MEDICAL ACRONYMS OR • AS: left ear

ABBREVIATIONS
• ASA: aspirin
• ATC: around the clock
• a.c. (ante cibos): Before meals. As
• AU: both ears
in taking a medicine before meals.
• b.i.d.: Twice daily. As in taking a
• a/g ratio: Albumin to globulin
medicine twice daily.
ratio.
• BKA: Below the knee amputation.
• ABG: arterial blood gas
• BM: bowel movement
• ACL: Anterior cruciate ligament.
ACL injuries are one of the most • BP: blood pressure
common ligament injuries to the
• BRP: bathroom privilege
knee.
• C&S: Culture and sensitivity,
• AD: right ear
performed to detect infection.
• ADH: Antidiuretic hormone
• Ca: Cancer; carcinoma.
• ADHD: Attention deficit
• CABG. Coronary artery bypass
hyperactivity disorder
graft. A surgery involving the
• ADL: activities of daily living heart.

• ADLIB: at one’s pleasure/wishes • cap: Capsule.

• ADR: Adverse drug reaction. • CBC: Complete blood count.

• AIDS: Acquired immune • CBR: complete bed rest

deficiency syndrome
• CC: Chief complaint. The patient's
• AKA: Above the knee amputation. main concern.

• Amp: ampule • CHD: coronary heart disease

• appt: appointment • CHF: congestive heart failure

• ARDS: Acute respiratory distress • CIVI: continuous intravenous

syndrome. infusion

• ARF: Acute Renal Failure

• COPD: Chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease.
• CRF: Chronic Renal Failure
• CSF: cerebrospinal fluid
• CT: Chemotherapy. A type of
treatment therapy for cancer.
• CVA: Cerebrovascular accident
(Stroke).
• D/C or DC: Discontinue or
discharge
• D5LR: dextrose 5% in lactated
ringers solution
• D5NS: dextrose 5% in normal
saline
• DJD: Degenerative joint disease.
Another term for osteoarthritis.
• DM: Diabetes mellitus.
• DME: durable medical equipment
• 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
• DOA: dead on arrival
• DOB: difficulty of breathing
• DOE: Dyspnea on
exertion. Shortness of breath
(SOB) with activity.
• 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).
• ECG: electrocardiogram
• F/X: fracture
• G3 P2 A1: gravida3 para2
abortion1
• GERD: gastroesophageal reflux
disease
• GFR: glomerular filtration rate
• GIT: gastrointestinal tract
• Gtt: drops
• GUT: genitourinary tract
• H&P: History and physical
examination.
• h.s.: At bedtime. As in taking a
medicine at bedtime.
• HPI: history of present illness
• HTN: hypertension
• I&D: Incision and drainage.
• I&O: Intake and output
• IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease.
A name for two disorders of the
gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn’s
disease and ulcerative colitis.
• IC (inter cibos): between meals
• ICP: intracranial pressure
• ICU: Intensive care unit. The
patient was moved to the intensive
care unit.
• ID: intradermal
• IM: intramuscular
• in vitro: In the laboratory
• in vivo: In the body
• IOP: intraocular pressure
• IT: intrathecal
• IU: International units.
• IV: intravenous
• IVF: intravenous fluid
• IVP: intravenous push
• IVPB: intravenous piggy back
• JVD: jugular vein distention
• KVO: keep vein open
• LLQ: Left lower quadrant.
• LMP: last menstrual period
• LUQ: Left upper quadrant.
• M/H: Medical history
• mg: Milligrams.
• ml: Milliliters.
• MOM: milk of magnesia
• MVP: Mitral valve prolapse.
• N/V: nausea and vomiting
• NCP: Nursing care plan
• NGT: naso gastric tube
• NINP: no information, no
publication
• NL: normal limits
• npo: Nothing by mouth/nothing per
orem.
• O.D.: Right eye.
• O.S.: Left eye.
• O.U.: Both eyes.
• ORIF: Open reduction and internal
fixation, such as with the
orthopedic repair of a hip fracture.
• p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin
terminology per os.
• p.r.n.: As needed.
• Pc (post cibos)¯: After meals. As
in take two tablets after meals.
• PND: paroxysmal nocturnal
dyspnea
• PPROM: preterm premature
ruptured of membrane
• PT: Physical therapy
• PTSD: Post-traumatic stress
syndrome
• PUD: Peptic ulcer disease. A type
of ulcer of the stomach
• q.d.: Each day. As in taking a
medicine daily.
• q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in
taking a medicine four times daily.
• q2h: Every 2 hours. As in taking a
medicine every 2 hours.
• q3h: Every 3 hours. As in taking a
medicine every 3 hours.
• qAM: Each morning. As in taking
a medicine each morning.
• qhs: At each bedtime. As in taking
a medicine each bedtime.
• qod: Every other day. As in taking
a medicine every other day.
• RDS: Respiratory distress
syndrome
• REB: Rebound, as in rebound
tenderness of the abdomen when
pushed in and then released.
• RLQ: Right lower quadrant.
The appendix is located in the RLQ
of the abdomen.
• RRR: regular rate rhythm
• RUQ: Right upper quadrant
• Rx: treatment, therapy, prescription
• s/p: Status post. For example, a
person who had a knee operation
would be s/p a knee operation.
• SIG- signa- direction on label
• SL: sublingual
• SOB: Shortness of breath.
• SQ: Subcutaneous
• SS: one half
• STAT: immediately

• qPM: Each evening. As in taking a • SUBQ: subcutaneous

medicine each evening.
• Supp: suppository
• R/O: Rule out. Doctors frequently
• Susp: suspension
will rule out various possible
diagnoses when figuring out the • SVD: spontaneous vaginal delivery
correct diagnosis.
• Syr: syrup
• RA: Rheumatoid arthritis. A type
of joint disease.
• t.i.d.: Three times daily. As in
taking a medicine three times daily.
• tab: Tablet
• TAHBSO: Total Abdominal
Hysterectomy Bilateral salpingo-
oophorectomy.
• tbsp.: tablespoon
• TOP: topical application
• tsp: teaspoon
• UA or u/a: Urinalysis
• URI: Upper respiratory infection,
such as sinusitis
BASIC DRUG COMPUTATION
• UTI: urinary tract infection
• V/S: vital signs
• wk: week

Example: Order-Dilantin
50mg p.o. TID
                  Drug available-
Dilantin 125 mg/5ml