Medical Abbreviations


Common Medical Abbreviations courtesy of MTWorld.com - used with permission.


A

A&P	Auscultation and percussion
A&P	Anterior and posterior
A-fib	Atrial fibrillation
a.c.	Before meals
A/a	Alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient
AAA	Abdominal aortic aneurysm
AB/ab	Abortion
ABCs	Airway, breathing, circulation
ABG	Arterial blood gas
ABO	A system of classifying blood groups
AC	Acromioclavicular
AC	Abdominal Circumference
ACE	Angiotensin converting enzyme
ACL	Anterior cruciate ligament
ACLS	Advanced Cardiac Life Support
ACTH	Adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticotropin
AD	Alzheimer's dementia or disease
ad lib	As desired
ADH	Antidiuretic hormone
ADL	Activities of daily living
AFB	Acid-fast bacilli
AFL	Atrial flutter
AFP	Alpha-fetoprotein
AFV	Amniotic fluid volume
AI	Artificial Insemination
AI	Amnioinfusion
AIDS	Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
AKA	Above knee amputation
ALL	Acute lymphocytic leukemia
ALT	Alanine aminotransferase
AMA	Against medical advice
ANA	Antinuclear antibody
AP	Anteroposterior
appy	Appendectomy
APTT	Activated partial thromboplastin
AQ	Water
ARC	AIDS-related complex
ARDS	Adult respiratory distress syndrome
ARF	Acute renal failure
ASAP	As soon as possible
ASHD	Atherosclerotic heart disease
ASO	Antistreptolysin-O
AST	Aspartate aminotransferase
ATN	Acute tubular necrosis
ATNC	Atraumatic, normocephalic
AV	Arteriovenous, atrioventricular
AVB	Atrioventricular block
AVM	Arteriovenous malformation
AVN	Atrioventricular node
AVR	Aortic valve replacement

B

b.i.d.	Twice a day
B12	Vitamin B12
Bact	Bacteriology
BBT	Basal body temperature
BE	Barium enema
BHCG	Beta human chorionic gonadotropin
BKA	Below knee amputation
BLS	Basic life support
BMR	Basal metabolic rate
BP	Blood pressure
BPAD	Bipolar affective disorder
BPD	Biparietal diameter
BPH	Benign prostatic hypertrophy
Bpm	Beats per minute
BSA	Body surface area
BSO	Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
BUN	Blood urea nitrogen
BV	Bacterial vaginosis
BVH	Biventricular hypertrophy
BX, Bx	Biopsy

C

C	Celsius, centigrade, complement
C&S	Culture and sensitivity
c*	With
C-section	Cesarean section
C-spine	Cervical spine
c/w	Consistent with
C1-9	Cervical vertebrae 1-9
Ca	Calcium
CA,Ca,ca	Cancer, carcinoma
CAB	Coronary artery bypass
CABG	Coronary artery bypass grafting
CAD	Coronary artery disease
Caps	Capsules
CAT	Computerized axial tomography (CAT Scan)
CAV	Cytoxan, adrimycin, and vincristine
CBC	Complete blood count
cc	Cubic centimeter
CC,C.C.	Chief complaint
CCE	Clubbing, cyanosis, or edema
CCU	Coronary care unit
CDC	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CEA	Carcinoembryonic antigen
CF	Cystic fibrosis
cg	Centigram
CHF	Congestive heart failure
Chol	Cholesterol
CK	Creatine kinase
Cl	Chloride, chlorine
CLL	Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
cm	Centimeter
CMC	Carpometacarpal
CMG	Cystometrogram
CMV	Cytomegalovirus
CNS	Central nervous system
CO	Carbon monoxide, cardiac output
CO2	Carbon dioxide
COMP	Compound
COPD	Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CPAP	Continuous positive airway pressure
CPD	Cephalopelvic disproportion
CPK	Creatine phosphokinase
CPM	Continuous passive motion
CPR	Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, C-reactive protein
Cr	Creatinine
CRF	Chronic renal failure
CRP	C-reactive protein
CSF	Cerebrospinal fluid
CT	Computed tomography
CTR	Carpal tunnel release
CTS	Carpal tunnel syndrome
cu	Cubic
CV	Cardiovascular
CVA	Cerebrovascular accident
CVA	Costovertabral angle
CVD	Cerebrovascular disease
CVP	Central venous pressure
CVS	Cardiovascular system
CXR	Chest x-ray film or radiograph

D

D&C	Dilatation and curettage
D/W	Dextrose in water
DBP	Diastolic blood pressure
DC	Discontinue
DC	Discharge
DDD	Degenerative disc disease
DDI,ddI	Dideoxyinosine, didanosine
defib	Defibrillation
DIC	Disseminated intravascular coagulation
DIFF,diff	Differential blood count
DIP	Distal interphalangeal
DISH	Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis
DJD	Degenerative joint disease
dl	Decliter (100 ml)
DM	Diabetes mellitus
DNA	Deoxyribonucleic acid
DO	Doctor of osteopathy
DOB	Date of birth
DP	Dorsalis pedis
DPT	Diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (toxoids/vaccine)
DS	Double strength
DSA	Digital subtraction angiography
DT	Delirium tremens
DTR	Deep tendon reflex
DVT	Deep venous thrombosis
DX, Dx, dx	Diagnosis

E

EBL	Estimated blood loss
ECF	Extracellular fluid
ECG	Electrocardiogram
ECHO	Echocardiogram
ED	Emergency department
EDC	Estimated date of confinement
EEG	Electroencephalogram
EF	Ejection fraction
EFW	Estimated fetal weight
EGA	Estimated gestational age
EGD	Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
EKG	Electrocardiogram
EMG	Electromyogram
ENT	Ear, nose, and throat
EOM	Extraocular muscle
EOMI	Extraocular muscles intact
ER	Emergency Room
ERA	Estroadiol receptor assay
ERCP	Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ESR	Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
ET	Endotracheal
Exc	Excision

F

F	Fahrenheit
F/U	Follow-up (study, exam, test, care)
FB	Foreign body
FBS	Fasting blood sugar
FCD	Fibrocystic disease
FDA	Food and Drug Administration
Fe	Iron
FEF	Forced expiratory flow
FFP	Fresh frozen plasma
FH	Family history
FHR	Fetal heart rate
FL	Femur length
FSH	Follicle-stimulating hormone
ft	Foot, feet, (measure)
FUO	Fever of undetermined origin

G

G	Gravida
g, gm	Gram
G6PD	Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
gastroc	Gastrocnemius
GBS	Group B Streptococcus bacteria, or group B streptococcal infection
GC	Gonococcus
GCS	Glasgow Coma Scale
GCT	Glucose challenge test
GDM	Gestational diabetes mellitus
GE	Gastroesophageal
GE	Gastroenterology
GERD	Gasatroesophageal reflux disease
GFR	Glomerular filtration rate
GI	Gastrointestinal
GP	General practitioner
Gr	Grain
gt, gtt	Drop, drops
GTT	Glucose tolerance test
GU	Genitourinary
GXT	Graded exercise stress test
GYN, gyn	Gynecology

H

H&H	Hemoglobin and hematocrit
H&P	History and physical
h.s.	At bedtime, hour of sleep
h/o	History of
Hb	Hemoglobin
HC	Head circumference
HCG	Human chorionic gonadotropin
HCI	Hydrochloric acid, hydrochloride
HCO3	Bicarbonate
HCT	Hematocrit
HDL	High-density lipoprotein
HDN	Hemolytic disease of the newborn
HEENT	Head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat
Hg	Mercury
Hgb	Hemoglobin
HGH	Human growth hormone
HI	Hemagglutination inhibition
HIDA	Hepato-iminodiacetic acid
HIV	Human immunodeficiency virus
HJR	Hepatojugular reflex
HLA	Human leukocyte antigen
HMD	Hyaline membrane disease
HMG	Human menopausal gonadotropin
HNP	Herniated nucleus pulposus
HPI	History of present illness
HR	Heart rate
Hr	Hour
HRT	Hormone replacement therapy
HSV	Herpes simplex virus
ht, Ht	Height
HTN	Hypertension
Hx	History
Hz	Hertz (cycles per second)

I

I&D	Incision and drainage
I&O	Intake and output
I.V.	Intravenous
IABP	Intra-aortic balloon pump
IAC	Internal auditory canal
ICF	Intracellular fluid
ICP	Intracranial pressure
ICS	Intercostal space
ICU	Intensive care unit
ID	Infectious disease
IDDM	Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
IgA	Immunoglobulin A
IgD	Immunoglobulin
IgE	Immunoglobulin
IgG	Immunoglobulin
IgM	Immunoglobulin
IHSS	Idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis
IJ	Internal jugular
ILD	Interstitial lung disease
IM	Intramuscular
IN	Intranasally
inf	Inferior
inj	Inject
IO	Intraosseous
IP	Interphalangeal
IPPB	Intermittent positive-pressure breathing
IT	Iliotibial
IU	International unit
IUD	Intrauterine device
IUGR	Intrauterine growth retardation
IUP	Intrauterine pregnancy
IVP	Intravenous pyelogram
IVU	Intravenous urography

J

JRA	Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
JVD	Jugular venous distention
JVP	Jugular venous pressure

K

K, K1	Potassium
K-wire	Kirschner wire
kcal	Kilocalorie (food calorie)
kg	kilogram
KO	Keep open
KOH	Potassium hydroxide
KS	Kaposi's sarcoma
KUB	Kidneys, ureters, and bladder

L

l	Liter
L-spine	Lumbar spine
L/S	Lecithin-to-sphingomyelin (ratio)
L1-5	Lumbar vertebrae 1-5
LAD	Left anterior descending (coronary artery)
LAO	Left anterior oblique
lap	Laparotomy / laparoscopic
lat	Lateral
lb	Pound
LBBB	Left bundle branch block
LCA	Left coronary artery
LDH	Lactate dyhdrogenase
LDL	Low-density lopoprotein
LE	Lupus erythematosus
LFT	Liver function test
LGA	Large for gestational age
LGI	Lower GI (gastrointestinal)
LH	Luteinizing hormone
LICA	Left internal carotid artery
LIMA	Left internal mammary artery
LLL	Left lower lobe
LLQ	Left lower quadrant
LMP	Last menstrual period
LOC	Loss of consciousness
LP	Lumbar puncture
LPA	Left pulmonary artery
LR	Lactated Ringer's
LS	Lumbosacral
lt	Left
LUQ	Left upper quadrant
LV	Left ventricle
LVH	Left ventricular hypertrophy

M

m	Micron
M	Molar
m	Meter, minim
m l	Microliter
m m	Micrometer, micron
m mol	Micromole
m Osm	Micro-osmole
MAO	Monoamine oxidase
MCH	Mean corpuscular hemoglobin
MCHC	Meancorpuscular hemoglobin concentration
mCi	Millicurie
MCP	Metacarpophalangeal
MCV	Mean corpuscular volume
MD	Medical doctor, muscular dystrophy
MDD	Major depressive disorder
MDI	Metered dose inhaler
MEE	Middle ear effusion
mEq	Millequivalent
mg	Microgram
mg	Milligram
Mg	Magnesium
MI	Myocardial infarction
min	Minute
ml	Milliliter
mm	Millimeter
mM	Millimole
mm	Millimicron (nanometer)
mmol	Millimole
MMR	Measles-mumps-rubella (vaccine)
mo	Month
mol wt	Molecular weight
mOsm	Milliosmole
MRI	Magnetic resonance imaging
MS	Multiple sclerosis, morphine sulfate
MSAFP	Maternal serum alpha fetoprotein
MSH	Melanocyte-stimulating hormone
MTP	Metatarsaophalangeal
MUGA	Multigated acquisition (scanning)
MVP	Mitral valve prolaspe

N

N	Nitrogen, normal (strength of solution)
N&V	Nausea and vomiting
Na	Sodium
NaCl	Sodium chloride
NAD	No acute distress
NCAT	Normocephalic, atraumatic
NG	Nasogastric
ng	Nanogram (millimmicron)
NGT	Nasogastric tube
NHL	Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
NICU	Neonatal intensive care unit
NIDDM	Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
NKDA	No known drug allergies
NPO	Nothing by mouth
NSAID	Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NSVD	Normal spontaneous vaginal delivery
NTD	Neural tube defect
NTG	Nitroglycerin

O

O&P	Ova and parasites
O.D.	Right eye
O.S.	Left eye
O2	Oxygen
OA	Osteoarthritis
OB	Obstetrics
Ob-GYN	Obstetrics and gynecology
OCD	Obsessive-compulsive disorder
OCG	Oral cholecystogram
OCP	Oral contraceptive pill
OM	Otitis media
OMB	Obtuse marginal branch
OPV	Oral poliovirus
OR	Operating room
ORIF	Open reduction, internal fixation
OT	Occupational therapy
OTC	Over the counter (drug that requires no prescription)
oz	Ounce

P

P	Phosphorus, pressure, pulse, para
p.c.	After meals
P.O.	By mouth
p.r.n.	As needed, whenever necessary
PA	Posteroanterior
PAC	Premature atrial contraction
PaCO2	Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood
PaO2	Partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood
Pap	Papanicolaou smear
PCL	Posterior cruciate ligament
PCN	Penicillin
PCO2	Partial pressure of carbon dioxide
PCP	Pneumocystis pneumonia
PD	Parkinson's disease
PE	Pulmonary embolism
PE	Physical examination
peds	Pediatrics
PEFR	Peak expiratory flow rate
Perrla	Puplis equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation
PFTs	Pulmonary function tests
pg	Picogram (micromicrogram)
pH	Hydrogen ion concentration
PICU	Pediatric intensive care unit
PID	Pelvic inflammatory disease
PIH	Pregnancy-induced hypertension
PIP	Proximal interphalangeal
PKU	Phenylketonuria
plt	Platelet
PMI	Point of maximal impulse
PMS	Premenstrual syndrome
PND	Paroxyomal nocturnal dyspnea
PO2	Partial pressure of oxygen
POD	Postoperative day
PPD	Purified protein derivative (of tuberculin)
ppm	Parts per million
PR	Per rectum
Pro time	Prothrombin time
PSA	Prostate specific antigen
psi	Pounds persquare inch
PT	Physical therapy / prothrombin time
PTCA	Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
PTH	Parathyroid horomone
PTL	Premature labor
PTSD	Post-traumatic stress disorder
PTSD	Post-traumatic stress disorder
PTT	Partial thromboplastin time
PUD	Peptic ulcer disease
PVC	Premature ventricular contraction

Q

q	Every
q.d.	Every day
q.h.	Every hour
q.i.d.	Four times a day
q.o.d.	Every other day (tertio quoque die)
q2h	Every 2 hours
q4h	Every 4 hours

R

R	Respirations, roentgen
R/O	Rule out
RA	Rheumatoid arthritis
RAD	Right anterior descending
RAIU	Radioactive iodine uptake
RAO	Right anterior oblique
RBBB	Right bundle branch block
RBC	Red blood cell
RCA	Right coronary artery
REM	Rapid eye movement
RF	Renal failure
RF	Rheumatic fever, rheumatoid factor
RFI	Renal failure index
Rh	Rhesus blood factor
Rh neg. (Rh-)	Rhesus factor negative
Rh pos. (Rh+)	Rhesus factor positive
RIND	Reversible ischemic neurologic deficit
RLQ	Right lower quadrant
RMSF	Rocky Mountain spotted fever
RN	Registered nurse
RNA	Ribonucleic acid
ROM	Range of motion (of joint)
RSD	Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
RSI	Rapid-sequence intubation
RSV	Respiratory syncytial virus
RUQ	Right uper quadrant
RVMI	Right ventricular myocardial infarction
Rx	Prescription

S

S&S	Signs and symptoms
s*	Without
S.C., SQ, subq	Subcutaneous
SAB	Spontaneous abortion
SAH	Subarachnoid hemorrhage
SaO2	Systemic arterial oxygen saturation (%)
SBE	Subacute bacterial endocarditis
SBP	Systolic blood pressure
sec	Second
sed rate	Sedimentation rate
SG	Swan-Ganz (catheter)
SGA	Small for gestational age
SGOT	Serum glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (see AST)
SGPT	Serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (see ALT)
SHEENT	Skin, head, eyes, ears, nose, & throat
SI	Sacroiliac
SI	International System of Units
SIADH	Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
SICU	Surgical intensive care unit
SIDS	Sudden infant death syndrome
SK	Streptokinase
SL	Sublingual
SLE	Systemic lupus erythmatosus
SOB	Short of breath
sp gr	Specific gravity
spec	Specimen
SQ	Subcutaneous
SR	Slow release
SS	Single strength
ss*	One-half
stat	Immediately
STD	Sexually transmitted disease
subq	Subcutaneous
SVC	Superior vena cava
sx	Symptoms

T

T	Temperature
T&A	Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
T&C	Type and crossmatch
T-spine	Thoracic spine
t.i.d.	Three times a day
T1-12	Thoracic vertebrae 1-12
TAB	Therapeutic abortion
Tabs	Tablets
TAH	Total abdominal hysterectomy
TAH-BSO	Total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
TB	Tuberculosis
TBSA	Total body surface area
TEE	Transesophageal echocardiography
temp.	Temperature
TENS	Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
TFT	Thyroid function test
TG	Triglycerides
TIA	Transient ischemic attach
TIBS	Total iron-binding capacity
TKA	Total knee arthroplasty
TM	Tympanic membrane
TMJ	Temporomandibular joint
TORCHS	Toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, syphilis (infection)
TPA	Tissue plasminogen activator
TPN	Total parenteral nutrition
TPR	Temperature, pulse, respirations
TRH	Thyrotropin-releasing hormone
TSH	Thyroid-stimulating hormone
tsp	Teaspoon
TURB	Transurethral resection of the bladder
TURP	Transurethral resection of the prostate
TVH	Total vaginal hysterectomy

U

U/P	Urine-to-plasma ratio
U/S	Ultrasound, ultrasonogram, ultrasonography
UA	Urinalysis
UC	Ulcerative colitis
UGI	Upper gastrointestinal (tract)
ung	Ointment
UPJ	Ureteropelvic junction
URI	Upper respiratory infection
USPHS	United States Public Health Service
UTI	Urinary tract infection
UTI	Urinary tract infection
UV	Ultraviolet (radiation); B refers to the shorter-wave, more damaging range

V

V-fib	Ventricular fibrillation
V-tach	Ventricular tachycardia
VBAC	Vaginal birth after cesarean
VCUG	Voiding cystourethrogram
VDRL	Veneral Disease Research Laboratory
VP	Ventriculoperitoneal
VS	Vital signs
VSD	Ventricular septal defect
VT	Ventricular septal defect
VT	Ventricular tachycardia

W

WBC	White blood cell
WHO	World Health Organization
Wt	Weight