| Question | Answer |
| ā | before |
| |
| A | anterior; assessment |
| |
| A&P | auscultation and percussion |
| |
| A&W | alive and well |
| |
| AB | abortion |
| |
| ABG | arterial blood gas |
| |
| a.c. | before meals |
| |
| ACE | angiotensin-converting enzyme |
| |
| ACS | acute coronary syndrome |
| |
| ACTH | adrenocorticotropic hormone |
| |
| AD | right ear |
| |
| ad lib. | as desired |
| |
| ADH | antidiuretic hormone |
| |
| ADHD | attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder |
| |
| AIDS | acquired immunodeficiency syndrome |
| |
| AKA | above-knee amputation |
| |
| alb | albumin |
| |
| ALS | amyotrophic lateral sclerosis |
| |
| ALT | alanine aminotransferase (enzyme) |
| |
| a.m. | morning |
| |
| amt | amount |
| |
| ANS | autonomic nervous system |
| |
| AP | anterior-posterior |
| |
| APKD | adult polycystic kidney disease |
| |
| aq | water |
| |
| AS | left ear |
| |
| ASD | atrial septal defect |
| |
| AST | aspartate aminotransferase (enzyme) |
| |
| AU | both ears |
| |
| AV | atrioventricular |
| |
| Symbol | 0 |
| |
| BAEP | brainstem auditory evoked potential |
| |
| BAER | brainstem auditory evoked response |
| |
| BCC | basal cell carcinoma |
| |
| BD | bipolar disorder |
| |
| b.i.d. | twice a day |
| |
| BKA | below-knee amputation |
| |
| BM | bowel movement |
| |
| BMP | basic metabolic panel |
| |
| BP | blood pressure |
| |
| BPH | benign prostatic hypertrophy; benign prostatic hyperplasia |
| |
| BRP | bathroom privileges |
| |
| BS | blood sugar |
| |
| BUN | blood urea nitrogen |
| |
| Bx | biopsy |
| |
| [C with bar above] | 0 |
| with | 0 |
| C | Celsius; centigrade |
| |
| C&S | culture and sensitivity |
| |
| CABG | coronary artery bypass graft |
| |
| CAD | coronary artery disease |
| |
| cap | capsule |
| |
| CAT | computed axial tomography |
| |
| CBC | complete blood count |
| |
| cc | cubic centimeter |
| |
| CC | chief complaint |
| |
| CCU | coronary (cardiac) care unit |
| |
| CF | cystic fibrosis |
| |
| CHF | congestive heart failure |
| |
| CIN | cervical intraepithelial neoplasia |
| |
| CIS | carcinoma in situ |
| |
| cm | centimeter |
| |
| CMP | comprehensive metabolic panel |
| |
| |
| |
| CNS | central nervous system |
| |
| c/o | complains of |
| |
| CO | cardiac output |
| |
| CO2 | carbon dioxide |
| |
| COPD | chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| |
| CP | cerebral palsy; chest pain |
| |
| CPAP | continuous positive airway pressure |
| |
| CPD | cephalopelvic disproportion |
| |
| |
| |
| CSF | cerebrospinal fluid |
| |
| CSII | continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion |
| |
| CT | computed tomography |
| |
| CTA | computed tomographic angiography |
| |
| cu mm or mm3 | cubic millimeter |
| |
| CVA | cerebrovascular accident |
| |
| CVS | chorionic villus sampling |
| |
| CXR | chest x-ray |
| |
| d | day |
| |
| D&C | dilation and curettage |
| |
| D&E | dilation and evacuation |
| |
| DC | discharge; discontinue; doctor of chiropractic |
| |
| DDS | doctor of dental surgery |
| |
| DJD | degenerative joint disease |
| |
| DKA | diabetic ketoacidosis |
| |
| DO | doctor of osteopathy |
| |
| DPM | doctor of podiatric medicine |
| |
| dr | dram |
| |
| DRE | digital rectal exam |
| |
| DTR | deep tendon reflex |
| |
| DVT | deep vein thrombosis |
| |
| Dx | diagnosis |
| |
| ECG | electrocardiogram |
| |
| echo | echocardiogram |
| |
| ECT | electroconvulsive therapy |
| |
| ECU | emergency care unit |
| |
| ED | erectile dysfunction |
| |
| EDC | estimated date of confinement |
| |
| EDD | estimated date of delivery |
| |
| EEG | electroencephalogram |
| |
| EGD | esophagogastroduodenoscopy |
| |
| EKG | electrocardiogram |
| |
| EMG | electromyogram |
| |
| ENT | ear, nose, and throat |
| |
| EPS | electrophysiological study |
| |
| ER | emergency room |
| |
| ERCP | endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography |
| |
| ESR | erythrocyte sedimentation rate |
| |
| ESWL | extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy |
| |
| ETOH | ethyl alcohol |
| |
| EUS | endoscopic ultrasonography |
| |
| F | Fahrenheit |
| |
| FBS | fasting blood sugar |
| |
| Fe | iron |
| |
| FH | family history |
| |
| fl oz | fluid ounce |
| |
| FS | frozen section |
| |
| FSH | follicle-stimulating hormone |
| |
| Fx | fracture |
| |
| g | gram |
| |
| GAD | generalized anxiety disorder |
| |
| GERD | gastroesophageal reflux disease |
| |
| GH | growth hormone |
| |
| GI | gastrointestinal |
| |
| gm | gram |
| |
| gr | grain |
| |
| gt | drop |
| |
| gtt | drops |
| |
| GTT | glucose tolerance test |
| |
| GYN | gynecology |
| |
| h | hour |
| |
| H&H | hemoglobin and hematocrit |
| |
| H&P | history and physical |
| |
| HAV | hepatitis A virus |
| |
| HBV | hepatitis B virus |
| |
| HCT or Hct | hematocrit |
| |
| HCV | hepatitis C virus |
| |
| HD | Huntington disease |
| |
| HEENT | head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat |
| |
| HGB or Hgb | hemoglobin |
| |
| HIV | human immunodeficiency virus |
| |
| hpf | high-power field |
| |
| HPI | history of present illness |
| |
| HPV | human papilloma virus |
| |
| HRT | hormone replacement therapy |
| |
| h.s. | hour of sleep |
| 0 | 0 |
| HSV-1 | herpes simplex virus type 1 |
| |
| HSV-2 | herpes simplex virus type 2 |
| |
| Ht | height |
| |
| HTN | hypertension |
| |
| Hx | history |
| |
| I&D | incision and drainage |
| |
| ICD | implantable cardioverter defibrillator |
| |
| ICU | intensive care unit |
| |
| ID | intradermal |
| |
| IM | intramuscular |
| |
| |
| |
| IMP | impression |
| |
| IOL | intraocular lens |
| |
| IP | inpatient |
| |
| IUD | intrauterine device |
| |
| IV | intravenous |
| |
| IVP | intravenous pyelogram |
| |
| IVU | intravenous urogram |
| |
| JCAHO | Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations |
| |
| kg | kilogram |
| |
| KUB | kidneys, ureters, bladder |
| |
| L | liter |
| L&W | living and well |
| |
| LASIK | laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis |
| |
| lb | pound |
| |
| LEEP | loop electrosurgical excision procedure |
| |
| LH | luteinizing hormone |
| |
| LLETZ | large-loop excision of transformation zone |
| |
| LLQ | left lower quadrant |
| |
| LP | lumbar puncture |
| |
| lpf | low-power field |
| |
| LTB | laryngotracheobronchitis |
| |
| LUQ | left upper quadrant |
| |
| m | meter |
| |
| Symbol | 0 |
| |
| MCH | mean corpuscular (cell) hemoglobin |
| |
| MCHC | mean corpuscular (cell) hemoglobin concentration |
| |
| MCV | mean corpuscular (cell) volume |
| |
| MD | medical doctor; muscular dystrophy |
| |
| mg | milligram |
| |
| MI | myocardial infarction |
| |
| ml or mL | milliliter |
| |
| mm | millimeter |
| |
| mm3 or cu mm | cubic millimeter |
| |
| MPI | myocardial perfusion image |
| |
| MRA | magnetic resonance angiography |
| |
| MRI | magnetic resonance imaging |
| |
| MS | multiple sclerosis; musculoskeletal |
| |
| MSH | melanocyte-stimulating hormone |
| |
| MUGA | multiple-gated acquisition (scan) |
| |
| MVP | mitral valve prolapse |
| |
| NAD | no acute distress |
| |
| NCV | nerve conduction velocity |
| |
| NG | nasogastric |
| nasogastric | 0 |
| NK | natural killer (cell) |
| |
| NKA | no known allergy |
| |
| NKDA | no known drug allergy |
| |
| noc. | night |
| |
| NPO | nothing by mouth |
| |
| NSAID | nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug |
| |
| NSR | normal sinus rhythm |
| |
| O | objective |
| |
| O2 | oxygen |
| |
| OA | osteoarthritis |
| |
| OB | obstetrics |
| |
| OCD | obsessive-compulsive disorder |
| |
| OCP | oral contraceptive pill |
| |
| OD | right eye; doctor of optometry |
| |
| OH | occupational history |
| |
| OP | outpatient |
| |
| OR | operating room |
| |
| ORIF | open reduction, internal fixation |
| |
| OS | left eye |
| |
| OU | both eyes |
| |
| oz | ounce |
| |
| |
| |
| P | plan; posterior; pulse |
| |
| PA | posterior-anterior |
| |
| PACU | postanesthetic care unit |
| |
| PaCO2 | partial pressure of carbon dioxide |
| |
| PaO2 | partial pressure of oxygen |
| |
| Pap | Papanicolaou (smear) |
| |
| PAR | postanesthetic recovery |
| |
| p.c. | after meals |
| |
| PCI | percutaneous coronary intervention |
| |
| PD | panic disorder |
| |
| PDA | patent ductus arteriosus |
| |
| PE | physical examination; pulmonary embolism; polyethylene |
| |
| PEFR | peak expiratory flow rate |
| |
| per | by or through |
| |
| PERRLA | pupils equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation |
| |
| PET | positron-emission tomography |
| |
| PF | peak flow |
| |
| PFT | pulmonary function testing |
| |
| pH | potential of hydrogen |
| |
| |
| |
| PH | past history |
| |
| PI | present illness |
| |
| PID | pelvic inflammatory disease |
| |
| PIH | pregnancy-induced hypertension |
| |
| p.m. | after noon |
| |
| PLT | platelet |
| |
| PMH | past medical history |
| |
| PMN | polymorphonuclear (leukocyte) |
| |
| PNS | peripheral nervous system |
| |
| p.o. | by mouth |
| |
| post-op postop or | postoperative |
| |
| PPBS | postprandial blood sugar |
| |
| PR | per rectum |
| |
| pre-op or preop | preoperative |
| |
| p.r.n. | as needed |
| |
| PSA | prostate-specific antigen |
| |
| PSG | polysomnography |
| |
| pt | patient |
| |
| PT | physical therapy; prothrombin time |
| |
| PTCA | percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty |
| |
| PTH | parathyroid hormone |
| |
| PTSD | posttraumatic stress disorder |
| |
| PTT | partial thromboplastin time |
| |
| PUD | peptic ulcer disease |
| |
| PV | per vagina |
| |
| PVC | premature ventricular contraction |
| |
| Px | physical examination |
| |
| q | every |
| |
| q.d. | every day, daily |
| |
| qh | every hour |
| |
| q2h | every 2 hours |
| |
| q.i.d. | four times a day |
| |
| q.o.d. | every other day |
| |
| qt | quart |
| |
| R | respiration |
| |
| |
| |
| RA | rheumatoid arthritis |
| |
| RBC | red blood cell; red blood count |
| |
| RLQ | right lower quadrant |
| |
| R/O | rule out |
| |
| ROM | range of motion |
| |
| ROS | review of symptoms |
| |
| RP | retrograde pyelogram |
| |
| RRR | regular rate and rhythm |
| |
| RTC | return to clinic |
| |
| RTO | return to office |
| |
| RUQ | right upper quadrant |
| |
| Rx | recipe; prescription |
| |
| |
| |
| S | subjective |
| |
| SA | sinoatrial |
| |
| SAB | spontaneous abortion |
| |
| SAD | seasonal affective disorder |
| |
| SC | subcutaneous |
| |
| SCA | sudden cardiac arrest |
| |
| SCC | squamous cell carcinoma |
| |
| SH | social history |
| |
| Sig: | instruction to patient |
| |
| SLE | systemic lupus erythematosus |
| |
| SOB | shortness of breath |
| |
| SPECT | single-photon emission computed tomography |
| |
| SpGr | specific gravity |
| |
| SQ | subcutaneous |
| |
| SR | systems review |
| |
| Symbol | 0 |
| |
| STAT | immediately |
| |
| STD | sexually transmitted disease |
| |
| SUI | stress urinary incontinence |
| |
| suppos | suppository |
| |
| SV | stroke volume |
| |
| Sx | symptom |
| |
| T | temperature |
| |
| T3 | triiodothyronine |
| |
| T4 | thyroxine |
| |
| T&A | tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy |
| |
| tab | tablet |
| |
| TAB | therapeutic abortion |
| |
| TB | tuberculosis |
| |
| TEDS | thromboembolic disease stockings |
| |
| TEE | transesophageal echocardiogram |
| |
| TIA | transient ischemic attack |
| |
| t.i.d. | three times a day |
| three times a day | TM |
| TM | tympanic membrane |
| |
| TMR | transmyocardial revascularization |
| |
| tPA or TPA | tissue plasminogen activator |
| |
| Tr | treatment |
| |
| TSH | thyroid-stimulating hormone |
| |
| TURP | transurethral resection of the prostate |
| |
| TV | tidal volume |
| |
| Tx | treatment; traction |
| |
| UA | urinalysis |
| |
| UCHD | usual childhood diseases |
| |
| URI | upper respiratory infection |
| |
| US or U/S | ultrasound |
| |
| UTI | urinary tract infection |
| |
| |
| |
| VC | vital capacity |
| |
| VCU or VCUG | voiding cystourethrogram |
| |
| V/Q | ventilation/perfusion |
| |
| VS | vital signs |
| |
| VSD | ventricular septal defect |
| |
| VT | tidal volume |
| |
| w.a. | while awake |
| |
| WBC | white blood cell; white blood count |
| |
| WDWN | well developed, well nourished |
| |
| wk | week |
| |
| WNL | within normal limits |
| |
| Wt | weight |
| |
| x | times; for |
| |
| x-ray | radiography |
| |
| y.o. or y/o | year old |
| |
| yr | year |
| |
| ♀ | female |
| |
| ♂ | male |
| |
| |
| ° | degree; hour |
| |
| ↑ | increase; above |
| |
| ↓ | decrease; below |
| |
| |
| |
| θ | none; negative |
