Common medical abbreviations Disclaimer:

This is a list of basic medical abbreviations for your information only. This list in not all inclusive and each facility and institution has their own list of approved abbreviations.

AAO - awake, alert, oriented D/C, DC discharge

DCP-discharge plan
a - before drsg - dressing
abd - abdomen Dx - diagnosis
ac - before meals DVT - deep venous thrombosis
ADA diet – American Diabetic Assoc. Diet DM - diabetes mellitus
amb - ambulate D&C - dilation & curettage
as tol - as tolerated D/T - due to
ad lib - as desired, freely DNR - do not resuscitate
ARF - acute renal failure DKA - diabetic ketoacidosis
AKA - above the knee amputation dopp - doppler
ADLs – activities of daily living DTR - deep tendon reflexes
abx - antibiotics ECG, EKG- electrocardiogram
ARDS – acute respiratory distress syndrome EBL - estimated blood loss
AMA - against medical advice EEG - electroencephalogram
AMS- altered mental status
AROM – active range of motion ED, ER - emergency dept/room
ABG – arterial blood gas ETOH ethyl alcohol
AD (auricular dexter) right ear FB- foreign body
FM-face mask
AS (auricular sinister) left ear Fx-fracture
AU(auricular utro) both ears FBS- fasting blood sugar
BID - twice daily FTT-failure to thrive
BKA - below the knee amputation FUO-fever of unknown origin
BP - blood pressure GU-genitourinary
BB- bowel/bladder
BMP - basic metabolic panel GERD-gastroesophageal reflux
BRP - bath room privileges GI-gastrointestinal
BM - bowel movement Gtts-drops
Bx - biopsy GSW-gunshot wound
BR - bedrest GCS-glascow coma scale
BUN – blood urea nitrogen H&H-hemoglobin & hemocrit
BUE- bilateral upper extremity HR- heart rate
BLE- bilateral lower extremity Hx-history
BS – breath sounds h/o-history of
BSC-bedside commode
C&S - culture & sensitivity HA-headache
c/o - complain of HTN-hypertension
C/D/I- clean dry intact
CABG - coronary artery bypass graft H&P-history & physical
CBC - complete blood count HS-hour of sleep
cc - chief complaint HOB- head of bed
CXR - chest xray HEENT-head, ears, eyes, nose throat
CP – chest pain ICU-intensive care unit
COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease IP-inpatient
CVA - cerebral vascular accident (aka stroke) IV-intravenous
CNS - central nervous system IVP- intravenous push
CHF - congestive heart failure IVPB- intravenous piggyback
CPAP- continuous positive airway pressure IM- intramuscular
CV-cardiovascular ID- infectious disease
Cath- catheter I&O- intake & output
CT- chest tube I&D- incision & drainage
CTA- clear to auscultation
CSF- cerebrospinal fluid ICD-implantable cardioverter
Defibrillator
Greater than >, less than <
- change male female Decrease-
Increase-

KUB-kidneys, ureter, bladder Q-every

LUQ-left upper quadrant QD-every day
LLQ-left lower quadrant QID- 4 times daily
LML-left middle lobe Q2H, Q4H- every 2,4,6, 8 hours, etc
LLL-left lower lobe QAM- every morning
LUE-left upper extremity QPM- every night
LLE-left lower extremity QHS-every hour of sleep
LOC-loss of consciousness ROM-range of motion
LOS-length of stay Resp-respiratory, respirations
LP-lumbar puncture RA-rheumatoid arthritis
LVAD-left ventricular assistive device r/o-rule out
MVA-motor vehicle accident Rx-prescription
M/S-musculoskeletal RUE-right upper extremity
MVP-mitral valve prolapse RLE-right lower extremity
MI/AMI-myocardial infarction, acute MI RLQ-right lower quadrant
MRSA-methicillin resistant staphylococcus RUQ-right upper quadrant
aureus
N/V/D-nausea,vomiting, diarrhea RUL-right upper lobe
NPO-nothing per oral (by mouth) RML-right middle lobe
NS-normal saline RR-respiratory rate
RRR- regular rate & rhythm
NKDA, NKA-no known drug allergies, no known SQ, SC-subcutaneous
allergies
NC-nasal cannula SL-sublingual
Neuro-neurological SOB-shortness of breath
NSAID-non steroidal anti-inflammatory STAT-immediately,now
NG/NGT- nasogastric, NG tube S~ - without
O2-oxygen SBO- small bowel obstruction
OD (oculus dexter) right eye S/S - signs & symptoms
OS (oculus sinister) left eye S/P- status post
OU(oculus utro) both eyes ST-speech therapy
ORIF-open reduction and internal fixation Sx- surgery
O/P-ova and parasite SNF-skilled nurse facility
OP- outpatient T,TPR-temperature, T/pulse, respirations
OOB-out of bed TID- three times daily
OT-occupational therapy TKR-total knee replacement
Oint-ointment THR-total hip replacement
OTC- over the counter Tx-treatment
PT-physical therapy TPN-total parenteral nutrition
PRN-as needed T&A-tonsillectomy & adenoidectomy
PE-pulmonary embolism TBI-traumatic brain injury
p after URI-upper respiratory infection
pc - after meals UTI-urinary tract infection
PIV- peripheral intravenous
Per- by US-ultrasound
po- per oral (by mouth) UO-urinary output
PMH-past medical history UA- urine analysis
PCA-patient controlled analgesia VS-vital signs, VSS-vital signs stable
PERRLA,PERLA-pupils equal, round, reactive WBC- white blood cells
to light and accommodation, pupils equal reactive to light
and accommodation
Postop-postoperative w/c- wheelchair
Pedi-pediatrics, pediatrician WNL-within normal limits
PFT-pulmonary function test Wt-weight
Plt-platelets XR-Xray
PTA-prior to admission/arrival