COMMON MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS
ALL: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
AMI: Acute myocardial infarction
FSH: Follicle-stimulating hormone
IBS: Irritable bowel syndrome
IDDM: Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
SIDS: Sudden infant death syndrome
TSH: Thyroid-stimulating hormone.
a.c.: Before meals. As in taking medicine before meals.
a/g ratio: Albumin to globulin ratio.
ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
AKA: Above the knee amputation.
Anuric: Not producing urine.
ADH: Antidiuretic hormone
ARDS: Acute respiratory distress syndrome.
ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failurewice daily. As in taking medicine twice daily.
bld: Blood.
BKA: Below the knee amputation.
C&S: Culture and sensitivity
Ca: Cancer; carcinoma
CABG. Coronary artery bypass graft
CC: Chief complaint.
CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure.
COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
CVA: Cerebrovascular accident (Stroke).
D/C or DC: Discontinue or discharge.
DM: Diabetes mellitus
DNC, D&C, or D and C: Dilation and curettage.
DNR: Do not resuscitate.
DOE: Dyspnea on exertion
DVT: Deep venous thrombosis
ECT: Electroconclusive therapy.
FX: Fracture.
gtt: Drops.
h.s.: At bedtime
I&D: Incision and drainage.
IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease.
ICU: Intensive care unit.
IM: Intramuscular.
in vitro: In the laboratory
in vivo: In the body
K: Potassium.
KCL: Potassium chloride.
LLQ: Left lower quadrant
LUQ: Left upper quadrant
N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
Na: Sodium.
NCP: Nursing care plan
NPO: Nothing by mouth
O.D.: Right eye.
O.S.: Left eye.
O.U.: Both eyes.
ORIF: Open reduction and internal fixation
p.o.: By mouth.
p.r.n.: As needed.
PERRLA: Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation.
PMS: Premenstrual syndrome
PTH: Parathyroid hormone
PTSD: Post-traumatic stress syndrome
PUD: Peptic ulcer disease.
q.i.d.: Four times daily.
RA: Rheumatoid arthritis.
RDS: Respiratory distress syndrome
R/O: Rule out.
RLQ: Right lower quadrant.
RUQ: Right upper quadrant.
s/p: Status post
SAD: Season affective disorder.
SOB: Shortness of breath.
SQ: Subcutaneous.
T&A: Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
UA or u/a: Urinalysis.
URI: Upper respiratory infection,
AAA: abdominal aortic aneurysm
ACE inhibitors: angiotensin converting enzyme
ADD: attention deficit disorder
ADLs: activities of daily living
AED: automated external defibrillator
AIDS: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
AKI: acute kidney injury
ALP: alkaline phosphatase
aPTT: activated partial thromboplastin time
ARB: angiotensin receptor blockers
ARF: acute respiratory failure
AST: aspartate aminotransferase
BG: blood glucose
bid: two times a day
BiPAP: bilevel positive airway pressure
BMP: basic metabolic panel
BNP: brain natriuretic peptide
BP: blood pressure
BPH: benign prostate hyperplasia
BPM: beats per minute
BS: blood sugar
BUN: blood urea nitrogen
CAD: coronary artery disease
CBC: complete blood count
CK (CPK-MB): creatine kinase
CKD: chronic kidney disease
CHF: congestive heart failure
Cl: chloride
CMP: complete metabolic panel
CN: cranial nerves
CO2: carbon dioxide
CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Cr: creatinine
CRE: carbapenem resistant enterobacteriaceae
CSF: cerebral spinal fluid
CT: computed tomography (CT scan)
CV: cardiovascular
CVA: cerebral vascular accident
CVD: cerebral vascular disease
CVAD: central venous access device
CVP: central venous pressure
D5W: 5% dextrose in water
DAR: data, action, response
DI: diabetes insipidus
DM: diabetes mellitus
DTRs: deep tendon reflexes
DKA: diabetic ketone acidosis
DVT: deep vein thrombosis
EBP: evidence based practice
ECG or EKG: electrocardiography
ENT: ear nose throat
EOM: extraocular muscles
EPS: extrapyramidal symptoms
ESRD: end stage renal disease
ET: endotracheal tube
F&E: fluids & electrolytes
FVD: fluid volume deficient
FVO: fluid volume overload
GERD: gastroesophageal reflux disease
GI: gastrointestinal
HCO3: bicarbonate
HCP: healthcare provider
Hct: hemotocrit
HCTZ: hydrochlorothiazide
HF: heart failure
Hgb: hemoglobin
H&H: hemoglobin and hematocrit
HHS: hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state
HIV: human immunodeficiency virus
h/o: history of
HR: heart rate
ICP: intracranial pressure
ICU: intensive care unit
INR: international normalized ratio
I&O: intake and output
IV: intravenous
IVP: intravenous push
IVPB: intravenous piggyback
JVD: jugular vein distention
K: potassium
KCl: potassium chloride
KVO: keep vein open
LAD: left anterior descending
LOC: level of consciousness
LPN: licensed practical nurse
LR: lactated ringers
LVEF: Left ventricular ejection fraction
LVN: licensed vocational nurse
MAOI: monoamine oxidase inhibitor
MAR: medication administration record
mcg: micrograms
mg: magnesium
mg: milligrams
MI: myocardial infarction
mL: milliliters
MOA: mechanism of action
MRA: magnetic resonance angiography
MRI: magnetic resonance imaging
MRSA: methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus
MVA: motor vehicle accident
Na: sodium
NAD: no appreciable disease
NG: nasogastric
NMS: neuroleptic malignant syndrome
NP: nurse practitioner
NPA: nurse practice act
NS: normal saline
NSAID: nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug
NSR: normal sinus rhythm
OA: osteoarthritis
OR: operating room
OT: occupational therapy
OTC: over the counter
PAD: peripheral arterial disease
PaO2: partial arterial oxygen
PCI: percutaneous coronary intervention
PCTA: percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
PET: positron emission tomography
PCA: patient controlled analgesia
PPD: purified protein derivative
PPE: personal protective equipment
PPI: proton pump inhibitors
PPN: partial parenteral nutrition
PO: by mouth
PSA: prostate specific antigen
PT: prothrombin time
PT: physical therapy
PTH: parathyroid hormone
PTT: partial thromboplastin time
PUD: peptic ulcer disease
PVC: pre ventricular contraction
RA: rheumatoid arthritis
RAI: radioactive iodine
RBC: red blood cell
ROM: range of motion
RR: respirations
RT: respiratory therapy
SBAR: situation background assessment recommendation
SpO2 or O2: oxygen saturation with pulse oximeter
SCD: sequential compression device
SG: specific gravity
SIADH: syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus
SOAP: subjective, objective, assessment, plan
S&S: signs and symptoms
ST: speech therapy
STI: sexual transmitted infection
SVT: supraventricular tachycardia
TB: tuberculosis
TBI: traumatic brain injury
TF: tube feeding
TIA: transient ischemic attack
TPN: total parenteral nutrition
Tx: treatment
UABCI: unconscious, airway, breathing, circulation, infection
UAP: unlicensed assistive personnel
UA & CS: urinalysis and culture & sensitivity
UC: ulcerative colitis
UO: urine output
UTI: urinary tract infection
VRE: vancomycin resistant enterococci
VS: vital signs
WBC: white blood cell
y/o: year old