Question | Answer |
@ | at |
A&D | admission and discharge |
A&P | anterior and posterior or anatomy and physiology |
__
aa | of each |
abd | abdomen or abdominal |
ABG | arterial blood gas |
ac | before meals |
ad lib | as desired |
ADL | activities of daily living |
adm | admission |
AHA | American hospital Association |
AIDS | acquired immune deficiency syndrome |
am or AM | morning, before noon |
AMA | American Medical Association or against medical advice |
amb | ambulate, walk |
amt | amount |
ANA | American Nurses' Association |
ant | anterior |
AP | Apical Pulse |
approx | approximately |
aq or aqua | aqueous (water base) |
as tol | as tolerated |
ASA | aspirin |
ASAP | as soon as possible |
ASCVD | arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease |
Ax | axilla, axillary, or armpit |
Ba | barium |
bid | twice a day |
bil | bilateral |
Bl Wk | blood work |
BM | bowel movement |
BMR | basal metabolic rate |
BP | blood pressure |
BR | bed rest |
BRP | bathroom privileges |
BS | blood sugar |
BSC or bsc | bedside commode |
BUN | blood urea nitrogen |
Bx or bx | biopsy |
oC | degrees Celsius (Centigrade) |
_
c or w/ | with |
Ca | Calcium |
CA | cancer |
CAT | computerized axial tomography |
Cath | catheter |
CBC | Complete blood count |
CBR | complete bedrest |
cc | cubic centimeter |
CC | chief complaint |
CCU | coronary care unit or critical care unit |
CDC | Centers for disease Control |
CHD | coronary heart disease |
CHF | congestive heart failure |
chol | cholesterol |
CICU | cardiac intensive care unit |
CL | chloride or chlorine |
cl liq | clear liquids |
Cm | centimeter |
CMA | certified medical assistant |
CNP | certified nurse practitioner |
CNS | central nervous system |
co or c/o | complains of |
CO | carbon monoxide |
CO2 | carbon dioxide |
cont | continued |
CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
CVA | cerebral vascular accident (stroke) |
d | day |
D/C, disc, or dc | discontinued or discharge |
DDS | doctor of dental surgery |
DJD | degenerative joint disease |
DNR | do not resuscitate |
DOA | dead on arrival |
DOB | date of birth |
Dr | Doctor |
drg or drsg | dressing |
DVM | doctor of veterinary medicine |
Dx or dx | diagnosis |
ea | each |
EEG | electroencephalogram |
EKG or ECG | electrocardiogram |
EMS | emergency medical service |
EMT | emergency medical technician |
ENT | ear, nose, throat |
EPA | Environmental Protection Agency |
ER | emergency room |
etiol or et | etiology (cause of disease) |
oF | degrees Fahrenheit |
FBS | fasting blood sugar |
FDA | Food and Drug Administration |
Fe | iron |
Fx | fracture |
FUO | fever of unknown origin |
GI | gastrointestinal |
gr | grain |
gtt, or gtts | drop,drops |
Gyn | gynecology |
H | hydrogen |
H2O | water |
H2O2 | hydrogen peroxide |
HA | headache |
HCL | hydrochloric acid |
hct | hematorcrit |
HDL | high density lipoproteins |
Hg | mercury |
Hgb or Hb | hemoglobin |
HIV | human immunodeficiency virus |
HMO | health maintenance organization |
HOB | head of bed |
HR | heart rate |
Hr, hr, H or h | hour, hours |
HS | hour of sleep (bedtime) |
Ht | height |
Hx or hx | history |
I&O | intake and output |
ICU | intensive care unit |
IM | intramuscular |
IV | intravenous |
K | potassium |
KCL | potassium chloride |
KVO | keep vein open |
L&D | labor and delivery |
L or I | liter (1,000 cc) |
lb | pound |
LDL | low density lipoprotein |
liq | liquid |
LLQ | lower left quadrant |
LOC | level of consciousness |
LUQ | left upper quadrant |
MD | medical doctor, muscular dystrophy, or myocardial disease |
mEq | milliequivalent |
mg | milligram |
Mg | magnesium, |
MI | myocardial infarction (heart attack) |
min | minute |
ml | milliliter |
mm | millimeter |
MN | midnight |
mod | moderate |
MRI | magnetic resonance imaging |
MS | multiple sclerosis |
N | nitrogen |
Na | sodium |
NaCl | sodium chloride (salt) |
Neg | negative |
NG | nasogastric tube |
NIH | National Institutes of Health |
NKA | no known allergies |
NPO | nothing by mouth |
N/V or N&V | nausea and vomiting |
O2 | Oxygen |
Ob or Obs | obstetrics |
OOB | out of bed |
OR | operating room |
oz | ounce |
-
p | after |
PA | physician's assistant |
Path | pathology |
PDR | Physicians' Desk Reference |
`pH | measure of acidity/alkalinity |
pm | after noon |
po | by mouth |
post-op | after an operation |
prn | whenever necessary, as needed |
pt | Patient |
PT | physical therapy |
q | every |
qd | every da |
qh | every hour |
q2h | every 2 hours |
q3h | every 3 hours |
q4h | every 4 hours |
qhs | every night at bedtime |
qid | four times a day |
qns | quantity not sufficient |
qod | every other day |
qs | quantity sufficient |
qt | quart |
Rt | right |
RBC | red blood cell or count |
RLQ | right lower quadrant |
RN | registered nurse |
R/O | rule out |
ROM | range of motion |
Rx | prescription |
_
s or w/o | without |
SOB | short of breath |
ss | one half |
stat | immediately (at once) |
step | streptococcus infection |
T&A | tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy |
TB | tuberculosis |
tbsp | tablespoon |
TIA | transient iscemic attack |
tid | three times a day |
tol | tolerated |
TPR | temperature, pulse, respiration |
tsp | teaspoon |
UA or U/A | urinalysis |
UTI | urinary tract infection |
VS | vital signs (TPR and BP) |
WBC | white blood cell or count |
wt | weight |
x | times |
> | greater than |
< | less than |
^ (up arrow)
'
' | higher elevate, or up |
'
' (down arrow)
'
v | lower or down |
# | pound or number |
' | foot or minute |
'' | inch or second |
F | female |
M | Male |
0.X mg | place a zero before decimal point |