The abbreviations that are used by doctors, nurses, or other medical professionals people to write a description are known as medical abbreviations.
Medical List Of Abbreviations
| AD – autonomic dysreflexia | AV – atrioventricular |
| ASD – atrial septal defect | AF – atrial fibrillation or afebrile |
| ASHD – atherosclerotic heart disease | ASCVD – atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease |
| ASAP – as soon as possible | ad lib – as much as needed |
| A-VO2 – arteriovenous oxygen | A-V – arteriovenous |
| ABG – arterial blood gas | AS – aortic stenosis |
| AI – aortic insufficiency | ANA – antinuclear antibody |
| ADH – anti-diuretic hormone | AP – anteroposterior or abdominal |
| AFO – ankle foot orthosis | ASIA – American Spinal Injury Association |
| amb – ambulate | A-a gradient – alveolar to arterial gradient |
| AFP – alpha-fetoprotein | AOB – alcohol on breath |
| A/G – albumin/globulin ratio | ACLS – advanced cardiac life support |
| AODM – adult onset diabetes mellitus | ACTH – adrenocorticotropic hormone |
| ARDS – acute respiratory distress syndrome | ARF – acute renal failure |
| AML – acute myelogenous leukemia | ALL – acute lymphocytic leukemia |
| AAS – acute abdominal series | ADL – activity of daily living |
| AFB – acid-fast bacilli | AKA – above the knee amputation |
| AAA – abdominal aortic aneurysm | ABD – abdomen |
| bid – twice a day | BBB – bundle branch block |
| BRBPR – bright red blood per rectum | BCAA – branched chain amino acids |
| BS – bowel or breath sounds | BC – bowel care |
| BM – bone marrow or bowel movement | BW – body weight |
| BUN – blood urea nitrogen | BP – blood pressure |
| BX – biopsy | BOM – bilateral otitis media |
| bilat – bilateral | BPH – benign prostatic hypertrophy |
| BKA – below the knee amputation | BPM – beats per minute |
| BRP – bathroom privileges | BMR – basal metabolic rate |
| BEE – basal energy expenditure | BE – barium enema |
| CMV – cytomegalovirus | CF – cystic fibrosis |
| CVAT – CVA tenderness | C&S – culture and sensitivity |
| CAA – crystalline amino acids | CCV – critical closing volume |
| CPK – creatinine phosphokinase | CRCL – creatinine clearance |
| CRP – C-reactive protein | CN – cranial nerves |
| CAD – coronary artery disease | CABG – coronary artery bypass graft |
| CPAP – continuous positive airway pressure | CHF – congestive heart failure |
| CT – computerized tomography | CAT – computerized axial tomography |
| CBC – complete blood count | C/O – complaining of |
| CCU – clean catch urine or cardiac care unit | CRF – chronic renal failure |
| COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | COLD – chronic obstructive lung disease |
| CML – chronic myelogenous leukemia | CGL – chronic granulocytic leukemia |
| CC – chief complaint | CXR – chest X-ray |
| CP – chest pain or cerebral palsy | CSW – certified social worker |
| CSF – cerebrospinal fluid | CVP – central venous pressure |
| CNS – central nervous system | CPR – cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
| CO – cardiac output | CI – cardiac index |
| CHO – carbohydrate | CBG – capillary blood gas |
| CA – cancer | Ca – calcium |
| DOE – dyspnea on exertion | DNR – do not resuscitate |
| DIP – distal interphalangeal joint | DAW – dispense as written |
| DC – discontinue or discharge | DPT – diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus |
| D&C – dilation and curettage | DDx – differential diagnosis |
| DAT – diet as tolerated | DPL – diagnostic peritoneal lavage |
| DX – diagnosis | DKA – diabetic ketoacidosis |
| DM – diabetes mellitus | DI – diabetes insipidus |
| DNA – deoxyribonucleic acid | DJD – degenerative joint disease |
| DVT – deep venous thrombosis | DTR – deep tendon reflexes |
| dL – deciliter | DOA – dead on arrival |
| D5W – 5% dextrose in water |
| EOM – extraocular muscles | ECD – external continence device |
| EUA – examination under anesthesia | ETOH – ethanol |
| EBL – estimated blood loss | EFAD – essential fatty acid deficiency |
| EAA – essential amino acids | ESR – erythrocyte sedimentation rate |
| ED – erectile dysfunction | ETT – endotracheal tube |
| ET – endotracheal | EMG – Electromyogram |
| ECT – electroconvulsive therapy | ECG – electrocardiogram |
| ENT – ears, nose, and throat |
| FRC – functional residual capacity | FES – functional electrical stimulation |
| FFP – fresh frozen plasma | Fx – fracture |
| FVC – forced vital capacity | FEV – forced expiratory volume |
| FU – follow-up | FUO – fever of unknown origin |
| FBS – fasting blood sugar | FTT – failure to thrive |
| GSW – gun shot wound | gr – grain; 1 grain – 65mg |
| GXT – graded exercise tolerance | GC – gonorrhea |
| GTT – glucose tolerance test | GFR – glomerular filtration rate |
| GU – genitourinary | GETT – general by endotracheal tube |
| GI – gastrointestinal | gt or gtt – drops |
| HTN – hypertension | HIV – human immunodeficiency virus |
| HCG – human chorionic gonadotropin | HPI – history of present illness |
| HO – history of | Hx – history |
| HLA – histocompatibility locus antigen | HPF – high power field |
| HDL – high density lipoprotein | HBP – high blood pressure |
| HSV – herpes simplex virus | HSM – hepatosplenomegaly |
| HJR – hepatojugular reflex | HAA – hepatitis B surface antigen |
| HAV – hepatitis A virus | Hgb – hemoglobin |
| HCT – hematocrit | HR – heart rate |
| HA – headache | HEENT – head, eyes, ears, nose, throat |
| HOB – head of bed | HS – at bedtime |
| IVP – intravenous pyelogram | INF – intravenous nutritional fluid |
| IV – intravenous | IM – intramuscular |
| IT – interthecal | IPPB – intermittent positive pressure breathing |
| IMV – intermittent mandatory ventilation | ICS – intercostal space |
| ICU – intensive care unit | I&O – intake and output |
| IRDM – insulin resistant diabetes mellitus | ID – infectious disease or identification |
| IRBBB – incomplete right bundle branch block | I&D – incision and drainage |
| IG – immunoglobulin | ITP – idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura |
| IHSS – idiopathic hypertropic subaortic stenosis |
| JVD = jugular venous distention | JODM = juvenile onset diabetes mellitus |
| KAFO – knee ankle foot orthosis | KT – kinesio therapy or kinesiotherapist |
| KUB – kidneys, ureters, bladder | KVO – keep vein open |
| KOR – keep open rate |
| LE – lupus erythematosus | LP – lumbar puncture |
| LDL – low density lipoprotein | LPN – licensed practical nurse |
| LVH – left ventricular hypertrophy | LVEDP – left ventricular end diastolic pressure |
| LV – left ventricle | LUL – left upper quadrant |
| LLL – left lower lobe | LIH – left inguinal hernia |
| LBBB – left bundle branch block | LAD – left axis deviation or left anterior descending |
| LAE – left atrial enlargement | LAHB – left anterior hemiblock |
| L – left | LNMP – last normal menstrual period |
| LMP – last menstrual period | LDH – lactate dehydrogenase |
| MI – myocardial infarction or mitral insufficiency | MVI – multivitamin injection |
| MVA – motor vehicle accident | MAO – monoamine oxidase |
| mmol – millimole | mL – milliliter |
| MLE – midline episiotomy | MSSA – methicillin-sensitive staph aureus |
| MRSA – methicillin resistant staph aureus | MUSE – medicated urethral system erection |
| MAST – medical antishock trousers | MMR – measles, mumps, rubella |
| MCV – mean cell volume | MCHC – mean cell hemoglobin concentration |
| MCH – mean cell hemoglobin | MAP – mean arterial pressure |
| MVV – maximum voluntary ventilation | MMEF – maximal mid expiratory flow |
| MBT – maternal blood type | MRI – magnetic resonance imaging |
| NMR – nuclear magnetic resonance | NPO – nothing by mouth |
| NSR – normal sinus rhythm | NSAID – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs |
| NIDDM – non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus | NRM – no regular medications |
| NKDA – no known drug allergies | NKA – no known allergies |
| NED – no evidence of recurrent disease | NAS – no added salt |
| NAD – no active disease | NCV – nerve conduction velocity |
| NT – nasotracheal | NG – nasogastric |
| ng – nanogram |
| OD – overdose or right eye | OOB – out of bed |
| OM – otitis media | OPV – oral polio vaccine |
| OCG – oral cholecystogram | OR – operating room |
| OB – obstetrics | OS – left eye |
| OU – both eyes |
| PPD – purified protein derivative | PS – pulmonic stenosis |
| PI – pulmonic insufficiency disease | PFT – pulmonary function tests |
| PCWP – pulmonary capillary wedge pressure | PAP – pulmonary artery pressure |
| PT – prothrombin time, or physical therapy | PSA – prostate-specific antigen |
| PPMS – primary progressive multiple sclerosis | PMH – previous medical history |
| PVC – premature ventricular contraction | PAC – premature atrial contraction |
| PTSD – post-traumatic stress disorder | PP – postprandial or pulsus paradoxus |
| PPS – post-polio syndrome | POD – post-op day |
| PA – posteroanterior | PVR – post voiding residual |
| PEEP – positive end expiratory pressure | PMN – polymorphonuclear leukocyte |
| PMI – point of maximal impulse | pg – picogram |
| PDR – physicians desk reference | PKU – phenylketonuria |
| PVD – peripheral vascular disease | PaO2 – peripheral arterial oxygen content |
| PTHC – percutanous transhepatic cholangiogram | P&PD – percussion and postural drainage |
| PUD – peptic ulcer disease | Pt – patient |
| PDA – patent ductus arteriosus | PTT – partial thromboplastin time |
| PAT – paroxysymal atrial tachycardia | PND – paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea |
| PTH – parathyroid hormone | P – para |
| PRBC – packed red blood cells | PR – by rectum |
| PO – by mouth | PRN – as needed |
| PAO2 – alveolar oxygen | PC – after eating |
| Qt – total cardiac output | Qs/Qt – shunt fraction |
| QNS – quantity not sufficient | qid – four times a day |
| qod – every other day | qh – every hour |
| qd – every day | q4h – every 4 hours, every 6 hours etc. |
| q – every |
| Rx – treatment | R/O – rule out |
| RVH – right ventricular hyperthrophy | RUQ – right upper quadrant |
| RUL – right upper lobe | RML – right middle lobe |
| RLQ – right lower quadrant | RLL – right lower lobe |
| RIH – right inguinal hernia | RBBB – right bundle branch block |
| RAP – right atrial pressure | RAE – right atrial enlargement |
| RAD – right atrial axis deviation | R – right |
| RNA – ribonucleic acid | RA – rheumatoid arthritis or right atrium |
| ROS – review of systems | RTC – return to clinic |
| RUG – retrograde urethogram | RPG – retrograde pyelogram |
| RBP – retinol-binding protein | RT – respiratory or radiation therapy |
| RU – resin uptake | RV – residual volume |
| RTA – renal tubular acidosis | RRMS – relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis |
| RPMS – relapsing-progressive multiple sclerosis | RRR – regular rate and rhyth |
| RDW – red cell distribution width | RBC – red blood cell |
| RDA – recommended daily allowance | ROM – range of motion |
| RIA – radioimmunoassay |
| sig – write on label | s – without |
| SEM – systolic ejection murmur | SLE – systemic lupus erythematous |
| SAA – synthetic amino acid | Sx – symptoms |
| SG – Swan-Ganz | S&E – sugar and acetone |
| sl – sublingual | SOAP – Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan |
| SQ – subcutaneous | SBE – subacute bacterial endocarditis |
| SVD – spontaneous vaginal delivery | SCI/D – spinal cord injury and disorder |
| SCI – spinal cord injury | SW – social worker |
| SGA – small for gestational age | SBFT – small bowel follow through |
| SMO – slips made out | SA – sinoatrial |
| SOB – shortness of breath | SBS – short bowel syndrome |
| SGPT – serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase | SGOT – serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase |
| SGGT – serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase | SCr – serum creatinine |
| SPMS – secondary preogressive multiple sclerosis | ss – one-half |
| STAT – immediately |
| T&H – type and hold | T&C – type and cross |
| tw – twice a week | TURBT – TUR bladder tumors |
| TB – tuberculosis | TU – tuberculin units |
| TOPV – trivalent oral polio vaccine | Tx – treatment, transplant |
| TURP – transurethral resection of prostate | TUR – transurethral resection |
| TIA – transient ischemic attack | TVH – total vaginal hysterectomy |
| TPN – total parenteral nutrition | TLC – total lung capacity |
| TIBC – total iron binding capacity | TBG – total binding globulin |
| TAH – total abdominal hysterectomy | TNTC – too numerous to count |
| TKO – to keep open | TV – tidal volume |
| TSH – thyroid stimulating hormone | TTP – thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura |
| TT – thrombin time | tid – three times a day |
| Td – tetanus-diphtheria toxoid | TIG – tetanus immune globulin |
| TMJ – temporo mandibular joint | TO – telephone order |
| ud – use as directed | UUN – urinary urea nitrogen |
| UTI – urinary tract infection | UA – urinalysis |
| UAC – uric acid | URI – upper respiratory infection |
| UGI – upper gastrointestinal | US – ultrasound |
| VCUG – voiding cystourethrogram | VSS – vital signs stable |
| VC – vital capacity | VO – verbal or voice order |
| V/Q – ventilation | VMA – vanillymadelic acid |
| WPW – Wolf-Parkinson-White | WNL – within normal limits |
| WB – whole blood | WM – white male |
| WF – white female | WBC – white blood cell or count |
| WN – well nourished | WD – well developed |
| XRT – X-ray therapy | yo – years old |
| ZE – Zollinger-Ellison |
