LUQ – left upper quadrant n mg or m - milligram Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n MI – myocardial infarction n ml – milliliter n Mm – millimeter n MRI – magnetic resonance imaging n Na/Na+ - sodium n N/A – not applicable n NB – newborn n NCR – no cardiac resuscitation n neg - negative Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n NKA – no known allergies n NKDA – no known drug allergies n noct – night n NPO/npo – nothing by mouth n NS – normal saline n N&V – nausea and vomiting n O 2 – oxygen n OA – osteoarthritis n OB/ob - obstetrics Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n OD – overdose or right eye n oint – ointment n OP – outpatient n OR – operating room n OS – left eye n OTC – over-the-counter n OU – both eyes n OV – office visit n oz - ounce Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n p – after n P – pulse n PDR – physician’s desk reference n PE – pulmonary embolus or physical exam n Peds – pediatrics n per – by or through n PET – positron emission tomography n PK – pain killer n pm/PM – between noon and midnight Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n PMS – pre-menstrual syndrome n PO – orally, by mouth n PRN/prn – as needed n Pt/pt – patient n q – every n qam – every morning n qd/qday – every day n q_h – every (number) hour(s) n for example: q 2 h = every 2 hours Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n qid – four times a day n R – rectal or respirations n R – right n RA – rheumatoid arthritis n RBC – red blood cell OR red blood count n reg – regular n RICE – rest, ice, compression, and elevation n RLQ – right lower quadrant n r/o, R/O – rule out Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n ROM – range of motion n ROS – review of systems n RRR – regular rate & rhythm (referring to the heart) n RTC – return to clinic n RUQ – right upper quadrant n Rx – take OR prescription n s – without n SA – sinoatrial node n SIDS – sudden infant death syndrome Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n sig – instructions or directions n sm – small n SO – standing order OR significant other n SOAP – subjective, objective, assessment, plan n SOB – shortness of breath n sq/subcu/subq – subcutaneous n S&S – signs and symptoms n stat - immediately Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n STD – sexually transmitted disease n T – temperature n tab(s) – tablet(s) n TB – tuberculosis n tbsp – tablespoon n TCDB – turn, cough, deep breathe n temp – temperature n tid – three times a day n TM – tympanic membrane Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n TPR – temperature, pulse, and respiration n tsp – teaspoon n Tx – therapy or treatment n U – unit n UA – urinalysis n UNK – unknown n URI – upper respiratory infection n UTI – urinary tract infection n UV – ultra-violet Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n VA – visual acuity n VBAC – vaginal birth after cesarean section n VS – vital signs n VSS – vital signs stable n w/a – when awake n WBC – white blood cell OR white blood count n w/c or W/C – wheelchair n wk – week n WNL – within normal limits Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n Wt – weight n YOB – year of birth n yr – year n > - greater than n < - less than n + - positive n - - negative n ~ - approximately n % - percent Utah State Office of Education

Common Abbreviations n n n n n - check or checked - increase or increasing - decrease or decreasing - to the right - to the left - change or changed @ - at - degree ♀ - female ♂ - male Utah State Office of Education