Medical Abbreviations: Shorthand

Question 1

@

Answer 1

at

Question 2

amp

Answer 2

ampule (a hermetically, air tight, sealed container)

Question 3

c with a line above it

Answer 3

with

Question 4

CC

Answer 4

chief complaint

Question 5

CNS

Answer 5

central nervous system

Question 6

c/o, C/O

Answer 6

complains of

Question 7

CPM

Answer 7

continuous passive motion (machine used during knee rehabilitation)

Question 8

DNR

Answer 8

do not resucitate

Question 9

DOA

Answer 9

dead on arrival

Question 10

DOE

Answer 10

dyspnea on exertion (cardiology short of breath which occurs with effort)

Question 11

dsg

Answer 11

dressing

Question 12

&

Answer 12

and

Question 13

Fh, FHx

Answer 13

family history

Question 14

Fr

Answer 14

French (size of urinary catheter)

Question 15

F/U

Answer 15

follow-up

Question 16

FM

Answer 16

face mask

Question 17

h/o

Answer 17

history of

Question 18

HOB

Answer 18

head of bed

Question 19

HOH

Answer 19

hard of hearing

Question 20

HNV

Answer 20

has not voided

Question 21

Hx

Answer 21

history

Question 22

I&O

Answer 22

intake and output

Question 23

IS

Answer 23

incentive spirometer (device used to help you keep your lungs healthy after surgery or a lung illness)

Question 24

LP

Answer 24

lumbar puncture

Question 25

lpm

Answer 25

liters per minute

Question 26

LMP

Answer 26

last menstrual period

Question 27

MAR

Answer 27

medication administration record

Question 28

NC

Answer 28

nasal cannula (device used to deliver supplemental oxygen or airflow to pt)

Question 29

neg

Answer 29

negative

Question 30

o with a line through it

Answer 30

none

Question 31

NG

Answer 31

nasogastric (reaching or supplying the stomach through the nose)

Question 32

NKA

Answer 32

no known allergies (note plural)

Question 33

NKDA

Answer 33

no known drug allergies (note plural)

Question 34

NP

Answer 34

nasal prongs (note plural)

Question 35

NPO

Answer 35

nothing by mouth

Question 36

N/V

Answer 36

nausea/vomiting, neurovascular check

Question 37

NWB

Answer 37

non-weight bearing

Question 38

O2

Answer 38

oxygen

Question 39

Path

Answer 39

pathology

Question 40

PCA

Answer 40

patient controlled analgesia (method allowing Pt in pain to administer their own pain relief)

Question 41

per

Answer 41

by

Question 42

PH

Answer 42

past history

Question 43

PMH, PMHx

Answer 43

past medical history

Question 44

POA

Answer 44

present of admission

Question 45

post-op

Answer 45

after surgery

Question 46

pre-med

Answer 46

pre-medicted

Question 47

pre-op

Answer 47

before surgery

Question 48

prep

Answer 48

preparation

Question 49

prn

Answer 49

as needed

Question 50

pt

Answer 50

patient

Question 51

qs

Answer 51

quantity sufficent

Question 52

RRT

Answer 52

rapid response team

Question 53

s with a line above it

Answer 53

without

Question 54

SBAR

Answer 54

situation, background, assessment, recommendation

Question 55

SOB

Answer 55

shortness of breath

Question 56

S/P

Answer 56

status post

Question 57

stat

Answer 57

at once!

Question 58

SUSP

Answer 58

suspension

Question 59

tab

Answer 59

tablet

Question 60

TKO

Answer 60

to keep open

Question 61

TKVO

Answer 61

to keep vein open

Question 62

TO

Answer 62

telephone order

Question 63

VO

Answer 63

verbal order

Question 64

WA

Answer 64

while awake

Question 65

WBAT

Answer 65

weight bearing as tolerated

Question 66

WNL

Answer 66

within normal limits

Question 67

Wt

Answer 67

weight

Question 68

x with a line above it

Answer 68

except

Question 69

arrow pointing down or arrow pointing up

Answer 69

decrease or increase

Question 70

CSM

Answer 70

Circulation, sensation, movement (note commas)