List of medical abbreviations

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of medical acronyms and abbreviations.

Contents: Top - 09 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

09

# Fracture
#NOF Fracture to the neck of the femur
x/12 x number of months
x/40 x number of weeks of pregnancy
x/52 x number of weeks
x/7 x number of days
5-HT Serotonin 5-Hydroxytryptamine
Psychiatry

A&Ox3 Alert and Oriented to person, place, and time

A&Ox4 Alert and Oriented to person, place, time, and circumstances (often used interchangeably with A&Ox3)
AAA Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Ab Antibody
ABC aspiration biopsy cytology
ABCD "Assymetry, borders, color, diameter" Is it a Melanoma?
ABD or abd abdomen
ABG Arterial blood gases
ABMT Autologous bone marrow transplantation
ABPI Ankle brachial pressure index
ABVD doxorubicin bleomycin vinblastine dacarbazine First-line treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma.
ABX antibiotics "Bugjuice"
a.c. before food, from Latin, ante cibum
ACE Angiotensin converting enzyme
ACEI Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
ACh Acetylcholine
ACL Anterior cruciate ligament
ACLS Advanced cardiac life support
ACTH Adrenocorticotropic hormone
AD Alzheimer's Disease
ADA Adenosine deaminase
ADC AIDS dementia complex
ADD Attention Deficit Disorder
ADH Antidiuretic hormone
ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADL activities of daily living
ad lib as desired from Latin, ad libitum
adm admission
ADR Adverse drug reaction
ADR Ain't doin' right
AEM Ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring
AF atrial fibrillation
AF Amniotic fluid
AFB acid fast bacilli
AFO ankle-foot orthosis
AFP Alpha-fetoprotein
Ag Antigen
AGMI Ain't Gonna Make It
AHF Antihemophilic factor
AHG Antihemophilic globulin
AHH aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase
AI Artificial insemination

AI Aortic insufficiency
AICD Automatic implanted cardiac defibrillator
AID Artificial insemination by donor
AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
AIH artificial insemination by husband
aka also known as
AKA Above knee amputation
ALG Antilymphocytic globulin
ALL Acute lymphocytic leukemia
ALP Alkaline phosphatase
ALPS Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome
ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
ALS Advanced Life Support
ALT Alanine transferase
AMA Anti-mitochondrial Antibodies
AMC Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita
AMI Acute myocardial infarction
AML Acute myelocytic leukemia
AMP Adenosine monophosphate
AMS Acute mountain sickness
AMS atypical measles syndrome
ANA Anti-nuclear antibody
ANCA Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies
ANF Atrial natriuretic factor
ANP Atrial natriuretic peptide
ANS Autonomic nervous system
ANUG Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
AP Alkaline phosphatase
APAP acetaminophen, paracetamol; from the chemical name N-acetyl-para-aminophenol
APD adult polycystic disease
APECED autoimmune polyendocrinopathy
APH Antepartum haemorrhage
APLS antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
APSAC Anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex
APS autoimmune polyglandular syndrome
aPTT Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time
AQR Ain't Quite Right
AR Aortic Regurgitation
ARC AIDS related complex
ARDS Acute respiratory distress syndrome
ARF Acute renal failure
Arg Arginine
ART antiretroviral therapy
ARM Artificial rupture of membranes
ASA Acetylsalicylic acid - commonly known as aspirin
AS Aortic stenosis
ASCAD arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease
ASD Atrial septal defect
ASGUS Atypical squamous glandular cells of undetermined significance
ASCUS Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance
ASL American sign language
ASO Antistreptolysin O
ASOT Antistreptolysin O titre
AST Aspartate transaminase
ASX Asymptomatic
ATCC American Type Culture Collection
ATG Antithymic globulin
AT-III Antithrombin III
ATP acute thrombocytopenic purpura
ATP adenosine triphosphate
ATP Anti-tachycardia pacing
AVM Arteriovenous malformation
AVR Aortic valve replacement
AZT azidothymidine

BA barium
BAL Bronchoalveolar lavage
BAL British anti-Lewisite
BAL Blood Alcohol Level
BAO Basic acid output)
BAT Brown adipose tissue
BCG Bacille Calmette-Guerin (a tuberculosis vaccination)
BBMF "Bone break, me fix" Orthopedic consent form
b.d. Twice daily, from Latin, bis die
b.i.d. Twice daily, from Latin, bis in die
BE Base excess
BIBA brought in by ambulance
BFB Big F*cking Baby =difficult whiney patient
BK Bacterium Koch
bl cult [blood culture]
bld [blood]
BLS Basic Lifting service
BMC Bone mass content
BMD Bone mineral density (also termed bone mass measurement)
BMI Body mass index
BMP Blood Metabolic Profile
BMR Basal metabolic rate
BMT Bone marrow transplantation
BNF British National Formulary
BNP Brain natriuretic peptide
BOHICA Bend Over, Here It Comes Again
BOI Born on island, ie. a local patient.
BP Blood pressure
BP Bipolar disorder
BPD Bi-Parietal Diameter
BPD Borderline personality disorder
BPH Benign prostatic hyperplasia
BPM Beats per minute
BPPV Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
BS Breath or Bowel sounds on asculation with stethescope
BSE Bovine spongiform encephalopathy
BSE Breast self-examination
BSP Bromsulphthalein
BUN Blood urea nitrogen
BV Bacterial vaginosis
Bx Biopsy

(c with a bar over it) with from Latin, cum

CABG Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery. Pronounced "Cabbage".
CAD Coronary artery disease
cAMP cyclic adenosine monophosphate
CA Carcinoma
Ca Calcium
CADASIL Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy
CAH Chronic Active Hepatitis
CAH Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
CAT computed axial tomography
CAPD Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
CBC Complete Blood Count
CC Cubic centimenter, or Chief Complaint
CCF Congestive cardiac failure
CCK Cholecystokinin
CEA Carcinoembryonic antigen
CF Cystic fibrosis
cGMP Cyclic guanosine monophosphate
ChE Cholinesterase
CHD Coronary heart disease
CHE Cholinesterase
CHF Congestive heart failure

CI Confidence interval
CJD Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
CK Creatine kinase
CLL Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
CML Chronic myelogenous leukemia also called Chronic myeloid leukaemia
CMML Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
CMS Chronic mountain sickness
CMV Cytomegalovirus
COAD Chronic obstructive airways disease
COLD Chronic obstructive lung disease
COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CO Cardiac output
CO Carbon monoxide
COX-1 Cyclooxygenase 1
COX-2 Cyclooxygenase 2
CP cerebral palsy
CPAP Continuous positive airway pressure
CPK Creatine phosphokinase
CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CREST Calcinosis Raynaud Esophagus Sclerosis Teleangiectasiae
CRF Chronic renal failure
CRF Corticotropin-releasing factor
CRH Corticotropin-releasing hormone
CRI Chronic renal insufficiency
CRP C-reactive protein
CR Complete remission
CS Caesarean section
CsA Ciclosporin A
CSF Cerebrospinal fluid
CT computed axial tomography
CVA Cerebrovascular accident
CVD Cardiovascular disease
CVP Central venous pressure
CVS Chorionic villus sampling
CVID Common variable immunodeficiency
Cx Microbiological culture
CXR Chest X-ray

DBP Diastolic blood pressure

D&C Dilatation and curettage operation
DCM Dilated cardiomyopathy
DDD Daily Defined Doses
DDx Differential diagnosis
DHEA-S Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate
DHE Dihydoergotamine
DIB Dead in Bed
DIC Disseminated intravascular coagulation
DIP Distal interphalangeal joint
DPT Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus
DiPerTe Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus
DiTe Diphtheria Tetanus
DM Diabetes Mellitus
DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNR Do Not Resuscitate
DNAR Do Not Attempt Resusciatation
DOA Dead on arrival
DOE Dyspnea on exertion
DOSS Docusate sodium; from the chemical name dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate
DT Diphtheria Tetanus
DTP Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis
DUB Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
DVR Darth Vader Respirations (Agonal breathing)
DVT Deep vein thrombosis
DWO Death warmed over

DEXA Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry

Dx Diagnosis
D&C Dilation & Curettage or Dilatation & Curettage Jargon: "Dustin' and Cleanin'", "Doughnuts and coffee"

E Erythrocytes
EACA Epsilon-aminocaproic acid
EBM Evidence-based medicine
EBM Expressed Breast Milk
EC Enterically Coated
ECG Electrocardiogram
ED Emergency department
ED Erectile Disfunction
ED Ectodermal dysplasia
EDD Estimated Date of Delivery (at 40/40 weeks of pregnancy)
EDD Estimated date of discharge
EDRF Endothelium-derived relaxing factor aka Nitric oxide
EEG Electroencephalogram
EF Ejection Fraction
EGF Epidermal Growth Factor
EKG Electrocardiogram
EMLSCS Emergency Lower Segment Caesarian Section
ELLSCS Elective Lower Segment Caesarian Section
ELISA Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
EMC Encephalomyocarditis
EMD Early Morning Discovery ("Woke up Dead")
EMF Endomyocardial fibrosis
EMG Electromyography
ENT Ear Nose and Throat. (Otolaryngology)
EENT eyes, ears, nose, throat
EPH Edema Proteinuria Hypertension
EPO Erythropoietin
ERCP Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
ESL Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (also ESWL) - see lithotriptor
ESAD "Every Sock Air Dries" (an caution against overtreating patients)
ESR Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
ESWL Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (also ESL) - see lithotriptor
ET Endothelin
ETT Endotracheal tube
ETOH ethanol or ethyl alcohol
EUS Endoscopic Ultrasonography

FBC Full blood count

FBE Full blood exam
F/C Fevers or Chills
FDP Fibrinogen Degradation Products
FEV1 Forced Expiratory Volume 1-second
Fe Iron
FF free fluids (non-thickened fluids)
FFA Free fatty acids
FFFFFFFS "Fat, forty, flatulent female with frothy, floating, feculant stools" =Gall stones
FFP Fresh frozen plasma
FHR Fetal heart rate
FHT Fetal heart tones
FIBD Found in Bed Dead
FLK Funny Loooking Kid (Might be a syndrome}
FNC Full nursing care
FOF Found on Floor (Patient fell out of bed)
FPG Fasting plasma glucose
FSE Fetal Scalp Electrode
FSH Follicle stimulating hormone
FTA-ABS Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption

FTA Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody

FTD Fixin' to Die (Also see CC)
FUAB Found Under a Bridge (might need social worker consult)
FUBAR Fouled up beyond repair
FUAR Found Under A Rock (definitely needs a social worker)
FWB Full weight bearing
FWD Full ward diet

G Gravida (total number of pregancies, successful or not)

G6PD Glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase
GA General anaesthesia
GABA gamma-aminobutyric acid
GCA Giant cell arteritis
GCS Glasgow Coma Scale
GDLH Glutamate dehydrogenase
GERD Gastro-esophageal reflux disease
GFR Glomerular filtrate rate
GGTP Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase
GH Growth hormone
GH "Gyn Hog" =morbidly obese patient on gynecology service (jargon). Requires special care.
GHRF Growth hormone releasing factor
GITS Gastrointestinal therapeutic system
GIFT Gamete intrafallopian transfer
GOA Gone on Arrival (i.e., DOA)
GOK God only knows
GORK God Only Really Knows. Typically used to describe an obtunded patient ("Mr Johnson was really Gorked after
his closed head injury, but he came around quickly.")
GORD Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
GOT glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase
GPT glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
GSW Gun-shot wound see HVLT
GTN Glyceryl trinitrate
GU Genitourinary
GUM Genitourinary medicine (often used more restrictively as alternative to Sexually-transmitted disease clinic)
GvH Graft-versus-host
GvHD Graft-versus-host disease

HA Hypertonia arterialis
HAD HIV-associated dementia
H/A headache
H&E Hematoxlyn and Eosin Standard tissue stain. Sometimes used as noun referring to stained slides--"H&E's
showed..."
HAV Hepatitis A virus
Hb Hemoglobin
HBV Hepatitis B virus
HCG Human chorionic gonadotropin
HCM Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
HCT Hematocrit
HCT Hydrochlorothiazide
HCV Hepatitis C virus
HDL High density lipoprotein
HDL-C High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
HDU High dependency unit
HDV Hepatitis D virus
HEV Hepatitis E virus
HGB Hemoglobin
HGD He's Gonna Die
HH Hiatus hernia
H&H Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
Hib Haemophilus influenzae B
HIV Human immunodeficiency virus

HL Hepatic lipase
HLA Human leukocyte antigens
H&M Hematemesis and Malena
HMO Heave Mom Out (Sometimes seen on pediatric wards)
HOCM Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
H&P history & physical
HPI history of present illness
HR Heart rate
HRT Hormone replacement therapy
H.S. At bedtime, hora somni.
HSG Hysterosalpingogram
HSV Herpes simplex virus
HT Hypertension
HTLV Human T-lymphotropic virus
HTN Hypertension
HUS Hemolytic uremic syndrome
HVLT High-velocity Lead Therapy, also see GSW
Hx history

I radioactive iodine
IA Intra-arterial
IABP Intra-aortic balloon pump
IAI Intra-amniotic infection
IC Intracardiac
ICD Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
ICD-10 International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision
ICH Intracerebral hemorrhage
ICP Intracranial pressure
ICU Intensive care unit
I & D Incision and drainage (How to treat an abcess}
IDC Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy
IDC Indwelling catheter
IDDM Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
IDL Intermediate density lipoprotein
IFG Impaired fasting glycaemia
Ig Immunoglobulin
IGT Impaired glucose tolerance
IHD Ischaemic heart disease
i.m. intramuscular
IMB Intermenstrual bleed (bleeding between periods)
IMI Intramuscular injection
INF Interferon
INR International normalized ratio
I&O inputs and outputs
IOL Intraocular lens
IOP Intraocular pressure
IP Interphalangeal joint
IPPV Intermittent positive pressure ventilation
IQ Intelligence Quotient
ISA Intrinsic Sympathomimetic Activity
ISDN Isosorbide dinitrate
ISH Isolated systolic hypertension
ISMN Isosorbide mononitrate
i.s.q. no change from Latin, in status quo
IT Intrathecal
ITP Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
ITU Intensive Treatment Unit (or Intensive Therapy Unit)
IUCD intrauterine contraceptive device
IU International units
IUD Intrauterine Death
IUD intrauterine device
IUI Intrauterine insemination
IUS intrauterine system
i.v. Intravenous

IV-DSA Intravenous digital subtraction angiography

IVDU Intravenous drug user
IVF In vitro fertilization
IVP Intravenous pyelogram

JMS "Junior Medical Student" AKA "MS-3" Also see "TOBASH"

JVD Jugular vein distension

K Potassium (in German, Kalium)

Kcal Kilocalorie, Calorie
kg Kilogram
KUB [kidney, ureter, bladder (x-ray)]

LAD Left Anterior Descending coronary artery

LAP Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase
LAR Low Anterior Resection
LAS Lymphadenopathy syndrome
LBBB Left bundle branch block
LCM Lymphocytic meningitis
LDH Lactate dehydrogenase
LDL Low density lipoprotein
LDL-C Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
L-DOPA DihydrOxyPhenylAlanine
LES Lower esophageal sphincter
LES Lupus erythematosus systemicus
LE Lupus erythematosus (in German Lupus erythematodes)
leu Leukocytes
LFT Liver function test
LGL Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome
LGM Lymphogranulomatosis maligna
LGV Lymphogranuloma venereum
LH Luteinizing hormone
L Leukocytes
LIH left inguinal hernia
LLL left lower lobe
LLQ left lower quadrant
LM Left Main
LMC Low Marble Count
LMP Last Menstrual period (prior to pregnancy and in woman with regular 28 day cycle taken as 0/40 weeks of
pregnancy)
LOL Little old Lady
LOL-NAD Little old Lady in No Apparent Distress
LOS Length of stay
Lp Lipoprotein
LP Lumbar puncture
LPL Lipoprotein lipase
LUL Left upper lobe
LUQ Left upper quadrant
LVEDP Left ventricular end diastolic pressure
LVEF Left ventricular ejection fraction
LVF Left ventricular failure
LVH Left ventricular hypertrophy
LV Left ventricle
LVOT Left Ventricular Outflow Track
Ly Lymphocytes
lytes electrolytes

MAO-I Monoamine oxidase inhibitor

MARSA Methicillin and aminoglycoside resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MAS Morgani-Adams-Stokes
MC Metacarpal bone
MCP Metacarpophalangeal joint
MCHC Mean cell hemoglobin concentration
MCH Mean cell hemoglobin
MCV Mean cell volume
MDS Myelodysplastic syndrome
Mg Magnesium
MGUS Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (unknown or uncertain may be substituted for
undertermined)
MI Myocardial infarction
MIC Morbus Ischaemicus Cordis
MIC Minimal inhibitory concentration
MLA Myelosis Leucemica Acuta
MM Myeloma multiplex
mod [moderate]
MODY Maturity onset diabetes of the young
Mo Monocytes
MOM [milk of magnesia]
MOPP Mechlorethamine, Vincristine, Procarbazine, and Prednisone in combination, older treatment for Hodgkins
lymphoma.
MPV Mean platelet volume
MRA Magnetic resonance angiogram or angiogrphy
MRI Magnetic resonance imaging
MR Mitral regurgitation
MR Modified release
MRSA Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MSH Melanocyte stimulating hormone
MS Mitral stenosis
MS Multiple sclerosis
MS Medical student MS-1, MS-2, MS-3, MS-4 respectively
MT Metatarsal bone
MTP Metatarsalphalangeal joint
MTX Methotrexate
MVP Mitral valve prolapse
MVPS Mitral valve prolapse syndrome

Na Sodium (in German Natrium)

NAD No abnormality detected, the absence of abnormal signs on examination (generally a poor term to use as fails
to specify what was specifically sought for and may later suggest that a detailed examination was Not actually done). See
WDL.
NAD No apparent distress.
Ne Neutrophil granulocytes
Neo Neoplasm
NGU Non-gonococcal urethritis
NHL Non Hodgkin Lymphoma
NIDDM Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
NK Natural killer cells
NKA no known allergies
NKDA no known drug allergies
NMR Nuclear magnetic resonance
NNH Number needed to harm
NNT Number needed to treat
NO Nitric oxide
NOF Neck of Femur Fracture (refers to Hip fracture)
NOS Nitric oxide synthase
Npl Neoplasm
NPO nil per os (nothing by mouth)
NREM non-Rapid Eye Movement
n.s. not significant
NSAID Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
NSE Neurospecific enolase

NSR normal sinus rhythm

NSU Non-specific urethritis
NTG Nitroglycerin
N & V nausea & vomiting
NVD nausea, vomiting & diarrhea
NVD normal vaginal delivery

OA osteoarthritis
OB-GYN Obstetrics and gynaecology
OCD Obsessive-compulsive disorder
OD right eye (Latin oculus dexter)
OD overdose
O/E on examination
OGTT Oral glucose tolerance test
OP outpatient department
ORTA Orthopedic resident training apparatus = Motorcycle
OS left eye (Latin oculus sinister)
OS Orthopedic surgery "Twice as strong as an ox, half as smart".
OSA Obstructive Sleep Apnea
OSH outside hospital
OTC Over the counter
OTD Out the Door (discharged)

P Pulse
P Parturition (total number of live births)
P Phosphorus
p.c. After food, from Latin, post cibum
p.o. By mouth, from Latin, per os
PAF Platelet activating factor
PAF Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
PAH Pulmonary arterial hypertension
PAI-1 Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1
PAO Peak Acid Output
PAP Papanicolaou stain
PA posterior-anterior
PA Pulmonary artery
Pap Papanicolaou Test (pap smear)
PAT Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
p.c. [after meals]
PCOS Polycystic ovarian syndrome
PCP Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (formerly Pneumocystis carinii)
PCP Primary Care Physician/Primary Care Provider
PCR Polymerase chain reaction
PDA Patent ductus arteriosus
PDE Phosphodiesterase
PDT Photodynamic Therapy
PEEP Positive end expiratory pressure
PEFR Peak expiratory flow rate
PEF Peak expiratory flow
PERLA Pupils Equal and Reactive to Light and Accomodation
PET Positron-emission tomography
PFO Patent foramen ovale
PID Pelvic inflammatory disease Jargon-- "Pus in Dere"
PIP Proximal interphalangeal joint
PIH Pregnancy induced hypertension
PKA Protein kinase A
PKU Phenylketonuria
PLT platelets
PMB Post-menopausal bleeding (bleeding after menopause)
PMH [past medical history] or Perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage
PMR Percutaneous Myocardial Revascularisation

PMR Polymyalgia Rheumatica

p.o. orally from Latin, per os
POX Peroxidase
PPH Post partum haemorrhage
PPP Piss Poor Protoplasm
PPRS Pharmaceutical Price Regulatory Scheme
p.r. per rectum (as noun: rectal examination
PRA Plasma renin activity
p.r.n. or PRN [as often as necessary]
PRIND Prolonged Reversible Ischemic Neurologic Deficit
prn as necessary (from Latin pro re nata)
PSA Prostatic specific antigen
PSP Phenylsulphtalein
PTM Pulmonary Tuberculosis
PROM Premature Rupture of Membranes
PTA Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty
PTCA Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
PT Prothrombin time
PTH Parathyroid hormone
PTT Partial thromboplastin time
PUD peptic ulcer disease
PUVA Psoralen UV A
p.v. per vagina (as noun: vaginal examination with manual examination and speculum inspection)
PVD peripheral vascular disease
PVR Pulmonary vascular resistance
Px, px physical examination
Px Prognosis
PWP Pulmonary Wedge Pressure

q each, every, from Latin, quaque

q.d. each day, from Latin, quaque die
q.d.s. four times each day, from Latin, quater die sumendus
q.i.d. four times each day, from Latin, quater in die
QID Queen in distress, also see BFB
q.o.d. every other day

RA Refractory anaemia
RA Rheumatoid arthritis
RAI Radioactive Iodine
RBBB Right bundle branch block
RBC Red blood cells
RCA Right coronary artery
RCT Randomized controlled trial
REM Rapid eye movement
RF Rheumatoid factor
RFLP Restriction fragment length polymorphism
RFT Renal function test
Rh Rhesus factor
RhF Rheumatoid factor
RIA Radioimmune assay
RIBA Radioimmunoblotting assay
RIND Reversible ischemic neurologic deficit
RLQ Right lower quadrant
RNA Ribonucleic acid
RNV Radionuclear Ventriculography
ROM Range of motion
RR Respiratory rate
ROS Review of systems
RUQ Right upper quadrant
RPR Rapid Plasma Reagin test
RSV Respiratory Syncytial Virus

RV Residual volume
RV Right ventricle
RVF Right ventricular failure
RVSP Right ventricular systolic pressure
Rx medical prescription or Prescription drug

s (with a bar over it) without from Middle English sans, borrowed from Old French sans
SAH Subarachnoid hemorrhage
SARS Severe acute respiratory syndrome
SAS Sick as Sh!t
SBE Subacute bacterial endocarditis
SBP Systolic blood pressure
SBP spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
SCC Squamous cell carciona
SCID Severe combined immunodeficiency
s.c subcutaneous from Latin, subcutis
SD Standard deviation
SGA Small for gestational age
SGOT Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase
SGPT Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase
SH Social history (personal habits, living situation, job)
SHBG Sex Hormone Binding Globuline
SI International System of Units
SIADH Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
SIDS Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
SIMV Synchronized Intermittent Mechanical Ventilation
SK Streptokinase
SLE Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
SM Latin Sclerosis multiplex - Multiple sclerosis
SMA Sequential Multiple Analysis
SMA-7 Serum Metabolic Assay
SMS Senior medical student
SNP Sodium Nitroprusside
SOAP Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan (How Doctor's notes are organized)
SOB Shortness of breath
SOS Save Our Souls, meaning "in case of emergency"
SP Status post
SPET Single photon emission tomography
SR Slow Release
SROM Spontaneous rupture of membranes
SSRI Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
SSSS Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome
SSS Sick Sinus Syndrome
STD Sexually transmitted disease
STI Sexually transmitted infection
STH Somatotropic hormone
Subq Subcutaneous
SVD Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery
SVR Systemic vascular resistance
SVT Supraventricular tachycardia
SWW Sick, Wet, Whiney
Sx Symptoms
SXA Single energy X-ray absorptiometer
SXR skull x-ray
SVI Systemic Viral Infection

T & A tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy

TAH Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
TAH-BSO Total Abdominal Hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy
TBC tuberculosis
TBC Total body crunch

TB tuberculosis
Td Tetanus and Diphtheria
TdP Torsades de pointes
TBI Total body irradiation
t.d.s. Three times a day, from Latin, ter die sumendus
TEE Transesophageal echocardiogram
TENS Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulaton
TERN "Intern", also see TOBASH
TFTs Thyroid function tests
TGA Transposition of the great arteries
TG Triglycerides
Tg Thyroglobulin
THR Total hip replacement
TIA Transient ischemic attack
TIBC Total iron binding capacity
t.i.d. Three times a day, from Latin, ter in die
TIPS transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
TKR Total knee replacement
TKVO to keep vein open
TLC Total lung capacity
TMB "Too Many Birthdays" Very frail elderly patient
TMS Tension myositis syndrome
TNF Tumor necrosis factor
TNM Tumor-Nodes-Metastases
TOBASH Take Out Back and Shoot in Head
TOE Transoesophageal echocardiogram
tPA Tissue plasminogen activator
TPN Total parenteral nutrition
TS Tricuspid regurgitation
TRF Transfer (pronounced "turf")
TRF'd Transfered (Pronounced "turfed", as in "We just turfed Mrs Johnson OTD")
TRH Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone
TS Tricuspid stenosis
TSH Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
TT thrombin time
TTE Transthoracic echocardiogram
TTP Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
TTS Transdermal therapeutic system
Tu Tumor
TUR Transurethral resection
TURP Trans-urethral prostatectomy
Tx Transplant
Tx treatment

UBT Urea Breath Test

U & E urea and electrolytes (sodium and potassium) blood test, often including creatinine
URI Upper Respiratory Infection
URTI Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
US Ultrasound
USG Ultrasonography
USR Unheated Serum Reagin
USS Ultrasound scan
UTI Urinary Tract Infection
UVAL Ultraviolet Argon Laser

VA visual acuity
VAD vincristine adriblastine dexamethasone
VAMP vincristine adriblastine methylprednisone
V-BAC Vaginal Birth After Caesarian
VC Vital capacity
vCJD Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

VD Vaginal Delivery
VDRL Venereal Diseases Research Laboratory (old test for syphilis}
VEB Ventricular ectopic beat
VRE Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci
VF Ventricular fibrillation
VIP Vasoactive intestinal peptide
VLDL Very low density lipoprotein
VMA Vanillylmandelic acid
VOD Volume of distribution
VPA Valproic acid
VSD Ventricular septal defect
VT Ventricular tachycardia

WAT White adipose tissue

WBC White blood cells
WDWN Well developed, well Nourished
WNL Within Normal Limits
WPW ; Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
WWI Walking While Intoxicated

x times/for

ZIFT Zygote intrafallopian transfer

Y
Z

Latin abbreviations
Some of the following list are considered non-standardized abbreviations because their meanings could be easily misunderstood.
The Latin origin of the abbreviations is given in italics.

a.c. Before food, ante cibum.

a.d. Right ear, auris dexter.
ad. Freely as wanted, ad libitum.
a.l. Left ear, aurix laevus.
alt. die Every other day, alternus die.
alt. h. Every other hour, alternus horis.
a.m. Morning, ante meridiem.
a.n. Before the night, ante noctum.
aq. Water, aqua.
a.s. Left ear, auris sinister.
a.u. Each ear, auris utro.
aurist. Ear drops, auristillae.
b.d. Twice a day, bis die.
b.i.d. Twice a day, bis in die.
gtt. Drop, gutta.
h. Hour hora.
h.s. At bedtime, hora somni.
i.d. during the day.
i.d. the same, idem.
I.D. Infectious Disease.
i.d. intradermal, between the layers of the skin.
mane In the morning, mane
narist. Nasal drops, naristillae
Nocte At night, nocte.

o.c. Eye ointment, oculentum.

o.d. Daily, omni die.
o.d. Right eye, oculus dexter.
o.l. Left eye, oculus laevus.
o.m. In the morning, omni mane.
o.n. At night, omni nocte.
o.s. Left eye, oculus sinister.
o.u. Each eye, oculus utro.
p.c. After food, post cibum.
p.m. Afternoon, post meridiem.
p.o. Orally, per os.
p.r. Rectally, per rectum.
p.r.n. As occasion requires (as needed), pro re nata.
p.v. Vaginally, per vaginum.
q. every, quaque.
q.2.h. Every two hours, quaque 2 hora.
q.4.h. Every four hours, quaque 4 hora.
q.6.h. Every six hours, quaque 6 hora.
q.8.h. Every eight hours, quaque 8 hora.
q.d. Every day, quaque die.
q.d.s. Four times a day, quater die sumendus.
q.h. Every hour, hourly. quaque hora.
q.i.d. Four times a day, quater in die.
q.q.h. Every four hours, quarta quaque hora.
q.s. A sufficient quantity; quantum sufficiat.
s.i.d. Once a day, semel in die.
Sig. or S. Write on the label, signa.
SL. Sublingual, under the tongue, sub linguam
Stat. Immediately, with no delay, statim.
t.d.s. Three times a day, ter die sumendus.
t.i.d. Three times a day, ter in die.
top. Topically, applied to the skin.
ut dict. or u.d. As directed, ut dictum.
ung. Ointment, unguentum.

See also

Acronym
List of abbreviations for medical organisations and personnel
Medical Prefixes, Suffixes, and Combining Forms

External links

Medical abbreviations on All Acronyms (http://www.all-acronyms.com/?g=7)

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_medical_abbreviations"

Categories: Medical terms | Medical lists | Lists of abbreviations

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