B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
Medical/Nursing Abbreviations
A
a -- without
abd -- abdomen
ABG -- arterial blood gases
ac -- before meals
ACE -- angiotensin converting enzyme
ACL -- anterior cruciate ligament
ACTH -- adrenocorticotropic hormone
ADA --American Diabetes Association
ad lib -- as desired
ADH -- antidiuretic hormone
ADL -- activities of daily living
AGA -- appropriate for gestational age
AIDS -- acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AKA -- above knee amputation
ALP --alkaline phosphatase
ALT -- alanine transaminase, alanine aminotransferase
AMA -- against medical advice
amb -- ambulation
AMI -- acute myocardial infarction
ant -- anterior
AODM -- adult onset diabetes mellitus
AP -- apical pulse
AROM -- active range of motion
APSGN -- acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis
ARF -- acute renal failure
ASA -- aspirin
ASD -- atrial septal defect
ASHD -- arteriosclerotic heart disease
AST -- aspartate aminotransferase
ATN -- acute tubular necrosis
AU --both ears
AVB -- atrio-ventricular block
BBS -- bilateral breath sounds
BE -- barium enema
BG -- blood glucose
BI -- brain injury
BID -- twice a day
bilat -- bilateral
B/K -- below knee
BM -- bowel movement or breast milk
BMR -- basal metabolic rate
BP -- blood pressure
BPH -- benign prostatic hypertrophy
BRM -- biologic response modifiers
BRP -- bathroom privileges
BS -- bowel sounds or blood sugar
BSA -- body surface area
BSE -- breast self examination
BUN -- blood urea nitrogen
Bx -- biopsy
c (with line over top) -- with
c-section -- cesarean section
cap -- capsule
C&S -- culture and sensitivity
CA -- cancer
CABG -- coronary artery bypass graft
CAD -- coronary artery disease
CAPD -- continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
CAT -- computerized tomography scan
cath -- catherization
CBC -- complete blood count
CBD -- common bile duct
CBE -- clinical breast examination
CBI -- continuous bladder irrigation
cm -- centimeter
CC -- chief complaint
cc -- cubic centimeters
CCK -- cholecystokinin
CCPD -- continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis
CEA -- cultured epithelial autograft
CFT -- complement-fixation test
CIN -- cervical intraepithelial neoplasm
CMS -- circulation, motion, sensation
CNS -- central nervous system
c/o -- complains of
CO -- cardiac output
CO2 -- carbon dioxide
COPD -- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CP -- chest pain, cleft palate
CPAP -- continuous positive airway pressure
CPD -- cephalo-pelvic disproportion
CPP -- cerebral perfusion pressure
CPPD -- chest percussion and post drainage
CPR -- cardiopulmonary resucitation
CRF -- chronic renal failure
CRRT -- continuous renal replacement therapy
CRT -- capillary refill time
CSF -- cerebrospinal fluid
CT -- computed tomography
CVA -- cerebral vascular accident
CVP -- central venous pressure
CVICU -- cardiovascular intensive care unit
CXR -- chest x-ray
D5W -- 5% glucose in water
D&C -- dilatation and curettage
DAT -- diet as tolerated
DC (d/c) -- discontinue
DIC -- disseminated intravascular coagulation
DKA -- diabetic ketoacidosis
DM -- diabetes mellitus
DNA -- deoxyribonucleic acid
DNR -- do not resuscitate
DOA -- dead on arrival
DOB -- date of birth
dsg -- dressing
DTR -- deep tendon reflex
DVT -- deep vein thrombosis
Dx -- diagnosis
EBV -- Epstein-Barr Virus
ECG -- electrocardiogram
EEG -- electroencephalogram
ECF -- extracellular fluid
EENT -- eye, ear, nose and throat
elix -- elixer
EMC -- ensephalomyocarditis
EMG -- electromyogram
ER -- emergency room
ERCP -- endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ESRD -- end stage renal disease
ET -- endotracheal tube
FBS -- fasting blood sugar
FDA -- Food & Drug Administration
Fx -- fracture
FUO -- fever of unknown origin
FVD -- fluid volume deficit
gal -- gallon
G or gm -- gram
GB -- gallbladder
GERD -- gastroesophageal reflux disease
GFR -- glomerular filtration rate
GGT -- gamma-glutamyl transferase
GI -- gastrointestinal
GOT -- glutamic oxalic transaminase
gr -- grain
gtts -- drops
GU -- genitourinary
GVHD -- graft-versus-host-disease
Gyn -- gynecology
H2O -- water
HA -- headache
HCG -- human chorionic gonadotropin
HCO3 -- bicarbonate
HCT -- hematocrit
HD -- hemodialysis
HDL -- high density lipoprotein
HEENT -- head, eye, ear, nose and throat
Hgb -- hemoglobin
HIV -- human immunodeficiency virus
hr -- hour
HRT -- hormone replacement therapy
HOB -- head of bed
HS -- bedtime
Hx -- history
I&O -- intake and output
IBD -- inflammatory bowel disease
IBS -- irritable bowel syndrome
IBW -- ideal body weight
ICF -- imtermediate care facility
ICP -- intracranial pressure
ICS -- intercostal space
ICU -- intensive care unit
IDDM -- insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
IH -- infectious hepatitis
IHD -- ischemic heart disease
IIP -- implantable insulin pump
IM -- intramuscular
IMV -- intermittent mandatory ventilation
INH -- inhalation
INR -- international normalization ratio
IPD -- intermittent peritoneal dialysis
IPPB -- intermittent positive pressure breathing
ITP -- immune thrombocytopenic purpura
IU -- international unit
IUD -- intrauterine contraceptive device
IV -- intravenous
IVAC -- IV controller
IVF -- in vitro fertilization
IVP -- intravenous pyelogram
IVPB -- IV piggyback
JAMA -- Journal of the American Medical
Association
JVP -- jugular venous pressure
K -- potassium
kg -- kilogram
KCl -- potassium chloride
KI -- potassium iodide
KUB -- kidney, ureter, bladder
KVO -- keep vein open
L (encircled) -- left
L -- liter
L & A -- light and accommodation
LAD -- left anterior descending (artery)
lat -- lateral
lb -- pound
LB -- large bowel
LDL -- low density lipoprotein
LE -- lupus erythematosus
LFTs -- liver function tests
LIJ --left internal jugular
liq -- liquid
LLQ -- left lower quadrant
LMP -- last menstrual period
LP -- lumbar puncture
LR -- lactated ringers
LSC -- left subclavian
LUQ -- left upper quadrant
m -- meter
MAP -- mean arterial pressure
MAR -- medication administration record
mcg -- microgram
MCL -- modified chest lead
MDI -- multiple daily vitamin
mEq -- milliequivalent
mg -- milligram
MI -- myocardial infarction
min -- minute
mixt -- mixture
MICU -- medical intencive care unit
MLC -- midline catheter
ml -- millileter
mm -- millimeter
MM -- mucous membrane
mo -- month
MOM -- Milk of Magnesia
MRDD -- mental retarded/developmentally disabled
MRI -- magnetic resonance imaging
MRM -- modified radical mastectomy
MS -- multiple sclerosis, morphine sulfate
MVA -- motor vehicle accident
Na -- sodium
NaCl -- sodium chloride
NC -- nasal cannula
NED -- no evidence of disease
neg -- negative
NICU -- neonatal intensive care unit
NIDDM -- noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus
NKA --no known allergies
NKDA -- non-ketotic diabetic acidosis
noc -- night
NPD -- nightly peritoneal dialysis
NPO -- nothing by mouth
NSAID -- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NTD -- neural tube defect
NV -- nausea & vomiting
O2 -- oxygen
OOB -- out of bed
OD -- right eye
OGTT -- oral glucose tolerance test
OR -- operating room
ORIF -- open reduction internal fixation
OTC -- over the counter
OS -- left eye
OU -- both eyes
oz -- ounce
p (with line over top) -- after
P -- pulse
PABA -- para-aminobenzoic acid
pc -- after meals
PCA -- patient controlled analgesia
PCN -- penicillin
PCV -- packed cell volume
PD -- peritoneal dialysis
PDR -- physician's desk reference
PE -- physical exam
PEG -- percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
PEJ -- percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy
PERL -- pupils equal, react to light
PERRLA -- pupils equal, round, react to light, accommodation
PEEP -- post end expiratory pressure
PET -- positron emission tomography
PFT -- pulmonary function test
PICC -- peripherally inserted central venous catheter
PID -- pelvic inflammatory disease
PMI -- point of maximal impulse
PO -- by mouth
post op -- post operatively
prep -- preparation
pre op -- preoperatively
PRN -- as needed
PRBC -- packed red blood cells
PS -- pyloric stenosis
pt -- patient
PT -- prothrombin time
PTT -- partial thromboplastin time
PUD -- peptic ulcer disease
PVD -- peripheral vascular disease
Px -- pneumothorax
q -- every
qam -- every morning
qd -- everyday
qh -- every hour
QID -- four times a day
QOD -- every other day
qpm -- every night
q2h -- every 2 hours
q4h -- every 4 hours
qt -- quart
R (encircled) -- right
R or resp -- respirations
RA -- rheumatoid arthritis
RBC -- red blood cells
REEDA -- redness, edema, ecchymosis, drainage, approximation
REM -- rapid eye movement
RLQ -- right lower quadrant
ROM -- range of motion
RUQ -- right upper quadrant
Rx -- prescription
R/O -- rule out
s (with line over top) -- without
SC or SQ -- subcutaneous
S/S -- signs & symptoms
SAB -- spontaneous abortion
SBO -- small bowel obstruction
SGPT -- serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
sig -- label
SICU -- surgical intensive care unit
SL -- sublingual
SLE -- systemic lupus erythematosus
SNF -- skilled nursing facility
SOB -- short(ness) of breath
sol -- solution
SR -- sedimentation rate
SS -- social services
STAT -- at once
STD -- sexually transmitted disease
STM -- short term memory
SUI -- stress urinary incontinence
surg -- surgical
supp -- suppository
SVR -- systemic vascular resistance
Sx -- symptoms
syr -- syrup
T or temp -- temperature
T&A -- tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
tab -- tablet
TAH -- total abdominal hysterectomy
tbsp -- tablespoon
TCDB -- turn, cough, deep breathe
TED (hose) -- thrombo-embolism deterrent
THR -- total hip replacement
TIA -- transient ischemic attack
TID -- three times a day
TKR -- total knee replacement
TNM -- tumor, node, metastases
TPN -- total parenteral nutrition
TPR -- temp, pulse, respirations
top -- topical
tinc -- tincture
tsp -- teaspoon
TTP -- thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura
TURP -- trans-urethral resection of the prostate
TWB -- touch weight bear
Tx -- treatment, traction
U -- unit
UA -- urinalysis
UAO -- upper airway obstruction
UBW -- usual body weight
UGI -- upper gastrointestinal
UPJ -- ureteropelvic junction
URI -- upper respiratory infection
US -- ultrasound
UTI -- urinary tract infection
UV -- ultraviolet
UVJ -- ureterovesical junction
VA -- visual acuity
vag -- vaginal
VBAC -- vaginal birth after caeserean
VD -- veneral disease
VF/Vfib -- ventricular fibrillation
VLDL -- very low density lipoprotein
VSD -- ventricular septal defect
VO -- verbal order
vol -- volume
VS -- vital signs
VT/Vtach -- ventricular tachycardia
VW -- vessel wall
w/c -- wheelchair
WBC -- white blood cell
wk -- week
WHO -- World Health Orgination
WN -- well nourished
WNL -- within normal limits
wt -- weight
If you notice any abbreviations that should be on this list, please let me know!
| Medical Abbreviations | |
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