Abbreviation | Definition |
@ | At |
µCi | Microcuri |
µg | Microgram (1-millionth of a gram) |
µl | microliter (1 millionth of a liter) |
µm | Micrometer (one-millionth meter) |
131I | Radioactive isotope of iodine |
5-FU | 5-fluorouracil (chemotherapy drug) |
a (overhead bar) | Before |
T & A | Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy |
A & P | Auscultation and percussion |
A & W | Alive and well |
A, B, AB, O | Blood type |
a.c. | Before meals – ante cibum |
a.m. or AM | In the morning or before noon |
A2 or A2 | Aortic valve closure (heart sound) |
AAA | Abdominal aortic aneurysm |
AAL | Anterior axillary line |
Ab | Antibody |
AB/ab | Abortion |
ABCD | Asymmetry, border, color, diameter |
Abd | Abdomen; abduction |
ABGs | Arterial blood gases |
AC join | Acromioclavicular joint |
ACE | Angiotensin-converting enzyme |
ACh | Acetylcholine (neurotransmitter) |
ACL | Anterior cruciate ligament (of knee) |
ACS | Acute coronary syndromes |
ACTH | Adrenocorticotropic hormone |
AD | Right (auris dextra); Alzheimer disease |
ad lib. | As desired |
ADD | Attention deficit disorder |
add | Adduction |
ADH | Antidiuretic hormone |
ADHD | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder |
ADL | Activities of daily living |
ADT | Admission, discharge, transfer |
AF | Atrial fibrillation |
AFB | Acid-fast bacillus; TB organism |
AFO | Ankle foot orthosis (device for stabilization) |
AFP | Alpha-fetoprotein |
Ag | Silver |
Agranulocyte | A non-granular leukocyte |
AHF | Anti-hemophilic factor (coagulation factor XIII) |
AIDS | Acquired Immune Deficiency syndrome |
AIHA | Autoimmune hemolytic anemia |
AKA | Above knee amputation |
alb | Albumin |
Albinism | Condition of lack of melanin |
alk phos | Alkaline phosphate (elevated in liver disease) |
ALL | Acute lymphocytic leukemia |
ALS | Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig disease) |
ALT | Alanine aminotransferase (elevated in liver and heart disease); formerly SGPT |
AMA | Against medical advise; American Medical Association |
Amb | Ambulate, ambulatory (walk) |
AMD | Age-related macular degeneration |
Amenorrhea | Without menstruation |
AMI | Acute myocardial infarction |
AML | Acute myelocytic (myelogenous) leukemia |
ANA | Antinuclear antibody |
ANC | Absolute neutrophil count |
AP or A/P | Anteroposterior |
APC | Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), phenacetin and caffeine |
aq. | Water (aqua); aqueous |
ARDS | Adult respiratory distress syndrome |
AROM | Active range of motion |
AS | Auris sinistra (left ear); aortic stenosis (narrowing or stricture) |
ASA | Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) |
ASD | Atrial septal defect (congenital defect in septum not closing) |
ASHD | Arteriosclerotic heart disease |
AST | Aspartate aminotransferase (elevated in liver and heart disease); formerly SGPT |
AU | Each ear, both ears (auris uterque) |
Au | Gold |
AV | Arteriovenous; atrioventricular |
AVM | arteriovenous malformation |
AVR | Aortic valve replacement |
B Cells | Lymphocytes produced in the bone marrow |
b.i.d. | Twice a day |
Ba | Barium |
BAL | Bronchoalveolar lavage |
Bands | Banded neutrophils |
Baso | Basophils |
BBB | Bundle branch block |
BC | Bone conduction |
BE | Barium enema |
BKA | Below-knee amputation |
BM | Bowel movement |
BMR | Basal metabolic rate |
BMT | Bone marrow transplant |
BP or B/P | Blood pressure |
BPH | Benign prostate hyperplasia (hypertrophy) |
BRBPR | Bright red blood per rectum |
BSE | Breast self-examination |
BSO | Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy |
BSP | Bromsulphalein; dye used in liver function test. It’s retention is indicative of liver damage or disease |
BT | Bleeding time |
BUN | Blood urea nitrogen |
Bx, bx | Biopsy |
C | Carbon; calorie |
C&S | Culture and sensitivity |
c/o | Complains of |
c/w | Compare with; consistent with |
C1, C2 | First, second of cervical vertebra |
Ca | Calciu |
CA | Cancer; carcinoma cardiac arrest; chronological age |
CABG | Coronary artery bypass graft (surgery) |
CAD | Coronary artery disease |
cap | Capsule |
CAPD | Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis |
CAT | Computerized axial tomography |
Cath | Catheter; catheterization |
CBC | Complete blood cell count |
CBT | Cognitive behavior therapy |
CC | Chief complaint |
CCU | Coronary care unit; critical care unit |
CDC | Center for disease control |
CDH | Congenital dislocated hip |
CEA | Carcinoembryonic antigen |
CF | Cystic fibrosis; complement fixation |
cf. | Compare |
CFH | Congestive heart failure |
cGy | Centigray (one hundredth of a gray; a rad) |
CHD | Coronary heart disease; chronic heart disease |
Chemo | Chemotherapy |
Chol | Cholesterol |
Chr | Chronic |
CIN | Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia |
CIS | Carcinoma in situ |
CK | creatine kinase |
CKD | Chronic kidney disease |
Cl | Chlorine |
CLD | Chronic liver disease |
CLL | Chronic lymphocytic leukemia |
Cm | Centimeter |
CMA | Certified medical assistant |
CMG | cystometrogram |
CML | Chronic myelogenous leukemia |
CMV | Cytomegalovirus |
CNS | Central nervous system |
Co | Cobalt |
CO | Carbon monoxide; cardiac output |
CO2 | Carbon dioxide |
COD | Chronic airway obstruction |
COD | Condition on discharge |
COPD | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
CP | Cerebral palsy; chest pain |
CPA | costophrenic angle |
CPAP | Continuous positive airway pressure |
CPD | cephalopelvic disproportion |
CPR | Cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
CR | Complete response; cardiorespiratory |
CRF | Chronic renal failure |
C-section | Cesarean section |
CSF | Cerebrospinal fluid; colony-stimulating factor |
C-spine | Cervical spine films |
CT | Computed tomography |
ct. | Count |
CTA | Clear to auscultation |
CTS | Carpal tunnel syndrome |
Cu | Copper |
CVA | Cerebrovascular accident; costovertebral angle |
CVP | Central venous pressure |
CVS | Cardiovascular system; chorionic villus sampling |
Cx | Cervix |
CX (CXR) | Chest x-ray |
Cysto | cystoscopy |
D&C | Dilatation (dilation) and curettage |
D. O. | Doctor of osteopathy |
D/C | Discontinue; discharge |
D/W | Dextrose and water |
DCIS | ductal carcinoma in situ |
DD | Disharge diagnosis; differential diagnosis |
Decub. | decubitus; lying down |
Derm. | Dermatology |
DES | Diethylstilbestrol; diffuse esophageal spasm |
DI | Diabetes insipidus; diagnostic imaging |
DIC | Disseminated intravascular coagulation |
DICOM | Digital image communication in medicine |
diff. | Differential count |
DIG | Digoxin; digitalis |
dL, dl | Deciliter (1/10 liter) |
DLco | Diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide |
DLE | Discoid lupus erythematosus |
DM | Diabetes mellitus |
DNA | Deoxyribonucleic acid |
DNR | Do not resuscitate |
DOA | Dead on arrival |
DOB | Date of birth |
DOE | Dyspnea on exertion |
DPI | Dry powder inhaler |
DPT | Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (vaccine) |
DRE | Digital rectal exam |
DRG | Diagnosis-related group |
DSA | Digital subtraction angiography |
DSM | Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders |
DT | Delirium tremens (caused by alcohol withdrawal) |
DTR | Deep tendon reflexes |
DUB | Dysfunctional uterine bleeding |
DVT | Deep vein thrombosis |
Dx | Diagnosis |
EBV | Epstein-barr virus |
ECC | Endocervical curettage; extracorporeal circulation |
ECF | Extended-care facility |
ECG | Electrocardiogram |
ECHO | Echocardiography |
ECMO | Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation |
ECT | Electroconvulsive therapy |
ED | Emergency department |
EDC | Estimated date of confinement |
EEG | Electroencephalogram |
EENT | Eyes, ear, nose and throat |
EGD | Esophagogastroduodenoscopy |
EKG | Electrocardiogram |
ELISA | Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (AIDS test) |
EM | Electron microscope |
EMB | Endometrial biopsy |
EMG | Electromyogram |
EMT | Emergency medical technician |
ENT | Ear, nose and throat |
EOM | Extraocular movement; extraocular muscles |
eos. | Eosinophil |
EPO | Erythropoietin (poietin: stimulatory factor) |
ER | Emergency room; estrogen receptor |
ERCP | Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography |
ERT | Estrogen replacement therapy |
ESR | Erythrocyte sedimentation rate |
ESRD | End-state renal disease |
ESWL | Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy |
ETOH | Ethyl alcohol |
ETT | Exercise tolerance test |
F or 0F | Fahrenheit |
F/u | Follow up |
FACP | Fellow, American College of Physicians |
FACS | Fellow, American College of Surgeons |
FB | Fingerbreadth; foreign body |
FBS | Fasting blood sugar |
FDA | Food and Drug Administration |
Fe | Iron |
FEF | Forced expiratory flow |
FEV 1 | Forced expiratory volume in first second |
FH | Family history |
FHR | Fetal heart rate |
FROM | Full range of movement/motion |
FSH | Follicle-stimulating hormone |
FUO | Fever of undetermined origin |
Fx | Fracture |
G | Gravida (pregnant) |
g, gm | Gram |
g/dL | Gram per deciliter |
G6PD | Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (enzyme missing in inherited red blood cell disorder |
Ga | Gallium |
GABA | Gamma-aminobutyric acid (neurotransmitter) |
GB | Gallbladder |
GBS | Gallbladder series x-rays |
GC | Gonorrhea |
G-CSF | Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor |
GERD | Gastroesophageal reflux disease |
GFR | Glomerular filtration rate |
GH | Growth hormone |
GI | Gastrointestinal |
GM-CSF | Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor |
GP | General practioner |
Grav. 1, 2, 3 | First, second, third pregnancy |
GTT | Glucose tolerance test |
gtt | Drop (gutta), drops (guttae) |
GU | Genitourinary |
Gy | Gray (unit of radiation = 100 rad) |
GYN or gyn | Gynecology |
H | Hydrogen |
H&H | Hematocrit and hemoglobin (rbc tests) |
H&P | History and physical |
h., hr | Hour |
h.s. | At bedtime |
h/o | History of |
H2 blocker | H2 (histamine) – receptor antagonist (inhibitor of gastric acid secretion) |
H2O | Water |
HAART | Highly active antiretroviral therapy (for AIDS) |
Hb; hgb | Hemoglobin |
HbA1C | glycosylated hemoglobin test (for diabetes) |
HBV | Hepatitis B virus |
HCG (hCG) | Human chorionic gonadotropin |
HCL | Hydrochloric acid |
HCO3 | Bicarbonate |
Hct (HCT) | hematocrit |
HCV | Hepatitis C virus |
HCVD | Hypertensive cardiovascular disease |
HD | hemodialysis (artificial kidney machine) |
HDL | High density liproprotein |
He | Helium |
HEENT | Head, eyes, ear, nose and throad |
Hemianopsia | Blindness of half of the vision in one or both eyes |
Hemophilia | Problem coagulating |
Hemostasis | The arrest of bleeding |
Hg | Mercury |
HIPAA | Health Insurance portability and accountability Act |
HIV | Human immunodeficiency virus |
HLA | Histocompatibility locus antigen (identifies cells as self) |
HPF; hpf | High-power field |
HPI | History of present illness |
HPV | Human papillomavirus |
HRT | Hormone replacement therapy |
HSG | Hysterosalpingography |
HSV | Herpes simplex virus |
ht | Height |
HTN | Hypertension |
Hx | History |
Hypopituitary | Growth hormone deficiency |
I | Iodine |
I&D | Incision and drainage |
I&O | Intake and output (measurement of patient’s fluids) |
I.Q. | Intelligence quotient |
IBD | Inflammatory bowel disease |
ICD | Implantable cardioverter/defibrillator |
ICP | Intracranial pressure |
ICSH | Interstitial cell-stimulating hormone |
ICU | Intensive care unit |
ID | Infectious disease |
IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, IgM | Immunoglobulins |
IHD | Ischemic heart disease |
IHSS | Idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis |
IL1-15 | Interleukins |
IM | Intramuscular; infectious mononucleosis |
inf. | Infusion; inferior |
INH | isoniazid (drug used to treat tuberculosis) |
inj. | Injection |
IOL | Intraocular lens (implant) |
IOP | Intraocular Pressure |
IPPB | Intermittent positive pressure breathing |
ITP | Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura |
IUD | Intrauterine device |
IUP | Intrauterine pregnancy |
IV or I.V. | Intravenous (injection) |
IVP | Intravenous pyelogram |
K | Potassium |
Kg | Kilogram |
KJ | Knee jerk |
KS | Kaposi Sarcoma |
KUB | Kidneys, ureters, bladder (x-ray exam) |
L&W | Living and well |
L, l | Liter, left, lower |
L.E. | Lupus erythematosus |
L1, L2 | First, second lumbar vertebra |
LA | Left atrium |
LAD | Left anterior descending (coronary artery) |
lat | Lateral |
LB | Large bowel |
LBBB | Left bundle branch block (heart block) |
LD | Lethal dose |
LDH | Lactate dehydrogenase |
LDL | Low-density lipoprotein |
L-dopa | levodopa (for Parkinson’s disease) |
LEEP | Loop electrocautery excision procedure |
LES | Lower esophageal sphincter |
LFT | Liver function test |
LH | Luteinizing hormone |
LLL | Left lower lobe |
LLQ | Left lower quadrant |
LMP | Last menstrual period |
LMWH | Low-molecular-weight heparin |
LOC (loco) | Loss of consciousness |
LOS | Length of stay |
LP | Lumbar puncture |
lpf | Low power field |
LPN | Licenses practical nurse |
LS | Lumbosacral spine |
LSD | Lysergic acid diethylamide |
LSK | Liver, spleen and kidneys |
LTB | laryngotracheal bronchitis (croup) |
LTC | Long-term care |
LTH | luteotropic hormone (prolactin, luteotropin) |
LUL | Left upper lobe (lung) |
LUQ | Left upper quadrant |
LV | Left ventricle |
LVAD | Left ventricular assist device |
Lymphs | Lymphocytes |
Lytes | Electrolytes |
M.D. | Doctor of medicine |
m/µ | Millimicron (1/1000 micron; a micron is 10-3 mm) |
MA | Mental age |
MAC | Monitored anesthesia care |
MAI | Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (late stage AIDS myco bacterial infection) |
MAOI | Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (antidepressant drug) |
MBD | Minimal brain dysfunction (mnemonics: may brain dead) |
mcg | Microgram |
MCH | Mean corpuscular hgb (average amount in each red blood cell) |
MCHC | Mean corpuscular hgb concentration (average concentration in a single red cell) |
mCi | millicuri |
MCP | Metacarpophalangeal joint |
MCV | Mean corpuscular volume (average size of a red blood cell) |
MDI | Metered-dose inhaler |
MDR | Minimum daily requirement |
MED | Minimum effective dose |
mEq | milliequivalent |
mEq/L | Milliequivalent per liter (measurement of the concentration of a solution) |
mets | Metastases |
MG | Myasthenia gravis |
Mg | Magnesium |
mg | Milligram |
mg/cc | Milligram per cubic centimeter |
mg/dl | Milligram per deciliter |
MH | Marital history; mental health |
MI | Myocardial infarction ; mitral insufficiency |
mL, ml | Milliliter (1/1000 liter) |
MMPI | Minnesota Multiphasic personality inventory |
MMR | Measles-mumps-rubella (vaccine) |
MMT | Manual muscle testing |
MOAB | Monoclonal antibody |
monos | monocytes (white blood cell) |
MR | Mitral regurgitation; magnetic resonance |
MRA | Magnetic resonance angiogram |
MRI | Magnetic resonance imaging |
mRNA | Messenger RNA |
MS | Multiple sclerosis |
MSL | midsternal line |
MTX | methotrexate |
MUGA | Multiple-gated acquisition scan (of heart) |
Multip | multipara; multiparous |
MVP | mitral valve prolapse |
N | Nitrogen |
n.p.o | Non per os |
NA | Not applicable |
Na | Sodium |
NB | New born |
NBS | Normal bowel or breath sounds |
ND | Normal delivery; normal development |
NED | No evidence of disease |
neg. | Negative |
NG tube | nasogastric tube |
NHL | Non-Hodgkin lymphoma |
NICU | Neonatal intensive care |
NK cells | Natural killer cells |
NKA | No known allergies |
NKDA | No known drug allergies |
NSAID | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug |
NSR | Normal sinus rhythm (of heart) |
NTP | Normal temperature and pressure |
O, or O2 | Oxygen |
O.D. | Doctor of optometry |
O.T. | Occupational therapy |
OA | Osteoarthritis |
OB/GYN | Obstetrics/gynecology |
oC | Celsius |
OCPs | Oral contraceptive pills |
OD | Oculus dexter (right eye); over dose |
OR | Operating room |
ORIF | Open reduction internal fixation |
ORTH; Ortho. | Orthopedics |
OS | Auris sinister (left eye) |
os | Opening; bone |
OU | Each eye (oculus uterque) |
Oz. | Ounce |
P | Phosphorus; posterior; pressure; pulse; pupil |
p- | Before |
P&A | Percussion and auscultation |
p.c. | After meal (post cibum) |
p.o. | Per os |
p.r.n. | pro re nata (as required) |
p/o | Postoperative |
P2 or P2 | Pulmonary valve closure (heart sound) |
PA | Pulmonary artery; posteroanterior |
P-A | Posteroanterior |
PAC | Premature atrial contraction |
PaCO2, pCO2 | Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in blood |
PACS | Picture archival communications system |
Palp. | Palpable; palpation |
PALS | Pediatric advanced life support |
PaO2, pO2 | Partial pressure of oxygen in blood |
Pap smear | Papanicolaou smear (cells from cervix and vagina) |
Para 1, 2, 3 | unipara, bipara, tripara (number of viable births) |
PCA | Patient controlled anesthesia |
PCI | percutaneous coronary interventions |
PCP | Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia; phencyclidine (hallucinogen) |
PCR | Polymerase chain reaction (process allows making copies of genes) |
PD | Peritoneal dialysis |
PDA | patent (open, unobstructed; evident apparent) ductus arteriosus |
PDR | Physicians’ desk reference |
PE | Physician examination; pulmonary embolism |
PE tube | Ventilating tube for eardrum |
PEEP | Positive end-expiratory pressure |
PEG | Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (a feeding tube) |
PEJ | Percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (a feeding tube) |
per os | By mouth |
PERRLA | Pupils equal, round, react to light and accommodation |
PET | Positron emission tomography |
PFT | Pulmonary function test |
PG | Prostaglandin |
PH | Past history |
pH | Hydrogen ion concentration (alkalinity and acidity measurement) |
PI | Present illness |
PID | Pelvic inflammatory disease |
PIP | Proximal interphalangeal joint |
PKU | Phenylketonuria |
PM or p.m. | Afternoon (post meridian) |
PMH | Past medical history |
PMN | Polymorphonuclear leukocyte |
PMS | Premenstrual syndrome |
PND | Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea |
Poly | Polymorphonuclear leukocyte |
postop | Postoperative (after surgery) |
PPBS | Postprandial blood sugar |
PPD | Purified protein derivative (test for tuberculosis) |
PR | Partial response |
preop | Preoperative |
prep | Prepare for |
Primip | Primipara |
PRL | prolactin |
pro. time | Prothrombin time |
procto | Proctoscopy |
prot. | Protocol |
PSA | Prostate-specific antigen |
PT | Prothrombin time; physical therapy |
pt. | Patient |
PTA | Prior to admission |
PTC | Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography |
PTCA | Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty |
PTH | Parathyroid hormone |
PTHC | Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography |
PTSD | Post-traumatic stress disorder |
PTT | Partial thromboplastin time (test of blood clotting) |
PU | Pregnancy urine |
PUVA therapy | Psoralen ultraviolet A (treatment for psoriasis) |
PVC | Premature ventricular contraction |
PVD | Peripheral vascular disease |
PWB | Partial weight bearing |
Px | Prognosis |
q | Every (quaque) |
q.2h. | Every 2 hours |
q.d. | Every day (quaque die) |
q.h. | Every hour (quaque hora) |
q.i.d. | Four times a day (quater in die) |
q.s. | As much as suffices (quantum sufficit) |
qAM | Every morning |
qns | Quantity not sufficient |
qPM | Every evening |
QRS | Wave complex in an electrocardiographic study |
qt | Quart |
R | Respiration; right |
R.D.D.A | Recommended daily dietary allowance |
R/O | Rule out |
RA | Rheumatoid arthritis; right atrium |
Ra | Radium |
rad | Radio absorbed dose |
RBBB | Right bundle branch block |
RBC, rbc | Red blood count 9cell) |
RDS | Respiratory distress syndrome |
REM | Rapid eye movement |
RF | Rheumatoid factor |
Rh (factor) | Rhesus (monkey) factor in blood |
RhoGAM | Drug to prevent Rh factor reaction in Rh-negative women |
RIA | Radioimmunoassay (minute quantities are measured) |
RLL | Right lower lobe (lung) |
RLQ | Right lower quadrant |
RML | Right middle lobe (lung) |
RNA | Ribonucleic acid |
ROM | Range of motion |
ROS | Review of systems |
RRR | Regular rate and rhythm (of the heart) |
RT | Right; radiation therapy |
RUL | Right upper lobe (lung) |
RUQ | Right upper quadrant |
RV | Right ventricle |
Rx | Treatment; therapy; prescription |
s (sine) | Without) |
s.o.s. | If necessary (si opus sit) |
S/P | Status post (previous disease condition) |
S/S | Signs and symptoms |
S1, S2 | First, second sacral vertebra |
S-A node | Sinoatrial node (pacemaker of heart) |
SAD | Seasonal affective disorder |
SARS | Severe acute respiratory syndrome |
SBE | subacute bacterial endocarditis |
SBFT | Small bowel follow-through (x-rays of small intestine) |
sc | Subcutaneous |
SC, subcut | Subcutaneous |
sed. rate | Sedimentation rate (rate of erythrocyte sedimentation) |
segs | Segmented neutrophils; polys |
SERM | Selective estrogen receptor modulator |
SGOT (AST) | Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase |
SGPT (ALT) | Serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase |
SIADH | Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone |
SIDS | Sudden infant death syndrome |
sig. | let it be labeled |
SL | Sublingual |
SLE | Systemic lupus erythematosus |
SMA-12 | Twelve blood chemistries |
SMAC | Automated analytical device for testing blood |
SOAP | Subjective, objective, assessment, and plan (used for patient notes) |
SOB | Shortness of breath |
sp. gr. | Specific gravity |
SPECT | Single-photon emission computed tomography |
SSCP | substernal chest pain |
SSRI | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (antidepressant) |
Staph. | Staphylococci (berry-shaped bacteria in clusters) |
stat. | Immediately (statim) |
STH | somatotropin (growth hormone) |
STI | Sexually transmitted infection |
Strep. | Streptococci (berry-shaped bacteria in twisted chains) |
SVC | Superior vena cava |
SVD | Spontaneous vaginal delivery |
Sx | Signs and symptoms |
Sz | Seizure |
T | Temperature; time |
T cells | Lymphocytes produced in the thymus gland |
T tube | Tube placed in biliary tract for drainage |
t.i.d. | Three times daily (ter in die) |
T1, T2 | First, second thoracic vertebra |
T3 | Triiodothyronine test |
T4 | Thyroxine test |
TA or TAB | Therapeutic abortion |
TAH | Total (including cervix) abdominal hysterectomy |
TAT (psychiatry) | Thematic apperception test |
TB | Tuberculosis |
Tc | technetium |
TEE | transesophageal echocardiogram |
TENS | transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation |
TFT | Thyroid function test |
TIA | Transient ischemic attack |
TLC | Total lung capacity |
TM | Tympanic membrane |
TMJ | Temporo-mandibular joint |
TNM | Tumor, nodes, and metastases |
tPA | Tissue plasminogen activator |
TPN | Total parenteral nutrition |
TPR | Temperature, pulse and respiration |
TRUS | transrectal ultrasound |
TSH | Thyroid-stimulating hormone |
TSS | Toxic shock syndrome |
TUR, TURP | Transurethral resection of the prostate |
TVH | Total vaginal hysterectomy |
Tx | Treatment |
U | Unit |
U/O | Urinary output |
U/S | Ultrasound |
UA | Urinalysis |
UAO | Upper airway obstruction |
UC | Uterine contractions |
UE | Upper extremity |
UGI | Upper GI |
umb. | Navel (umbilicus) |
URI | Upper respiratory infection |
UTI | Urinary tract infection |
UV | Ultraviolet |
V/Q scan | Ventilation-perfusion scan |
V/S | Vital signs; versus |
VA | Visual acuity |
VATS | Video-assisted thorascopy |
VC | Vital capacity (of lungs) |
VCUG | Voiding cystourethrogram |
VDRL | Test for syphilis (venereal disease research laboratory) |
VEGF | Vascular endothelial growth factor |
VF | Visual fields |
vis à vis | As compared with; in relation to |
VSD | Ventricular septal defect |
VT | Ventricular tachycardia (abnormal heart rhythm) |
VTE | Venous thromboembolism |
WAIS | Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale |
WBC, wbc | (blank) |
WDWN | Well developed, well nourished |
WISC | Wechsler Intelligence Scale for children |
WNL | Within normal limits |
wt | Weight |
XRT | Radiation therapy |
y/o, yrs | Year(s) old |
μCi | Microcurie |
μg | Microgram; 1 x 10-6 gram |