Medical Abbreviations Flashcards
1
Q
AAA
A
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
2
Q
AB
A
Abortion
3
Q
Ab
A
Antibody
4
Q
ABC
A
Aspiration, biopsy, cytology
5
Q
abd
A
Abdomen
6
Q
ABG
A
Arterial blood gas
7
Q
a.c. ; ac
A
Before meals (ante cibum)
8
Q
ACE
A
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE inhibitors treat hypertension)
9
Q
ACL
A
Anterior cruciate ligament (of knee)
10
Q
ACS
A
Acute coronary syndrome (myocardial infarction , unstable angina)
11
Q
ACTH
A
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (secreted by pituitary gland)
12
Q
AD
A
Alzheimer’s disease
13
Q
ADD
A
Attention deficit disorder
14
Q
ADH
A
Antidiuretic hormone (secreted by pituitary gland)
15
Q
ADHD
A
Attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder
16
Q
ad lib
A
Freely as desired (ad libitum)
17
Q
AED
A
Automated external defibrillator
18
Q
AICD
A
Automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
19
Q
AIDS
A
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
20
Q
alb
A
Albumin (protein)
21
Q
ALL
A
Acute lymphocytic leukemia
22
Q
alk phos
A
Alkaline phosphatase (enzyme elevated in liver disease)
23
Q
ALS
A
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig disease)
24
Q
ALT
A
Alanine transaminase (enzyme elevated in liver disease ; formerly called SGPT)
25
AMI
Acute myocardial infarction
26
AML
Acute myelocytic (myelogenous) leukemia
27
ANA
Antinuclear antibody ; test for rheumatoid arthritis
28
AP or A/P
Anteroposterior (front to back)
29
A&P
Auscultation & percussion
30
aq
Water (aqua)
31
ARDS
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
32
AS
Aortic stenosis
33
ASD
Atrial septal defect
34
ASHD
Arteriosclerotic heart disease
35
AST
Aspartate transaminase (elevated in liver and heart disease) ; formerly called SGOT
36
AV
Arteriovenous ; atrioventricular
37
A&W
Alive & well
38
39
BE
Barium enema
40
B cells
White blood cells (lymphocytes) produced in bone marrow
41
b.i.d. , bid
Twice a day (bis in die)
42
BM
Bowel movement ; bone marrow
43
BMT
Bone marrow transplant
44
BP , B/P
Blood pressure
45
BPH
Benign prostatic hypertrophy (hyperplasia)
46
bronch
Bronchoscopy
47
bs
Blood sugar ; bowel sounds ; breath sounds
48
BSE
Breast self-examination
49
BSO
Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
50
BUN
Blood urea nitrogen (test of kidney function)
51
BW
Birth weight
52
Bx , bx
Biopsy
53
ċ (cum ; c with line over it)
With (cum)
54
C1 , C2
First cervical vertebrae , second cervical vertebrae
55
CA
Cancer ; carcinoma ; cardiac arrest ; chronological age
56
Ca
Calcium
57
CABG
Coronary artery bypass graft
58
CAD
Coronary artery disease
59
CAPD
Continuous ambulatory peritoneal disease
60
cap
Capsule
61
cath
Catheter ; catheterization
62
CBC
Complete blood count
63
cc
Cubic centimeter (1cc equals 1/1000 liter , or 1mL)
64
CC
Chief complaint
65
CCU
Coronary car unit ; critical care unit
66
CF
Cystic fibrosis
67
chemo
Chemotherapy
68
CHF
Congestive heart failure
69
chol
Cholesterol
70
CIN
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
71
CIS
Carcinoma in situ
72
CKD
Chronic kidney disease
73
cm
Centimeter (1cm equals 1/100 meter)
74
CLL
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
75
CML
Chronic myelocytic (myelogenous leukemia)
76
CMP
Comprehensive metabolic panel
77
CNS
Central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
78
c/o
Complains of
79
CO2
Carbon dioxide
80
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder
81
COVID-19
Coronavirus disease 2019
82
CP
Cerebral palsy ; chest pain
83
CPAP
Continuous positive airway pressure (provided by machine to aid breathing in patients with sleep apnea)
84
CPD
Cephalopelvic disproportion
85
CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
86
C&S , C+S
Culture and sensitivity (testing)
87
C-section , CS
Cesarean section
88
CSF
Cerebrospinal fluid
89
CT scan
Computed tomography scan (x-ray images in cross-sectional view)
90
CTE
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
91
CVA
Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
92
c/w
Compare with ; consistent with
93
CX , CXR
Chest x-ray (image)
94
Cx
Cervix
95
cysto
Cystoscopy
96
D&C
Dilation (dilatation) and curettage (of the uterine lining)
97
DES
Diethylstilbestrol (estrogen causing defects in children whose mothers took the drug during pregnancy)
98
DEXA (DXA)
Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry
99
DIC
Disseminated intravascular coagulation
100
diff.
Differential (percentages of types of white blood cells)
101
DJD
Degenerative joint disease
102
DKA
Diabetic ketoacidosis
103
DM
Diabetes mellitus
104
DNA
Deoxyribnucleic acid
105
DNR
Do not resuscitate
106
DO
Doctor of osteopathic medicine
107
DOB
Date of birth
108
DOE
Dyspnea on exertion
109
DOMS
Delayed-onset muscle soreness
110
DRE
Digital rectal examination
111
DT
Delirium tremens (caused by alcohol withdrawal)
112
DTR
Deep tendon reflex
113
DUB
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
114
DVT
Deep vein thrombosis
115
Dx
Diagnosis
116
EBV
Epstein-Barr virus (cause of mononucleosis)
117
ECC
Emergency cardiac care
118
ECG
Electrocardiography
119
ECHO
Echocardiography
120
ECMO
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenator
121
ECT
Electroconvulsive therapy
122
ED
Emergency department; erectile dysfunction
123
EDD
Expected date of delivery
124
EEG
Electroencephalography
125
EENT
Eyes , ears , nose , throat
126
EGD
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
127
eGFR
Estimated glomerular filtration rate
128
EKG
Electrocardiography (ECG is preferred)
129
ELISA
Enzyme-linking immunosorbent assay (e.g., used as an AIDS test)
130
EMG
Electromyography
131
ENT
Ears , nose , throat
132
eos.
Eosinophils (type of white blood cell)
133
ER
Emergency room ; estrogen receptor
134
ERCP
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatograohy
135
ESR
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (sed rate)
Time it takes red blood cells to settle out of blood
136
ESRD
End-stage renal disease
137
ESWL
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
138
ET
Endotracheal
139
ETOH
Ethyl alcohol (ethanol)
140
ETT
Exercise tolerance test; endotracheal tube
141
FBS
Fasting blood sugar
142
FDA
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
143
FDG-PET
Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (nuclear medicine test)
144
Fe
Iron
145
FEV
Forced expiratory volume
146
FH
Family history
147
FHR
Fetal heart rate
148
FSH
Follicle-simulating hormone (secreted by the pituitary gland)
149
F/U , f/u
Follow-up
150
FUO
Fever of unknown (undetermined) origin
151
Fx
Fracture
152
G
Gravida (a pregnant woman)
153
g , gm
Gram
154
Ga
Gallium (element used in nuclear medicine diagnostic tests)
155
GB
Gallbladder
156
GC
Gonococcus (bacterial cause of gonorrhea ; another name for Neisseria gonorrhoeae)
157
Gd
Gadolinium (widely used in MRI contrast agent)
158
GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
159
GH
Growth hormone (secreted by the pituitary gland)
160
GI
Gastrointestinal
161
Grav. 1 , 2 , 3
Gravida - a woman who has had a first , second , or third pregnancy of any duration
162
GFR
Glomerular filtration rate
163
gt , gtt
Drop , drops
164
GTT
Glucose tolerance test
165
GU
Genitourinary
166
GVHD
Graft - versus - host disease
167
Gy
Gray (a unit of radiation)
168
GYN , gyn
Gynecology
169
H
Hydrogen
170
h , hr
Hour
171
HAART
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (for AIDS)
172
Hb , hgb , Hgb
Hemoglobin
173
HbA1c
Glycosylated hemoglobin (measured to test for diabetes)
174
HBV
Hepatitis B virus
175
HCC
Hepatocellular carcinoma
176
HCG , hCG
Human chorionic gonadotropin (secreted during pregnancy)
177
Hct , HCT
Hematocrit
178
HCV
Hepatitis C virus
179
HD
Hemodialysis (performed by artificial kidney machine) ; heart disease
180
HDL
High - density lipoprotein (associated with decreased incidence of coronary artery disease)
181
HEENT
Head , ears , eyes , nose , throat
182
Hg
Mercury
183
Hgb , hgb , Hb
Hemoglobin
184
HIPAA
Health Insurance Portable and Accountability Act (of 1996)
185
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
186
h/o
History of
187
H2O
Water
188
H&P
History & Physical (examination)
189
HPV
Human PapillomaVirus
190
HRT
Hormone Replacement Therapy
191
h.s.
At bedtime (hora somni) ; write out so as not to confuse with hs (half strength)
192
HSG
Hysterosalpingography
193
HSV-1 ; HSV-2
Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 ; type 2
194
HTN
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
195
Hx
History
196
I
Iodine
197
I-131
Iodine – 131 (radioactive iodine)
198
I&D
Incision and drainage
199
IBD
Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, and Crohn disease)
200
IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome (of unknown etiology / cause)
201
ICD
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
202
ICU
Intensive care unit
203
ID
Infectious disease
204
IgA , IgD , IgE , IgG , IgM
Immunoglobulins (antibodies)
205
IM
Intramuscular ; infectious mononucleosis
206
INH
Isoniazid (drug to treat tuberculosis)
207
INR
International normalized ratio (system for reporting results of blood coagulation tests)
208
I&O
Intake and output (measurement of patient’s fluids)
209
IOL
Intraocular lens (implant)
210
IUD
Intrauterine device (contraceptive)
211
IV
Intravenous
212
IVF
*in vitro* fertilization
213
IVP
Intravenous pyelography ; intravenous push
214
K
Potassium
215
kg
Kilogram (1 kg = 1000 grams)
216
KS
Kaposi sarcoma (malignant lesion associated with AIDS)
217
KUB
Kidneys , ureter , bladder (x-ray study without contrast)
218
L ; l
Left ; liter ; lower
219
L1 , L2
First lumbar vertebra , second lumbar vertebra
220
LA
Left atrium
221
LAD
Left interior descending artery (of the heart) ; lymphadenopathy
222
lat
Lateral
223
LBP
Lower back pain ; low blood pressure
224
LDH
Lactate DeHydrogenase (elevation associated with heart attacks)
225
LDL
Low-density lipoprotein (high levels associated with heart disease)
226
LE
Lupus erythematosus
227
LEEP
Loop Electrocautery Excision Procedure
228
LES
Lower esophageal sphincter
229
LFTs
Liver function tests
230
LLQ
Left lower quadrant (of the abdomen)
231
LMP
Last menstrual period
232
LP
Lumbar puncture
233
LPN
Licensed practical nurse
234
LTB
LaryngoTracheal Bronchitis (croup)
235
LUQ
left upper quadrant (of the abdomen)
236
LV
Left ventricle
237
LVAD
Left Ventricle Assist Device (bridge to cardiac transplantation)
238
L&W
Living & Well
239
lymphs
Lymphocytes
240
lytes
Electrolytes
241
m
Meter ; milli (one thousandth)
242
MAC
Monitored anesthesia care
243
MCH
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (amount in each red blood cell)
244
MCHC
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (amount per unit of blood)
245
MCV
Mean corpuscular volume (size of individual red blood cell)
246
MD ; M.D.
Doctor of medicine ; muscular dystrophy
247
MDI
Metered-Dose Inhaler
248
MDS
Myelodysplastic Syndrome (a bone marrow disorder)
249
mets
Metastases
250
mg
Milligram (1mg = 1/1000 grams)
251
Mg
Magnesium
252
MH
Marital history ; mental health
253
MI
Myocardial infraction (heart attack)
254
mL
Milliliter (1mL = 1/1000 L)
255
mm
Millimeter (1mm = 1/1000 meters)
256
mm Hg
Millimeters of mercury (units for measurement of blood pressure)
257
mono
Monocytes (type of white blood cell)
258
MRA
Magnetic resonance angiography
259
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging
260
MRSA
Methicillin-Resistant *Staphylococcus Aureus*
261
MS
Mental status ; mitral stenosis ; multiple sclerosis
262
MSW
Medical social worker
263
MTD
Maximum tolerated dose
264
MVP
Mitral valve prolapse
265
myop
Myopia (nearsightedness)
266
N
Nitrogen
267
Na
Sodium
268
NB
Newborn
269
NED
No evidence of disease
270
NG tube
Nasogastric tube
271
272
273
NICU
Neonatal intensive care unit
274
NKA
No known allergies
275
NPO
Nothing by mouth (nil per os)
276
NSAID
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
277
NSR
Normal sinus rhythm (of the heart)
278
NT
Not tender (to touch)
279
NTP
Normal temperature and pressure
280
N+V
Nausea and vomiting
281
O2
Oxygen
282
OA
Osteoarthritis
283
OB
Obstetrics
284
OD
Doctor of optometry
285
OR
Operating room
286
ORIF
Open reduction plus internal fixation (to set a broken bone)
287
ORTH , ortho.
Orthopedics *or* Orthopaedics
288
os
Mouth
289
OSA
Obstructive sleep apnea
290
OT
Occupational therapy
291
OV
Office visit
292
p̄
After ; following
293
P
Phosphorus ; plan ; posterior ; pressure ; pulse ; pupil
294
PA
Posteroanterior (back to front) ; pulmonary artery
295
PAC
Premature atrial contraction
296
PaCO2
Arterial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood ; may also be written “arterial PCO2”
297
PACS
Picture archival communication system
298
palp
Palpable ; palpation (examine by touch)
299
PaO2
Arterial pressure of oxygen in the blood ; may also be written “ arterial PO2”
300
Pap smear
Papanicolaou smear (preparation of cells from the cervix and vagina for microscopic examination)
301
para
Paracentesis (abdominocentesis)
302
Para 1, 2, 3
Woman who has produced one, two, or three viable offspring ; Unipara bipara, tripara
303
p.c. , pc
After meals (*post cibum*)
304
PCI
Percutaneous coronary intervention
305
PCP
Pneumocystis pneumonia (opportunistic infection seen in patients with AIDS)
306
PE
Physical examination ; pulmonary embolus
307
PEEP
Positive end – expiratory pressure
308
per
By
309
PERRLA
Pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation
310
PET
Positron emission tomography
311
PE tube
Pressure – equalizing tube (ventilating tube for the eardrum)
312
PFT
Pulmonary function test
313
pH
Hydrogen ion concentration (measurement of acidity or alkalinity of a solution)
314
PH
Past history
315
PI
Present illness
316
PID
Pelvic inflammatory disease
317
PKU
Phenylketonuria (disease due to lack of an enzyme in infants)
318
PM ; pm
Afternoon (*post meridiem*) ; postmortem
319
PMH
Past medical history
320
PMS
Premenstrual syndrome
321
PND
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea ; postnasal drip
322
p/o
Postoperative
323
p.o. , po
By mouth (*per os*)
324
polys
Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (neutrophils)
325
poplit
Popliteal (behind the knee)
326
post-op
After operation
327
PP
After meals (*postprandial*) ; after birth (*postpartum*)
328
PPD
Purified protein derivative (skin test for tuberculosis)
329
pre-op
Before operation (preoperative)
330
prep
Prepare for
331
p.r.n. , prn
As needed (*pro re nata*)
332
procto
Proctoscopy (visual examination of the anus and rectum)
333
pro time
Prothrombin time (test of blood clotting)
334
PSA
Prostate – specific antigen (screening test for prostate cancer)
335
pt
Patient
336
PT
Physical therapy ; prothrombin time
337
PTA
Prior to admission (to hospital)
338
PTCA
percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (balloon angioplasty)
339
PTH
Parathyroid hormone
340
PTR
Patient to return
341
PTSD
Post - traumatic stress disorder
342
PTT
Partial thromboplastin time (test of blood clotting)
343
PVC
Premature ventricular contraction (abnormal heart rate)
344
PVD
Peripheral vascular disease
345
PVT
Paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia
346
PWB
Partial weight bearing
347
Px
Prognosis
348
q
Every (*quaque*)
349
q.d.
Each (every) day (*quaque die*) ; better to write out “each day” because can be misread as q.i.d. [->4x a day]
350
q.h.
Each (every) hour (*quaque hora*)
351
q2h
Each (every) 2 hours (*quaque secunda hora*)
352
q.i.d.
Four times a day (*quater in die*)
353
q.n.
Each (every) night (*quaque nox*)
354
q.n.s.
Quantity not sufficient (*quantum non sufficit*)
355
q.s.
Quantity sufficient (*quantum sufficit*)
356
qt
Quart
357
R , r
Respiration ; right
358
RA
Rheumatoid arthritis ; right atrium
359
rad
Radiation absorbed dose
360
RBC , rbc
Red blood cell (count)
361
REM
Rapid eye movement
362
RIA
Radioimmunoassay (minute quantities are measured)
363
RLQ
Right lower quadrant (of the abdomen)
364
R/O , r/o
Rule out
365
ROM
Range of motion
366
ROS
review of systems ; reactive species
367
RP
Retrograde pyelography (urography)
368
RR
Recovery room ; respiration rate
369
RRR
Regular rate and rhythm (of the heart)
370
RT
Radiation therapy ; radiologic technologist ; respiratory therapist
371
372
RUQ
right upper quadrant (of the abdomen)
373
RV
Right ventricle (of the heart)
374
Rx
treatment ; therapy ; prescription (*recipe* , “to take”)
375
S̄
Without (*sine*)
376
S1 , S2
First sacral vertebra , second sacral vertebra
377
S-A node
Sinoatrial node (pacemaker of the heart)
378
SAD
Seasonal affective disorder
379
SARS
Severe acute respiratory syndrome
380
381
SARS-CoV-2
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus – 2
382
SBFT
small bowel follow – through (x-ray study of the small intestine with contrast)
383
sed rate
erythrocyte sedimentation rate (time it takes red blood cells to settle out of blood)
384
segs
segmented white blood cells (granulocytes)
385
SERM
selective estrogen receptor modulator (tamoxifen is an example)
386
s.gl.
Without glasses
387
SGOT
Former name of Aspartate transaminase (elevated in liver and heart disease) ; now AST
388
SGPT
Former name of alanine transaminase (enzyme elevated in liver disease) ; now ALT
389
SH
Serum hepatitis ; social history
390
sig.
“let it be labeled” (directions or medical instructions)
391
SIDS
Sudden infant death syndrome
392
SIRS
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (severe bacteremia)
393
SLE
Systemic lupus erythematosus
394
SMA-12
blood chemistry profile including 12 different studies or assays (sequential multiple analysis)
395
SOAP
subjective data (symptoms perceived by the patient) , objective data (exam findings) , assessment (evaluation of condition) , plan (goals for treatment)
396
SOB
Shortness of breath
397
S/P , s/p
Status post (previous disease condition)
398
SPECT
Single - photon emission computed topography
399
sp. gr.
Specific gravity
400
SSRI
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (antidepressant drug)
401
staph
Staphylococci (bacteria)
402
STAT , stat
Immediately (*statim*)
403
STD
Sexually transmitted disease (older name for STI)
404
STI
Sexually transmitted infection
405
strep
Streptococci (bacteria)
406
sub-Q
subcutaneous (under the skin)
407
Sx
Signs and symptoms
408
Sz
Seizure
409
T
Temperature ; time
410
T1 , T2
First thoracic vertebra, second thoracic vertebra
411
T3
Triiodothyronine (thyroid gland hormone)
412
T4
Thyroxine (thyroid gland hormone)
413
T&A
Tonsillectomy & adenoidectomy
414
tab
Tablet
415
TAB
Therapeutic abortion
416
TAH-BSO
total abdominal hysterectomy – bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
417
TB
Tuberculosis
418
T cells
Lymphocytes originating in the thymus gland
419
TEE
Transesophageal echocardiography
420
TENS
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator
421
TFT
Thyroid function test
422
THR
Total hip replacement
423
TIA
Transient ischemic attack
424
t.i.d. , tid
Three times a day (*tris in die*)
425
TKR
Total knee replacement
426
TLC
Total lung capacity
427
TM
Tympanic membrane
428
TMJ
Temporomandibular joint
429
TNM
Tumor – node – metastasis (staging system for cancer)
430
TPN
Total parenteral nutrition (administration of IV solution to maintain nutrition)
431
TPR
temperature , pulse , respiration
432
TSH
Thyroid – stimulating hormone (secreted by the pituitary gland)
433
TTE
Transthoracic echocardiography
434
TUR , TURP
Transurethral resection of the prostate gland
435
TVH
Total vaginal hysterectomy
436
Tx
Treatment
437
UA , U/A
Urinalysis
438
UE
Upper extremity
439
UGI
Upper gastrointestinal
440
umb
Navel (umbilical cord region)
441
ung
Ointment
442
U/O
Urine output
443
URI
Upper respiratory infection
444
U/S , u/s
Ultrasound (imaging examination)
445
UTI
Urinary tract infection
446
UV
Ultraviolet
447
VA
Visual acuity
448
VATS
video – assisted thoracoscopy or video – assisted thoracic surgery
449
VC
vital capacity (of lungs)
450
VCUG
Voiding cystourethrogram
451
VEGF
Vascular endothelial growth factor
452
VF
Visual field ; ventricular fibrillation
453
Vfib
Ventricular fibrillation
454
VS , V/S
vital signs ; versus
455
VSD
Ventricular septal defect
456
VSS
Vital signs stable
457
V tach , VT
Ventricular tachycardia (abnormal heart rhythm)
458
WBC , wbc
White blood cell (count)
459
W/C
Wheelchair
460
wd
Wound
461
WDWN
Well – developed and well – nourished
462
WNL
Within normal limits
463
WT , wt
Weight
464
w/u
Workup
465
XRT
Radiation therapy
466
y , yr
Year(s)
467
y/o
Year(s) old
