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