Selected Medical Abbreviations
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y
Abbreviations may be seen in practice with or without punctuation and may be found written in capital or lower-case letters. Punctuation has been omitted in this list.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
a | Before |
| aa | Of each |
| ab | Abortion; antibiotic |
| abd | Abdomen |
| ABGs | Arterial blood gases |
| ac | Before meals; abdominal circumference |
| accel | (FHR) acceleration |
| ACE | Angiotensin-converting enzyme |
| ACTH | Adrenocorticotropic hormone |
| AD | Right ear |
| ADA | American Diabetes Association |
| ADD | Attention deficit disorder |
| ADH | Antidiuretic hormone |
| ADHD | Attention deficit hyperactive disorder |
| ADL | Activities of daily living |
| ad lib | As desired |
| AFB | Acid-fast bacilli |
| AFP | Alpha-fetoprotein |
| AFV | Amniotic fluid volume |
| AGA | Appropriate for gestational age |
| AGN | Acute glomerulonephritis |
| AID | Artificial insemination by donor |
| AIDS | Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome |
| AIH | Artificial insemination by husband |
| AKA | Also known as |
| ALL | Acute lymphocytic leukemia |
| ALT | Same as SGOT |
| alt noc | Every other night |
| AM | Midnight to all times before noon |
| AMA | Against medical advice |
| amb | Ambulate |
| AMI | Acute myocardial infarction |
| ANA | Antinuclear antibodies |
| ANLL | Acute nonlymphoid leukemia |
| ant | Anterior |
| AOM | Acute otitis media |
| A/P | Anteroposterior |
| aq | Water |
| ARB | Angiotensin receptor blocker |
| ARC | AIDS-related complex |
| ARF | Acute rheumatic fever |
| AROM | Artificial rupture of membranes; active range of motion |
| ASA | Aspirin |
| ASAP | As soon as possible |
| ASD | Atrial septal defect |
| ASHD | Arteriosclerotic heart disease |
| ASO | Antistreptolysin O |
| AV | Atrioventricular |
| Ax | Axillary |
| Az | 2-hour pregnancy test |
| BA | Barium enema |
| BAL | Blood alcohol level |
| BAT | Brown adipose tissue |
| BBB | Bundle branch block |
| BE | Barium enema |
| bid | Twice daily |
| BK | Below the knee |
| BM | Bowel movement |
| BMA | Bone marrow aspiration |
| BMR | Basal metabolic rate |
| BOW | Bag of waters |
| BP | Blood pressure |
| BPD | Biparietal diameter of fetal head; bronchopulmonary dysplasia |
| BPH | Benign prostatic hypertrophy |
| BPM | Beats per minute |
| BS | Blood sugar |
| BSA | Body surface area |
| BSST | Breast self-stimulation test |
| BUN | Blood urea nitrogen |
| Bx | Biopsy |
| C | Celsius or centigrade; calorie |
| CA | Cancer |
| Ca+ | Calcium |
| CABG | Coronary artery bypass graft |
| CAD | Coronary artery disease |
| cal | Calorie |
| cap | Capsule |
| CAT | Computed axial tomography |
| CBC | Complete blood count |
| CC | Chief complaint; cubic centimeter |
| cc | Cubic centimeter; chief complaint |
| CCB | Calcium channel blocker |
| CCU | Coronary care unit |
| CDC | Centers for Disease Control (and Prevention) |
| CF | Cystic fibrosis |
| CFT | Capillary fill time |
| C-H | Crown-heel (length) |
| CHD | Congenital heart disease |
| CHF | Congestive heart failure |
| CID | Cytomegalic inclusion disease |
| circ | Circumcision |
| Cl | Chloride |
| CLL | Chronic lymphocytic leukemia |
| cm | Centimeter |
| CMV | Cytomegalovirus |
| CN | Cranial nerve |
| CNM | Certified nurse-midwife |
| CNS | Central nervous system (brain and spinal column) |
| C/O | Complains of |
| CO2 | Carbon dioxide |
| COA | Coarctation of the aorta |
| COLD | Chronic obstructive lung disease |
| COM | Chronic otitis media |
| comp | Compound |
| COPD | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| CP | Cerebral palsy |
| CPAP | Continuous positive airway pressure |
| CPD | Cephalopelvic disproportion |
| CPK | Creatine phosphokinase |
| CPP | Cerebral perfusion pressure |
| CPR | Cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
| CPT | Chest physiotherapy |
| CR | Controlled release |
| C-R | Crown-rump (length) |
| CRNA | Certified registered nurse anesthetist |
| CS | Cesarean section |
| C&S | Culture and sensitivity |
| CSF | Cerebrospinal fluid |
| CST | Contraction stress test |
| CT | Computed tomography |
| CTA | Clear to auscultation |
| CUG | Cystourethrogram |
| CV | Cardiovascular |
| CVA | Cerebrovascular accident |
| CVD | Cardiovascular disease |
| CVP | Central venous pressure |
| CVTC | Central venous tunneled catheter |
| CXR | Chest x-ray |
| d | Day |
| DASH | Dietary approach to stop hypertension |
| D/C | Discontinue; discharge |
| D&C | Dilatation and curettage |
| DDST | Denver Developmental Standardized Test |
| del | (FHR) deceleration; delivery |
| DEXA (scan) | Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry |
| DHR | Department of Human Resources |
| DIC | Disseminated intravascular coagulation |
| dig | Digitalis |
| dL | Deciliter |
| DM | Diabetes mellitus |
| DO | Doctor of Osteopathy |
| DOA | Dead on arrival |
| DOB | Date of birth |
| DPT | Diphtheria; pertussis; tetanus |
| dr | Dram |
| DRG | Diagnosis-related group |
| DS | Double strength |
| dsg | Dressing |
| DTR | Deep tendon reflex |
| DVT | deep vein thrombosis |
| D5W | 5% dextrose in water |
| Dx | Diagnosis |
| ECF | Extracellular fluid |
| ECG | Electrocardiogram (also EKG) |
| ECT | Electroconvulsive therapy |
| ED | Emergency department |
| EDC | Estimated date of confinement |
| EEG | Electroencephalogram |
| EENT | Ear, eye, nose, and throat |
| EFM | External fetal monitor |
| EKG | Electrocardiogram (also ECG) |
| elix | Elixir |
| EMG | Electromyogram |
| ENT | Ear, nose, and throat |
| EOM | Extraocular movements |
| epis | Episiotomy |
| esp | Especially |
| ER | Emergency room |
| ESR | Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (sed rate) |
| EST | Electroshock therapy |
| ET | Endotracheal |
| et | And |
| EUG | Excretory urogram |
| F | Fundus; Fahrenheit; female |
| FAD | Fetal activity diary |
| FAS | Fetal alcohol syndrome |
| FBM | Fetal breathing movements |
| FBS | Fasting blood sugar; fetal blood (scalp) sample |
| FDA | Food and Drug Administration |
| Fe | Iron |
| F&E | Fluids and electrolytes |
| FEV | Forced expiratory volume |
| FH | Fundal height |
| FHR | Fetal heart rate |
| FHT | Fetal heart tones |
| FiO2 | Fractional inspired O2concentration |
| fl dr | Fluid dram |
| fl oz | Fluid ounce |
| FM | Fetal movement |
| FOC | Fronto-occipital circumference (head circumference) |
| FSH | Follicle-stimulating hormone |
| FSHRH | Follicle stimulating hormone–releasing hormone |
| FTND | Full-term normal delivery |
| FTP | Full-term pregnancy |
| FTT | Failure to thrive |
| FUO | Fever of undetermined origin |
| fx | Fracture |
| G | Gravida (also grav) |
| g | Gram (also gm) |
| GB | Gallbladder |
| GC | Gonorrhea |
| GDM | Gestational diabetes mellitus |
| G&D | Growth and development |
| GER | Gastroesophageal reflux |
| GFR | Glomerular filtration rate |
| GH | Growth hormone |
| GI | Gastrointestinal |
| Gm | Gram (also g) |
| gr | Grain |
| grav | Gravida (also G) |
| GTT | Glucose tolerance test |
| gtt | Drop |
| GU | Genitourinary |
| GYN | Gynecology |
| H | Hypodermic |
| h | Hour (also hr) |
| HA | Headache |
| HAV | Hepatitis A |
| Hb | Hemoglobin (also hgb) |
| HBV | Hepatitis B |
| HC | Head circumference |
| HCG | Human chorionic gonadotropin |
| hct | Hematocrit |
| HCTZ | Hydrochlorothiazide |
| HDL | High-density lipoprotein |
| H-flu | Haemophilus influenzae |
| hgb | Hemoglobin (also Hb) |
| H&H | Hematocrit and hemoglobin |
| HHNK | Hyperglycemic, hyperosmolar, nonketotic coma |
| Hib | Haemophilus influenzae bacteria |
| HIV | Human immunodeficiency virus |
| HMD | Hyaline membrane disease |
| HMO | Health maintenance organization |
| H2O | Water |
| H2O2 | Hydrogen peroxide |
| HOB | Head of bed |
| HPI | History of present illness |
| HPF | High-powered field (of microscope) |
| HR | Heart rate |
| hr | Hour (also h) |
| hs | Hour of sleep |
| ht | Height |
| HTN | Hypertension |
| HVH | Herpes virus hominis |
| Hx | History |
| hypo | Hypodermic |
| ICF | Intracellular fluid |
| ICN | Intensive care nursery |
| ICP | Intracranial pressure |
| ICU | Intensive care unit |
| I&D | Incision and drainage |
| IDDM | Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus |
| IDM | Infant of diabetic mother |
| I/E | Inspiratory/expiratory |
| IG | Immune globulin |
| IM | Intramuscular |
| incl | Including |
| inf | Infusion |
| inhal | Inhalation |
| inj | Injection |
| I&O | Intake and output |
| IOP | Intraocular pressure |
| IPPB | Intermittent positive-pressure breathing |
| IPPV | Intermittent positive-pressure ventilation |
| IQ | Intelligence quotient |
| ISADH | Inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone |
| ISE | Internal scalp electrode |
| ITP | Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura |
| IU | International unit |
| IUD | Intrauterine device |
| IUFD | Intrauterine fetal demise |
| IUGR | Intrauterine growth retardation |
| IUP | Intrauterine pregnancy |
| IUPC | Intrauterine pressure catheter |
| IV | Intravenous |
| IVF | In vitro fertilization |
| IVP | Intravenous pyelogram; IV push |
| IVPB | IV piggyback |
| JRA | Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis |
| JVD | Jugular vein distention |
| K+ | Potassium |
| kcal | Kilocalorie |
| KCl | Potassium chloride |
| kg | Kilogram |
| KUB | Kidney, ureter, bladder |
| L | Liter; left |
| LA | Long-acting |
| lat | Lateral |
| lb | Pound |
| LBW | Low birth weight |
| L&D | Labor and delivery |
| LDH | Lactase dehydrogenase |
| LDL | Low-density lipoprotein |
| LE | Lupus erythematosus |
| LFD | Low forceps delivery |
| lg | Large |
| LGA | Large for gestational age |
| LH | Luteinizing hormone |
| liq | Liquid |
| LLQ | Left lower quadrant |
| LMA | Left mentum anterior |
| LMLE | Left mediolateral episiotomy |
| LMP | Last menstrual period |
| LMT | Left mentotransverse (fetal position) |
| LOA | left occipitoanterior (fetal position) |
| LOC | Level of consciousness |
| LOF | Low outlet forceps |
| LOM | Left otitis media |
| LOP | Left occipitoposterior (fetal position) |
| LOT | Left occipitotransverse (fetal position) |
| lot | Lotion |
| LP | Lumbar puncture |
| LPN | Licensed practical nurse |
| LR | Lactated Ringer’s |
| L/S | Lecithin/sphingomyelin |
| LSA | Left sacroanterior (fetal position) |
| LScA | Left scapuloanterior (fetal position) |
| LScP | Left scapuloposterior (fetal position) |
| LSP | Left sacroposterior (fetal position) |
| LST | Left sacrotransverse (fetal position) |
| LUQ | Left upper quadrant |
| M | Male; minim |
| m | Meter; minute (also min) |
| m2 | Meter square |
| MAEW | Moves all extremities well |
| Mag | Magnesium sulfate (also MgSO4) |
| MAO | Monoamine oxidase |
| MAOI | Monoamine oxidase inhibitor |
| MAP | Mean arterial pressure |
| MAS | Meconium aspiration syndrome |
| mcg | Microgram (also mg) |
| MCH | Mean corpuscular hemoglobin |
| MCHC | Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration |
| MCV | Mean corpuscular volume |
| MD | Doctor of medicine |
| mec | Meconium |
| mec st | Meconium stain |
| med | Medicine |
| mEq | Milliequivalent |
| MeSH | Medical subject heading |
| Mg | Magnesium |
| mg | Milligram |
| MgSO4 | Magnesium sulfate (also mag) |
| MI | Myocardial infarction |
| min | Minute (also m) |
| mL | Milliliter |
| MLE | Midline episiotomy |
| mm | Millimeter |
| µm | Microgram (also mcg) |
| mm3 | Cubic millimeter |
| MMR | Measles, mumps, rubella (vaccine) |
| mo | Month |
| mod | Moderate |
| MRI | Magnetic resonance imaging |
| MS | Multiple sclerosis; mitral stenosis; musculoskeletal |
| MTX | Methotrexate |
| MVA | Motor vehicle accident |
| Na+ | Sodium |
| NaCl | Sodium chloride |
| NAD | No acute distress |
| NaHCO3 | Sodium bicarbonate |
| NB | Newborn; non–hepatitis B |
| NBN | Newborn nursery |
| NC | Nasal cannula |
| NEC | Necrotizing enterocolitis |
| NG | Nasogastric |
| NICU | Nursery intensive care unit |
| NIDDM | Non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus |
| NIH | National Institutes of Health |
| NKA | No known allergies |
| NMS | Neuroleptic malignant syndrome |
| no | Number |
| noc | Night |
| NPO | Nothing by mouth |
| NS | Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) |
| NSAIA | Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics |
| NSAID | Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug |
| NST | Non-stress test |
| NSVD | Normal sterile vaginal delivery |
| NTD | Neural tube defect |
| NTG | Nitroglycerin |
| N/V/D | Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea |
| O2 | Oxygen |
| OA | Occiput anterior (fetal position) |
| OB | Obstetrics |
| OBS | Organic brain syndrome |
| OC | Oral contraceptive |
| OCT | Oxytocin challenge test |
| OD | Overdose; right eye |
| OFC | Occipitofrontal circumference (head circumference) |
| OL | Left eye |
| OM | Otitis media |
| OME | Otitis media with effusion |
| OOB | Out of bed |
| OP | Occiput posterior (fetal position) |
| OPV | Oral poliovirus vaccine |
| OR | Operating room |
| ORIF | Open reduction with internal fixation |
| OS | Left eye |
| os | Mouth |
| OTC | Over-the-counter |
| OU | Each eye |
| OV | Both eyes |
| oz | Ounce |
| P | Para; phosphorus; phosphate (also PO4); pulse, wave on ECG complex |
| p– | After |
| pa | Posteroanterior |
| PAC | Premature atrial contraction |
| PaO2 | Partial arterial oxygen tension |
| paren | Parenterally |
| PAT | Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia |
| PCTA | Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty |
| Pb | Phenobarbital |
| PBI | Protein-bound iodine |
| pc | After meals |
| PCA | Patient-controlled analgesia |
| PCN | Penicillin |
| PCWP | Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure |
| PDA | Patent ductus arteriosus |
| PE | Physical exam |
| PE tubes | Pressure-equalizing tubes |
| PEEP | Positive end expiratory pressure |
| PEG tube | Percutaneous gastrostomy |
| PERL | Pupils equal, react to light |
| PERLA | Pupils equal, react to light and accommodation |
| PERRLA | Pupils equal, regular, react to light and accommodation |
| PET | Positron emission tomography |
| PG | Prostaglandin |
| pH | Refers to acidity or alkalinity |
| PHN | Public health nurse |
| PICC | Peripherally inserted central catheter |
| PID | Pelvic inflammatory disease |
| PIH | Pregnancy-induced hypertension |
| pit | Pitocin |
| PKU | Phenylketonuria |
| PM | Noon to all times before midnight |
| PMH | Past medical history |
| PMI | Point of maximum impulse |
| PMN | Polymorphonuclear neutrophils |
| PMS | Premenstrual syndrome |
| PND | Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea; postnasal drip |
| PO | By mouth; phone order |
| PO4 | Phosphate (also P) |
| POHR | Problem-oriented health record |
| PP | Postpartum; postprandial |
| PPD | Purified protein derivative; percussion and postural drainage |
| PPN | Peripheral parenteral nutrition |
| PPTL | Postpartum tubal ligation |
| PR | Per rectum |
| primip | Primipara |
| prn | As needed |
| PROM | Passive range of motion; premature rupture of membranes |
| PSVT | Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia |
| PT | Prothrombin time; physical therapy |
| pt | Patient; pint |
| PTA | Prior to admission |
| PTT | Partial thromboplastin time |
| PVC | Premature ventricular contraction |
| q | Every |
| qd | Every day |
| qh | Every hour |
| q 2 h | Every 2 hours |
| qid | Four times a day |
| qod | Every other day |
| QNS | Quantity not sufficient |
| QRS | Waves of electrocardiogram complex |
| qs | Quantity sufficient or as much as needed |
| qt | Quart |
| R | Respiration |
| RAIU | Radioactive iodine uptake |
| RBC | Red blood cell; red blood cell count |
| RDS | Respiratory distress syndrome |
| Rh | Rhesus (blood factor) |
| RL | Ringer’s lactate |
| RLF | Retrolental fibroplasia |
| RLL | Right lower lobe (of lung) |
| RLQ | Right lower quadrant |
| RMA | Right mentoanterior presentation (fetal) |
| RMP | Right mentoposterior presentation (fetal) |
| RMT | Right mentotransverse (fetal position) |
| RNC | Registered nurse certified |
| R/O | Rule out |
| ROA | Right occipitoanterior (fetal position) |
| ROM | Right otitis media; range of motion; rupture of membranes |
| ROP | Right occipitoposterior (fetal presentation); retinopathy of prematurity |
| ROS | Review of systems |
| ROT | Right occipitotransverse (fetal position) |
| RR | Respiratory rate |
| RSA | Right sacroanterior (fetal position) |
| RSP | Right sacroposterior (fetal position) |
| RScA | Right scapuloanterior (fetal position) |
| RScP | Right sacroposterior (fetal position) |
| RST | Right sacrotransverse (fetal position) |
| RSV | Respiratory syncytial virus |
| R/T | Related to |
| RUL | Right upper lobe (of lung) |
| RUQ | Right upper quadrant |
| Rx | Prescription; therapy; recipe; take |
| rx | Reaction |
| SA | Sinoatrial |
| SaO2 | Oxygen saturation |
| SBS | Short-bowel syndrome |
| SC | Subcutaneous |
| SFB | Single footling breech |
| SGA | Small for gestational age |
| SGOT | Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (also ALT) |
| SGPT | Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase |
| SIADH | Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion |
| SIDS | Sudden infant death syndrome |
| sig | Write or label |
| SL | Sublingual |
| SLE | Systemic lupus erythematosus |
| SOB | Shortness of breath |
| sol | Solution |
| SOM | Serous otitis media; suppurative otitis media |
| sos | If necessary |
| sp gr | Specific gravity |
| sq | Subcutaneous |
| SR | Sustained release |
| SROM | Spontaneous rupture of membranes |
| SS | Serotonin syndrome |
| S&S | Signs and symptoms |
| SSRI | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor |
| stat | Immediately |
| STD | Sexually transmitted disease |
| STH | Somatotrophic hormone |
| suppos | Suppository |
| SVE | Sterile vaginal examination |
| Sx | Symptoms |
| syr | Syrup |
| Sz | Seizure |
| t | Teaspoon (also tsp) |
| T | Temperature; triiodothyronine; thyroxine; tablespoon (also tbsp) |
| T&A | Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy |
| TAH | Total abdominal hysterectomy |
| TB | Tuberculosis |
| tbsp | Tablespoon (also T) |
| TCA | Tricyclic antidepressant |
| TCDB | Turn, cough, and deep breathe |
| TCM | Transcutaneous monitoring |
| TD | Tardive dyskinesia |
| tid | Three times a day |
| tinct | Tincture (also tr) |
| TOF | Tetralogy of Fallot |
| top | Topical |
| TOPV | Trivalent oral polio vaccine |
| TORCH | Toxoplasmosis, other, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes |
| TPN | Total parenteral nutrition |
| TPR | Temperature, pulse, respiration |
| TPUR | Transperineal urethral resection |
| tr | Tincture (also tinct) |
| TSH | Thyroid-stimulating hormone |
| tsp | Teaspoon (also t) |
| TTN | Transient tachypnea of the newborn |
| tr | Tincture (also tinct) |
| TUR | Transurethral resection |
| Tx | Treat or treatment |
| U | Unit |
| UA | Urinalysis |
| UC | Uterine contraction |
| UGI | Upper gastrointestinal |
| ung | Ointment |
| UOQ | Upper outer quadrant |
| UPI | Uterine placental insufficiency |
| URI | Upper respiratory infection |
| U/S | Ultrasound |
| UTI | Urinary tract infection |
| UV | Ultraviolet |
| vag | Vaginal |
| VBAC | Vaginal birth after cesarean birth |
| VD | Venereal disease |
| VF | Ventricular fibrillation |
| VHD | Ventricular heart disease |
| VLDL | Very low density lipoprotein |
| VMA | Vanillylmandelic acid |
| VNA | Visiting Nurses’ Association |
| VO | Verbal order |
| vol | Volume |
| VS | Vital signs |
| VSD | Ventricular septal defect |
| VT | Ventricular tachycardia |
| WBC | White blood cell; white blood cell count |
| WIC | Supplemental food program for women, infants, and children |
| wk | Week |
| WNL | Within normal limits |
| wt | Weight |
| y/o | Years old |
| yr | Year |