Medical Abbreviations

In clinical practice, abbreviations are often used in patient progress notes, prescriptions, pharmacy notes, discussions,
etc. They are often used by practitioners to save time and can be helpful if you know what they stand for. Occasionally
you will see an abbreviation that has more than one meaning, which will cause you to do some deductive reasoning. The
list below contains abbreviations commonly used in any medical practice.

The Joint Commission maintains a list of ‘do not use’ abbreviations. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)
also maintains an even more comprehensive list of ‘error-prone’ abbreviations. Abbreviations on both of these lists are
considered unsafe because they can be confusing and are often misinterpreted, leading to medication errors. The Joint
Commission keeps an updated list of these ‘do not use’ abbreviations on their website (See:
https://www.jointcommission.org/facts_about_do_not_use_list/). The ISMP also keeps a list of ‘error-prone’
abbreviations on their website (See: https://www.ismp.org/tools/errorproneabbreviations.pdf). However, some
physicians still continue to use these abbreviations. As a pharmacist, your ability to recognize these error-prone
abbreviations and understand why they are hazardous is essential to avoid such errors and make the appropriate
clarifications.

In the future, if you run across an abbreviation you do not know that is not on this list, www.medilexicon.com is a good
resource to begin your search.

A ANC absolute neutrophil count

AAA abdominal aortic aneursym A&O alert and oriented
ABC airway, breathing, circulation AOM acute otitis media
Abd abdomen A/P assessment and plan
ABG arterial blood gas APAP acetaminophen
ABI ankle brachial index aPTT activated partial thromboplastin
Abx antibiotics ARDS acute respiratory distress syndrome
ACLS advanced cardiac life support ASA aspirin
ADA American Diabetes Association ASCVD atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
ADD attention deficit disorder ATC around the clock
ADE adverse drug event
ADH antidiuretic hormone B
ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder BAC blood alcohol concentration
ADL activities of daily living BBB blood brain barrier
ADE adverse drug event BC birth control
ADR adverse drug reaction BG blood glucose
AED automated external defibrillator BIBA brought in by ambulance
AED anti-epileptic drug BKA below the knee amputation
AF atrial fibrillation BLS basic life support
AFB acid fast bacilli BM bowel movement
AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome BMI body mass index
AKA above the knee amputation BMT bone marrow transplant
AKI acute kidney injury BP blood pressure
Alb albumin BPH benign prostatic hypertrophy
AMA against medical advice BRBPR bright red blood per rectum
AMI acute myocardial infarction BSA body surface area
AMS altered mental status BUN blood urea nitrogen
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C DVT deep vein thrombosis
CC chief complaint Dx diagnosis
C/O complaining of
CABG coronary artery bypass graft E
CAD coronary artery disease eAG estimated average glucose
CT computed tomography EBV Epstein-Barr virus
CBC complete blood count ECF extracellular fluid
CDC Centers for Disease Control ECG electrocardiogram
CF cystic fibrosis EKG electrocardiogram
CFU colony forming units ECHO echocardiogram
CGM continuous glucose monitoring ECT electroconvulsive therapy
CHF congestive heart failure ED erectile dysfunction
CKD chronic kidney disease ED emergency department
CN cranial nerves EEG electroencephalogram
CO cardiac output EF ejection fraction
COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease EGF epidermal growth factor
CPK creatine phosphokinase EMR electronic medical record
CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation Endo endocrine
CrCl creatinine clearance ENT ear, nose, and throat
C&S culture and sensitivity EOMI extraocular muscles intact
CSF cerebrospinal fluid EPS extrapyramidal symptom
CTA clear to auscultation ESRD end-stage renal disease
CTZ chemoreceptor trigger zone EtOH alcohol
CVA cerebral vascular accident
CVD cardiovascular disease F
CX culture FAS fetal alcohol syndrome
CXR chest x-ray FBG fasting blood glucose
FEV forced expiratory volume
D FFP fresh frozen plasma
DC discontinue FH family history
DIC disseminated intravascular coagulation FLP fasting lipid panel
D5W 5% dextrose in water FSH follicle stimulating hormone
DKA diabetic ketoacidosis FVC forced vital capacity
DM diabetes mellitus Fx fracture
DMARD disease modifying antirheumatic drug
DNR do not resuscitate G
DOB date of birth GAD generalized anxiety disorder
DOC drug of choice GERD gastroesophogeal reflux disease
DOE dyspnea on exertion GFR glomerular filtration rate
DOT directly observed therapy GI gastrointestinal
DPI dry powder inhaler GSW gunshot wound
DPN diabetic peripheral neuropathy GU genitourinary
DTs delirium tremens GVHD graft versus host disease
DUR drug utilization review Gyn gynecology
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H K
HA headache KUB kidney, ureter, bladder
HB hemoglobin KVO keep vein open
HbA1c glycosylated hemoglobin
HCG human chorionic gonadotropin L
Hct hematocrit Lac laceration
HDL high density lipoprotein LAD lymphadenopathy
HEENT head, ears, eyes, nose, throat L&D labor and delivery
HF heart failure LDL low density lipoprotein
Hgb hemoglobin LFT liver function test
H&H hemoglobin and hematocrit LH luteinizing hormone
HIV human immunodeficiency virus LLE left lower extremity
HJR hepatojugular reflex LLL left lower lobe
HOB head of bed LLQ left lower quadrant
H/O history of LOC loss of consciousness
H&P history and physical exam LTAC long-term acute care
HPI history of present illness LUE left upper extremity
HPV human papilloma virus LUL left upper lobe
HSV herpes simplex virus LV left ventricle
HTN hypertension LVAD left ventricular assist device
Hx history LVH left ventricular hypertrophy

I M
IBD inflammatory bowel disease MAR medication administration record
IBS irritable bowel syndrome MAP mean arterial pressure
IBW ideal body weight MCV mean corpuscular volume
ICD implantable cardiac defibrillator MDI metered dose inhaler
ICF intracellular fluid MI myocardial infarction
ICP intracranial pressure MMR measles, mumps, rubella (vaccine)
ICU intensive care unit MRI magnetic resonance imaging
I&D incision and debridement MVA motor vehicle accident
IDDM insulin dependent diabetes mellitus MVI multivitamin
IGT impaired glucose tolerance
IM intramuscular N
INR international normalized ratio NAD no acute distress; no apparent distress
I&O intake and output NE norepinephrine
IUD intrauterine device NGT nasogastric tube
IV intravenous NICU neonatal intensive care unit
IVP intravenous push NIDDM non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
IVPB IV piggy back NKA no known allergies
IVDA intravenous drug abuser NKDA no known drug allergies
NPO nothing by mouth
J NRT nicotine replacement therapy
JVD jugular venous distention NS normal saline
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NSAID non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug R
NSR normal sinus rhythm RA rheumatoid arthritis
NTND non-tender, non-distended RBC red blood cell/count
N/V nausea and vomiting RDA recommended daily allowance
O REM rapid eye movement
OA osteoarthritis RLE right lower extremity
OB obstetrics RLL right lower lobe
OC oral contraceptive RLQ right lower quadrant
OCD obsessive-compulsive disorder ROM range of motion
OGTT oral glucose tolerance test ROS review of systems
OOB out of bed RR respiratory rate
OR operating room RRR regular rate and rhythm
OTC over the counter RUE right upper extremity
RUL right upper lobe
P RUQ right upper quadrant
PACU post-anesthesia care unit RT respiratory therapy
PAD peripheral arterial disease
PCA patient controlled analgesia S
PCC prothrombin complex concentrate 2/2 secondary to
PCN penicillin SAD seasonal affective disorder
PCOS polycystic ovarian syndrome SBP systolic blood pressure
PCP primary care physician SCr serum creatinine
PE physical exam SE side effect
PE pulmonary embolism SH social history
PEG percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy SMBG self monitoring of blood glucose
pupils equal, round, reactive to light and SNF skilled nursing facility
PERRLA
accommodation
SOAP subjective, objective, assessment, plan
PFT pulmonary function test
SOB shortness of breath
PICC peripherally inserted central catheter
STI sexually transmitted infection
PID pelvic inflammatory disease
S/Sx signs and symptoms
PMH past medical history
stat immediately, at once
PND paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Sx symptoms
PPD packs per day
Sz seizure
PPD purified protein derivative (of tuberculin)
PRBC packed red blood cells
T
PUD peptic ulcer disease
TAH total abdominal hysterectomy
PSA prostate specific antigen
TB tuberculosis
PT prothrombin time
TC total cholesterol
PTT partial thromboplastin time
TdP torsades de pointes
PTA prior to admission
TF tube feeds
PTA prior to arrival
TG triglycerides
PTSD post-traumatic stress disorder
TIA transient ischemic attack
PVD peripheral vascular disease
TKO to keep open
PCWP pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
TNF tumor necrosis factor
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TPN total parenteral nutrition W
TSH thyroid stimulating hormone WBAT weight bearing as tolerate
WBC white blood cell
U WDWN Well developed, well nourished
UA urinalysis WNL within normal limits
UC ulcerative colitis w/o without
UE upper extremity
ULQ upper left quadrant Y
UOP urine output yo years old
URI upper respiratory tract infection
UTI urinary tract infection

V
VS vital signs
VSS vital signs stable

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