Name: Year and Section:

COMMON MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS

ABC Airway, Breathing, Circulation AMI Acute Myocardial Infarction

abd abdomen AML Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
ABG Arterial Blood Gas amt amount
ABO system of Classifying Blood Group ANA Anti Nuclear Antibody
ACE Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ANS Autonomic Nervous SystemGGGT
ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support ANST After Negative Skin Test
ACS Acute Compartment Syndrome A&O Alert and Oriented
ADD Attention Deficit Disorder AP Antero-Posterior
ADH Anti-Diuretic Hormone APC Atrial Premature Contraction
ADL Activities of Daily Living ARC AIDS Related Complex
AFB Acid Fast Bacillus ARDS Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome
AIDS Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome ASAP as soon as possible
AKA Above the Knee Amputation ASD Atrial Septal Defect
ALL Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia ASHD Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease
ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis AV Atrio-Ventricular
AMA Against Medical Advice AVR Aortic Valve Replacement
amb ambulatory A& alive and well
AMI Anti-body Mediated Immunity

BAC Blood Alcohol Concentration BP blood pressure

BBT Basal Body Temperature BPH Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
BCG Bacille Calmette Guerin bpm beats per minute
BE Barium Enema BRP Bathroom Privileges
BKA Below Knee Amputation BSA Body Surface Area
BLS Basic Life Support BSE Breast Self-Examination
BM bowel movement BUN Blood Urea Nitrogen
BMR Basal Metabolic Rate Bx Biopsy

Ca Calcium, Cancer, Carcinoma CHO carbohydrate

CABG Coronary Artery Bypass Graft CLL Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
CAD Coronary artery Disease CMV Cytomegalovirus Infection
CAPD Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis CNS Central Nervous System
C&S Culture & Sensitivity CO Cardiac output
CAT Computerized (axial) Tomography Scan cont. continuous
CBC Complete Blood Count COLP Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
CBI Continuous Bladder Irrigation COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
CBR Complete Bed Rest CP Cerebral Palsy
cc cubic centimeter CPAP Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
CC Chief Complaint CPR Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation
CCU Coronary Care Unit/ Critical Care Unit CRD Chronic Renal Disease
CDCP Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CRF Chronic Renal Failure
CF Cystic Fibrosis CSF Cerebro Spinal Fluid
CHD Congenital Heart Disease CSR Central Supply Room
Coronary Heart Disease CST Contraction Stress Test
CHF Congestive Heart Failure Convulsive Shock therapy
CT Computerized Tomography CVC Central Venous Catheter
CTD Connective Tissue Disease CVP Central Venous Pressure
CTS Carpal Tunnel Syndrome CXR Chest X-ray
CVA Cerebro vascular accident
Costo Vertebral Angle

DAT Diet as Tolerated DOA Dead on Arrival

dc discontinue DOB Difficulty of Breathing
D&C Dilatation & Curettage DOE Dyspnea on Exertion
D/C discharge DPT Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus (vaccine)
DIC Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation DR Delivery Room
diff differential blood count DRG Diagnosis-related Group
DJD Degenerative Joint Disease DT Delirium Tremens
DKA Diabetic Keto Acidosis DTR Deep Tendon Reflex
DM Diabetes Mellitus DVT Deep Vein Thrombosis
DNA Deoxy Ribonucleic Acid D/W Dextrose in Water
DNR Do Not Resuscitate dx diagnosis

EBL Estimated Blood Loss ENT Ear, Nose, Throat

ECF Extra Cellular Fluids ER Emergency Room
Extended Care Facility ERV Expiratory Reserve Volume
ECG Electro Cardio Gram ESP Extra Sensory Perception
ECT Electro Convulsive Therapy ESR Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
EDC Expected Date of Confinement ESRD End Stage Renal Disease
EDD Expected Date of Delivery ET endotracheal tube
EEG Electro Encephalo Gram EMD Electro Mechanical Dissociation
EENT Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat EMG Electro Myography

FBD Fibrocystic Breast Disease FHT Fetal Heart Tone

FBS Fasting Blood Sugar FSH Follicle Stimulating Hormone
FEV Forced Expiratory Volume FUO Fever of Undetermined (unknown origin)
FFP Fresh Frozen Plasma fx fracture
FHR Fetal Heart Rate

GB gall bladder GI gastro-intestinal

GCS Glasscow Coma Scale GSW Gunshot Wound
GDM Gestational Diabetes Mellitus GTT Glucose Tolerance Test
GFR Glomerular Filtration Rate gtt drop
GU genito-urinary

HAV Hepatitis A Virus HGH Human Growth Hormone

hb/hgb hemoglobin HIV Human Immuno-deficiency Virus
HBV Hepatitis V Virus HPI History of Present Illness
HCG Human Chorionic Gonedotropin HPN Hypertension
hct hematocrit HR heart rate
HD Hemodialysis HSV Herpes Simplex Virus
HDL High Density Lipoprotein hx history
Hg Mercury

IABP Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump IOP Intra Ocular Pressure

I&O intake and output IPPB Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing
IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome IRV Inspiratory Reserve Volume
IBW Ideal Body Weight ITT Insulin Tolerance Test
ICF Intracellular Fluid IUD Intrauterine Device
ICP Intra-cranial Pressure IUFD Intrauterine Fetal Death
ICS Inter Coastal Space IUGR Intrauterine Growth Retardation
ICU Intensive Care Unit IVC Intra-Ventricular Catheter
I&D Incision & Drainage IVF Intravenous fluid
IDDM Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus IVP Intravenous Pyelogram
Ig Immunoglobulin IM Intramuscular

JRA Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

KUB Kidney Ureters Bladder
KVO keep vein open
lab laboratory LOC Loss of Consciousness
L&D Labor and Delivery LOM Loss of Motion
LDL Low Density Lipoprotein LP Lumbar Puncture
LE Lupus Erythematous LR Lactated Ringers
LGA Large for Gestational Age LUE Left Upper Extremity
LH Luteinizing Hormone LUL Left Upper Lobe
LLE Left Lower Extremity LUQ Left Upper Quadrant
LLL Left Lower Lobe LV left ventricle
LLQ Left Lower Quadrant LVH Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
LMP Last Menstrual Period L&W Living and Well

MABP Mean Arterial Blood Pressure mmHg Millimeters of Mercury

MD Muscular Dystrophy MMR Mumps, Measles, Rubella
MDI Medium Dose Inhalant Maternal Mortality Rate
Metered Dose Inhaler MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging
mEq milliequivalent MRM Modified Radical Mastectomy
MG Myesthenia Gravis MS Multiple Sclerosis
MI Myocardial Infarction MVA Motor Vehicular Accident

NANDANorth American Nursing Diagnosis Association NKA no known allergies

NAOD Nursing Attendant on Duty NOD Nurse on Duty
N & V nausea and vomiting NPO nothing per orem/nothing by mouth
NICU Neonatal Intensive Care Unit NSS Normal Saline Solution
NIDDM Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus NSAID Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
NGT nasogastric tube NST Non-Stress Test

OB-GYN Obstetrics and Gynecology OR Operating Room

OBS Organic Brain Syndrome ORIF Open Reduction and Internal Fixation
OCT Oxytocin Challenge Test OT Occupational Therapy
OOB out of bed OTC over the counter
OPD Out Patient Department

PAC Premature Atrial Complexes PEFR peak Expiratory Flow Rate

PAD Peripheral Artery Disease PERRLA Pupils Equal, Round React to
Light & Accomodation
PALS Pediatric Advance Life Support PET Postural Emission Tomography
PAT Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia PFT Pulmonary Function Test
PCA Patient Controlled Analgesia PID Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
PD Peritoneal Dialysis PMH Past Medical History
PDA Patent Ductus Arteriosus PMI Point of Maximal Impulse
PE Physical Examination PMS Pre-Menstrual Syndrome
Pulmonary Embolism PND Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea
PEEP Positive End-Expiratory Pressure PPD Purified Protein Derivatives
PROM Premature Rupture of Membrane PSA Prostate Specific Antigen
PT Physical Therapist PTH Parathyroid Hormone
prothrombin time PTT Partial Thromboplastin Time
PUD Peptic Ulcer Disease PVC Premature Ventricular Contraction

RA Rheumatoid Arthritis Rh antigen on blood cell, indicated by + or -

RAI Radioactive Iodine RHD Rheumatic Heart Disease

Regular Acting Insulin RIND Reversible Ischemic Neurologic Deficit

RAS Reticular Activating System RLE Right Lower Extremity

RBC Red Blood Cell RLL Right Lower Lobe
RCA Right Coronary Artery RLQ Right Lower Quadrant
RDA Recommended Daily Allowance RM Radical Mastectomy
RDS Respiratory Distress Syndrome Registered Midwife
REM Rapid Eye Movement RN Registered Nurse

RF Rheumatic Fever RNA Ribo-nucleic Acid

R/o rule out RT Radiation Therapy
ROM Range of Motion Respiratory Therapy
ROS review of System RUE Right Upper Extremity
RR Respiratory Rate RUL Right Upper Lobe
Recovery Room RUQ Right Upper Quadrant

S/A Sino-Atrial SIADH Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic

Hormone
sat sol saturated solution SIDS Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
SBE Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis SL sublingual
SBO Small Bowel Obstruction SLE Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
SC subcutaneous SM Simple Mastectomy
SDA Same Day Admission SMBG Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose
SDS Same Day Surgery SOB Shortness of Breath
SF Scarlet Fever SS soapsuds
SG Skin Graft; Specific Gravity s/s signs and symptoms
SGA Small for Gestational Age STD Sexually Transmitted Disease
SGOT Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase SUD Sudden Unexplained Death
SGPT Serum Glutamic-Pyruvic Transaminase

T & A Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy TPAL Term, Pre-mature birth, Alive, living
children
TAH Total Abdominal Hysterectomy TPN Total Parenteral Nutrition
TB Tuberculosis TPR Temperature, Pulse, Respiration
TBI Total Body Irradiation TQM Total Quality Management
T&C Type and Crossmatch TSA Tumor Specific Antigen
TENS Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation TSE Testicular Self-Examination
TIA Transient Ischemic Attack TSH Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
TIBC Total iron Binding Capacity TURP Trans Urethral Resection of Prostate
TLC Total Lung Capacity TVC Total Volume Capacity
TM tympanic membrane twe tap water enema
TNM Tumor Node Metastasis Tx treatment

“u” units U/O urine output

UA Urinalysis; Uric Acid URI Upper Respiratory Infection
UD Urethral Discharge UTI Urinary Tract Infection
UE Upper Extremity UV Ultraviolet; Urinary Volume

VA Visual Acuity VO Verbal Order

VB Viable Birth VS Vital Signs
VBAC Vaginal Birth after Caesarian VSD Ventricular Septal Defect
VC Vital Capacity VT Ventricular Tachycardia
VD Venereal Disease

WBC White Blood Cells WN well-nourished

w/c wheelchair WNL within normal limits
WD well-developed wt weight
WHO World Health Organization