Common Medical

Abbreviations and Lingo Seen

in Nuc Med

A List of Useful Shorthand for

History Taking and Chart
Reviewing
• c (small line above c) - with
• w/ - with
• s (small line above s) - with out
• w/o - with out
• hx - history
• fx - fracture
• dx - diagnosis
• sx - surgery or symptom
• tx - therapy, treatment
• Rx - therapy, perscription
• MVA - motor vehicle accident
• GSW - gun shot wound
• s/p - status post
• CA - cancer
• h/o - history of
• THA - total hip arthroplasty
• BHA - bilateral hip arthroplasty
• RHA or LHA - right or left ...
• LE - lower extremity (RLE or LLE - right or left)
• UE - upper extremity (RUE or LUE)
• y/o - years old
• GB(-)  - Cholecystectomy
• c/o - complains of
• OM - osteomyelitis
• osteo - osteomyelitis
• OA - osteoarthritis
• PMH - prior medical history
• ORIF - open reduction & internal fixation
• RA - rheumatoid arthritis
• BKA - below the knee amputation
• AKA - above the knee amputation
• LAP - laproscopic
• LBP - lower back pain
• APPY - appendectomy
• AAA - abdominal aortic aneurysm
• CXR - chest xray
• CABG - coronary artery bypass graft ("cabbage") 
• BRBPR - bright red blood per rectum
• KVO - keep vein open (referring to IV drip rate)
• LMP - last menstrual period
• Px - Prognosis
• pt - patient
 • LP - lumbar puncture
• ARF - Acute renal failure
• CRF - Chronic renal failure
• DM - diabetes mellitus
• DJD - degenerative joint disease
• DNR - do not resucitate
• DVT - deep vein thrombosis
• DDx - Differential diagnosis
• D/C - discontinue
• F/U - follow up
• FUO - fever of unknown origin
• AMA - against medical advice
• I & D - incision and drainage
• LN - lymph node
 
 • IDDM - Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
• IM - intramuscular
• MS - Multiple sclerosis or morphine sulfate (check
context)
• NPO - nothing by mouth
• PTCA - percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
• ROM - range of motion
• WNL - within normal limits
• NKDA or NKA - no known drug allergies, no known
allergies
• P.O. - by mouth
 
• For more abbreviations, visit:
http://www.globalrph.com/abbrev.htm