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List of medical abbreviations

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This is a list of medical acronyms and abbreviations.

The US based Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) requires its members to follow a "do not use list":[1]

Do Not Use Potential Problem Use Instead
Official "Do Not Use" List:
U (unit) Mistaken for “0” (zero), the number “4” (four) or “cc” "unit"
IU (International Unit) Mistaken for IV (intravenous) or the number 10 (ten) "International Unit"
Q.D., QD, q.d., qd (daily)
Q.O.D., QOD, q.o.d, qod (every other day)		 Mistaken for each other. Period after the Q mistaken for "I" and
the "O" mistaken for "I" (q.i.d. is four times a day dosing)		 "daily"
"every other day"
Trailing zero (X.0 mg)
Lack of leading zero (.X mg)		 Decimal point is missed X mg
0.X mg
MS Can mean morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate "morphine sulfate"
MSO4 and MgSO4 Confused for one another "magnesium sulfate"
For possible future inclusion in the Official List:
> (greater than)
< (less than)		 Misinterpreted as the number "7" (seven) or the letter "L".
Confused for one another		 "greater than"
"less than"
Abbreviations for drug names Misinterpreted due to similar abbreviations for multiple drugs Write drug names in full
Apothecary units Unfamiliar to many practitioners. Confused with metric units metric units
@ Mistaken for the number "2" (two) "at"
cc Mistaken for U (units) when poorly written "mL" or "milliliters"
µg Mistaken for mg (milligrams) resulting in one thousandfold overdose "mcg" or "micrograms"

0–9

Abbrv. Meaning
Δ Diagnosis
ΔΔ Differential diagnosis, i.e. the list of possible diagnoses
# Fracture
#NOF Fracture to the neck of the femur
Ψ Psychiatry
Σ Sigmoidoscopy
x/12 x number of months
x/40 x number of weeks of pregnancy
x/52 x number of weeks
x/7 x number of days
5-HT Serotonin, 5-Hydroxytryptamine

A

A&Ox3 Alert and Oriented to person, place, and time
A&Ox4 Alert and Oriented to person, place, time, and circumstances (often used interchangeably with A&Ox3)
AAA Abdominal aortic aneurysm
AAT activity as tolerated
Ab Antibody
ABC aspiration biopsy cytology
ABCD "Asymmetry, borders, color, diameter" features on considering "is it a Melanoma"?
ABD or abd abdomen
ABG Arterial blood gases
ABMT Autologous bone marrow transplantation
ABPI Ankle brachial pressure index
ABVD doxorubicin bleomycin vinblastine dacarbazine First-line treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma.
ABX antibiotics
a.c. before food, from Latin, ante cibum
ACE Angiotensin converting enzyme
ACEI Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
Ach Acetylcholine
ACL Anterior cruciate ligament
ACLS Advanced cardiac life support
ACTH Adrenocorticotropic hormone
AD Alzheimer's Disease
ADA Adenosine deaminase
ADC AIDS dementia complex
ADD Attention Deficit Disorder
ADH Antidiuretic hormone
ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADL activities of daily living
ad lib as desired from Latin, ad libitum
adm admission
ADR Adverse drug reaction
AEM Ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring
AF atrial fibrillation
AF Amniotic fluid
AFB acid fast bacilli
AFO ankle-foot orthosis
AFP Alpha-fetoprotein
Ag Antigen
AHF Antihemophilic factor
AHG Antihemophilic globulin
AHH aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase
AI Artificial insemination
AI Aortic insufficiency
AICD Automated implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
AID Artificial insemination by donor
AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
AIH artificial insemination by husband
AIIRB Angiotensin II receptor antagonist
aka also known as
AKA Above knee amputation
ALG Antilymphocytic globulin
ALL Acute lymphocytic leukemia
ALP Alkaline phosphatase
ALPS Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome
ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
ALS Advanced Life Support
ALT Alanine transferase
AMA Anti-mitochondrial Antibodies
AMA Against Medical Advice
AMA Advanced Maternal Age (35 years or greater)
AMC Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita
AMI Acute myocardial infarction
AML Acute myelocytic leukemia
AMP Adenosine monophosphate
AMS Acute mountain sickness
AMS atypical measles syndrome
ANA Anti-nuclear antibody
ANCA Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies
ANF Atrial natriuretic factor
ANP Atrial natriuretic peptide
ANS Autonomic nervous system
ANUG Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
AP Alkaline phosphatase
APAP acetaminophen, paracetamol; from the chemical name N-acetyl-para-aminophenol
APD adult polycystic disease
APECED autoimmune polyendocrinopathy
APH Antepartum haemorrhage
APLS antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
APSAC Anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex
APS autoimmune polyglandular syndrome
aPTT Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time
AR Aortic Regurgitation
ARB Angiotensin II receptor antagonist
ARC AIDS related complex
ARDS Acute respiratory distress syndrome
ARF Acute renal failure
Arg Arginine
ART antiretroviral therapy
ARM Artificial rupture of membranes
ASA Acetylsalicylic acid - commonly known as aspirin
AS Aortic stenosis
ASCAD arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease
ASD Atrial septal defect
ASGUS Atypical squamous glandular cells of undetermined significance
ASCUS Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance
ASL American sign language
ASO Antistreptolysin O
ASOT Antistreptolysin O titre
AST Aspartate transaminase
ASX Asymptomatic
ATCC American Type Culture Collection
ATG Antithymic globulin
AT-III Antithrombin III
ATP acute thrombocytopenic purpura
ATP adenosine triphosphate
ATP Anti-tachycardia pacing
AVM Arteriovenous malformation
AVR Aortic valve replacement
AZT azidothymidine

B

Ba Barium
BAL Bronchoalveolar lavage
BAL British anti-Lewisite
BAL Blood Alcohol Level
BAO Basic acid output
BAT Brown adipose tissue
BCG Bacille Calmette-Guerin (a tuberculosis vaccination)
BCX Blood culture
BBMF "Bone break, me fix" Orthopedic consent form
b.d. Twice daily, from Latin, bis die
b.i.d. Twice daily, from Latin, bis in die
BE Base excess
BIBA brought in by ambulance
BK Bacterium Koch
bl.cult Blood culture
bld Blood
BLS Basic Life Support
BMC Bone mass content
BMD Bone mineral density (also termed bone mass measurement)
BMI Body mass index
BMP Blood Metabolic Profile
BMR Basal metabolic rate
BMT Bone marrow transplantation
BNF British National Formulary
BNP Brain natriuretic peptide
BOI Born on island, ie. a local patient.
BOOP Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia
BP Blood pressure
BP Bipolar disorder
BPD Bi-Parietal Diameter
BPD Borderline personality disorder
BPH Benign prostatic hyperplasia
BPM Beats per minute
BPPV Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
BRAT Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, (dry) Toast: acronym for bland diet
BRATY Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, (dry) Toast, Yogurt: acronym for bland diet for children
BRP Bathroom Privileges
BRBPR Bright red blood per rectum
BS Breath or Bowel sounds on auscultation with stethoscope
BSE Bovine spongiform encephalopathy
BSE Breast self-examination
BSP Bromsulphthalein
BUN Blood urea nitrogen
BV Bacterial vaginosis
Bx Biopsy

C

c (c with a bar over it) with, from Latin, cum
CABG Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery. Pronounced "Cabbage".
CAD Coronary artery disease
cAMP cyclic adenosine monophosphate
CA Carcinoma
Ca Calcium
CADASIL Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy
CAH Chronic Active Hepatitis
CAH Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
CAT Computed axial tomography
CAPD Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
CBC Complete Blood Count
CC Cubic centimenter, or Chief Complaint
CCF Congestive cardiac failure
CCK Cholecystokinin
CEA Carcinoembryonic antigen
CF Cystic fibrosis
cGMP Cyclic guanosine monophosphate
ChE Cholinesterase
CHD Coronary heart disease
CHE Cholinesterase
CHF Congestive heart failure
CI Confidence interval
CJD Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
CK Creatine kinase
CKD Chronic kidney disease
CLL Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
CML Chronic myelogenous leukemia also called Chronic myeloid leukaemia
CMML Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
CMS Chronic mountain sickness
CMV Cytomegalovirus
CNS Central nervous system
COAD Chronic obstructive airways disease
COLD Chronic obstructive lung disease
COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CO Cardiac output
CO Carbon monoxide
CO2 Carbon dioxide
COX-1 Cyclooxygenase 1
COX-2 Cyclooxygenase 2
CP cerebral palsy
CPAP Continuous positive airway pressure
CPK Creatine phosphokinase
CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CREST Calcinosis Raynaud Esophagus Sclerosis Teleangiectasiae
CRF Chronic renal failure
CRF Corticotropin-releasing factor
CRH Corticotropin-releasing hormone
CRI Chronic renal insufficiency
CRP C-reactive protein
CR Complete remission
CS Caesarean section
CsA Ciclosporin A
CSF Cerebrospinal fluid
CT computed axial tomography
CTX ceftriaxone, a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic
CVA Cerebrovascular accident
CVC Central venous catheter
CVD Cardiovascular disease
CVP Central venous pressure
CVS Chorionic villus sampling
CVID Common variable immunodeficiency
Cx Microbiological culture
CXR Chest X-ray

D

DA Dopamine
DBP Diastolic blood pressure
D&C Dilatation and curettage
DCM Dilated cardiomyopathy
DDD Daily Defined Doses
DDx Differential diagnosis
DEXA Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry
DHE Dihydoergotamine
DHEA-S Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate
DIB Dead in Bed
DIC Disseminated intravascular coagulation
DIP Distal interphalangeal joint
DiPerTe Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus
DiTe Diphtheria Tetanus
DJD Degenerative Joint Disease
DKA Diabetic Keto Acidosis
DPT Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus
DM Diabetes Mellitus
DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNI Do Not Intubate
DNR Do Not Resuscitate
DNAR Do Not Attempt Resusciatation
DOA Dead on arrival
DOE Dyspnea on exertion
DOSS Docusate sodium; from the chemical name dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate
DT Diphtheria Tetanus
DTP Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis
DUB Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
DVT Deep vein thrombosis
Dx Diagnosis

E

E Erythrocytes
EACA Epsilon-aminocaproic acid
EBM Evidence-based medicine
EBM Expressed Breast Milk
EC Enterically Coated
ECG Electrocardiogram
ED Emergency department
ED Erectile Dysfunction
ED Ectodermal dysplasia
EDC Estimated Date of Confinement (at 40/40 weeks of pregnancy)
EDD Estimated Date of Delivery (at 40/40 weeks of pregnancy)
EDD Estimated date of discharge
EDRF Endothelium-derived relaxing factor aka Nitric oxide
EEG Electroencephalogram
EF Ejection Fraction
EGF Epidermal Growth Factor
EKG Electrocardiogram
ELLSCS Elective Lower Segment Caesarian Section
ELISA Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
EMC Encephalomyocarditis
EMD Early Morning Discovery
EMD ElectroMechanical Dissociation
EMF Endomyocardial fibrosis
EMG Electromyography
EMLSCS Emergency Lower Segment Caesarian Section
EMU Early Morning Urine sample (being the most concentrated generally used for pregnancy testing)
ENT Ear Nose and Throat. (Otolaryngology)
EENT eyes, ears, nose, throat
EPH Edema Proteinuria Hypertension
EPO Erythropoietin
ERCP Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
ESL Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (also ESWL) - see lithotriptor
ESBL Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase gram negative bacteria
ESR Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
ESRD End-stage renal disease
ESWL Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (also ESL) - see lithotriptor
ET Endothelin
ETT Endotracheal tube
ETOH ethanol or ethyl alcohol
EUS Endoscopic Ultrasonography

F

FBC Full blood count
FBE Full blood exam
FBG Fasting blood glucose
F/C Fevers or Chills
FDP Fibrinogen Degradation Products
FEV1 Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second
Fe Iron
FF Free Fluids (non-thickened fluids)
FFA Free fatty acids
FFP Fresh frozen plasma
FHR Fetal heart rate
FHT Fetal heart tones
FHx Family History
FIBD Found in Bed Dead
FLK Funny Looking Kid (suggesting an unspecified syndrome, should now be termed "dysmorphic features")
FNA Fine Needle Aspirate
FNC Full nursing care
FOF Found on Floor (Patient fell out of bed)
FPG Fasting plasma glucose
FSE Fetal Scalp Electrode
FSH Follicle stimulating hormone
FTA-ABS Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption
FTA Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody
FUBAR F***ed Up Beyond All Recognition, originally used to refer to corpses after horrendous (typically battlefield) trauma, but "FUBAR" is now sometimes used to describe very ill patients with little hope of recovery, including those that have not necessarily suffered trauma. Not very politically correct!
FVC Forced Vital Capacity (Spirometry test value used in assessment of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
FWB Full weight bearing
FWD Full ward diet
Fx Fracture of a bone

G

G Gravida (total number of pregnancies, successful or not)
G6PD Glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase
GA General anaesthesia
GABA gamma-aminobutyric acid
GCA Giant cell arteritis
GCS Glasgow Coma Scale
GDLH Glutamate dehydrogenase
GERD Gastro-esophageal reflux disease
GFR Glomerular filtration rate
GGTP Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase
GH Growth hormone
GHRF Growth hormone releasing factor
GITS Gastrointestinal therapeutic system
GIFT Gamete intrafallopian transfer
GOA Gone on Arrival (i.e., DOA)
GOMER Get Outta My E.R. i.e. patient who frequently presents at the ER near death but manages to pull through each and every time.
GOK God only knows
GORD Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
GOT glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase
GPT glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
GSW gunshot wound see HVLT
GTN Glyceryl trinitrate
GU Genitourinary
GUM Genitourinary medicine (often used more restrictively as alternative to Sexually-transmitted disease clinic)
GvH Graft-versus-host
GvHD Graft-versus-host disease

H

HA Hypertonia arterialis
HAD HIV-associated dementia
H/A headache
H&E Hematoxlyn and Eosin Standard tissue stain. Sometimes used as noun referring to stained slides--"H&E's showed..."
HAV Hepatitis A virus
Hb Hemoglobin
HBV Hepatitis B virus
HCG Human chorionic gonadotropin
HCM Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
HCT Hematocrit
HCTZ Hydrochlorothiazide
HCV Hepatitis C virus
HDL High density lipoprotein
HDL-C High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
HDU High dependency unit
HDV Hepatitis D virus
HEENT Head Eyes Ears Nose Throat
HEV Hepatitis E virus
HGB Hemoglobin
HH Hiatus hernia
H&H Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
Hib Haemophilus influenzae B
HIV Human immunodeficiency virus
HL Hepatic lipase
HLA Human leukocyte antigens
H&M Hematemesis and Malena
HOCM Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
H&P History & Physical
HPI History of Present Illness
HR Heart rate
HRT Hormone replacement therapy
H.S. At bedtime, from Latin, hora somni
HSG Hysterosalpingogram
HSV Herpes simplex virus
HT Hypertension
HTLV Human T-lymphotropic virus
HTN Hypertension
HUS Hemolytic uremic syndrome
HVLT High-velocity Lead Therapy, also see GSW (gunshot wound)
Hx history (of)

I

I131 radioactive iodine
IA Intra-arterial
IABP Intra-aortic balloon pump
IAI Intra-amniotic infection
IBD Inflammatory bowel disease
IBS Irritable bowel syndrome
IC Intracardiac
ICD Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
ICD-10 International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision
ICH Intracerebral hemorrhage
ICP Intracranial pressure
ICU Intensive care unit
I&D Incision and drainage (How to treat an abcess}
IDC Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy
IDC Indwelling catheter
IDDM Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
IDL Intermediate density lipoprotein
IFG Impaired fasting glycaemia
Ig Immunoglobulin
IGT Impaired glucose tolerance
IHD Ischaemic heart disease
i.m. intramuscular
IMB InterMenstrual Bleed (bleeding between periods)
IMI Intramuscular injection
INF Interferon
INR International normalized ratio
I&O inputs and outputs
IOL Induction of labor
IOL Intraocular lens
IOP Intraocular pressure
IP Interphalangeal joint
IPPV Intermittent positive pressure ventilation
IQ Intelligence Quotient
ISA Intrinsic Sympathomimetic Activity
ISDN Isosorbide dinitrate
ISH Isolated systolic hypertension
ISMN Isosorbide mononitrate
i.s.q. no change (from Latin, in status quo)
IT Intrathecal
ITP Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
ITU Intensive Treatment Unit (or Intensive Therapy Unit)
IUCD intrauterine contraceptive device
IU International units
IUD Intrauterine Death
IUD intrauterine device
IUI Intrauterine insemination
IUS intrauterine system
i.v. Intravenous
IV-DSA Intravenous digital subtraction angiography
IVDU Intravenous drug user
IVF In vitro fertilization
IVP Intravenous pyelogram
IVU Intravenous urogram

J

JMS "Junior Medical Student" AKA "MS-3" Also see "TOBASH"
JVD Jugular vein distension

K

K Potassium (in German, Kalium)
Kcal Kilocalorie, Calorie
kg Kilogram
KIV Keep in view
KUB kidney, ureter, bladder (x-ray)

L

L Leukocytes
LAD Left Anterior Descending coronary artery
LAP Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase
LAR Low Anterior Resection
LAS Lymphadenopathy syndrome
LBBB Left bundle branch block
LCM Lymphocytic meningitis
LDH Lactate dehydrogenase
LDL Low density lipoprotein
LDL-C Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
L-DOPA DihydrOxyPhenylAlanine
LES Lower esophageal sphincter
LES Lupus erythematosus systemicus
LE Lupus erythematosus (in German Lupus erythematodes)
leu Leukocytes
LFT Liver function test
LGL Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome
LGM Lymphogranulomatosis maligna
LGV Lymphogranuloma venereum
LH Luteinizing hormone
LIH left inguinal hernia
LLL left lower lobe
LLQ left lower quadrant
LM Left Main
LMP Last Menstrual period (prior to pregnancy and in woman with regular 28 day cycle taken as 0/40 weeks of pregnancy)
LORTA Loss Of Resistance To Air (in anesthesiology; when placing epidural, LORTA indicates entrance of needle to epidural space)
LOS Length of stay
Lp Lipoprotein
LP Lumbar puncture
LPL Lipoprotein lipase
LUL Left upper lobe
LUQ Left upper quadrant
LVEDP Left ventricular end diastolic pressure
LVEF Left ventricular ejection fraction
LVF Left ventricular failure
LVH Left ventricular hypertrophy
LV Left ventricle
LVOT Left Ventricular Outflow Track
Ly Lymphocytes
lytes electrolytes

M

MAO-I Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
MARSA Methicillin and aminoglycoside resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MAS Morgani-Adams-Stokes
MC Metacarpal bone
MCP Metacarpophalangeal joint
MCHC Mean cell hemoglobin concentration
MCH Mean cell hemoglobin
MC&S Microscopy, Culture & Sensitivity, the investigation steps in processing microbiology samples
MCV Mean cell volume
MDS Myelodysplastic syndrome
Mg Magnesium
MgSO4 Magnesium or Magnesium Sulfate
MGUS Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (unknown or uncertain may be substituted for undetermined)
MI Myocardial infarction
MIC Morbus Ischaemicus Cordis
MIC Minimal inhibitory concentration
MLA Myelosis Leucemica Acuta
MM Myeloma multiplex
mod Moderate
MODY Maturity onset diabetes of the young
Mo Monocytes
MOM Milk of magnesia
MOPP Mechlorethamine, Vincristine, Procarbazine, and Prednisone in combination, older treatment for Hodgkins lymphoma.
MPV Mean platelet volume
MRA Magnetic resonance angiogram or angiogrphy
MRI Magnetic resonance imaging
MR Mitral regurgitation
MR Modified release
MRSA Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MS Mitral stenosis
MS Multiple sclerosis
MS Medical student MS-1, MS-2, MS-3, MS-4 respectively
MSH Melanocyte stimulating hormone
MSO4 Morphine or Morphine Sulfate
MSU Mid Stream Urine sample (used in testing for preence of urine infections)
MT Metatarsal bone
MTP Metatarsalphalangeal joint
MTX Methotrexate
MVP Mitral valve prolapse
MVPS Mitral valve prolapse syndrome

N

Na Sodium (in German Natrium)
NAD No Abnormality Detected, i.e. the absence of abnormal signs on examination
NAD No apparent distress.
NE Norepinephrine
Ne Neutrophil granulocytes
Neo Neoplasm
NGU Non-gonococcal urethritis
NHL Non Hodgkin Lymphoma
NIDDM Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
NK Natural killer cells
NKA no known allergies
NKDA no known drug allergies. This abbreviation is also used in the military of the United States and may be printed on dog tags or a uniform.
NMR Nuclear magnetic resonance
NNH Number needed to harm
NNT Number needed to treat
NO Nitric oxide
NOF Neck of Femur Fracture (refers to Hip fracture)
NOS Nitric oxide synthase
Npl Neoplasm
NPO nil per os (nothing by mouth)
NREM non-Rapid Eye Movement
n.s. not significant
NSAID Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
NSE Neurospecific enolase
NSR normal sinus rhythm
NSU Non-specific urethritis
NTG Nitroglycerin
N&V nausea & vomiting
NVD nausea, vomiting & diarrhea
NVD Normal Vaginal Delivery

O

O2 Oxygen
OA osteoarthritis
OB-GYN Obstetrics and gynecology
OCD Obsessive-compulsive disorder
OD right eye from Latin, oculus dexter
OD overdose
od every day, usually regarded as once daily, from the Latin, omni die. Generally written in lower case.
O/E on examination
OGTT Oral glucose tolerance test
om every morning, from the Latin, omni mane. Generally written in lower case.
on every night, from the Latin, omni nocte. Generally written in lower case.
OP outpatient department
OS left eye from Latin, oculus sinister
OS Orthopedic surgery
OSA Obstructive Sleep Apnea
OSH outside hospital
OTC Over the counter
OTD Out the Door (discharged)
OU Both eyes, from Latin, oculi uterque

P

P Parturition (total number of live births)
P Phosphorus
P Pulse
PA posterior-anterior
PA Pulmonary artery
PAF Platelet activating factor
PAF Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (meaning intermittent AF)
PAH Pulmonary arterial hypertension
PAI-1 Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1
PAO Peak Acid Output
PAP Papanicolaou stain
Pap Papanicolaou Test (pap smear)
PAT Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
p.c. After food, from Latin, post cibum
PCOS Polycystic ovarian syndrome
PCP Pneumocystis pneumonia (formerly Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia)
PCP Primary Care Physician/Primary Care Provider
PCR Polymerase chain reaction
PDA Patent ductus arteriosus
PDE Phosphodiesterase
PDT Photodynamic Therapy
PEEP Positive end expiratory pressure
PEF Peak expiratory flow
PEFR Peak expiratory flow rate
PERLA Pupils Equal and Reactive to Light and Accommodation
PET Positron-emission tomography
PFO Patent foramen ovale
PID Pelvic inflammatory disease
PIH Pregnancy induced hypertension
PIP Proximal interphalangeal joint
PKA Protein kinase A
PKD Polycystic kidney disease
PKU Phenylketonuria
PLT platelets
PMB Post-menopausal bleeding (bleeding after menopause)
PMH [past medical history] or Perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage
PMR Percutaneous Myocardial Revascularisation
PMR Polymyalgia Rheumatica
p.o. By mouth (orally), from Latin, per os
POX Peroxidase
PPH Post partum haemorrhage
PPTL Post-Partum Tubal Ligation
p.r. per rectum (as noun: rectal examination)
PRA Plasma renin activity
PRIND Prolonged Reversible Ischemic Neurologic Deficit
prn as necessary, from Latin, pro re nata (if used in chronic pain control disparagingly termed "pain relief nil")
PROM Premature Rupture of Membranes
PRP PanRetinal Photocoagulation
PSA Prostatic specific antigen
PSP Phenylsulphtalein
PTM Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Pt. Patient, from Latin patiens, meaning "one who endures" or "one who suffers"
PTA Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty
PTCA Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
PT Prothrombin time
PTH Parathyroid hormone
PTx Pneumothorax
PTT Partial thromboplastin time
PUD peptic ulcer disease
PUVA Psoralen UV A
p.v. per vagina (as noun: vaginal examination with manual examination and speculum inspection)
PVD peripheral vascular disease
PVR Pulmonary vascular resistance
PWP Pulmonary Wedge Pressure
Px, px physical examination
Px Prognosis

Q

q each, every, {from Latin, quaque}
q.AM every AM, (from Latin, quaque ante meridiem)
q.d. each day, {from Latin, quaque die}
q.d.s. four times each day, {from Latin, quater die sumendus}
q.h. each hour, {from Latin, quaque hora}
q.i.d. four times each day, {from Latin, quater in die}
q.o.d. every other day, (from Latin, quaque altera die)

R

RA Refractory anaemia
RA Rheumatoid arthritis
RAI Radioactive Iodine
RAPD Relative afferent pupillary defect
RBBB Right bundle branch block
RBC Red blood cells
RCA Right coronary artery
RCT Randomized controlled trial
REM Rapid eye movement
RF Rheumatoid factor
RFLP Restriction fragment length polymorphism
RFT Renal function test
Rh Rhesus factor
RhF Rheumatoid factor
RIA Radioimmune assay
RIBA Radioimmunoblotting assay
RIND Reversible ischemic neurologic deficit
RLQ Right lower quadrant
RNA Ribonucleic acid
RNV Radionuclear Ventriculography
ROM Range of motion
RR Respiratory rate
ROS Review of systems
RUQ Right upper quadrant
RPR Rapid Plasma Reagin test
RSV Respiratory Syncytial Virus
RV Residual volume
RV Right ventricle
RVF Right ventricular failure
RVSP Right ventricular systolic pressure
Rx medical prescription or Prescription drug

S

s (s with a bar over it) without from Middle English sans, borrowed from Old French sans
SAH Subarachnoid hemorrhage
SARS Severe acute respiratory syndrome
SBE Subacute bacterial endocarditis
SBP Systolic blood pressure
SBP spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
s.c. subcutaneous from Latin, subcutis
SCC Squamous cell carciona
SCID Severe combined immunodeficiency
SD Standard deviation
SGA Small for gestational age
SGOT Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase
SGPT Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase
SH Social history (personal habits, living situation, job)
SHBG Sex Hormone Binding Globuline
SHx Surgical History
SI International System of Units
SIADH Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
SIDS Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
SIMV Synchronized Intermittent Mechanical Ventilation
SK Streptokinase
SLE Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
SM Multiple sclerosis from Latin, Sclerosis multiplex
SMA Sequential Multiple Analysis
SMA-7 Serum Metabolic Assay
SMS Senior medical student
SNP Sodium Nitroprusside
SOAP Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan (How Doctors notes are organized)
SOB Shortness of breath
SOS Save Our Souls, meaning "in case of emergency"
SP Status post
SPET Single photon emission tomography
SQ Subcutaneous
SR Slow Release
SROM Spontaneous rupture of membranes
SSRI Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
SSSS Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome
SSS Sick Sinus Syndrome
STD Sexually transmitted disease
STH Somatotropic hormone
STI Sexually transmitted infection
STI Soft tissue injury
Subq Subcutaneous
SVD Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery
SVI Systemic Viral Infection
SVN Small Volume Nebulizer
SVR Systemic vascular resistance
SVT Supraventricular tachycardia
Sx Surgery or Symptoms
SXA Single energy X-ray absorptiometer
SXR skull x-ray

T

T&A tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy
TAH Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
TAH-BSO Total Abdominal Hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy
TB tuberculosis
TBC tuberculosis
TBC Total body crunch
Td Tetanus and Diphtheria
TdP Torsades de pointes
TBI Total body irradiation
t.d.s. Three times a day, from Latin, ter die sumendus
TEE Transesophageal echocardiogram
TENS Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulaton
TERN "Intern", also see TOBASH
TFTs Thyroid function tests
TGA Transposition of the great arteries
TG Triglycerides
Tg Thyroglobulin
THR Total hip replacement
TIA Transient ischemic attack
TIBC Total iron binding capacity
t.i.d. Three times a day, from Latin, ter in die
TIPS transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
TKR Total knee replacement
TKVO to keep vein open
TLC Total lung capacity
TMB "Too Many Birthdays" Very frail elderly patient
TMS Tension myositis syndrome
TNF Tumor necrosis factor
TNM Tumor-Nodes-Metastases
TOE Transoesophageal echocardiogram
TPa Tissue plasminogen activator
TPN Total parenteral nutrition
TS Tricuspid regurgitation
TRF Transfer (pronounced "turf")
TRF'd Transferred (Pronounced "turfed", as in "We just turfed Mrs Johnson OTD")
TRH Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone
TS Tricuspid stenosis
TSH Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
TT thrombin time
TTE Transthoracic echocardiogram
TTO To Take Out (medicines given to patient on discharge from hospital stay)
TTP Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
TTS Transdermal therapeutic system
Tu Tumor
TUR Transurethral resection
TURBT Transurethral resection of bladder tumour
TURP Transurethral resection of the prostate
Tx Transplant
Tx treatment

U

UBT Urea Breath Test
U & E urea and electrolytes (sodium and potassium) blood test, often including creatinine
UC Ulcerative colitis
UD As Directed, from Latin, Ut Dictum
URI Upper Respiratory Infection
URTI Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
US Ultrasound
USG Ultrasonography
USR Unheated Serum Reagin
USS Ultrasound scan
UTI Urinary Tract Infection
UVAL Ultraviolet Argon Laser

V

VA visual acuity
VAD vincristine adriblastine dexamethasone
VAMP vincristine adriblastine methylprednisone
V-BAC Vaginal Birth After Caesarian
VC Vital capacity
vCJD Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
VD Vaginal Delivery
VDRL Venereal Diseases Research Laboratory (old test for syphilis}
VE vaginal examination (manual examination)
VEB Ventricular ectopic beat
VRE Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci
VF Ventricular fibrillation
VIP Vasoactive intestinal peptide
VLDL Very low density lipoprotein
VMA Vanillylmandelic acid
VOD Volume of distribution
VPA Valproic acid
VSD Ventricular septal defect
VT Ventricular tachycardia

W

WAT White adipose tissue
WBC White blood cells
WDWN Well developed, well Nourished
WNL Within Normal Limits (Also: We Never Looked)
WPW Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
WWI Walking While Intoxicated

X

x times/for

Y

YOYO "You're on your own"

Z

ZIFT Zygote intrafallopian transfer

Latin abbreviations

Some of the following list are considered non-standardized abbreviations because their meanings could be easily misunderstood.

Abbrev. Meaning Latin origin
a.c. Before food ante cibum
a.d. Right ear auris dexter
ad. Freely as wanted ad libitum
a.l. Left ear aurix laevus
alt. die Every other day alternus die
alt. h. Every other hour alternus horis
a.m. Morning ante meridiem
a.n. Before the night ante noctum
aq. Water aqua
a.s. Left ear auris sinister
a.u. Each ear auris utro
aurist. Ear drops auristillae
b.d. or bd Twice a day bis die
b.i.d. or bid Twice a day bis in die
gtt. Drop gutta
h. Hour hora
h.s. At bedtime hora somni
i.d. during the day
i.d. the same idem
I.D. Infectious Disease
i.d. intradermal, between layers of the skin
mane In the morning mane
narist. Nasal drops naristillae
Nocte At night nocte
o.c. Eye ointment oculentum
o.d. or od Daily omni die
o.d. Right eye oculus dexter
o.l. Left eye oculus laevus
o.m. In the morning omni mane
o.n. At night omni nocte
o.s. Left eye oculus sinister
o.u. Each eye oculus utro
p.c. After food post cibum
p.m. Afternoon post meridiem
p.o. or po Orally per os
p.r. Rectally per rectum
p.r.n. As occasion requires (as needed) pro re nata
p.v. Vaginally per vaginum
q. every quaque
q.2.h. Every two hours quaque 2 hora
q.4.h. Every four hours quaque 4 hora
q.6.h. Every six hours quaque 6 hora
q.8.h. Every eight hours quaque 8 hora
q.d. or qd Every day quaque die
q.d.s. Four times a day quater die sumendus
q.h. Every hour, hourly quaque hora
q.i.d. or qid Four times a day quater in die
q.q.h. Every four hours quarta quaque hora
q.s. A sufficient quantity quantum sufficiat
s.i.d. or sid Once a day semel in die
Sig. or S. Write on the label signa
SL. Sublingual, under the tongue sub linguam
Stat. Immediately, with no delay statim
t.d.s. Three times a day ter die sumendus
t.i.d. or tid Three times a day ter in die
top. Topically, applied to the skin
ut dict. or u.d. As directed ut dictum
ung. Ointment unguentum

See also

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