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Medical Abbreviations
Page 1 of 17
Medical & EMS Abbreviations
Alphabetical Index:
[Aa]
a - before
A&O - Alert and Oriented
A&P - Anterior and posterior
AAA - abdominal aortic aneurysm
ABC - Airway, Breathing, Circulation
Abd - Abdomen/abdominal
ABGs - Arterial Blood Gases
ABO - A system of classifying blood groups
AC - Acromioclavicular Goint)
ac - Before meals
ACE - Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support
ACth - Adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticotropin
AD - Right ear
ad lib - As desired
ADH - Antidiuretic hormone
ADL - Activities of daily living
adm - Admission
ADT - Automated defibrillator technician
AED - Automatic External Defibrillator
A-fib - Atrial Fibrillation
AFL - Atrial flutter
AFP - Alpha-fetoprotein
AHA - American Heart Association
AIDS - Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
AKA - Above Knee Amputation
ALS - Advanced Life Support
ALT - Alanine aminotransferase (formerly SGPT)
am-Morning
amb - Ambulation
AMI - Acute myocardial infarction
amp - Ampoule
AMPLE - Allergies, Medication, Previous illnesses, Last meal, Events preceding incident.
amt - Amount
ANA - Antinuclear antibody
ant - Anterior
AP - Anteroposterior
AQ - Water
ARDS - Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome
AS - Left ear
ASA - Aspirin
ASAP - As Soon As Possible
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Medical Abbreviations
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ASHD - Atherosclerotic Heart Disease
ASO - Antistreptolysin-O
AST - Aspartate aminotransferase (formerly SGOT)
ATF - Arrived To Find
AU - Both ears
A V - Arteriovenous, atrioventricular
ax - Axillary
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[Bb]
B fbil - Bilateral
bact - Bacteriology
BB/CC - Back Board and Cervical Collar BBB - Bundle Branch Block
BCLS - Basic Cardiac Life Support
bid - Twice a day
BKA - Below Knee Amputation
BLS - Basic Life Support
BM - Bowel Movement
BMR - Basal Metabolic Rate
BOM - Bilateral Otitis Media
BP - Blood Pressure
BPH - Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
bpm - Beats Per Minute
BS - Bowel SoundslBreath Sounds/Blood Sugar
BSA - Body Surface Area
BUN - Blood Urea Nitrogen
BVM - Bag Valve Mask
BX, Bx - Biopsy
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[Cc]
C - Celsius, centigrade, complement
C&S - Culture and sensitivity
c* - With
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Medical Abbreviations
Page 3 of 17
CIC CC, C.C. - Chief complaint
c/o - complains of
Cl ... C7 - cervical nerve 1 through 7; cervical vertebrae 1 through 7
Ca - Calcium
CA, Ca, ca - Cancer, carcinoma
CAB - Coronary artery bypass
CABG - coronary artery bypass graft
CAD - Coronary artery disease
caps - Capsules
CAT - computer axial tomography
CAV - Cytoxan, adrimycin, and vincristine
CBC - Complete blood count
cc - Cubic centimeter
C-cath - cardiac catheterization
CCU - Coronary Care Unit
CEA - Carcinoembryonic antigen
cg - Centigram
CHF - Congestive heart failure
CK - Creatine kinase
CI - chloride
CLL - Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
cm - Centimeter
CNS - Central nervous system
CO - carbon monoxide
C02 - Carbon dioxide
Code - Full Cardiac Arrest
COMP - Compound
cont - continued
COPD - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CP - Chest Pain
CPK - Creatine phosphokinase
CPR - Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CQI - Continuous Quality Improvement
CRF - chronic renal failure
C-Section - cesarean section
CSF - Cerebrospinal fluid
CT - Computed tomography
CTS - Carpal tunnel syndrome
cu - Cubic
CV - cardiovascular
CVA - Cerebrovascular accident (Stroke)
CXR - chest x -ray
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3/17/2009
Medical Abbreviations
Page 4 of 17
[Dd]
D&C - Dilatation and curettage
D/C - discontinue
dlt - due to
D/W - Dextrose in water
D50W - Dextrose 50% in water
D5W - Dextrose 5% in water
de cub - decubitus ulcer
DIB - difficulty in breathing
DIC - Disseminated intravascular coagulation
DIFF, diff - Differential blood count
DIP - distal interphalangeal Goint)
DKA - diabetic ketoacidosis
dl - Decliter (100 ml)
DM - Diabetes mellitus
DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNR - do not resuscitate
DO - Doctor of osteopathy
DOA - dead on arrival
DOS - dead on scene
DP - Dorsalis pedis
DPT - diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus
drsg - dressing
DSA - Digital subtraction angiography
DTs - delirium tremens
DVT - deep vein thrombosis
DX, Dx, dx - Diagnosis
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[Ee]
EBL - estimated blood loss
ECF - Extended Care Facility
ECG (EKG) - electrocardiogram
ECHO - echocardiogram
ED - Emergency Department
EDC - estimated date of confinement
EEG - Electroencephalogram
EMD - Electrical Mechanical Disassociation (Cardiac Arrest)
EMD - Eye Movement Desensitization
EMG - Electromyogram
EMPD - Emergency Medical Priority Dispatch
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Medical Abbreviations
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EMS - Emergency Medical Services
EMT - Emergency Medical Technician
EMT-B Emergency Medical Technician Basic
EMT -P - emergency medical technician paramedic
ENT - Ear, nose, and throat
Epi - Epinephrine
ERA - Estroadiol receptor assay
ESR - Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
ET - endotracheal
ETA - estimated time of arrival
etiol - etiology
ETOH - alcohol
ETT - endotracheal tube
eval - evaluate
exam - examination
exc - Excision
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[ Ff]
F - Fahrenheit
FlU - follow-up
FA - forearm
FB - foreign body
FBS - Fasting blood sugar
FD - Fire Department
FDA - Food and Drug Administration
FDGB - Fall down - Go boom
Fe - iron
flex - flexion
FSH - Follicle-stimulating hormone
ft - Foot, feet, (measure)
FUO - Fever of undetermined origin
Fx - fracture
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Medical Abbreviations
Page 6 of 17
[Gg]
g, gm - Gram
G6PD - Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
gastroc - Gastrocnemius
GB - gallbladder
GC - gonococcus
GE - gastroesophageal
GERD - gastroesophageal reflux disease
GFR - Glomerular filtration rate
GI - Gastrointestinal
gm - grams
GOA - Gone on arrival
GP - General practitioner
gr - Grain
GSW - Gunshot wound
gt, gtt - Drop, drops
GTT - Glucose tolerance test
G-tube - gastrostomy tube
GU - Genitourinary
Gyn - gynecology
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[Hh]
h.s. - At bedtime, hour of sleep
h20 - water
h202 - hydrogen peroxide
HAZ MAT - Hazardous materials
Hb - Hemoglobin
HBV - Hepatitis B Virus
HCG - Human chorionic gonadotropin
HCI - Hydrochloric acid, hydrochloride
HC03 - Bicarbonate
HCT - Hematocrit
HDL - High-density lipoprotein
HDN - Hemolytic disease of the newborn
HEENT - head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat
Hg - Mercury
Hgb - Hemoglobin
HGH - Human growth hormone
HI - Hemagglutination inhibition
HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus
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Medical Abbreviations
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HLA - Human leukocyte antigen
HR - Heart rate
Hr - Hour
hs - at bedtime
ht - height
HTN - hypertension
Hx - History
Hz - Hertz (cycles per second)
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[ Ii ]
1&0 - Intake and output
IIC - Instructor Coordinator
IABP - Intra-aortic balloon pump
IC - Incident Command
ICF - Intracellular fluid
ICS - Intercostal space
ICU - Intensive Care Unit
ID - Identification
IDDM - Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
IF - index finger
IHSS - idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis
1M - intramuscular
inf - Inferior
inj - Inject
10 - intraosseous
IPPB - Intermittent positive-pressure breathing
IPS - initial patient survey
IR - incident report
irreg - irregular
irrig - irrigation
IU - International unit
IUD - Intrauterine device
IV - intravenous
IVDA - intravenous drug abuse
IVP - intravenous push
IVPB - intravenous piggyback
IVU - Intravenous urography
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Medical Abbreviations
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[Jj ]
JRA - Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
jt - joint
J-tube - jejunostomy tube
ND - jugular vein distention
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[Kk]
K+ - potassium
kcal - Kilocalorie (food calorie)
kg - kilogram
KIB836 - Monroe County EMS call1ettersinumbers
KO - Keep open
KUB - Kidneys, ureters, and bladder
KVO - keep vein open
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[Ll]
L - left
1- Liter
Llmin - liters per minute
Ll...L5 - lumbar nerve 1 through 5; lumbar vertebrae 1 through 5
lab - laboratory
LAD - Left anterior descending (coronary artery)
lat - lateral
Ib - Pound
LBBB - Left bundle branch block
LDH - Lactate dyhdrogenase
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Medical Abbreviations
Page 9 of 17
LDL - Low-density lopoprotein
LE - Lupus erythematosus
19 -large
LH - Luteinizing hormone
lido - lidocaine
liq - liquid
LLL - left lower lobe
LLQ - left lower quadrant
LMP - last menstrual period
LMR - LambertvillelMaybeelRaisinville
LOC - loss of consciousness/level of consciousness
LR - Lactated Ringers Solution
LS - lumbosacral
It - left
LUL - left upper lobe
LUQ - Left upper quadrant
LV - Left ventricle
LVH - left ventricular hypertrophy
lytes - electrolytes
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[Mm]
m - meter
M - Molar
m g - Microgram
m 1 - Microliter
m m - Micrometer, micron
m mol - Micromole
m Osm - Micro-osmole
MAL - mid-axillary line
MAST - medical antishock trousers
Max - maximum
MCA - Medical Control Authority
mcg - mIcrogram
MCH - Mean corpuscular hemoglobin
MCHC - Meancorpuscular hemoglobin concentration
MCI - Mass casualty Incident
MCL - mid-clavicular line
MCV - Mean corpuscular volume
MD - Medical doctor, muscular dystrophy
MDI - metered dose inhaler
ME - Medical Examiner
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Medical Abbreviations
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meds - medications
mEq - Millequivalent
MF - middle finger
MFR - Medical First Responder
Mg - Magnesium
mg - Milligram
MI - Myocardial infarction (Heart Attack)
Min - minimal
min - minute
mllmL - milliliter
mm - Millimeter
mM - Millimole
mmHg - millimeters of mercury
MMR - measles, mumps, and rubella
mo - Month
Mod - moderate
mol wt - Molecular weight
mOsm - Milliosmole
MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MRSA - methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MRSE - methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermis
MS - Multiple sclerosis, morphine sulfate
MSH - Melanocyte-stimulating hormone
MSP - Motor, sensory, pulse
MUGA - Multigated acquisition (scanning)
MY A - Motor vehicle accident
MVP - mitral valve prolaps
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[Nn]
N - Nitrogen, normal (strength of solution)
NN - nausea 1 vomiting
NA - not applicable
Na - Sodium
NaCI - Sodium chloride
NAHC03 - sodium bicarbonate
NC - nasal cannula
ng - Nanogram (millimmicron)
NG - nasogastric
NGT - Nasogastric tube
NH - nursing home
NIDDM - non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
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Medical Abbreviations
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NKA - no known allergies
NKDA - No known drug allergies
NPO - Nothing by mouth
NRM - non-rebreather mask
NS - normal saline
NSR - normal sinus rhythm
NTG - nitroglycerin
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[00 ]
O&T - Operations and training
OIP - outpatient
02 - oxygen
02Sat - oxygen saturation by pulse oximeter
OB - obstetrics
Ob-GYN - Obstetrics and gynecology
OBS - organic brain syndrome
oC - centigrade/Celsius
OD - Overdose
OD - right eye
of - Fahrenheit
OR - operating room
OS -left eye
OTC - Over the counter (a drug that can be obtained without a prescription)
OU - both eyes
oz - Ounce
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[Pp]
p - after
P - Phosphorus, pressure, pulse
P - pulse
P, W & D - Pink, Warm and Dry
p.c. - After meals
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Medical Abbreviations
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P.o. - By mouth
p.r.n. - As needed, whenever necessary
PAC - premature atrial contraction
PaC02 - Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood
Pa02 - Partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood
Pap - Papanicolaou smear
PAT - paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
Path - pathology
Pb -lead
PCN - Penicillin
PC02 - Partial pressure of carbon dioxide
PD - Police Department
PE - pulmonary embolism
PEA - pulseless electrical activity
PEARL - Pupils equal and reactive to light
peds - Pediatrics
per - by or through
PERRLA - Pupils equal, round, react to light and accommodation
pg - Picogram (micromicrogram)
pH - Hydrogen ion concentration
PI - personal injury
PID - Pelvic inflammatory disease
PIP - proximal interphalangeal Goint)
PJC - premature junctional contraction
PKU - Phenylketonuria
pm - afternoon
PMH - past medical history
PMS - Premenstrual syndrome
po - by mouth
P02 - Partial pressure of oxygen
POP - Pain on palpation
post - posterior
post op - postoperative
POV - Privately owned vehicle
PPD - Purified protein derivative (of tuberculin)
ppm - Parts per million
pre op - preoperative
pm - whenever necessary
Pro time - Prothrombin time
PSH - past surgical history
psi - Pounds persquare inch
PSVT - paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
Pt - patient
PT - Physical therapy
PTCA - percutaneous trans luminal coronary angioplasty
Pth - Parathyroid horomone
PUD - peptic ulcer disease
PVC - Premature ventricular contraction
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Medical Abbreviations
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[Qq]
q - Every
q2h - Every 2 hours
q4h - Every 4 hours
qd - Every day
qh - Every hour
qid - Four times a day
qid - four times daily
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[Rr]
R - Respirations, roentgen
R - right
RIO - Rule out
RA - Rheumatoid arthritis
RAID - Radioactive iodine uptake
RBBB - Right bundle branch block
RBS - Red blood cell
RCA - Right coronary artery
reg - regular
resp - respiration
RF - Rheumatic fever, rheumatoid factor
Rh - Rhesus blood factor
Rh neg. (Rh-) - Rhesus factor negative
Rh pos. (Rh+) - Rhesus factor positive
RLL - right lower lobe
RLQ - Right lower quadrant
RML - right middle lobe
RN - Registered nurse
RNA - Ribonucleic acid
ROM - Range of motion (of joint)
RUL - right upper lobe
RUQ - right upper quadrant
Rx - Prescription
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Medical Abbreviations
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[ Ss ]
S&S - Signs and symptoms
s* - Without
sip - status post
SIS - signs and symptoms
SL.SS - sacral nerves 1 through 5; sacral vertebrae 1 through 5
SA - sinoatrial (node)
Sa02 - Systemic arterial oxygen saturation (%) (Oxygen in the blood)
SBE - Subacute bacterial endocarditis
SC - subclavian
sec - second
SOOT - Serum glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (see AST)
SOPT - Serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (see AL T)
SI - sacroiliac (joint)
SIADH - Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
SIDS - Sudden infant death syndrome
SL - sublingual
SLE - Systemic lupus erythmatosus
sm - small
SOB - short of breath
SOB - Short of breath
SOP - Standard Operating Procedure
sp gr - Specific gravity
spec - Specimin
Sp02 - oxygen saturation by pulse oximeter
SRFD - South Rockwood Fire Department
ss* - One-half
STAT - at once
stat - Immediately
Std - Sexually transmitted disease
subq - Subcutaneous
SVT - supraventricular tachycardia
sx - Symptom
SYNCOPAL - Fainting spell
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Medical Abbreviations
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[Tt]
T - Temperature; thoracic, to be followed by number designating specific thoracic vertebra
T &A - Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
T&C - Type and crossmatch
Tl...TI2 - thoracic nerves 1 through 12; thoracic vertebrae 1 through 12
tab - tablet
Tabs - Tablets
TB - Tuberculosis
tbsp - tablespoon
TCP - transcutaneous pacing
td - tetanus-diphtheria toxoid
Tele - telemetry
temp. - Temperature
TIA - transient ischemic attach (Stroke)
TIBS - Total iom-binding capacity
tid - three times a day
TKO - to keep open
TMJ - Temporo mandibular joint
TP A - Tissue plasminogen activator
TPN - Total parenteral nutrition
TPR - Temperature, pulse, respirations
trach - trachealltracheostomy
TSH - thyroid-stimulating hormone
tsp - Teaspoon
Tx - treatment
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[Un]
UA - Urinalysis
UGI - upper gastrointestinal
ung - Ointment
URI - Upper respiratory infection
US - ultrasound
USPHS - United States Public Health Service
UTI - Urinary tract infection
UTL - unable to locate
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Medical Abbreviations
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[Vv]
VD - venereal disease
VDRL - Veneral Disease Research Laboratory (test for syphilis)
vent - ventilator
V -fib - ventricular fibrillation
VS - Vital signs
VSD - Ventricular septal defect
VTN -tach - ventricular tachycardia
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[Ww]
W&D - warm and dry
WBC - White blood cell
WHO - World Health Organization
WNL - within normal limits
wt - weight
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[Xx]
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Medical Abbreviations
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[Yy]
Y10 - year old
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[Zz]
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Note:
* Abbreviations should have a line above them.
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3117/2009