COMMONLY USED ABBREVIATIONS

AAA Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

ABD Abdominal/Abdomen
ABG Arterial Blood Gas
ac Before meal
ACE Angiotensin-converting enzyme
ACLS Advanced cardiac life support
ACTH Adrenocorticortropic hormones
ADH Antidiuretic hormone
ADHD Attention-Deficit Hyperactiviyt Disorder
ADL Activity of daily living
Ad lib Freely, as desired
AF Atrial fibrillation
AFB Acid-fast bacillus
AFP Alpha feto protein
AHF Anti hemophilic factor
AIDS Acquired Immune Disease Syndrome
AKA Above-the-knee amputation
Alb Albumin
ALT Alanine Aminotransferase
A.M. Morning
AMA Against Medical Advice
AMI Acute Myocardial Infarction
Amp Ampule
amt Amount
ANS Autonomic Nervous System
ANT Anterior
ANST After negative skin testing
AP Anterior-posterior
APGAR Appearance- pulse- grimace- activity- respiration
Approx Approximately
ARDS Acute respiratory distress syndrome
ARMD Age-related macular degeneration
As (Auris sinistra) left ear
ASA Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
ASAP As soon as possible
ASD Atrial septal defect
ASHD Atherosclerotic heart disease
ATP Adenosine triphosphate
AU Both ears
AV Atrioventricular
BAC Blood alcohol concentration
BBB Blood brain barrier/ bundle branch block
BCG Bacilli Calmette-Guerin
BCLS Basic Cardiac Life Support
bid Twice a day
BKA Below the knee amputation
BM Bowel movement
BMR Basal metabolic rate
BP Blood pressure
BPH Benign prostatic hyperplasia
bpm Beats per minute
BRP Bathroom privilege
BS Blood sugar/bowel sounds
BSA Body surface area
BSE Breast self-exam
BUN Blood urea nitrogen
BW Birth weight
C Centrigrade/Celsius
c With
Ca Calcium
CA Cancer
CAD Coronary Artery Disease
Cal Calorie
Caps Capsules
CS Culture and sensitivity/ cesarean section
CAPD Continuous peritoneal dialysis
CBG Chemical blood gas
CBC Compete blood count
CC Chief complaint
cc Cubic centimeter
CHD Coronary heart disease
CHF Congestive heart failure
CHO Carbohydrates
CK Creatine Kinase
CI Chloride
cm Centimeters
CNS Central nervous system
CO Carbon monoxide
CO2 Carbon dioxide
COLD Chronic obstructive lung disease
Comp Compound
COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CP Cerebral palsy
CPAP Continuous positive airway pressure
CPK Creatinine Phophokinase
CRP C-reactive Protein
CTD Connective tissue disease
CVA Cerebrovascular accident
CVC Central venous catheter
CVP Central venous pressure
CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CSF Cerebrospinal fluid
DC Discontinue
D&C Dilation and curettage
Dil Dilute
dL Deciliter
DM Diabetes mellitus
DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNAR Do not attempt resuscitation
DNR Do not resuscitate
DO Doctor of osteopathy
DOE Dyspnea on exertion
DPT Diptheria, pertussis, tetanus
Dr Doctor
DTR Deep tendon reflex
DVT Deep vein thrombosis
Dx Diagnosis
D5W Dextrose 5% in water
ECF Extracellular fluid
ECG or EKG Electrocardiogram
ED Emergency department
ECT Electroconvulsive therapy
EEG Electroencephalogram
EDC Estimated date of confinement
EMD Electromechanical dissociation
ENT Electromyography
EPS Extra pyramidal syndrome
ER Emergency room
ESR Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
ESRD End stage renal disease
ET Endotracheal tube
F Fahrenheit
f Female
FBD Fibrocystic breast disease
FDA Food and drug administration
FFP Fresh frozen plasma
FBS Fasting blood sugar
fl Fluid
Fe Iron
FHR Fetal heart rate
FHT Fetal heart tone
FSH Follicle stimulating hormone
GB Gallbladder
g Gram
gm Gram
GCS Glasgow coma scale
GDM Gestational Diabetes mellitus
GERD Gastroesophageal reflux disease
GFR Glomerular filtration rate
GH Growth hormone
GI Gastrointestinal
gr Grain
GSW Gunshot wound
GTT Glucose tolerance test
gtt Drops
GU Genitourinary
GYN Gynecology
H+ Hydrogen ion
Hr Hour
HA Headache
HAV Hepatitis A virus
HBV Hepatitis B virus
HCG Human chorionic gonadotropin
HCO3 Bicarbonate
HCV Hepatits C virus
HDL High-density lipoprotein
HELLP Hemolysis elevated liver enzymes, lowered platelets
Hgb Hemoglobin
HIV Human Immunodeficiency virus
H20 Water
H202 Hydrogen peroxide
HR Heart rate
Hs Hour of sleep
HSV Herpes simplex virus
HTN Hypertension
Hx/hx History
I&O Intake and output
ICF Intracellular fluid
ICP Intracranial Pressure
ICU Intensive care unit
ID Intradermal
IDDM Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
Ig Immunoglobulin
IM Intramascular
IOP Intraocular pressure
IQ Intelligence quotient
IU International unit
IUCD Intrauterine contraceptive device
IUFD Intrauterine fetal death
IV Intravenous
IVP Intravenous pyelogram
IVPB IV piggyback
J Joule
JP Jackson-pratt
JRA Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
JVD Jugular vein distention
Kcal Kilocalorie (food calorie)
K+ Potassium
KCL Potassium chloride
Kg Kilogram
KSS Keep set sterile
KUB Kidney ureter bladder
KVO Keep vein open
L Liter
LAD Left anterior descending
lb Pound
LBBB Left bundle branch block
LBW Low birth weight
LDH Low density lipoproteins
LDL Low density lipoproteins
LFT Liver function test
LIH Left inguinal hernia
LE Lower extremity
LGA Large for gestational age
LH Luteinizing hormone
liq Liquid
LLL Left lower lobe
LLQ Left lower quadrant
LMP Last menstrual period
LNMP Last normal menstrual period
LOC Level of consciousness
LP Lumbar puncture
LR Lactated ringer
LUQ Left upper quadrant
LV Left ventricle
MAO Monoamine oxidase
MAP Mean arterial pressure
MCH Mean corpuscular hemoglobin
mcg Microgram
MCV Mean corpuscular volume
MDI Metered dose inhaler
meds Medication
mg Millequivalent
mm Millimeter
MMR Measles mumps rubella (vaccine)
MRI Magnetic resonance imaging
MS Multiple sclerosis/ morphine sulphate
MG Myasthenia gravis
MI Myocardial infarction
ml Milliliter
N Nitrogen, Normal (strength of solution)
Na Sodium
NaCl Sodium chloride
NSS Normal saline solution
NDDM Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
NST Nonstress test
NSVD Normal spontaneous vaginal delivery
OD Right eye/ over dose
OU Both eyes
Oz Ounce
Pc Post cebum (after meal)
PACU Postanesthetic care unit
PCA Patient controlled anesthesia/analgesia
PDA Patient ductus arteriosus
per By or thought
PERRLA Pupil equally round reactive to light accomodation
PREP Preparation
PEEP Positive expiratory end pressure
PERIOP Perioperative
PICU Pediatric intensive care unit
PID Pelvic inflammatory disease
PIH Pregnancy-induced hypertension
PKU Phenylketonuria
PM Post meridian (afternoon)
PMS Premenstrual syndrome
PMH Past medical history
PMI Post maximal impulse
PND Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea
PO/po Orally
PO2 Partial Pressure Oxygen
psi Pounds Per Square Inch
PPN Partial Parenteral Nutrition
PO4 Phosphate
Post-op Post-operative
Pro-time Prothrombin time
PPD Purified protein derivative
PQRST Provoke- quality- radiation- severity- time
PRN As needed
PSVT Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
PT Prothrombin time/Physical therapy
Pt Patient
PTT Partial thromboplastin time
PVC Premature ventricular contraction (complex)
Q Every
Qd Everyday
Qh Every hour
Q2h Every 2 hours
Qid 4 times a day
QA Quality assurance
R Right
RAI Radio active iodine
RAIU Radio active iodine uptake
RA Right atrium/ Rheumatoid arthritis
RBBB Right bundle branch block
RBC Red blood cell
RCA Right coronary artery
RDA Recommended dietary/daily allowance
RF Rheumatic fever/rheumatoid factor
Rh Antigen on blood cell indicated by +/-
RICE Rest, ice, compression. and elevation
RIH Right inguinal area
RLQ Right lower quadrant
RLL Right lower lobe of lung
RML Right middle lobe of lung
RN Registered nurse
RNA Ribonucleic acid
R/O Rule out
RUQ Right upper quadrant
ROM Range of motion
RR Respiratory rate/Recovery room
R/T Related to
RT/rt Right
Rx Prescription
RUL Right upper lobe
S Without
SA Sinoatrial
SaO2 Arterial blood- oxygen saturation
SBE Sub-acute bacterial endocarditis
SC Subcutaneous
Sed rate Sedimentation rate
SIDS Sudden infant death syndrome
Sig (Sibna) to write on label
SGOT Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase
SGPT Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase
SIADH Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
SL Sublingual
SLE Systemic lupus erythematous
SO4 Sulfate
SOB Shortness of breathing
Sol Solution
spec Specimen
sp gr Specific gravity
SQ Subcutaneous
SS Soap suds
SR Sinus rhythm
ST Sinus tachycardia
Staph Staphylococcus
Stat Immediately
STD Sexually transmitted disease
STREP Streptococcus
Sv Stroke volume
Syr Syrup
Sx Symptoms
SVR Systemic vascular resistance
T Temperature
T3 Triiodothyronine
T4 Thyroxine
tabs Tablets
TAH Total abdominal hysterectomy
T&A Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
TB Tuberculosis
TENS Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
temp Temperature
TIA Transient ischemic attack
tid 3 x a day
TMJ Temporo mandibular joint
TM Tympanic membrane/ treadmill
TO Telephone order
TPA Tissue plasminogen activator
TPN Total parenteral nutrition
TPR Temperature, pulse, respiration
Tr Tincture
tsp Teaspoon
TSE Testicular self examination
TSH Thyroid stimulating hormone
TURP Transurethral resection prostatectomy
TVH Total vaginal hysterectomy
Tx Treatment
U Units
UA Urinalysis
URI/URTI Upper respiratory tract infection
US/UTZ Ultrasound
UTI Urinary tract infection
UV Ultraviolet rays
VD Venereal disease
VDRI Venereal disease research laboratory
VF/Vfib Ventricular fibrillation
VO Verbal order
VS/vs/V/S Vital signs
VSD Ventricular septal defect
WHO World health organization
VT Ventricular tachycardia
W/ With
WBC White blood cell
WNL Within normal limits
Wt Weight