Term | Definition |
AB or ab | abortion |
abd | abdomen |
ac | before meals |
AD | Right ear |
ad lib | as desired |
ADHD | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder |
AFB | Acid-Fast Bacilli |
amp | ampule |
A/P or A | anterior/posterior |
AS | Left ear |
ASA | aspirin |
ASHD | arteriosclerotic heart disease |
AU | Both ears |
AVR | aortic valve replacement |
ax | axillary |
Ba | barium |
BE | barium enema |
bid | twice a day |
BM | bowel movement |
BMR | basal metabolic rate |
BP | blood pressure |
BUN | blood urea nitrogen |
bx | biopsy |
C | celcius |
~c | with |
C1,C2 | 1st cervical vertebra,2nd cervical vertebra
(use only 1 number) |
CA | cardiac arrest |
Ca | cancer |
CABG | coronary artery bypass graft |
CAD | coronary artery disease |
caps | capsules |
CBC | complete blood count |
CDC | center for disease control |
CCU | coronary care unit |
CF | cystic fibrosis |
CHF | congestive heart failure |
chol | cholesterol |
cm | centimeter |
CMV | cytomegalovirus |
CNS | central nervous system |
CO2 | Carbon Dioxide |
COPD | chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
CRF | chronic renal failure |
CS | cesarean section |
C | culture and sensitivity |
CMV | cytomegalovirus |
CSF | cerebral spinal fluid |
CT scan or CAT scan | computerized tomography |
CVA | cerebral vascular accident |
CC | chief complaint |
c/o | complains of |
CXR | chest x-ray |
cysto | cystoscopy |
D | dilation and curettage |
d/c or dc | discontinue |
diff | differential count(WBC) |
DIG | digoxin |
DPT | diphtheria,pertussis,tetanus |
DM | Diabetes Mellitus |
DOA | Dead on arrival |
DRE | digital rectal exam |
DUB | dysfunctional uterine bleeding |
DVT | deep vein thrombosis |
Dx | diagnosis |
ECF | Extended Care Facility |
ECG or EKG | electrocardiogram |
ECHO | echocardiography |
EDC | estimated date of confinement |
EEG | electroencephalogram |
EMB | endometrial biopsy |
HEENT | head,eyes,ears,nose,throat |
EMG | Electromyelogram |
EOM | extraocular movement |
ER | emergency room |
ERT | estrogen replacement therapy |
F | Fahrenheit |
FB | foreign body |
FBS | fasting blood sugar |
FDA | Food and Drug Administration |
Fe | iron |
FH | family history |
F/U or FU | follow up |
FUO | fever of undetermined origin |
Fx | fracture |
g or gm | gram |
GB | gallbladder |
GBS | gallbladder series |
GI | gastrointestinal |
Grav 1,2,3 | 1st,2nd or 3rd pregnancy |
GTT | glucose tolerance test |
GYN | gynecology |
hr | hour |
H | hematocrit and hemoglobin |
h/o | history of |
Hct | hematocrit |
HDL | high density lipoprotein |
Hg | Mercury |
HIV | human immunodeficiency virus |
H2O | water |
HPI | history of present illness |
hs | at bedtime |
hx | history |
I | incision and drainage |
ICU | intensive care unit |
IM | intramuscular |
inj | injection |
IOL | intraocular lens |
IUD | intrauterine device |
IUP | intrauterine pregnancy |
IV | intravenous |
IVP | intravenous pyelogram |
K | potassium |
kg | kilogram |
KUB | kidney ureter bladder |
L1,L2 | 1st or 2nd vertebra |
lap | laparotomy |
LAT or lat | lateral |
OD | right eye |
OS | left eye |
OT | occupational therapy |
OU | both eyes |
oz | ounce |
P | pulse |
PA | posterior/anterior |
P | percussion and Auscultation |
Para 1,2,3 | number of viable births |
Path | pathology |
pc | after meals |
PDR | Physician Desk Reference (drugs) |
PE | physical exam |
per os | by mouth |
PERRLA | pupils equal round reactive to light |
PH | past history |
pH | acid/alkalinity measurements |
PID | pelvic inflammatory disease |
PKU | phenylketonuria |
PMS | premenstrual syndrome |
po | passed orally |
PPD | test for tuberculosis (purified protein derivative) |
PRN | as needed |
POMR | Problem Oriented Medical Record |
PT | prothrombin time |
pt | patient |
PTT | partial prothromboplastin time |
PU | pregnancy urine |
q | every |
qd | everyday |
qid | four times a day |
qh | every hour |
qhs | every night |
qod | every other day |
RBC | Red Blood Cells |
R/O | rule out |
REM | rapid eye movement |
Rh | Rhesus factor in the blood |
RLL | right lower lobe |
RML | right middle lobe |
ROM | range of motion |
ROS | review of systems |
RUL | right upper lobe |
RUQ | right upper quadrant |
Rx | therapy, prescription |
s | without |
S1,S2 | 1st or 2nd sacral vertebra |
SAB | spontaneous abortion |
Sed Rate | sedimentation rate |
sig | let it be written |
SMAC 6 | 6 different serum tests |
SMAC 20 | test of 20 chemical constituents |
SOAP | subjective, objective, assessment, plan |
SL | sublingual |
SNF | Skilled Nursing Facility |
sol | solution |
SpG | specific gravity |
Staph | staphylococcus |
STAT | immediately |
STD | sexually transmitted disease |
Strep | streptococcus |
subq | subcutaneous |
T | temperature |
T | tonsilloadenoidectomy |
T1,T2 | 1st or 2nd thoracic vertebra |
TA | therapeutic abortion |
tab | tablet |
TAH | total abdominal hysterectomy |
TB | tuberculosis |
TENS | transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation |
TFT | thyroid function test |
TIA | transient ischemic attack |
tid | three times a day |
top | topical |
Trig | triglycerides |
TSS | toxic shock syndrome |
TUR,TURP | transurethral resection of the prostate |
Tx | treatment or therapy |
U | unit |
UC | uterine contraction |
UA | urinalysis |
UGI | upper gastrointestinal series |
umb | umbilical |
URI | upper respiratory infection |
US | ultrasound |
UTI | urinary tract infection |
VD | venereal disease |
VS | vital signs |
WBC | white blood cells, white blood count |
Wt | Weight |
Ht | Height |
y/o | year old |
Hgb | hemoglobin |
gtt | drops |
1* | primary |
2* | secondary |
_ | negative |
+ | positive |
| less than |
> | greater than |
/\ | change |
AMA | against medical advice |
BASA | baby aspirin |
BPM | beats per minute |
CRC | colorectal cancer |
KCI | potassium chloride |
LBP | lower back pain |
LMP | last menstrual cycle |
N/C | no complaints |
NKA | no known allergies |
NKDA | no known drug allergies |
NTG | nitroglycerine |
NV | nausea and vomiting |
NVD | nausea, vomiting, diarrhea |
OTC | over the counter |
OV | office visit |
PCN | penicillin |
PFT | pulmonary function test |
PSA | prostate specific antigen |
rect | rectal, rectally |
Sx | symptoms |
tr | trace |
VO | verbal order |
VS | vital signs |
WNL | within normal limits |
WO | written order |
x | times |
DTR | deep tendon feflex |