ABBREVIATIONS Bx, bx biopsy

A
AB abortion C
Ab antibody C with (cum)
ABC aspiration, biopsy, cytology C1, C2 1st cervical vertebrae, 2nd cervical vertebrae
abd abdomen CA cancer; carcinoma; cardiac arrest
ABG arterial blood gas Ca calcium
a.c/ac before meals (antecibum) CABG coronary artery bypass graft
ACE angiotensin-converting enzyme CAD coronary artery disease
(ACE inhibitors treat hypertension) CAPD continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
ACL anterior cruciate ligament (of knee) Cap capsule
ACS acute coronary syndrome cath cathether; cathetherizarion
(myocardial infarction, unstable angina) CBC complete blood count
ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone cc cubic centimeter
(secreted by the pituitary gland) CC chief complaint
AD Alzheimer disease CCU coronary care unit; critical care unit
ADD attention deficit disorder CF cystic fibrosis
ADH antidiuretic hormone Chemo chemotherapy
(secreted by the pituitary gland) CHF congestive heart failure
ADHD attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder Chol cholesterol
Ad lib freely as desired (ad libitum) CIN cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
AED automated external defibrillator CIS carcinoma in situ
AICD automatic implantable CKD chronic kidney disease
cardioverter- defibrillator cm centimeter
AIDS acquired immunodeficiency syndrome CLL chronic lymphocytic leukemia
alb albumin (protein) CML chronic myelocytic (myolgenous) leukemia
ALL acute lymphocytic leukemia CNS central nervous system
alk phos alkaline phosphatase (enzyme c/o complains of
elevated in liver disease) CO2 carbon dioxide
ALS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(Lou Gehrig disease) CP cerebral palsy; chest pain
ALT alanine transaminase (enzyme CPAP continuous positive airway pressure (provided
elevated in liver disease) formerly by machine to aid breathing in px c sleep apnea)
called SGPT CPD cephalopelvic disproportion
AMI acute myocardial infarction CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation
AML acute myelocytic (myelogenous) leukemia C&S, C+S culture and sensitivity (testing)
ANA antinuclear antibody; test for rheumatoid arthritis C-section/ cesarean section
AP or A/P anteroposterior (front to back) CS
A&P auscultation and percussion CSF cerebral spinal fluid
aq water CT scan computed tomography scan
ARDS Acute respiratory disease syndrome (xray images in cross-sectional view)
AS aortic stenosis CVA cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
ASD atrial septal defecttransaminase c/w compare with; consistent with
ASHD arteriosclerotic heart disease CX,CXR chest x-ray(image)
AST aspartate transaminase or (SGOT) Cx cervix
AV arteriovenous; arterioventricular Cysto cystoscopy
A&W alive and well
D
B D&C dilation& curettage (of uterine lining)
BE barium enema DES diethylstilbestrol (estrogen causing
B cells white blood cell defects in children whose mothers took
b.i.d twice a day the drug during pregnancy)
BMT bone marrow transplant DEXA, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry
BP blood marrow transplant (DXA)
BPH benign prostatic hypertrophy (hyperplasia) DIC disseminated intravascular coagulation
BSE breast self-examination diff. differential (percentages of types of WBC)
BSO bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy DJD degenerative joint disease
BUN blood urea nitrogen DKA diabetic ketoacidosis
BW birth weight DM diabetes mellitus
DNA deoxyribonucleic acid G
DNR do not resuscitate G gravida (a pregnant women)
DOB date of birth g, gm gram
DOE dyspnea on exertion Ga gallium (element used in nuclear
DOMS delayed-onset muscle soreness medicine diagnostic test)
DRE digital rectal examination GB gallbladder
DT delirium tremens GC gonoccus (bacterial cause of gonorrhea;
(caused by alcohol withdrawal) Neisseria gonorrhoeae)
DTR deep tendon reflex Gd gadolinium (widely used in MRI
DUB dysfunctional uterine bleeding contrast agent)
DVT deep vein thrombosis GERD gastroesophageal reflux disease
Dx diagnosis GH growth hormone (secrete by
pituitary gland)
E GI gastrointestinal
Grav. Gravida a women who has had 1st,
EBV Epstein-Barr virus (cause of mononucleosis) 1,2,3 2nd,3rd pregnancy of any duration
ECC emergency cardiac care GFR glomerular filtration rate
ECG electrocardiography gt, gtt drop, drops
ECHO echocardiography GTT glucose tolerance test
ECMO extracorporeal membrane oxygenator GU genitourinary
ECT electroconvulsive therapy GVHD graft-versus-host disease
ED emergency department; erectile dysfunction Gy gray (unit of irradiation)
EDD expected date delivery GYN, gyn gynecology
EEG electroencephalography
EENT eyes, ears, nose throat H
EGC esophagogastroduodenoscopy H hydropgen
EKG electrocardiography (ECG is preferred) h, hr hour
ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (used in AIDS) HAART higly active antiretroviral therapy (for AIDS)
EMG electromyography Hb, hgh, hemoglobin
ENT ears, nose, throat Hgb
eos. Eosonphils (type of WBC) HbA1c glycosylated hemoglobin (measured
ER emergency room; estrogen receptor to test for diabtes)
ERCP endoscopic retrograde HBV hepatitis B virus
cholangiopancreatography HCG,hCG human chorionic gonadotropin
ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate; (secreted during pregnancy)
see sed rate Hct,HCT hematocrit
ESRD end-stage renal disease HCV hepatatic C virus
ESWL extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy HD hemodialysis (performed by artificial
ET endotracheal Kidney machine) ; heart disease
ETOH ethyl alcohol (ethanol) HDL high-density lipoprotein (associated
ETT exercise tolerance test; c decreased incidence of coronary
endotracheal tube artery disease)
HEENT head, ears, eyes, nose, throat
F Hg mercury
FBS fasting blood sugar HIV human immunodeficiency virus
FDA Food and Drug Administration h/o history of
FDG-PET fluorodeoxyglucose positron H20 water
emission tomography H&P history nad physical (examination)
(nuclear medicine test) HPV human papillomavirus
Fe iron HRT hormone replacement therapy
FEV forced expiratory volume h.s. at bedtime (hora somni)
FH family history hs half strength
FHR fetal heart rate HSG hysterosalpingography
FSH follicle-stimulating hormone HSV-1, herpes simplex virus type 1
(secreted by the pituitary gland) HSV-1 herpes simplex virus type 2
F/U, f/u follow-up HTN hypertension
FUO fever of unknown origin Hx History
Fx fracture
I
I iodine L&W living and well
131I radioactive isotope of iodine lymphs lymphocytes
I&D incision and drainage lytes electrolytes
IBD inflammatory bowel disease
(ulcerative colitis & Crohn disease) M
IBS irritable bowel syndrome m meter; milli (one thousandth)
(of unknown etiology) MAC monitored anesthesia care
ICD implantable cardioverter-defibrillator MCH mean corpuscular hemoglobin
ICU intensive care unit (amount in each rbc)
ID infectious disease MCHC mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration
IgA, IgD, immunoglobulins (antibodies) (amount per unit in blood)
IgE, IgG IgM
IM intramuscular, infectious mononucleosis MCV mean corpuscular volume (size of individual rbc)
INH isoniazid (drug to treat TB) MD, M.D doctor of medicine; muscular dystrophy
INR international normalized ratio (system MDI metered-dose inhaler
of reporting results of blood coagulation MDS myelodysplastic syndrome (bone marrow disorder)
test) mets metastases
I&O intake & output (measurement of px fluids) mg milligram( 1 mg is 1/1000 gram)
IOL intraocular lens (implant) Mg magnesium
IUD intrauterine device (contraceptive) MH martial history; mental health
IV intravenous MI myocardial infarction (heart attack)
IVF in vitro fertilization mL milliliter (1ml is 1/1000 liter)
IVP intravenous pyelography; mm millimeter (1 mm is 1/1000 meter)
intravenous push mmHG millimeter of mercury (units of measurement of bp)
mono monocytes (type of WBC)
K MRA magnetic resonance angiography
K potassium MRI magnetic resonance imaging
kg kilogram MRSA methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aures
KS Kaposi sarcoma (malignant lesion MS mental status; mitral stenosis; multiple sclerosis
associated w/ AIDS) MSW medical social worker
KUB kidney, ureters, bladder MTD maximum tolerated dose
(x-ray w/o contrast) MVP mitral valve prolapse
myop myopia (nearsightedness)
L
L, 1 left; liter; lower N
L1 first lumbar vertebra N nitrogen
L2 second lumbar vertebra Na sodium
LA left atrium NB newborn
LAD left anterior descending artery (of heart); NED no evidence of disease
Lymphadenopathy NG tube nasogastric tube
lat lateral NICU neonatal intensive care unit
LBP low back pain; low blood pressure NKA no known allergies
LDH lactate dehydrogenase (elevations NPO nothing by mouth (nil per os)
associated/heart attacks) NSAID nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
LDL low-density likpoprotein (high levels NSR normal sinus rhythm (of the heart)
associated w/heart disease) NT non tender (to touch)
LE lupus erythematosus NTP normal temperature and pressure
LEEP loop electrocautery excision procedure N+V nausea and vomiting
LES lower esophageal sphincter
LFTs liver function test O
LLQ left lower quadrant O2 oxygen
LMP last menstrual period OA osteoarthritis
LP lumbar puncture OB obstetrics
LPN licensed practical nurse OD doctor of optometry
LTB laryngotracheal bronchitis (croup) OR operating room
LUG left upper quadrant ORIF open reduction plus internal fixation
LV left ventricle (to set a broken bone)
LVAD left ventricular assist device ORTH, orthopedics or orthopaedics
(bridge to cardiac transplantation) ortho.
os mouth prep prepare for
OSA obstructive sleep apnea p.r.n. as needed (pro re nata)
OT occupational theraphy prn
OV office visit procto proctoscopy (visual examination of the
anus and rectum)
P pro time prothrombin time (testfor blood clotting)
p after; following PSA prostate-specific antigen (screening
P phosphorous; plan; posterior; pressure ; test for prostate cancer)
pulse; pupil pt patient
PA posterioanterior (back to front); pulmonary artery PT physical therapy; prothrombin time
PAC premature atrial contraction PTA prior to admission (to hospital)
PaCO2 arterial pressure of carbon PTCA percutaneous transluminal coronary
dioxide in the blood; “arterial PCO2” angioplasty (balloon angioplasty)
PACS picture archival communications system PTH parathyroid hormone
palp palpable; palpation (examine by touch) PTR patient to return
PaO2 arterial pressure of oxygen in the blood; PTSD post-traumatic stress disorder
“arterial PO2) PTT partial thromboplastin time
Pap smear Papanicolaou smear (preparation of cells (test for blood clotting)
from the cervix and vagina for PVC premature ventricular contraction
microscopic examination) (abnormal heart rhythm)
para paracentesis (abdominocentesis) PVD peripheral vascular disease
Para woman who has produced 1, 2, 3. PVT paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia
1, 2, 3 viable offspring unipara, bipara, tripara PWB partial weight bearing
p.c.pc after meals (post cibum) Px prognosis
PCI percutaneous coronary intervention
PCP pneumocystis pneumonia Q
(opportunistic infection seen q every (quaque)
in patient w/ AIDS) q.d. each (every) day (quaque die); each day
PE physical examination; q.h. each (every) hour (quaque hora)
pulmonary embolus q2h each (every) two hours (quaque secunda hora)
PEEP positive end-expiratory pressure q.i.d. four times a day (quarter in die)
per by q.n. each (every) night (quaque nox)
PERRLA pupils equals, round, reactive to q.n.s. quantity not sufficient (quantum non sufficit)
light & accommodation q.s. quantity sufficient (quantum sufficit)
PET pulmonary function test qt quart
PE tube pressure-equalizing tube
(ventilating tube for the eardrum) R
PFT pulmonary function test R, r respiration; right
pH hydrogen ion concentration RA rheumatoid arthritis; right atrium
(measurement of acidity or alkalinity rad radiation absorbed dose
of a solution) RBC, rbc red blood cell (count)
PH past history REM rapid eye movement
PI present illness RIA radioimmunoassay (minute quantities are
PID pelvic inflammatory disease measured)
PKU phenylketonuria (lack of enzyme in infants) RLQ right lower quadrant (of the abdomen)
PM afternoon(post meridiem);postmortem R/O, r/o rule out
PMH past medical history ROM range of motion
PMS premenstrual syndrome ROS review of systems ; reactive species
PND paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea; RP retrograde pyelography (urography)
postnasal drip RR recovery room; respiration rate
p/o postoperative RRR regular rate & rhythm (of the heart)
p.o., po by mouth (per os) RT radiation therapy; radiologic technologist;
polys polymorphonuclear leukocytes (neutrophils) respiratory therapist
polplit popliteal (behind the knee) RUQ right upper quadrant (of the abdomen)
post-op after operation RV right ventricle (of the heart)
PP postprandial (after meals); Rx treatment; therapy; prescription (recipe, “to take”)
Postpartum (after birth)
PPD purified protein derivative (skin test for TB) S
pre-op postoperative (before operation) s without (sine)
S1 first sacral vertebra THR total hip replacement
S2 second sacral vertebra TIA transient ischemic attack
S-A node sinoatrial node ( pacemaker of the heart) t.i.d., tid
three times a day
SAD seasonal affective disorder TLC total lung capacity
SARS severe acute respiratory syndrome TM tympanic membrane
SBFT small bowel follow-through (x-ray study of TMJ temporomandibular joint
the small intestine w/contrast TNM tumor-node-metastasis
sed rate erythrocyte sedimentation rate (time it takes rbc (staging system for cancer)
to settle out of blood) TPN total parenteral nutrition (administration
segs segmented white blood cells (granulocytes) of IV solution to maintain nutrition)
SERM selective estrogen receptor modulator TPR temperature, pulse, respiration
(tamoxifen is an example) TSH thyroid-stimulating hormone
s.gl. without glasses (secreted by pituitary gland)
SGOT Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (AST) TTE transthoracic echocardiography
SGPT Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (ALT) TUR, TURP transurethral resection of the prostate
SH serum hepatitis; social history gland
sig. “let it be labeled” (directions/ medical instructions) TVH total vaginal hysterectomy
SIDS sudden infant death syndrome Tx treatment
SIRS systematic inflammatory response syndrome
(severe bacteremia) U
SLE systematic lupus erythematosus UA, U/A urinalysis
SMA-12 blood chemistry profile including 12 different UE upper extremity
studies UGI Upper gastrointestinal
or assays (sequential multiple analysis) umb navel (umbilical cord region)
SOAP subjective(symptoms perceived by the pt) data, ung ointment
objective U/O urine output
(exam findings) data, assessment (evaluation of URI upper respiratory infection
condition), U/S, u/s ultrasound (imaging examination)
plan (goals for treatment) UTI urinary tract infection
SOB shortness of breath UV ultraviolet
S/P, s/p status post (previous disease condition)
SPECT single-photon emission computed tomography V
sp. gr. specific gravity VA visual acuity
SSRI selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor VATS video-assisted thoracoscopy
(antidepressant drug) VC vital capacity (of lungs)
staph staphylococci (bacteria) VCUG viding cystourethrogram
STAT, stat immediately (statim) VEGF vascular endothelial growth factor
STD sexually transmitted disease (older name of STI) VF visual field; ventricular fibrillation
STI sexually transmitted infection Vfib ventricular fibrillation
strep streptococci (bacteria) VS, V/S vital signs; versus
sub-Q subcutaneous (under the skin) VSD ventricular septal defect
Sx signs and symptoms VSS vital signs stable
Sz seizure V tach, VT ventricular tachycardia (abnormal heart
rhythm)
T
T temperature; time W
T1, T2 1st thoracic vertebrae, 2nd thoracic vertebrae WBC,wbc white blood cell (count)
T3 triiodothyronine (thyroid gland hormone) W/C wheelchair
T4 thyroxine (thyroid gland hormone) wd wound
T&A tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy WDWN well-developed & well nourished
tab tablet WNL within normal limits
TAB therapeutic abortion WT, wt weight
TAH-BSO total abdominal hysterectomy-bilateral w/u workup
salpingo-oophorectomy
TB tuberculosis X
T cells lymphocytes originating in the thymus gland XRT radiation therapy
TEE transesophageal echocardiography
TENS transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator Y
TFT thyroid function test y, yr year(s)
y/o year(s) old
SYMBOLS

= equals
≠ does not equal
+ positive
- negative
↑ above, increase
↓ below decrease
→ to (in the direction of)
≤ is less than
≥ is greater than
1° first-degree (burn, heart block); primary
2° second-degree (burn, heart block); secondary
3 dram
% percent
° degree; hour
: ratio (“is to”)
± plus or minus (either positive or negative)
‘ foot
“ inch
∴ therefore
@ at, each
c with (cum)
s without (sine)
# pound; number
≈ approximately, about
∆ change, change in
P short arm of a chromosome
q long arm of a chromosome