A

AHD autoimmune haemolytic disease

aortic incompetence
Abbreviation Meaning AI
aortic insufficiency
A atrial fibrillation AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome
A&E accident and emergency AJ ankle jerk
A&W alive and well AKA above knee amputation
abdominal aortic aneurysm
AAA AL acute leukaemia
acute anxiety attack
ALL acute lymphocytic leukaemia
AB apex beat

antibody ALT alanine transaminase

Ab
abortion
AMA against medical advice
abdomen
Abd AMI acute myocardial infarction
abdominal

ABE acute bacterial endocarditis ANA antinuclear antibody

ABG arterial blood gases AOB alcohol on breath

ABR absolute bed rest anteroposterior

AP alkaline phosphatase
ACE angiotensin-converting enzyme apical pulse

ACTH adrenocorticotrophic hormone APPT activated partial thromboplastin time

AD alzheimer's disease APSAC anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex

ADH antidiuretic hormone A-R apical-radial pulse

ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ARDS adult respiratory distress syndrome

ADL activities of daily living ARF acute renal failure

ADR adverse drug reaction anal sphincter

ankylosing spondylitis
AS
AED antiepileptic drug aortic stenosis
arteriosclerosis
AFB acid-fast bacillus
ASAP as soon as possible
AFP α-fetoprotein
ASB asymptomatic bacteriuria
Ag antigen
ASD atrial septal defect
AGL acute granulocytic leukaemia
AST aspartate transaminase
AGN acute glomerular nephritis
ATN acute tubular necrosis BR bed rest

atrioventricular bowel sounds

AV
aortic valve BS breath sounds
blood sugar

Back to top BSA body surface area

B bed time
BT brain tumour
breast tumour
Abbreviation Meaning
BUN blood urea nitrogen
BaE barium enema
body water
BW
BB bed bath body weight

BWO bowels well open

BBA born before arrival

blood-brain barrier Bx biopsy

BBB
bundle branch block
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BBT basal body temperature

BCC basal cell carcinoma C

BCG bacille Calmette-Guerin

Abbreviation Meaning
barium enema
BE
bacterial endocarditis C complement

BID brought in dead C&P cystoscopy and pyelogram

biceps jerk C&S culture and sensitivity

BJ
bones and joints
c/o complains of
BKA below knee amputation
CA cancer
bone marrow carcinoma
BM
bowel movement
CABG coronary artery bypass graft
BMI body mass index
CAD coronary artery disease
BMR basal metabolic rate
CAPD continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
BNO bowels not open
CAT computer assisted tomography
BOR bowels open regularly computed axial tomography
computerised axial tomography
BP blood pressure
CAVHD continuous arteriovenous haemodialysis
benign prostatic hypertrophy
BPH
benign prostatic hyperplasia
CBC complete blood count COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CBS chronic brain syndrome CPAP continuous positive airway pressure

CC chief complaint CPD continuous peritoneal dialysis

CCF congestive cardiac failure CPK creatine phosphokinase

CCU coronary care unit CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CEA carcinoembryonic antigen CRD chronic renal disease

CF complement fixation CRF chronic renal failure

cystic fibrosis corticotrophin-releasing factor

CFT complement fixation test CRP C-reactive protein

CGL chronic granulocytic leukaemia CSF cerebrospinal fluid

colony stimulating factor
CGN chronic glomerular nephritis
CSM cerebrospinal meningitis
CHB complete heart block
CSU catheter specimen of urine
CHD coronary heart disease
CT circulation time
CHF congestive heart failure clotting time
computerised tomography
CHP charcoal haemoperfusion coronary thrombosis

CI cardiac index CV cardiovascular

central venous
CK creatine kinase cerebrovascular

CL clubbing CVA cerebrovascular accident

CICr creatinine clearance CVD cardiovascular disease

CLL chronic lymphocytic leukaemia CVP central venous pressure

CML chronic myelocytic leukaemia CVS cardiovascular system

CMV cytomegalovirus Cx cervix

cervical
CNS central nervous system
CXR chest X-Ray
CO cardiac output
Cy cyanosis
COAD chronic obstructive airways disease
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COD cause of death

COLD chronic obstructive lung disease D

Abbreviation Meaning DUB dysfunctional uterine bleeding

d dead DVT deep vein thrombosis

deceased
Dx diagnosis
D diagnosis
DXT deep X-ray therapy
D&C dilatation and curettage

D&E dilation and evacuation Back to top

D&V diarrhoea and vomiting E

D/W discussed with
Abbreviation Meaning
DBP diastolic blood pressure
EBM expressed breast milk
DDU drug dependency unit
EBV Epstein-Barr virus
DH drug history
ECF extracellular fluid
DI drug information
ECG electrocardiogram
DIC disseminated intravascular coagulation
ECHO echocardiogram
DJD degenerative joint disease
ECT electroconvulsive therapy
DKA diabetic ketoacidosis
EDD expected date of delivery
DM diabetes mellitus
diastolic murmur EEG electroencephalogram
DNA did not attend (outpatients)
EENT eyes, ears, nose and throat
DNC did not come
EFA essential fatty acids
DNR do not resuscitate
ELBW extremely low birth weight
DOA dead on arrival
ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
DOB date of birth
EM ejection murmur
DOE dyspnoea on exertion
EMG electromyogram
DST dexamethasone suppression test
ENT ear, nose and throat
DT delirium tremens
EP ectopic pregnancy
DTNT door to needle time
EPO erythropoietin
DU duodenal ulcer
ERCP endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ERPC evacuation of retained products of conception FT4 free thyroxine

ESM ejection systolic murmur FUO fever of unknown origin

ESN educationally subnormal FVC forced vital capacity

ESP end-systolic pressure Fx. fracture

ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate

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ESRF end stage renal failure
G
ET endotracheal tube

EtOH ethyl alcohol Abbreviation Meaning

GA general anaesthesia
Back to top general anaesthetic
gastric analysis
F granuloma annulare
general appearance

Abbreviation Meaning GABA γ-aminobutyric Acid

FB finger breadths GB gall bladder

foreign body
gonococcal
GC
FBC full blood count gonococcus

FBS fasting blood sugar GCS glasgow coma scale

FEV 1 forced expiratory volume in 1 second G-CSF granulocyte colony-stimulating factor

FFA free fatty acids GE gastroenterology

FFP fresh frozen plasma GFR glomerular filtration rate

FH family history g-GT γ-glutamyl transferase

FHR foetal heart rate GH growth hormone

FHS foetal heart sounds GI(T) gastrointestinal (tract)

FLP fasting lipid profile GnRH gonadotrophin-releasing hormone

FOB faecal occult blood grav. gravid (pregnant)

FP family planning general surgery

GS
frozen plasma genital system

FSH follicle-stimulating hormone GTT glucose tolerance test

 gastric ulcer HDL high-density lipoprotein
GU genitourinary
gonococcal urethritis HDU high dependency unit

GUS genitourinary system hep hepatitis

Gyn. gynaecology HF heart failure

HHD hypertensive heart disease

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HHV human herpes virus
H
HIV human immunodeficiency virus

Abbreviation Meaning HLA human leukocyte antigen

H hypodermic HMMA 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymandelic acid

H&L heart and lungs HPA hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal

H&P history and physical HPC history of present complaint

h/o or H/O history of HPV human papilloma virus

HA haemolytic anaemia HR heart rate

HB heart block HRT hormone replacement therapy

Hb haemoglobin HS heart sounds

HbA1 glycosylated haemoglobin HSV herpes simplex virus

HBD hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase HSVE herpes simplex virus encephalitis

HbF foetal haemoglobin HT hypertension

HBF hepatic blood flow HTVD hypertensive vascular disease

HBP high blood pressure HUS haemolytic uraemic syndrome

HBV hepatitis B virus HVA homovanillic acid

hCG human chorionic gonadotrophin Hx. history

Hct. haematocrit
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HCV hepatitis C virus
I
HCVD hypertensive cardiovascular disease

HD heart disease Abbreviation Meaning

Hodgkin's disease
IA intra-amniotic IT intrathecal
intra-arterial
ITP idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
IADH inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
ITT insulin tolerance test
IBC iron binding capacity
ITU intensive therapy unit
IBD inflammatory bowel disease
IU international unit
IBS irritable bowel syndrome
IUD intrauterine device
ICF intracellular fluid
IUP intrauterine pregnancy
ICM intercostal margin
IV intravenous
ICS intercostal space
IVP intravenous pyelogram
ICU intensive care unit
IVSD interventricular septal defect
ID initial dose
intradermal IVU intravenous urography
IDDM insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
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IDL intermediate-density lipoprotein

IF inspiratory force J
interstitial fluid

Ig immunoglobulin Abbreviation Meaning

IHD ischaemic heart disease J jaundice

IM infectious mononucleosis JV jugular vein

intramuscular
JVD jugular venous distention
imp impression
JVP jugular venous pressure
inf inferior jugular venous pulse

INR international normalised ratio

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IOP intraocular pressure
K
IP intraperitoneal
inpatient
Abbreviation Meaning
IPPB intermittent positive-pressure breathing
KJ knee jerk
IPPV intermittent positive pressure ventilation
KO keep open
ISA intrinsic sympathomimetic activity knock out
KUB kidneys, ureters, bladder LIH left inguinal hernia

KVO keep vein open LKS liver, kidneys, spleen

LLL left lower lobe

Back to top left lower lid

LLQ left lower quadrant

L
LMN lower motor neurone
Abbreviation Meaning
LMP last menstrual period
L left
lumbar LMWH low molecular weight heparin

L&A light and accommodation LN lymph node

L&W living and well LOM limitation of movement

L1, L2 ... lumbar vertebrae 1, 2 ... LOPS length of patient's stay

LA left arm LP lumbar puncture

left atrium
LSCS lower segment caesarian section
lac laceration
LTC long-term care
Lap laparotomy
LUL left upper lobe
LAT or lat lateral
LUQ left upper quadrant
LBBB left bundle branch block
LV left ventricle
LBW low birth weight
LVF left ventricular failure
LCM left costal margin
LVH left ventricular hypertrophy
LD lethal dose
liver disease
lactate dehydrogenase Back to top

LDH lactate dehydrogenase M

LDL low-density lipoprotein
Abbreviation Meaning
LE lupus erythematosus
M male
LFT liver function test married
metre
LH left hand molar
luteinizing hormone murmur
LIF left iliac fossa M1 mitral first sound
MA menstrual age MSL midsternal line
mental age
MSU midstream urine specimen
MAOI monoamine oxidase inhibitor
MyG myasthenia gravis
MAP mean arterial pressure

MCH mean corpuscular haemoglobin Back to top

MCHC mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration

N
MCT medium-chain triglycerides
Abbreviation Meaning
MCV mean corpuscular volume
N normal
MDI metered-dose inhaler
N&T nose and throat
MDV multiple dose vial
N&V nausea and vomiting
mEq milliequivalent
NAD no acute distress
met metastasis no appreciable disease
nothing abnormal detected
MH marital history
medical history NARTI nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor
menstrual history
NBM nil by mouth
MHC major histocompatibility complex
NG nasogastric
MI myocardial infarction
mitral incompetence
NHL non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
mitral insufficiency
NICU neonatal intensive care unit
MIC minimum inhibitory concentration
NIDDM non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
ML midline
NKA no known allergies
MLD minimum lethal dose
NKHA non-ketotic hyperosmolar acidosis
MM multiple myeloma
NL normal
MND motor neurone disease
NMR nuclear magnetic resonance
MP menstrual period
NMS neuroleptic malignant syndrome
MRI magnetic resonance imaging

MRSA methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus NNRTI non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor

multiple-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
NOF neck of femur
MS mitral stenosis
multiple sclerosis #NOF fractured neck of femur
NOK next of kin OH occupational history

NS nervous system OP outpatient

normal saline
nephrotic syndrome OPA outpatient appointment

NSAID non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug OPD outpatient department

NSD no significant defect OR operating room

NSFTD normal spontaneous full-term delivery OS left eye

NSR normal sinus rhythm OT occupational therapy

NSU nonspecific urethritis OTC over the counter

NVD nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea OU both eyes

NYD not yet diagnosed

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P

O
Abbreviation Meaning

Abbreviation Meaning P pulse

O oedema P&A percussion and auscultation

O&A observation & assessment P&R pulse and respiration

O&E observation and examination PA pernicious anaemia

pulmonary artery
O/A on admission
PAT paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
O/E on examination
PAWP pulmonary arterial wedge pressure
OA osteoarthritis
PBI protein bound iodine
OB occult blood
PC present complaint packed cells
Obs obstetrics
PCA patient-controlled analgesia
OC oral contraceptive
PCP Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
OD overdose
right eye PCS portocaval shunt

OGD oesophogastroduodenoscopy PCV packed cell volume

OGTT oral glucose tolerance test

PE physical examination PMT premenstrual tension
pulmonary embolism
pleural effusion PN percussion note
peripheral neuropathy
PEEP positive end-expiratory pressure peripheral neuropathy

PEFR peak expiratory flow rate PND paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea

postnasal drip
PEG percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
Pnx pneumothorax
PERRLA pupils equal, round, react to light and accommodation
PO by mouth
PET positron emission tomography
PPH post partum haemorrhage
PF peak flow
PPI proton pump inhibitor
PFR peak flow rate
ppm parts per million
PFT pulmonary function test
PPTK partial thromboplastin time kaolin
PH past history
patient history PR per rectum
personal history
prostatic hypertrophy PSA prostate-specific antigen
pulmonary hypertension
Pt patient
pHa arterial blood pH
PT physical therapy
PI present illness prothrombin time
protease inhibitor parathyroid

PICC peripherally inserted central catheter PTA plasma thromboplastin antecedent

prior to admission
PID pelvic inflammatory disease prothrombin activity

PKU phenylketonuria PTH parathyroid hormone

PM post mortem PTR prothrombin ratio

PMB postmenopausal bleeding PTT partial thromboplastin time

PMH past medical history PTTK partial thromboplastin time kaolin

PMI past medical illness PTU propylthiouracil

PMN polymorphonuclear leucocyte PU peptic ulcer

pass urine
PMR patient medical record per urethra

PMS postmenopausal syndrome PUD peptic ulcer disease

premenstrual syndrome
PUO pyrexia of unknown origin
PUVA psoralen and ultraviolet A radiation RF renal failure
rheumatic fever
PV per vagina rheumatoid factor

PVC premature ventricular contraction RFT respiratory function test

PVD peripheral vascular disease Rh factor rhesus factor

PVT paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia RHD rheumatic heart disease

Px past history RIF right iliac fossa

prognosis
pneumothorax RLD related living donor
right lateral decubitus

Q RLL right lower lobe (lung)

RLQ right lower quadrant

Abbreviation Meaning
ROM range of motion
QALY quality-adjusted life year(s)
RP radial pulse

R RQ respiratory quotient

RR respiratory rate
Abbreviation Meaning
RR & E round regular and equal (pupils)
R respiration
RS respiratory system
RA renal artery
rheumatoid arthritis RSF rheumatoid serum factor
right arm
right atrium RSR regular sinus rhythm

RAST radioallergosorbent test RSV respiratory syncytial virus

RBBB right bundle branch block RTA road traffic accident
RBC red blood cell rt-PA recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator
red blood count
RUL right upper lobe
RBF renal blood flow
RUQ right upper quadrant
RBS random blood sugar
RV residual volume
RDS respiratory distress syndrome right ventricle
REM rapid eye movement RVH right ventricular hypertrophy
RES reticuloendothelial system
S
Abbreviation Meaning ST sinus tachycardia

s without stat. immediately

S/B seen by STD sexually transmitted disease

SA sinoatrial SV stroke volume

surface area
SVT supraventricular tachycardia
SALT speech and language therapist
Sx symptoms
SB seen by
shortness of breath
T
SBE subacute bacterial endocarditis
shortness of breath on exertion
Abbreviation Meaning
SBO small bowel obstruction
T temperature
SBP spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
T&A tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
SC sickle cell
subcutaneous T&X type and crossmatch
SCBU special care baby unit T3 triiodothyronine
SH social history T4 thyroxine
SI small intestine TB tuberculosis
SIADH syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone TBA to be administered
to be arranged
SIDS sudden infant death syndrome
TBG thyroid binding globulin
SL or sl sublingual
TBS total body surface
SLE systemic lupus erythematosus
TBW total body water
SOA swelling of ankle(s) total body weight

SOAP subjective, objective, assessment, plan TCA tricyclic antidepressant

SOB shortness of breath TD tardive dyskinesia

transverse diameter
SP systolic pressure
TDI total dose infusion
SR sinus rhythm
sustained release TDM therapeutic drug monitoring

SSRI selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor TENS transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

SSS Sick sinus syndrome TFT thyroid function test

 U
TG triglyceride

TH thyroid hormone
Abbreviation Meaning
THR total hip replacement U&E urea & electrolytes
TIA transient ischaemic attack uric acid
UA
urine analysis
TIBC total iron-binding capacity
ulcerative colitis
TKO to keep open UC
urinary catheter
TL tubal ligation UCG urine chorionic gonadotropin
TLC tender loving care UCO urinary catheter out
total lung capacity
UDV unit dose vial
TM tympanic membrane
UFH unfractionated heparin
TNF tumour necrosis factor
UK unknown
TOF tracheo-oesophageal fistula
UO urinary output
TOP termination of pregnancy
URI upper respiratory infection
TOPS take off pounds sensibly
URTI upper respiratory tract infection
TP thrombophlebitis
total protein US ultrasound
t-PA tissue plasminogen factor UTI urinary tract infection
TPN total parenteral nutrition
V
TPR temperature, pulse, respiration

TSH thyroid-stimulating hormone Abbreviation Meaning

TTA to take away VB venous blood

TTO to take out vena cava

visual cortex
TUR transurethral resection VC
vital capacity
vulvovaginal candidiasis
TURB transurethral resection of the bladder
VD venereal disease
TURP transurethral resection of the prostate
VDG venereal disease gonorrhoea
trichomonas vaginalis
TV
tidal volume VDRL Venereal Disease Research Laboratory

Tx. Treatment VE vaginal examination

VF ventricular fibrillation

VLBW very low birth weight

VLDL very low-density lipoprotein

VP venous pressure

VS vital signs

VT ventricular tachycardia

Abbreviation Meaning

WB whole blood

white blood cell

WBC
white blood count

WBS whole body scan

WCC white cell count

WPW Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

wt weight

Abbreviation Meaning

XX female chromosome type

XY male chromosome type

Abbreviation Meaning

ZES Zollinger–Ellison syndrome