MEDICAL TERMINOLOGIES
➥ is the language that is used to accurately
describe the human body and associated
components, conditions, processes and
procedures in a science-based manner.
a.c. ⇢Before meals.
⇢As in taking a medicine before meals.
a/g ratio ⇢Albumin to Globulin ratio.
b.i.d. ⇢Twice daily.
⇢As in taking a medicine twice daily.
BKA ⇢Below the Knee Amputation.
BP ⇢Blood Pressure.
⇢Blood pressure is recorded as part of the
physical examination. It is one of the ‘vital
signs’.
BSO ⇢Bilateral Salpingo – Oophorectomy.
⇢A BSO is the removal of both of the
ovaries and adjacent Fallopian tubes and
often is performed as part of a total
abdominal hysterectomy.
C&S ⇢Culture and Sensitivity
⇢performed to detect infection.
cap ⇢Capsule
CBC ⇢Complete Blood Count
CC ⇢Chief Complaint
⇢The patient's main concern.
cc ⇢Cubic centimeters
⇢For example, the amount of fluid removed
from the body is recorded in ccs.
COPD ⇢Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease
CVA⇢Cerebro Vascular Accident (Stroke)
D/C or DC ⇢Discontinue or discharge
⇢For example, a doctor will D/C a drug.
Alternatively, the doctor might DC a patient
from the hospital.
DDX⇢Differential diagnosis
⇢The variety diagnostic possibilities being
considered.
DM⇢Diabetes Mellitus
DNC, D&C, or D and C ⇢Dilation and
Curettage
⇢Widening the cervix and scrapping with a
curette for the purpose of removing tissue
lining the inner surface of the womb (uterus).
DNR ⇢Do Not Resuscitate
⇢This is a specific order not to revive a
patient artificially if they succumb to illness.
If a patient is given a DNR order, they are
not resuscitated if they are near death and
no code blue is called.
DTR ⇢Deep Tendon Reflexes
⇢These are reflexes that the doctor tests by
banging on the tendons with a rubber
hammer.
DVT ⇢Deep Venous Thrombosis (Blood clot in
large vein).
FX ⇢Fracture
gtt/s ⇢Drop/s.
h.s. ⇢At bedtime.
⇢As in taking a medicine at bedtime.
HA ⇢Headache
HTN ⇢Hypertension
I&D ⇢Incision and Drainage.
IM ⇢Intramuscular
⇢This is a typical notation when noting or
ordering an injection (shot) given into muscle,
such as with B12 for pernicious anemia.
IMP ⇢Impression
⇢This is the summary conclusion of the
patient's condition by the healthcare
practitioner at that particular date and time.
 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGIES
in vitro ⇢In the laboratory. O.D. ⇢Right eye.

in vivo ⇢In the body. O.S. ⇢Left eye.

IU ⇢International units. O.U. ⇢Both eyes.

JT ⇢Joint. ORIF ⇢Open reduction and internal fixation,

K ⇢Potassium
⇢An essential electrolyte frequently
monitored regularly in intensive care.
KCL ⇢Potassium chloride.
such as with the orthopedic repair of a hip
fracture.
P ⇢Pulse
⇢Pulse is recorded as part of the physical
examination. It is one of the "vital signs.“

LBP ⇢Lower Back Pain p.o. ⇢By mouth

⇢LBP is one of most common medical ⇢From the Latin terminology per os.
complaints.
p.r.n. ⇢As needed
LLQ ⇢Left Lower Quadrant ⇢So that it is not always done but done only
⇢Diverticulitis pain is often in the LLQ of the when the situation calls for it (or example,
abdomen. taking a pain medication only when having
pain and not without pain).
LUQ ⇢Left Upper Quadrant
⇢The spleen is located in the LUQ of the PERRLA ⇢Pupils Equal, Round, and Reactive
abdomen. to Light and Accommodation.

mg ⇢Milligrams. q.d. ⇢Each day. As in taking a medicine daily.

ml ⇢Milliliters. q.i.d. ⇢Four times daily

⇢As in taking a medicine four times daily.
MVP ⇢Mitral Valve Prolapse.
q2h ⇢Every 2 hours
N/V ⇢Nausea or Vomiting ⇢As in taking a medicine every 2 hours.

Na ⇢Sodium q3h ⇢Every 3 hours

⇢An essential electrolyte frequently ⇢As in taking a medicine every 3 hours.
monitored regularly in intensive care.
qAM ⇢Each morning
npo ⇢Nothing by mouth ⇢As in taking a medicine each morning.
⇢For example, if a patient was about to
undergo a surgical operation requiring qhs ⇢At each bedtime
general anesthesia, they may be required to ⇢As in taking a medicine each bedtime.
avoid food or beverage prior to the procedure.
qod ⇢Every other day
O&P ⇢Ova and Parasites
⇢As in taking a medicine every other day.
⇢Stool O & P is tested in the laboratory to
detect parasitic infection in persons with
qPM ⇢Each evening
chronic diarrhea.
⇢As in taking a medicine each evening.
 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGIES
R/O ⇢Rule Out
⇢Doctors frequently will rule out various
possible diagnoses when figuring out the
correct diagnosis.
RLQ ⇢Right Lower Quadrant
⇢The appendix is located in the RLQ of the
abdomen.
RUQ ⇢Right Upper Quadrant
⇢The liver is located in the RUQ of the
abdomen.
s/p ⇢Status Post
⇢For example, a person who had a knee
operation would be s/p a knee operation.
SOB ⇢Shortness of breath.
SQ ⇢Subcutaneous
⇢This is a typical notation when noting or
ordering an injection (shot) given into the fatty
tissue under the skin, such as with insulin for
diabetes mellitus.
T ⇢Temperature
⇢Temperature is recorded as part of the
physical examination. It is one of the "vital
signs.“
t.i.d. ⇢Three times daily
⇢As in taking a medicine three times daily.
tab ⇢Tablet.
TAH ⇢Total Abdominal Hysterectomy.
UA or u/a ⇢Urinalysis
⇢A UA is a typical part of a comprehensive
physical examination.
URI ⇢Upper Respiratory Infection
⇢such as sinusitis or the common cold.
UTI ⇢Urinary Tract Infection.
A ⇢ ("an" before vowel) Without
⇢lack of Apathy (lack of feeling); apnea
(without breath); aphasia (without speech);
anemia (lack of blood)
Ambi ⇢Both
⇢Ambidextrous (ability to use hands
equally); ambilaterally (both sides).
Ante ⇢Before, forward
⇢Antecubital (before elbow); anteflexion
(forward bending)
Anti ⇢Against, opposed to, reversed
⇢antisepsis (against infection).
Bi ⇢Twice, double
⇢Biarticulate (double joint).
Circum ⇢Around, about
⇢Circumflex (winding about); circumference
(surrounding); circumarticular (around joint).
Contra ⇢Against, opposite
⇢Contralateral (opposite side);
contraception (prevention of conception);
contraindicated (not indicated)
Dys: Bad, difficult, disordered
⇢Dyspepsia (bad digestion); dyspnea
(difficult breathing); dystopia (disordered
position).
Ecto ⇢On outer side
⇢situated on Ectoderm (outer skin);
ectoretina (outer layer of retina).
Endo ⇢Within
⇢Endocardium (within heart); endometrium
(within uterus)
Exo ⇢Outside, on outer side, outer layer
⇢Exogenous (produce outside); exocolitis
(inflammation of outer coat of colon).
Hyper ⇢Over, above, excessive
⇢Hyperemia (excessive blood); hypertrophy
(overgrowth); hyperplasia (excessive
formation).
 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGIES
Hypo ⇢Under, below, deficient
⇢Hypotension (low blood pressure);
hypothyroidism (deficiency or underfunction
of thyroid).

Intra ⇢Within
⇢Intracerebral (within cerebrum); intraocular
(within eyes); intraventricular (within
ventricles).

Para ⇢Beside, beyond, near to

⇢Paracardiac (beside the heart);
paraurethral (near the urethra).

Peri ⇢Around
⇢Periosteum (around bone); periatrial.
(around atrium); peribronchial (around
bronchus).

Post ⇢After, behind

⇢Postoperative (after operation);
postpartum (after childbirth); postocular
(behind eye).

Pre ⇢Before, in front of

⇢Premaxillary (in front of maxilla); preoral
(in front of mouth).

Retro ⇢Backward, located behind

⇢Retrocervical (located behind cervix);
retrograde (going backward); retrolingual.
(behind tongue).

Trans ⇢Across, through, beyond

⇢Transection (cut across); transduodenal
(through duodenum); transmit (send
beyond)