Common Abbreviations Flashcards
ABG
ABG arterial blood gases*
AC
AC before meals*
Ante Cibum
Ante = Before
Cibo=English words for the Italian word cibo. cheer, fare, food, grub, meat
“Ay, before you Consume your food…..”
ACE
ACE angiotensin converting enzyme*
ADH
ADH antidiuretic hormone*
Ad lib
free to move around*
Like MadLIbs, free to change up the words in the sentence
ADL
ADL activities of daily living*
AKA
AKA above knee amputation*
also known as rennesha, my friend who had her leg amputated bcuz of osteosarcoma.
AMA
AMA against medical advice OR advanced maternal age
Ama go, I don’t care what the dr says.
Ama lil older than most mom’s.
AMI
AMI acute myocardial infarction*
AP
AP apical pulse *
ARF
ARF acute renal failure*
au
AU both ears* (au - a looks like an ear and u for union)
BG
BG blood glucose*
BI
BI brain injury
BID
BID twice a day*
BKA
BKA below knee amputation*
BLE
BLE Bilateral lower extremities*
If grandma says her foot goes number, check the pulse BLE to compare side.
“My BLEepin legs are numb.”
BM
BM bowel movement* or breast milk
Babies have a BM after some BM :-P
BP
BP blood pressure *
BPH
But Peeing’s Hard
BPH benign prostatic hypertrophy (A common, noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.)
Boy! my Prostate be Hurtin!
BRP
BRP bathroom privileges *
You might wanna see a bathroom about that BuRP.
BS
BS bowel sounds , breath sounds, bachelor of science, blood sugar*
BUN
BUN blood urea nitrogen*
A blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood that comes from the waste product urea. Urea is made when protein is broken down in your body. Urea is made in the liver and passed out of your body in the urine. A BUN test is done to see how well your kidneys are working.
C&S
C&S culture and sensitivity*
CA
CA calcium, cancer, carcinoma*
CABG
CABG coronary artery bypass graft*
CAD
CAD coronary artery disease *
FYI - PAD - peripheral artery disease
CBC
CBC complete blood count*
CO
CO cardiac output*
C/O
C/O complaint of*
COPD
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease*
CPM
CPM continuous passive motion*
The continuous passive motion (CPM) machine is attached to, for example, a knee that has had surgery. The CPM machine then constantly moves the knee through a range of motion for a period of time while the patient relaxes.
CSF
CSF cerebrospinal fluid, colony stimulating factors*
CXR
CXR chest x-ray*
DAT
DAT diet as tolerated *
Dat ain’t something my stomach can tolerate, so I don’t eat dat.
DC
DC (dc) discontinue *
DIC
DIC disseminated intravascular coagulation*
a condition in which blood clots form throughout the body’s (disseminated through the body) small blood vessels (intravascular). These blood clots (coagulation) can reduce or block blood flow through the blood vessels, which can damage the body’s organs.
DKA
DKA diabetic ketoacidosis*
…is a serious complication of diabetes that occurs when your body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones; develops when your body is unable to produce enough insulin. Insulin normally plays a key role in helping sugar (glucose) enter your cells. Without enough insulin, your body begins to break down fat as an alternate fuel. This process produces a buildup of toxic acids in the bloodstream called ketones, eventually leading to diabetic ketoacidosis if untreated.
DM
DM diabetes mellitus*
DNR
DNR do not resuscitate*
DVT
DVT deep vein thrombosis*
DX
DX diagnosis*
ET
ET endotracheal tube*
FX
FX fracture*
FUO
FUO fever of unknown origin*
UFO is an unidentifed object from unknown place in space
FUO is a fever of unknown origin
GERD
GERD gastroesophageal reflux disease*
HB or HGB
HB hemoglobin* HGB hemoglobin*
HG A1C
HG A1C hemoglobin A1C*
The hemoglobin A1c test, also called HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin test, or glycohemoglobin, is an important blood test that shows how well your diabetes is being controlled. Hemoglobin A1c provides an average of your blood sugar control over the past 2 to 3 months and is used along with home blood sugar monitoring to make adjustments in your diabetes medicines.
HCG
HCG *
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone that supports the normal development of an egg in a woman’s ovary, and stimulates the release of the egg during ovulation. HCG is used to cause ovulation and to treat infertility in women, and to increase sperm count in men.
HCO3
HCO3 bicarbonate*
HCT
HCT hematocrit*
% of rbcs
HDL
HDL high density lipoprotein*
“Helper” cholesterol
HS
HS bedtime*
At bedtime “He’S sleepin.”
HX
HX history*
HX = hospital history - history X
H&P
H & P history and physical*
ICP
ICP intracranial pressure*
IDDM
IDDM insulin dependent diabetes mellitus*
Insulin shots are given intradermal/ID IDDM
IM
IM intramuscular*
INR
INR international normalization ratio*
International Normalized Ratio
Does this test have other names?
INR, standardized prothrombin time
What is this test?
This blood test looks to see how well your blood clots.
The international normalized ratio (INR) is a standardized number that’s figured out in the lab. If you take blood thinners, also called anti-clotting drugs or anticoagulants, it’s especially important to check your INR. The INR is figured out using the results of the prothrombin time (PT) test, which measures the time it takes for your blood to clot. The INR is an international standard for the PT.
IV
IV intravenous*
IVPB
IVPB intravenous piggyback*
IVP
IVP intravenous push or intravenous pyelography*
Pyelo - (Anatomy) denoting the renal pelvis
An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) is a special x-ray examination of the kidneys, bladder, and ureters (the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder).
py·e·log·ra·phy: X-ray technique for producing an image of the renal pelvis and urinary tract by the introduction of a radiopaque fluid.
K
K potassium*
KUB
KUB kidney, ureter, bladder*
KVO
KVO keep vein open*
LUQ
LUQ left upper quadrant* or RUQ etc.
MAR
MAR medication administration record *
MI
MI myocardial infarction *
MRI
MRI magnetic resonance imaging*
MRx2
MRx2 May repeat times 2*
NA
NA sodium*
NKA
NKA no known allergies*
NPO
NPO nothing by mouth*
Nothing Per Oral
NSAID
NSAID nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug*
OD
OD right eye*
right hand is dextrous
O looks like an eyeball
OS
OS left eye*
Left hand is sinister (used for toileting) S=Sinister
O looks like an eye.
OU
OU both eyes*
U for Union or Both
PAD
PAD peripheral artery disease*
Peripheral artery disease (also called peripheral arterial disease) is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs
FYI - CAD coronary artery disease *
PC
PC after meals*
Post Consumption
post cibum-opposite pf ac ante cibum
PCA
ex PCA pump
PCA patient controlled analgesia, posterior communicating artery*
PDR
PDR physician’s desk reference*
Physicians’ Desk Reference: A thick volume that provides a guide to prescription drugs available in the United States. Although not exactly recommended fare for bedtime reading, the PDR is the most commonly used drug reference.
PERRLA
PERRLA pupils equal, round, react to light, accommodation*
PICC
PICC peripherally inserted central venous catheter*
A central venous catheter, also called a central line, is a long, thin, flexible tube used to give medicines, fluids, nutrients, or blood products over a long period of time, usually several weeks or more. A catheter is often inserted in the arm or chest through the skin into a large vein. The catheter is threaded through this vein until it reaches a large vein near the heart.
PMI
PMI point of maximal impulse*
POINT OF MAXIMUM INTENSITY
The apex beat (lat. ictus cordis), also called the point of maximum impulse (PMI), is the furthermost point outwards (laterally) and downwards (inferiorly) from the sternum at which the cardiac impulse can be felt.
PO
PO by mouth*
Per Oral
PR
PR by rectum*
Per Rectum
PRN
PRN as needed* (Pro Re Nata)
PRBC
PRBC packed red blood cells*
PUD
PUD peptic ulcer disease *
Peptic ulcer disease refers to painful sores or ulcers in the lining of the stomach or first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum.
PVD
PVD peripheral vascular disease *
PT
PT Physical Therapist or physical therapy*
QD
QD everyday *
QH
QH every hour*
QID
QID four times a day *
QOD
QOD every other day*
QS
QNS
QS quantity sufficient, quantity required*
Quantity not sufficient
ROM
ROM range of motion *
RUQ
RUQ right upper quadrant*
S/S
S/S signs & symptoms *
SL
SL sublingual*
SLide it under the tongue
SNF
SNF skilled nursing facility*
SOB
SOB short of breath*
Susp
Susp Suspension*
TIA
TIA transient ischemic attack*
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is like a stroke, producing similar symptoms, but usually lasting only a few minutes and causing no permanent damage.
TID
TID three times a day*
TKO
TKO to keep vein open*
TKR
TKR total knee replacement*
TaKeR knees out if she don’t pay up!
TPN
TPN total parenteral nutrition*
TX
TX treatment, traction*
UA
UA urinalysis *
Ur Aching when you pee, so you get a UrinAlysis
UTI
UTI urinary tract infection*
W/C
W/C wheelchair *
WBC
WBC white blood cell*
WDL
WDL Within desired limits*
WNL
WNL within normal limits*
XR
XR x-ray* or extended release
CBI
continuous bladder irrigation
A&W
ALIVE AND WELL
Abd
ABDOMINAL
ADL
ACTIVITES OF DAILY LIVING
AK
ABOVE KNEE
AP
APICAL PULSE OR ANTERIOR POSTERIOR
BK
BELOW KNEE
CHD
CHILDHOOD DISEASE
CONGENITAL DISEASE
CORONARY HEART DISEASE
CVA
COSTOVERTEBRAL ANGEL
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT
Cx
CERVIX
DM
DIABETES MELLITUS
DOE
DYSPNEA ON EXERTION
DUB
DYSFUNCTIONAL UTERINE BLEEDING
ECG EKG
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM; ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH
ENT
EAR NOSE THROAT
FB
FOREIGN BODY
FROM
FULL RANGE OF MOTION
Fx
FRACTURE
GB
GALLBLADDER
GYN
GYNECOLOGIC
HCG
HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN
HPI
HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS
ICS
INTERCOSTAL SPACE
IUD
INTRAUTERINE DEVICE
JVP
JUGULAR VENOUS PRESSURE
LCM
LEFT COSTAL MARGINE
LLL
LEFT LOWER LOBE (LUNG)
LMD
LOCAL MEDIAL DOCTOR
LOC
LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
LSB
LEFT STERNAL BORDER
MCL
MIDCLAVICULAR LINE
MSL
MIDSTERNAL LINE
N&T
NOSE AND THROAT
NA
NO ANSWER
NOT APPLICABLE
NKDA
NO KNOWN DRUG ALLERGIES
NSR
NORMAL SINUS RHYTHM
P
PARA
PE
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
PULMONARY EDEMA
PGF
PATERNAL GRANDFATHER
PI
PRESENT ILLNESS
PMH
PAST MEDICAL HISTORY
PMS
PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROM
PVC
PREMATURE VENTRICULAR COMPLEX
REM
RAPID EYE MOVEMENT
ROS
REVIEW OF SYSTEMS
RSB
RIGHT STERNAL BORDER
SCM
STERNOCLEIDOMASTOID
T&A
TONSILLECTOMY AND ADENOIDECTOMY
TPR
TEMP PULSE RESPIRATION
URI
UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION
WD
WELL DEVELOPED
AB
ABORTION
AJ
ANKLE JERK
CC
CHIEF COMPLAINT
c/o
COMPLAINS OF
CV
CARDIOVASCULAR
CVP
CENTRAL VENOUS PRESSURE
D&C
DILATION AND CURETTAGE
cu·rette kyo͝oˈret/Submit noun 1. a surgical instrument used to remove material by a scraping action, especially from the uterus. verb 1. clean or scrape with a curette.
DTRs
DEEP TENDON REFLEXES
EENT
EAR, EYE, NOSE, THROAT
EOM
EXTRAOCULAR MOVEMENT
FH
FAMILY HISTORY
FTT
FAILURE TO THRIVE
G
GRAVIDA
- a woman’s status regarding pregnancy: usu. followed by a numeral designating the number of times the woman has been pregnant. 2. a pregnant woman.
GE
GASTROESOPHAGEAL
GU
GENITOURINARY
HA
HEADACHE
HEENT
HEAD, EYES, EARS, NOSE AND THROAT
Hx
HISTORY
IOP
INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE
KJ
KNEE JERK
lat
LATERAL
LE
LOWER EXTREMITY
LMP
LAST MENSTRUAL PERIOD
LS
LUMBOSACRAL; LUMBAR SPINE
LUL
LEFT UPPER LOBE
MAL
MIDAXILLARY LINE
MGF
MATERNAL GRANDFATHER
MVA
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
OM
OTITIS MEDIA
PGM
PATERNAL GRANDMOTHER
PID
PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE
RCM
RIGHT COSTAL MARGIN
RLL
RIGHT LOWER LOBE (LUNG)
RRR
REGULAR RATE AND RHYTHM
RUL
RIGHT UPPER LOBE (lung)
Sx
SYMPTOMS
TM
TYMPANIC MEMBRANE
UE
UPPER EXTREMITY
WN
WELL NOURISHED
