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MED TERM
TERMINOLOGY Common Medical Abbreviations
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| a | 1. before |
| a | 2. area |
| a | 3. asymmetric |
| a | 4. Artery |
| A | 1. adenine |
| A | 2. alanine |
| A | 3. as a subscript, used to refer to alveolar gas |
| AA, aa | amino acid |
| AA | Alcoholics Anonymous |
| AAA | abdominal aortic aneurysm |
| AAMA | American Association of Medical Assistants |
| AAMT | American Association for Medical Transcription |
| A&P | 1. auscultation and percussion |
| A&P | 2. anterior and posterior |
| AB | antibiotic |
| ABC | airway, breathing, and circulation; used in cardiac life support |
| ABCD | airway, breathing, circulation, and defibrillation; used in cardiac life support |
| ABCDE | airway, breathing, circulation and cervical spine, disability, and exposure; used in advanced trauma life support |
| ABG | arterial blood gas |
| ABR | auditory brainstem response |
| ABR test | auditory brainstem response test |
| a.c. | before meals (Latin ante cibum) |
| AC | air conduction |
| ACE | angiotensin-converting enzyme |
| ACE2 | angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 |
| AcG, ac-g | accelerator globulin |
| Ach | acetylcholine |
| ACL | anterior cruciate ligament |
| ACR | American College of Radiology |
| ACTH | adrenocorticotropic hormone |
| AD | Alzheimer disease |
| A.D. | right ear (Latin auris dextra) |
| ad lib. | freely (Latin ad libitum) |
| ADA | 1. American Dental Association |
| ADA | 2. Americans with Disabilities Act |
| ADAA | American Dental Assistants Association |
| ADD | attention deficit disorder |
| ADH | antidiuretic hormone |
| ADHD | attention deficit hyperactivity disorder |
| ADLs | activities of daily living |
| Adm | admission |
| ADR | adverse drug reaction |
| AF | atrial fibrillation |
| AFB | acid-fast bacillus |
| AFO | ankle-foot orthotic |
| Ag | silver |
| A/G | albumin: globulin ratio |
| AGN | 1. acute glomerulonephritis |
| AGN | 2. acute necrotizing gingivitis |
| AHD | atherosclerotic heart disease |
| AHIMA | American Health Information Management Association |
| AI | aortic insufficiency |
| AID | artificial insemination by donor |
| AIDS | acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency disease |
| AIH | artificial insemination, homologous (using the donor’s semen) |
| AK | actinic keratosis |
| A-K | above the knee |
| AKA | above-the-knee amputation |
| ALL | 1. acute lymphoblastic leukemia |
| ALL | 2. acute lymphocytic leukemia |
| ALS | amyotrophic lateral sclerosis |
| ALT | alanine aminotransferase |
| a.m., AM | before noon (Latin ante meridiem) |
| AMA | 1. against medical advice |
| AMA | 2. American Medical Association |
| AMC | arthrogryposis multiplex congenita |
| AMI | acute myocardial infarction |
| AML | 1. acute myelogenous lymphocytic leukemia |
| AML | 2. acute myeloblastic leukemia |
| AML | 3. acute myelocytic leukemia |
| AML | 4. acute myeloid leukemia |
| ANA | antinuclear antibody titer, elevated in connective tissue disease |
| ANUG | acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis |
| AP | 1. angina pectoris |
| AP | 2. arterial pressure |
| AP | 3. anterior pituitary |
| AP | 4. anteroposterior |
| AP & LAT | anteroposterior and lateral |
| AP view | anteroposterior view |
| APC | 1. acetylsalicylic acid, phenacetin, and caffeine, combined to make an analgesic |
| APC | 1.2. antigen-presenting cells |
| APTT | activated partial thromboplastin time |
| aq. | water |
| ARB | angiotensin II receptor blocker |
| ARC | AIDS-related complex |
| ARDS | 1. adult respiratory distress syndrome |
| ARDS | 2. acute respiratory distress syndrome |
| ARF | 1. acute renal failure |
| ARF | 2. acute respiratory failure |
| Arg | arginine |
| AROM | active range of motion |
| ART | 1. antiretroviral therapy |
| ART | 2. assisted reproductive technology |
| A.S. | left ear (Latin auris sinister) |
| ASA | (drug caution code) abbreviation of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), placed on the label of a medication as a warning that it contains acetylsalicylic acid, which can cause complications for someone with specific medical conditions |
| ASD | atrial septal defect |
| ASL | American Sign Language |
| ASP | aspartic acid |
| AST | aspartate aminotransferase |
| ATL | 1. adult T-cell leukemia |
| ATL | 2. adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma |
| ATL | 3. adult T-cell lymphoma |
| ATP | adenosine triphosphatase |
| A.U. | both ears (Latin auris unitas) |
| AUL | acute undifferentiated leukemia |
| AV | atrioventricular |
| AVM | arteriovenous malformation |
| AZT | azidothymidine, also known as zidovudine, a drug used in the treatment of HIV |
| Ba | barium |
| BaE, Ba enema, BE | barium enema |
| BAEP | brainstem auditory evoked potentials |
| BAER | brainstem auditory evoked response |
| baso | basophil |
| BBB | blood–brain barrier |
| BC | bone conduction |
| BCG | bacillus of Calmette and Guerin (vaccination for tuberculosis) |
| BIA | biological impedance analysis |
| b.i.d., bid, BID | two times a day (Latin bis in die, on prescriptions) |
| B-K | below the knee |
| BKA | below-knee amputation |
| BM | bowel movement |
| BMD | 1. bone mass density |
| BMD | 2. bone mineral density |
| BMI | body mass index |
| BMR | basal metabolic rate |
| BMT | bone marrow transplant |
| BP, bp | blood pressure |
| BPH | 1. benign prostatic hyperplasia |
| BPH | 2. benign prostatic hypertrophy |
| BSA | body surface area |
| BSE | bovine spongiform encephalopathy |
| BUN | blood urea nitrogen |
| bx, BX, Bx, Bx. | biopsy |
| BZD | benzodiazepine |
| c | 1. small calorie (gram calorie) |
| c | 2. centi- |
| c | 3. curie |
| C | 1. calorie (kilocalorie) |
| C | 2. carbon |
| C | 3. Celsius/centigrade |
| C | 4. cervical vertebra/vertebrae |
| C | 5. cytosine |
| Ca | calcium |
| CA | 1. (also ca) cancer/carcinoma |
| CA | 2. chronological age |
| CA | 3. coronary artery |
| CA-125 | cancer antigen 125 |
| CABG | coronary artery bypass graft |
| CAD | coronary artery disease |
| CAM | complementary and alternative medicine |
| cap | capsule |
| CAPD | continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis |
| CAT | computerized axial tomography |
| Cath, cath | catheter |
| CBC, cbc | complete blood count |
| CBT | cognitive behavioral therapy |
| cc | cubic centimeter |
| CC | chief complaint |
| CCS | certified coding specialist (hospital) |
| CCS-P | certified coding specialist—physician |
| CCU | coronary care unit |
| CDA | certified dental assistant |
| CDC | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| CEA | carcinoembryonic antigen |
| CHF | congestive heart failure |
| CIC | completely in the canal (said of hearing aids) |
| CIS | carcinoma in situ |
| CJD | Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease |
| CK | creatinine kinase |
| Cl | chlorine |
| CLL | chronic lymphocytic leukemia |
| cm | centimeter |
| CMA | certified medical assistant |
| CMI | cell-mediated immunity |
| CML | chronic myelogenous leukemia |
| CMS | Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services |
| CMT | certified medical transcriptionist |
| CMV | cytomegalovirus |
| CNS | central nervous system |
| C/o | complaining of |
| CO | cardiac output |
| CO2 | carbon dioxide |
| CoA | coarctation of the aorta |
| COBRA | U.S. Federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act |
| COLD | chronic obstructive lung disease |
| COPD | chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| CP | cerebral palsy |
| CPAP | continuous positive airway pressure |
| CPC | certified professional coder |
| CPC-H | certified professional coder—hospital |
| CPD | cephalopelvic disproportion |
| CPK | creatine phosphokinase |
| CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
| CPT | Current Procedural Terminology |
| CRF | 1. corticotropin-releasing factor |
| CRF | 2. chronic renal failure |
| CRH | corticotropin-releasing hormone |
| CRNA | Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist |
| CRP | 1. cAMP receptor protein |
| CRP | 2. C-reactive protein |
| CSF | 1. cerebrospinal fluid |
| CSF | 2. colony-stimulating factor |
| CT | computed tomography |
| CTS | carpal tunnel syndrome |
| CVA | 1. cerebrovascular attack |
| CVA | 2. cerebrovascular accident |
| CVC | central venous catheter |
| CVD | cardiovascular disease |
| CVP | central venous pressure |
| Cx | cervix |
| CXR | chest x-ray |
| D | (drug caution code) found on the label of some medications, indicating that it may cause drowsiness |
| D&C, D and C | dilation and curettage |
| D&E | dilation and evacuation |
| dB | decibel |
| D/c | discontinue |
| DC | 1. (also d.c.) direct current |
| DC | 2. Doctor of Chiropractic |
| DDS | 1. Doctor of Dental Surgery |
| DDS | 2. Denver Developmental Screening Test |
| def, DEF | decayed, extracted, and filled (said of teeth) |
| derm | dermatology |
| DES | diethylstilbestrol |
| DEXA scan | the image or data produced by a special x-ray machine, used to measure bone density [dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry] |
| DHEA | dehydroepiandrosterone |
| DHF | dengue hemorrhagic fever |
| DI | diabetes insipidus |
| diff | differential |
| diff dx | differential diagnosis |
| DLE | discoid lupus erythematosus |
| DM | diabetes mellitus |
| DNA | deoxyribonucleic acid |
| DNR | do not resuscitate |
| D.O. | Doctor of Osteopathy |
| DOA | dead on arrival |
| DOB | date of birth |
| Dr, Dr. | doctor |
| DRE | digital rectal exam |
| DRG | diagnosis-related group, payment categories used by hospitals to charge fees to insurers |
| DRI | dietary reference intake |
| DSA | digital subtraction angiography |
| DSM | Diagnostic and Statistical Manual |
| DT | 1. duration tetany, the spasm of degenerated muscle upon application of electrical current |
| DT | 2. diphtheria tetanus, a vaccine used for immunization of diphtheria and tetanus |
| DTs | delirium tremens |
| DV | daily value, as the recommended intake of a nutrient |
| DVT | deep vein thrombosis |
| dx, DX | diagnosis |
| DXA | dual x-ray absorptiometry |
| EBCT | electron beam computerized tomography |
| EBV | Epstein-Barr virus |
| ECG, EKG | electrocardiogram |
| ECHO | echocardiogram |
| ECMO | extracorporeal-membrane oxygenation, a complex therapeutic tool used in extreme ICU conditions where lung function has failed but is expected to recover within a few days |
| ECT | electroconvulsive therapy, formerly called electroshock therapy |
| ED | 1. effective dose |
| ED | 2. emergency department |
| ED | 3. erectile dysfunction |
| EDC | estimated date of confinement |
| EEE | eastern equine encephalitis |
| EEG | electroencephalogram |
| EENT | eye, ear, nose, and throat |
| EF | ejection fraction |
| EGD | esophagogastroduodenoscopy |
| EIA | enzyme immunoassay |
| EKG, ECG | electrocardiogram |
| ELISA | enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay |
| elix. | elixir |
| EMG | electromyogram |
| EMR | electronic medical record |
| EMT | emergency medical technician |
| ENT | ear, nose, throat |
| eos | eosinophil |
| EPO | erythropoietin |
| ER | 1. emergency room |
| ER | 2. estrogen receptor |
| ERCP | endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography |
| ERT | estrogen replacement therapy |
| ESP | extrasensory perception |
| ESR | erythrocyte sedimentation rate |
| ESRD | end-stage renal disease |
| ESWL | extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy |
| EUD | external urinary drainage |
| F | Fahrenheit |
| FAE | fetal alcohol effects |
| FAP | 1. familial adenomatous polyposis |
| FAP | 2. functional ambulation profile (analysis of a patient’s ability to walk) |
| FAS | fetal alcohol syndrome |
| FBG | fasting blood glucose |
| FBS | fasting blood sugar |
| FDA | Food and Drug Administration |
| FEF | forced expiratory flow |
| FET | forced expiratory time |
| FEV1 | forced expiratory volume measured during first second of expiration, useful in quantifying pulmonary disability |
| FHR | fetal heart rate |
| FHT | fetal heart tone |
| fMRI | functional magnetic resonance imaging, a type of magnetic resonance imaging that demonstrates the correlation between physical changes and mental functioning |
| FNA | fine needle aspiration biopsy |
| FP | 1. freezing point |
| FP | 2. family physician |
| FP | 3. family practice |
| FSH | follicle-stimulating hormone |
| ft. | foot; feet |
| FTT | failure to thrive |
| FUO | fever of unknown origin |
| FVC | forced vital capacity |
| Fx | fracture |
| g | gram; grams |
| G | 1.(drug caution code) abbreviation of glaucoma, placed on the label of a medication as a warning that it can cause complications for someone with the disease |
| G | 2. gravida |
| GB | gallbladder |
| GC | gas chromatography |
| g-cal | gram calorie |
| G-CSF | granulocyte colony-stimulating factor |
| GDM | gestational diabetes mellitus |
| GERD | gastroesophageal reflux disease |
| GFR | glomerular filtration rate |
| GH | growth hormone |
| GHB | gamma hydroxybutyrate |
| GHz | gigahertz |
| GI | gastrointestinal |
| GI series | gastrointestinal series |
| GI tract | gastrointestinal tract |
| GIFT | gamete intrafallopian transfer |
| GLC | gas-liquid chromatography |
| gm | gram; grams |
| GM-CSF | granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor |
| GOT | glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase |
| GSR | galvanic skin response |
| gtt | Latin guttae, drops |
| GTT | glucose tolerance test |
| GU | genitourinary |
| GYN | gynecology; gynecologist |
| h | 1. height |
| h | 2. hour |
| H | 1. hyperopia; hyperopic |
| H | 2. hydrogen |
| H | 3. (drug caution code) found on the label of medication indicating that it can be habit forming |
| H&P | history and physical |
| HAV | hepatitis A virus, the RNA virus that causes hepatitis A |
| Hb, Hgb | hemoglobin |
| HB | hepatitis B vaccine |
| HBIG | hepatitis B immune globulin |
| HBV | hepatitis B virus, the DNA virus that causes hepatitis B |
| HCFA | Health Care Finance Administration, now the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services |
| HCG | human chorionic gonadotropin |
| hct, HCT | hematocrit |
| HCV | hepatitis C virus, the RNA virus that causes hepatitis C |
| HD | Hodgkin disease |
| HDL | high-density lipoprotein |
| HDN | hemolytic disease of the newborn |
| HDV | hepatitis D virus, the RNA virus that causes hepatitis D |
| HEENT | head, ears, eyes, nose, throat |
| HEV | hepatitis E virus, the RNA virus that causes hepatitis E |
| Hg | mercury |
| HGB, Hgb, HB | hemoglobin |
| HGH | human growth hormone |
| HHS | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services |
| HIPAA | Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act |
| His | histidine |
| HIV | human immunodeficiency virus |
| HMD | hyaline membrane disease |
| HMO | health maintenance organization |
| h/o | history of |
| HPV | human papilloma virus |
| HRR | high-risk register |
| HRT | hormone replacement therapy |
| hs | at bedtime |
| HSG | hysterosalpingography |
| HSV | herpes simplex virus |
| HTLV | human T-cell leukemia virus |
| HTN | hypertension |
| hx | history |
| Hz | hertz |
| I | (drug caution code) a symbol placed on the label of a medication, indicating possible adverse interaction if taken with other drugs |
| I&D | incision and drainage |
| I&O | intake and output |
| IBD | inflammatory bowel disease |
| IBS | irritable bowel syndrome |
| ICD-10-CM | title of International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification; system for diagnosis classification now in use for medical coding; ICD-11 is under review and was expected to be adopted by 2018 but is delayed as it is still in test |
| ICF | 1. intermediate care facility |
| ICF | 2. intracellular acid |
| ICP | intracranial pressure |
| ICU | intensive care unit |
| IDDM | insulin-dependant diabetes mellitus |
| Ig | immunoglobulin |
| IgA | immunoglobulin A |
| IgD | immunoglobulin D |
| IgE | immunoglobulin E |
| IGF | insulin-like growth factor(s) |
| IgG | immunoglobulin G |
| IgM | immunoglobulin M |
| IL | interleukin |
| IM | intramuscular |
| IOL | intraocular lens |
| IOP | intraocular pressure |
| IPPB | intermittent positive pressure breathing |
| IPPV | intermittent positive pressure ventilation |
| IPV | inactivated polio vaccine |
| IQ | intelligence quotient |
| IU | international unit |
| IUD | intrauterine contraceptive device |
| IUI | intrauterine insemination |
| IV | 1. adj. intravenous |
| IV | 2. n. intravenous injection |
| IV | 3. n. intravenous drip |
| IVF | in vitro fertilization |
| IVP | intravenous pyelogram |
| K | potassium |
| kg | kilogram; kilograms |
| KUB | kidneys, ureter, and bladder |
| l, L | 1. liter; liters |
| l, L | 2. left |
| LAC | laceration |
| LASIK | laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis |
| lat | lateral |
| lb | pound; pounds |
| LD | lethal dose, often LD50 or LD95, used to describe the dose at which 50% or 95% of the subjects (usually lab animals) die |
| LDH | lactate dehydrogenase |
| LDL | low-density lipoprotein |
| LE | 1. left eye (usually abbreviated OS or o.s.) |
| LE | 2. lupus erythematosus (usually abbreviated SLE) |
| LEEP | loop electrosurgical excision procedure |
| LES | lower esophageal sphincter |
| LFT | liver function test |
| LH | luteinizing hormone |
| LI | large intestine |
| LLQ | left lower quadrant |
| LMP | last menstrual period |
| LOC | level of consciousness |
| LP | 1. latency period |
| LP | 2. lipoprotein/low protein |
| LP | 3. lumbar puncture |
| LPN | licensed practical nurse |
| LR | 1. labor room |
| LR | 2. lactated Ringer (injection or solution) |
| LR | 3. lateral rectus |
| LR | 4. light reaction or light reflex |
| LRM | left radical mastectomy |
| LRT | lower respiratory tract |
| LS | 1. left side |
| LS | 2. liver and spleen |
| LS | 3. lumbosacral |
| LS | 4. lymphosarcoma |
| LSH | lutein-stimulating hormone |
| LTC | long-term care |
| LUL | 1. left upper limb |
| LUL | 2. left upper lobe (of lung) |
| LUQ | left upper quadrant |
| LV | 1. left ventricle |
| LV | 2. leukemia virus |
| LV | 3. live virus |
| LVAD | left ventricular assist device |
| LVN | licensed vocational/visiting nurse |
| LVRS | lung volume reduction surgery |
| Lys | lysine |
| Mb | myoglobin |
| MBC | maximum breathing capacity |
| mcg | microgram; micrograms |
| MCH | 1. mean corpuscular hemoglobin |
| MCH | 2. maternal and child health (services) |
| MCHC | mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration |
| MCP | metacarpophalangeal |
| MCS | multiple chemical sensitivity |
| MCV | mean corpuscular volume |
| MD | 1. (also M.D.) Doctor of Medicine |
| MD | 2. muscular dystrophy |
| MDI | metered-dose inhaler |
| ME | medical examiner |
| MEP | maximum expiratory pressure |
| MET | 1. metabolic equivalent |
| MET | 2. muscle energy technique |
| mets | metastasis |
| mg | milligram |
| MG | myasthenia gravis |
| Mg | magnesium |
| mGy | milligray |
| mh, MHz | megahertz |
| MI | 1. myocardial infarction |
| MI | 2. mitral incompetence or inadequacy |
| MIS | medical information system |
| ml, mL | milliliter; milliliters |
| mm | millimeter; millimeters |
| MMPI | Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory |
| Mn | Manganese |
| mono | monocyte |
| MP | mentoposterior position |
| MPD | 1. multiple personality disorder |
| MPD | 2. medical program director |
| MR | mitral regurgitation |
| MRA | magnetic resonance angiography |
| MRI | magnetic resonance imaging |
| MS | 1. multiple sclerosis |
| MS | 2. mitral stenosis |
| MUGA | multiple-gated acquisition scan |
| MVP | mitral valve prolapse |
| N | nitrogen |
| Na | sodium |
| NARP | neuropathy, ataxia, and retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic disease inherited from the mother, featuring weakness of the muscles near the trunk, ataxia (wobbliness), seizures, disease of the retina, and sometimes retardation or developmental delay |
| ND | Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine |
| NEC | not elsewhere classified (used in medical coding) |
| neg, neg. | negative |
| neut | neutrophil |
| NG | nasogastric |
| NHL | non-Hodgkin lymphoma |
| NICU | neonatal intensive care unit |
| NIDDM | noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus |
| NK cell | natural killer cell |
| NKDA | no known drug allergies |
| NMR | nuclear magnetic resonance |
| noc. | at night (Latin nocte) |
| noc, n.o.c. | not otherwise classified |
| NOS | not otherwise specified (used in medical coding) |
| NPC | Niemann-Pick disease |
| NPO, n.p.o. | nothing by mouth (Latin nil per os) |
| NREM sleep or nonREM sleep | non-rapid eye movement sleep |
| NSAID | nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug |
| NTD | neural tube defect |
| O2 | oxygen |
| OB | obstetrics; obstetrician |
| OB/GYN | obstetrics and gynecology |
| OBS | organic brain syndrome |
| OCD | obsessive-compulsive disorder |
| OD | 1. n. an overdose |
| OD | 2. v. to overdose |
| o.d. | the right eye (Latin oculus dexter, in optometry) |
| oint, oint. | ointment |
| OR | operating room |
| orth | orthopedic surgeon |
| OS, o.s. | the left eye (Latin oculus sinister, in optometry) |
| OSA | obstructive sleep apnea |
| OSHA | Occupation Safety and Health Administration |
| OT | occupational therapy; occupational therapist |
| OTC | over the counter (for sale without a prescription) |
| OU, o.u. | each eye (Latin oculus uterque, in prescriptions) |
| oz, oz. | ounce; ounces |
| PA | 1. physician assistant |
| PA | 2. posteroanterior (as in a typical chest xray) |
| PA | 3. pulmonary artery |
| PAC | premature atrial contraction |
| PACU | post anesthesia care unit |
| Pap | 1. Papanicolaou(’s) |
| Pap | 2. (also pap) Pap test |
| Pap | 3. (also pap) Pap smear |
| PAP | 1. positive airway pressure |
| PAP | 2. pulmonary artery pressure |
| Pb | lead |
| p.c. | after meals (Latin post cibum) |
| PCA | 1. patient-controlled analgesia |
| PCA | 2. posterior cerebral artery |
| PCL | posterior cruciate ligament |
| PCN | penicillin |
| PCP | 1. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia |
| PCP | 2. primary care physician; primary care provider |
| PCR | polymerase chain reaction, commonly used in medical testing to amplify particular sequences of DNA |
| PCT | patient care technician |
| PCV | packed cell volume |
| PD | peritoneal dialysis |
| PDR | 1. Physicians’ Desk Reference |
| PDR | 2. primary drug resistance |
| PDT | photodynamic therapy |
| PE | 1. physical examination |
| PE | 2. pleural effusion |
| PE | 3. pulmonary edema |
| PE | 4. pulmonary embolism |
| PED | pediatric emergency department |
| peds | pediatrics |
| PEEP | positive end-expiratory pressure |
| PEFR | peak expiratory flow rate |
| PEG | percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy |
| PERRL or PERRLA | pupils equally round and reactive to light or pupils equally round and reactive to light and accommodation |
| PET | positron emission tomography |
| PFT | pulmonary function test |
| PICU | pediatric intensive care unit |
| PID | pelvic inflammatory disease |
| PIP | proximal interphalangeal joints |
| PKD | polycystic kidney disease |
| PKU | phenylketonuria |
| Pl | platinum |
| PLT | platelet count |
| PM, p.m. | at night (Latin post meridian) |
| PMN | polymorphonucleated cells |
| PMS | premenstrual syndrome |
| PN | parenteral nutrition |
| PNS | peripheral nervous system |
| p.o., PO | by mouth (Latin per os) |
| polio | poliomyelitis |
| POS | point of service |
| PPD | 1. postpartum depression |
| PPD | 2. purified protein derivative, used in a skin test for tuberculosis |
| PPMA | postpolio muscular atrophy |
| PPO | preferred provider organization |
| PPS | postpolio syndrome |
| PR | per rectum |
| PRBC | packed red blood cells |
| preop | preoperative |
| primip | primipara |
| PRK | photorefractive keratectomy |
| PRN, p.r.n. | as needed (Latin pro re nata, in prescriptions) |
| PROM | passive range of motion |
| PSA | prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by the prostate gland that is used in the diagnosis of prostate cancer |
| PSG | polysomnography |
| pt | patient |
| PT | 1. physical therapy |
| PT | 2. physical therapist |
| PT | 3. prothrombin time |
| PTA | percutaneous transluminal angioplasty |
| PTCA | percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty |
| PTSD | posttraumatic stress disorder |
| PTT | partial thromboplastin time |
| PUBS | percutaneous umbilical blood sampling, a technique used for diagnosing and treating a fetus in which a blood sample is taken from the umbilical vein by inserting a needle through the mother’s abdominal and uterine walls |
| PUD | peptic ulcer disease |
| pulv. | powder (used in prescriptions) |
| PUVA | psoralen and UVA, a treatment for psoriasis that combines the medication psoralen with carefully timed UVA (ultraviolet light of A wavelength) exposure |
| PV | 1. polycythemia vera |
| PV | 2. peripheral vascular |
| PVC | premature ventricular contraction |
| PVD | peripheral vascular disease |
| PVS | persistent vegetative state |
| every | |
| every day (Latin quaque die) | |
| q.h., qh | every hour (Latin quaque hora) |
| q.2h. | every 2 hours |
| q.3h. | every 3 hours |
| q.i.d., qid | four times a day (Latin quatuor in die) |
| q.n.s., QNS | quantity not sufficient; used by a laboratory when an insufficient amount of specimen is received to perform a requested test |
| qod, q.o.d. | |
| qoh, q.o.h. | every other hour |
| qhs, qpm, q.p.m. | every evening (bedtime) |
| q.s., QS | quantity sufficient; quantity required |
| qt | 1. (also qt.) quart; quarts |
| qt | 2. interval in QRS complex |
| R, r | roentgen |
| Ra | radium |
| RA | rheumatoid arthritis |
| rad | radiation absorbed dose |
| RAST | radioallergosorbent test |
| RBC | 1. red blood cells |
| RBC | 2. red blood count |
| RD | registered dietitian |
| RDA | 1. Recommended Daily Allowance |
| RDA | 2. Recommended Dietary Allowance |
| RDS | respiratory distress syndrome |
| rehab | rehabilitation |
| REM | rapid eye movements |
| RES | reticuloendothelial system |
| RF | rheumatoid factor |
| Rh | rhesus |
| RIA | radioimmunoassay |
| RLL | right lower lobe |
| RLQ | right lower quadrant |
| RMSF | Rocky Mountain spotted fever |
| Rn | radon |
| RN | registered nurse |
| RNA | ribonucleic acid |
| ROM | range of motion |
| RP | 1. retinitis pigmentosa |
| RP | 2. retrograde pyelogram |
| RT, rt | 1. radiologic technologist |
| RT, rt | 2. reaction time |
| RT, rt | 3. recreational therapy |
| RT, rt | 4. respiratory therapist |
| RUQ | right upper quadrant |
| RV | 1. residual volume |
| RV | 2. right ventricle |
| Rx, RX | 1. medical prescription |
| Rx, RX | 2. treatment |
| s | without |
| S | sulfur |
| SA | sinoatrial |
| SA node | sinoatrial node, the natural pacemaker of the heart |
| SAD | seasonal affective disorder |
| SARS | severe acute respiratory syndrome |
| SBC | systolic blood pressure |
| SBS | shaken baby syndrome |
| sc, SC | subcutaneous |
| Sc | scandium |
| SCI | spinal cord injury |
| Se | selenium |
| SERM | selective estrogen receptor modulator |
| SGOT | serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase |
| SGPT | serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase |
| SIADH | syndrome of inappropriate ADH (antidiuretic hormone) |
| SIDS | sudden infant death syndrome |
| SL | sublingual |
| SLE | systemic lupus erythematosus |
| SLS | Sjogren-Larsson syndrome |
| SNOMED | Systematized Nomenclature of Medical Terms, an international standardized system of medical terminology gradually being instituted worldwide |
| SOB | shortness of breath |
| sol, sol. | solution |
| SPECT | single photon emission computed tomography |
| SPF | sun protection factor |
| sq | subcutaneous |
| Sr | strontium |
| SR | 1. sedimentation rate |
| SR | 2. sinus rhythm |
| SSPE | subacute sclerosing panencephalitis |
| SSRI | selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor |
| staph | staphyloccocus |
| STD | sexually transmitted disease |
| STH | somatrophic hormone |
| STI | sexually transmitted infection |
| STM | short-term memory |
| strep | streptococcus |
| supp. | supplement |
| susp. | suspension |
| SV | stroke volume |
| syr. | syrup |
| sz | seizure |
| T | 1. Thymine |
| T | 2. temperature |
| T | 3. time |
| T | 4. tablespoon; tablespoons |
| t. | teaspoon; teaspoons |
| T3, T3 | triiodothyronine |
| T4, T4 | thyroxine |
| TAH | total abdominal hysterectomy |
| tab. | tablet |
| TB | tuberculosis |
| TBI | 1. traumatic brain injury |
| TBI | 2. total body irradiation |
| Tbsp, tbsp. | tablespoon; tablespoons |
| TBV | total blood volume |
| TCA | tricyclic antidepressant |
| TCM | traditional Chinese medicine |
| TDD | telecommunications device for the deaf |
| TDM | therapeutic drug monitoring |
| temp, temp. | temperature |
| TENS | transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation |
| THC | tetrahydrocannabinol |
| Thr | threonine |
| THR | 1. target heart rate |
| THR | 2. threshold heart rate |
| THR | 3. total hip replacement |
| THR | 4. thyroid hormone receptor |
| Ti | titanium |
| TIA | transient ischemic attack |
| tid, t.i.d. | three times a day, used in writing prescriptions |
| TJC | The Joint Commission (TJC), an organization that inspects hospitals and reviews and gives accreditation to health care organizations |
| TL | thallium |
| TLC | total lung capacity |
| TMJ | temporomandibular joint |
| TNF | tumor necrosis factor |
| tumor-node-metastasis | |
| tPA, TPA | tissue plasminogen activator |
| TPN | total parenteral nutrition |
| TPR | temperature, pulse, respiration |
| Trp | tryptophan |
| TSE | 1. transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, any of a group of brain diseases, such as kuru or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, in which the brain matter deteriorates |
| TSE | 2. testicular self-examination |
| TSH | thyroid-stimulating hormone |
| tsp. | teaspoon; teaspoons |
| TSS | toxic shock syndrome |
| TTP | thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura |
| TUR | transurethral resection |
| TURP | transurethral resection of the prostate |
| u | atomic mass unit |
| U | 1. Uranium |
| U | 2. unit; units |
| U | 3. uracil |
| U | 4. urine |
| UA, U/A | urinalysis |
| UBT | urea breath test |
| UGI | upper gastrointestinal |
| ung, ung. | ointment |
| UNOS | United Network for Organ Sharing |
| URI | upper respiratory infection |
| URTI | upper respiratory tract infection |
| USDA | United States Department of Agriculture |
| USFDA | United States Food and Drug Administration |
| USP | United States Pharmacopeia |
| USP-NF | United States Pharmacopeia—National Formulary |
| UTI | urinary tract infection |
| UV | ultraviolet |
| UVR | ultraviolet radiation |
| VA | 1. vertebral artery |
| VA | 2. Veterans Administration |
| VA | 3. visual acuity |
| VA | 4. volt-ampere |
| VAD | 1. vascular access device |
| VAD | 2. vascular assist device |
| VAD | 3. ventricular assist device |
| Val | valine |
| VATS | video-assisted thoracoscopy |
| VC | 1. vital capacity |
| VC | 2. vocal cord; vocal cords |
| VCU | voiding cystourethrography |
| VCUG | voiding cystourethrogram/cystourethrography |
| VD | venereal disease |
| VF | 1. visual field |
| VF | 2. ventricular fibrillation |
| Vfib | ventricular fibrillation |
| VHDL | very-high-density lipoprotein |
| VLDL | very-low-density lipoprotein |
| V/Q | ventilation-perfusion |
| VS | vital sign; vital signs |
| VSD | ventricular septal defect |
| VT, V-tach | ventricular tachycardia |
| WAIS | Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale |
| WBC | 1. white blood cell |
| WBC | 2. white blood (cell) count |
| WBC count | white blood cell count |
| WBC differential | white blood cell differential |
| WC | wheelchair |
| WHO | World Health Organization |
| WlSC | Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children |
| WNL | within normal limits |
| w/o | without |
| wt, wt. | weight |
| XRT | radiation therapy |
| ZIFT | zygote intrafallopian transfer |
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