Common Medical Abbreviations
| A | |
| A.A.R.O.M. | active assistive range of motion |
| AAC | augmentative and alternative communication |
| A.B.G | arterial blood gas |
| a.c. | before meals |
| A/C | assist control |
| ADA Diet | American Diabetes Association Diet |
| A.D.L. | activities of daily living |
| A.Fib. | atrial fibrillation |
| AKA | above-knee amputation or above-the-knee amputation |
| ALS | amyotrophic lateral sclerosis |
| AMA | against medical advice |
| A&O | alert and oriented |
| A/P | anterior–posterior |
| A.R.O.M. | active range of motion |
| ASAP | as soon as possible |
| ASD | autism spectrum disorder |
| ASL | American Sign Language |
| B | |
| b.i.d. | twice a day |
| BKA | below-knee amputation |
| B/L | bilateral |
| B.L.BS | bilateral breath sounds |
| BMR | basal metabolism rate |
| BP | blood pressure |
| BR | bed rest |
| bs | bowel sounds |
| BS | breath sounds |
| B/S | bedside |
| bx | biopsy |
| C | |
| c̅ | with |
| C | Celsius, centigrade |
| C1, C2, etc. | first cervical vertebrae, second cervical vertebrae, etc. |
| CA | cardiac arrest |
| CA, ca | cancer, carcinoma |
| CABG | coronary artery bypass graft |
| CAD | coronary artery disease |
| cal | calorie |
| cath | catheter |
| CBC | complete blood count |
| cc | cubic centimeter |
| CC | chief complaint |
| CHF | congestive heart failure, chronic heart failure |
| CCU | coronary care unit |
| CHI | closed head injury |
| cm | centimeter |
| CMT | continuing medication and treatment |
| CN | cranial nerve |
| CNA | certified nursing assistant |
| CNS | central nervous system |
| c/o | complains of |
| COTA | certified occupational therapy assistant |
| cont | continue(d) |
| COPD | chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| CP | cerebral palsy |
| CPAP | continuous positive airway pressure |
| CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
| CRF | chronic renal failure |
| CRNP | certified registered nurse practitioner |
| CSF | cerebrospinal fluid |
| CT | computerized tomography |
| CV | cardiovascular |
| CVA | cerebral vascular accident |
| CXR | chest X-ray |
| D | |
| d | day |
| d/c | discontinue |
| DC | discharge |
| DM | diabetes mellitus |
| DNK | do not know |
| DNKA | did not keep appointment |
| DNR | do not resuscitate |
| DNT | did not test |
| DOA | dead on arrival |
| DOB | date of birth |
| DOE | dyspnea on exertion |
| d/t | due to |
| Dx | diagnosis |
| E | |
| ECC, EKG | electrocardiogram |
| ED | emergency department |
| EEG | electroencephalogram |
| EENT | eyes, ears, nose, throat |
| EMG | electromyogram |
| ENT | ears, nose, throat |
| ER | emergency room |
| ETOH | ethanol (alcohol) |
| exam | examination |
| ext | external, exterior |
| F | |
| F | Fahrenheit |
| FH | family history |
| fib | fibrillation |
| fl, fld | fluid |
| FOB | foot of bed |
| f/u | follow-up |
| FWB | full weight bearing |
| Fx | fracture |
| G | |
| GB | gall bladder |
| GCS | Glasgow Coma Scale |
| GE | gastroenterology |
| GERD | gastroesophageal reflux disease |
| G/E | gastroenteritis |
| gen | general |
| gest. | gestation |
| G.I. | gastrointestinal |
| GNA | geriatric nursing assistant |
| gluc | glucose |
| GP | general practitioner, general paralysis |
| GSW | gunshot wound |
| GTT | glucose tolerance test |
| Gt. tr. | gait training |
| GYN | gynecology |
| H | |
| h | hour |
| H/A | headache |
| HAV | hepatitis A virus |
| Hb. | hemoglobin |
| HB | heart block |
| HBP | high blood pressure |
| h.d. | at bedtime |
| HEENT | head, eyes, ears, nose, throat |
| HEP | home exercise program |
| H2O | water |
| h/o | history of |
| HOB | head of bed |
| H&P | history and physical |
| HR | heart rate |
| HTN | hypertension |
| HVD | hypertensive vascular disease |
| Hx | history |
| Hz | hertz (cycles/second) |
| I | |
| ICCU | intensive coronary care unit |
| ICP | intracranial pressure |
| ICU | intensive care unit |
| imp. | impression |
| incr. | increased(ing) |
| inf | infusion, inferior |
| inspire | inspiration, inspiratory |
| int. | internal |
| I&O | intake and output |
| IPPB | intermittent positive pressure breathing |
| irreg. | irregular |
| IV | intravenous(ly) |
| J | |
| J, jt. | joint |
| K | |
| K | potassium, kidney |
| L | |
| L | left, liver, liter, lower, light, lumbar |
| L2, L3 | second lumbar vertebrae, third lumbar vertebrae |
| lab | laboratory |
| lac. | laceration |
| lat. | lateral |
| LBW | low birth rate |
| L.E. | lower extremities |
| liq. | liquid |
| L.O.C. | loss of consciousness, level of consciousness, laxative of choice |
| LOS | length of stay |
| LP | lumbar puncture |
| LPN | licensed practical nurse |
| LUE | left upper extremity |
| Lx | larynx |
| L&W | living and well |
| M | |
| m, M | married, male, mother, murmur, meter, mass, molar |
| max. | maximum, maxillary |
| MBC | maximum breathing capacity |
| MBSS | modified barium swallow study |
| MCA | middle cerebral artery |
| MD | muscular dystrophy |
| mdnt. | midnight |
| med. | medicine |
| mets. | metastasis |
| MG | myasthenia gravis |
| MI | myocardial infarction |
| min | minute |
| MICU | medical intensive care unit |
| mod | moderate |
| MRI | magnetic resonance imaging |
| MRSA | methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus |
| mss | massage |
| MVA | motor vehicle accident |
| N | |
| n. | nerve |
| Na | sodium |
| NaCl | sodium chloride |
| NAD | no abnormality detected |
| NAD | no apparent distress |
| neg. | negative |
| neur. | neurology |
| NG | nasogastric |
| NIC | neonatal intensive care |
| NICU | neonatal intensive care unit |
| NKA | no known allergies |
| no. | number |
| NOS | not otherwise specified |
| NPO | nothing by mouth |
| NSA | no specific abnormality |
| NST | nonstress test |
| N&V | nausea and vomiting |
| NVD | nausea, vomiting, diarrhea |
| N&W | normal and well |
| NWB | non–weight bearing |
| NYD | not yet diagnosed |
| O | |
| o | none, without |
| O | oral |
| O2 | oxygen |
| O2 cap. | oxygen capacity |
| O2 sat. | oxygen saturation |
| OA | osteoarthritis |
| OB, OBG | obstetrics |
| OB/GYN | obstetrics and gynecology |
| Obs | observation |
| OBS | organic brain syndrome |
| ODD | oppositional defiant disorder |
| O/E | on examination |
| OH | occupational history |
| OHD | organic heart disease |
| oint. | ointment |
| O.M. | otitis media |
| O.M.E. | otitis media with effusion |
| OOB, oob | out of bed |
| Op. | operation |
| ot. | ear |
| Oto | otolaryngology |
| OTC | over-the-counter (pharmaceuticals) |
| O.T. | occupational therapy, old tuberculin |
| OR | operating room |
| P | |
| PA | physician’s assistant |
| p&a | percussion and auscultation |
| PACU | post anesthesia care unit |
| PAF | paroxysmal atrial fibrillation |
| palp. | palpate, palpated, palpable |
| Path | pathology |
| PA view | posterior–anterior view on X-ray |
| p/c, p.c. | after meals |
| PD | Parkinson’s disease |
| pdr. | powder |
| PDN | private duty nurse |
| PE | physical exam, pulmonary embolism, pressure equalizer (tubes) |
| Ped. | pediatrics |
| PEEP | positive end-expiratory pressure |
| PEG | percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy |
| PET | positron emission tomography |
| PH | past history |
| pharm | pharmacy |
| PHYS. | physical, physiology |
| PI | present illness, pulmonary insufficiency |
| PICU | pulmonary intensive care unit |
| PID | pelvic inflammatory disease |
| plts. | platelets |
| P.M. | afternoon, postmortem |
| PMH | past medical history |
| PMR | physical medicine and rehabilitation |
| PN | poorly nourished, practical nurse |
| P&N | psychiatry and neurology |
| PNA | pneumo, pneumonia |
| PNI | peripheral nerve injury |
| PNX | pneuomothorax |
| p.o. | by mouth |
| p.o.d. | postoperative day |
| pos. | positive |
| post. | posterior |
| POSTOP. | postoperative |
| pot. or potass. | potassium |
| PR | proctology |
| pre-op | preoperative |
| prep. | prepare for |
| p.r.m. | according to circumstances |
| p.r.n., PRN | as often as necessary, as needed |
| prod. | productive |
| Prog. | prognosis |
| PROM | passive range of motion |
| pron. | pronator, pronation |
| prosth. | prosthesis |
| PSH | past surgical history |
| Psych. | psychiatry |
| pt., Pt. | patient |
| PT, P.T. | physical therapy |
| PTA | prior to admission |
| PTA pulse | posterior tibial artery pulse |
| PUD | peptic ulcer disease |
| PVD | peripheral vascular disease |
| PVT | previous trouble |
| PWB% | partial weight bearing with percent |
| Px, PX | physical examination |
| Q | |
| q | every |
| q.h. | every hour |
| q.i.d. | four times a day |
| qt. | quart |
| quad. | quadriplegic |
| R | |
| R, r | right |
| R. | rub, rectal temperature |
| RA | rheumatoid arthritis, right atrium |
| rad. | radial |
| r.a.m. | rapid alternating movements |
| R.A.S. | right arm sitting |
| RAtx | radiation therapy |
| rbc/RBC | red blood cell, red blood count |
| RCA | right coronary artery |
| RCU | respiratory care unit |
| RD | respiratory distress |
| RDS | respiratory distress syndrome |
| RE | reconditioning exercise |
| reg. | regular |
| rehab. | rehabilitation |
| resp. | respiratory, respirations |
| RF | rheumatic fever |
| RLAS | Rancho Los Amigos Scale |
| R to L&A | react to light and accommodation |
| RLE | right lower extremity |
| RN | registered nurse |
| RND | radical neck dissection |
| RO, R/O | rule out |
| ROM | range of motion, rupture of membranes, right otitis media |
| ROS | review of symptoms |
| Rt. | right |
| RT | radiation therapy, respiratory therapy |
| RUE | right upper extremity |
| RV | residual volume |
| RW | rolling walker |
| Rx | therapy, prescription |
| S | |
| s | without |
| S | sensation, sensitive, serum |
| Sa. | saline |
| s.c. | subcutaneous(ly) |
| Scc | squamous cell carcinoma |
| SCCA | squamous cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma antigen |
| SCD | sudden cardiac death |
| SCI | spinal cord injury |
| schiz | schizophrenia |
| SCU | special care unit |
| sec | second |
| Sens. | sensory, sensation |
| sep. | separated |
| SGA | small for gestational age |
| s.gl. | without correction (without glasses) |
| SH | social history |
| SI | stroke index |
| sib. | sibling |
| SICU | surgical intensive care unit |
| SIDS | sudden infant death syndrome |
| skel. | skeletal |
| Sl. | slightly |
| SL | under the tongue |
| SLP | speech-language pathologist |
| sm | small |
| SNF | skilled nursing facility |
| SOAP | subjective, objective, assessment, plan |
| SOB | shortness of breath |
| S/P, s/p | status post (previous condition) |
| sp. cd. | spinal cord |
| spec. | specimen |
| sp. fl. | spinal fluid |
| sp&H | speech and hearing |
| spin. | spine, spinal |
| spont. | spontaneous |
| s/s | signs and symptoms |
| SS | social service |
| ST | speech therapy |
| stat., STAT | immediately |
| STD | sexually transmitted disease |
| subcut. | subcutaneous |
| subling. | sublingual |
| sup. | superior |
| supin. | supination |
| surg. | surgery, surgical |
| Sx | symptoms |
| sys. | system |
| Syst. | systolic |
| Sz | seizure |
| T | |
| T | temperature |
| T&A | tonsils and adenoids, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy |
| tab. | tablet |
| TAH | total abdominal hysterectomy |
| TB | tuberculosis |
| TBI | traumatic brain injury |
| temp | temperature |
| THERAP. | therapy, therapeutic |
| THR | total hip replacement |
| TIA | transient ischemic attack |
| TKR | total knee replacement |
| TNM | tumor, nodes, and metastases |
| TO | telephone order |
| TPN | total parenteral nutrition |
| TPR | temperature, pulse, respiration |
| tr | trace |
| trach | tracheostomy |
| tsp. | teaspoon |
| Tx | treatment, traction |
| U | |
| U/A | urinalysis |
| UCD, UCHD | usual childhood diseases |
| UG | upward gaze |
| Unilat. | unilateral |
| u/o | under observation |
| Ur. | urine |
| URD | upper respiratory disease |
| URI | upper respiratory infection |
| Urol. | urology |
| u/s, US | ultrasound |
| UTI | urinary tract infection |
| V | |
| V | vein |
| VA | visual acuity |
| vag | vagina, vaginal |
| VC, vit.cap. | vital capacity |
| VD | venereal disease |
| vent. | ventilator |
| vert. | vertical |
| VF | visual fields, ventricular fibrillation |
| VFSS | videofluoroscopic swallowing study |
| Via | by way of |
| vit. | vitamin |
| VN | visiting nurse |
| VO | verbal order |
| VS, V.S. | vital signs |
| W | |
| w, wk | week |
| W/C, wh.ch. | wheelchair |
| WBT | weight bearing tolerance |
| WFL | within functional limits |
| w/n | within |
| WNL | within normal limits |
| WP | whirlpool |
| wt. | weight |
| w/u | workup |
| X | |
| x | times |
| Y | |
| y.o. | years old |
| yrs. | years |
This list is not exhaustive. Note that some abbreviations overlap (e.g., CA could mean "cardiac arrest" or "carcinoma"). Please avoid using abbreviations if their meaning is unclear.
