A- Medical abbreviations  Bibasilar: At the bases of both lungs.

For example, someone with a pneumonia in both

lungs might have abnormal bibasilar breath sounds.
 a.c.: before meals. As in taking a medicine before meals.
 BKA: Below the knee amputation
 a/g: Albumin to globulin ratio
 BMP: Basic metabolic panel. Electrolytes (potassium, sodium, carbon dioxide, and
 ACL: Anterior cruciate ligament. ACL injuries are one of the most common ligament chloride) and creatinine and glucose.
injuries to the knee. The ACL can be sprained or completely torn from trauma IQ and/or
degeneration.  BP: Blood pressure. Blood pressure is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is
one of the “vital signs”
 Ad lib: At liberty. For example, a patient may be permitted to move out of bed freely and
orders would, therefore, be for activities to be ad lib. C- Medical abbreviations

 AFR: Acute renal failure IQ  C&S: Culture and sensitivity, performed to detect infection.

 ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder  C/O: Complaint of. The patient’s expressed concern

 ADR: Adverse drug reaction. If a patient is taking a prescription drug to treat high blood  Ca: Cancer; carcinoma. For example, a patient who undergoing treatment for cancer
pressure disease. should assure that they are eating and drinking enough fluids daily, both during and after
treatment.
 AIDS: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
 CABG: Coronary artery bypass graft. A surgery involving the heart.
 AKA: Above the knee amputation
 CBC: Complete blood count
 Anuric: Not producing urine. A person who is anuric is often critical and may require
dialysis.  CC: Chief complaint. The patient’s main concern

 ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of  CDE: Complete dental (oral) evaluation.
disease.
 cc: Cubic centimeters. For example, the amount of fluid removed from the body is recorded
 ADH: Antidiuretic hormone. in ccs.

 ARDS: Acute respiratory distress syndrome.  Chem panel: Chemistry panel. A comprehensive screening blood test that indicates the
status of the liver, kidneys, and electrolytes.
 ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
 CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
 Ascvd: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. A form of heart disease.
 COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
B- Medical abbreviations
 CT: Chemotheraphy. A type of treatment therapy for cancer IQ.
 b.i.d.: twice daily. As in taking a medicine twice daily.
 CVA: Cerebrovascular accident (stroke).
 bld: Blood. Blood was visible on the patient
D- Medical abbreviations
 Bandemia: Slang for elevated level of band forms of white blood cells
 D/C OR DC: Discontinue or discharge. For example, a doctor might DC a drug.  GvHD: Graft vs. host disease. It is complicated by the syndromes of acute and chronic
Alternatively, the doctor might DC a patient from the hospital. graft-vs-host disease (GVHD).

 DCIS: Ductal Carcinoma In Situ. A type of breast cancer. The patient is receiving treatment  gtt: Drops
for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ.
H- Medical abbreviations
 DDX: Differential diagnosis. A variety diagnostic possibilities are being considered to
diagnose the type of cancer present in the patient.  H&H: Hemoglobin and hematocrit. When the H & H is low, anemia is present. The H&H can
be elevated in persons who have lung disease from long term smoking or from disease,
 DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis. such aspolycythemia rubra vera.

 DM: Diabetes mellitus.  H&P: History and physical examination.

 DNC, D&C, or D and C: Dilation and curettage. Widening the cervix and scraping with a  h.s.: At bedtime. As in taking a medicine at bedtime.
curette for the purpose of removing tissue lining the inner surface of the womb (uterus).
 H/O or h/o: History of. A past event that occurred.
 DNR: Do not resuscitate. This is a specific order not to revive a patient artificially if they
succumb to illness. If a patient is given a DNR order, they are near death and no code blue  HA: Headache.
is called.
 HRT: Hormone replacement or hormone replacement therapy.
 DOE: Dyspnea on exertion. Shortness of breath with activity.
 HTN: Hypertension.
 DTR: Deep tendon reflexes. These are reflexes that the doctor test by banging on the
I- Medical Abbreviations
tendons with a rubber hammer.
 I&D: Incision and drainage.
 DVT: Deep venous thrombosis (blood clot in large vein)
 IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI)
E- Medical abbreviation
tract, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
 ETOH: Alcohol. ETOH intake history is often recorded as part of a patient history.
 ICD: Implantable cardioverter
 ECT: Electroconclusive therapy. A procedure used to control seizures (convulsions).
defribrillator
F- Medical abbreviation
 ICU: Intensive care unit. The patient was moved to the intensive care unit.
 FX: Fracture
 IM: Intramuscular. This is a typical notation when noting or ordering an injection (shot)
G- Medical abbreviations given into muscle, such as with B12 for pernicious anemia.

 g: gram, a unit of weight. The cream is available in both 30 and 60 gram tubes.  IMP: Impression. This is the summary conclusion of the patient's condition by the
healthcare professional at that particular date and time.
 GOMER: Slang for “get out of my emergency room.”
 ITU: Intensive therapy unit

 in vitro: In the laboratory

 in vivo: In the body  Na: Sodium. An essential electrolyte frequently monitored regularly in intensive care.

 IPF: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. A type of lung disease.  NCP: Nursing care plan

 IU: International units.  npo: Nothing by mouth. For example, if a patient was about to undergo a surgical
operation requiring general anesthesia, they may be required to avoid food or beverage
J- Medical abbreviations prior to the procedure.

 JT: Joint.  NSR: Normal sinus rhythm of the heart

K- Medical abbreviations O- Medical abbreviation

 K: Potassium. An essential electrolyte frequently monitored regularly in intensive care.  O&P: Ova and parasites. Stool O & P is tested in the laboratory to detect parasitic infection
in persons with chronic diarrhea.
 KCL: Potassium chloride.
 O.D.: Right eye.
L- Medical abbreviations
 O.S.: Left eye.
 LCIS: Lobular Carcinoma In Situ. A type of cancer of the breast. The patient is receiving
treatment for Lobular Carcinoma In Situ.  O.U.: Both eyes.

 LBP: Low back pain. LBP is one of most common medical complaints.  ORIF: Open reduction and internal fixation, such as with the orthopedic repair of a hip
fracture.
 LLQ: Left lower quadrant. Diverticulitis pain is often in the LLQ of the abdomen.
P- Medical abbreviations
 LUQ: Left upper quadrant. The spleen is located in the LUQ of the abdomen.
 P: Pulse. Pulse is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
 Lytes: Electrolytes (potassium, sodium, carbon dioxide, and chloride).
 p¯: After meals. As in take two tablets after meals.
M- Medical Abbreviations
 p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
 MCL: Medial collateral ligament.
 p.r.n.: As needed. So that it is not always done, but done only when the situation calls for it
 mg: Milligrams.
(or example, taking a pain medication only when having pain and not without pain).
 M/H: Medical history
 PCL: Posterior cruciate ligament.
 ml: Milliliters.
 PD: Progressive disease. Patients at risk of developing progressive disease of the kidneys
 MVP: Mitral valve prolapse. include those with proteinuria or hematuria.
PERRLA: Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation.
N- Medical abbreviations PFT: Pulmonary function test. A test to evaluate the how well the lungs are functioning.

 N/V: Nausea or vomiting.  PERRLA: Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation.
 Plt: Platelets, one of the blood forming elements along with the white and red blood cells.  RLQ: Right lower quadrant. The appendix is located in the RLQ of the abdomen.

 PMI: Point of maximum impulse of the heart when felt during examination, as in beats  ROS: Review of systems. An overall review concerns relating to the organ systems, such as
against the chest. the respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurologic systems.

 PMS: Premenstrual syndrome  RUQ: Right upper quadrant. The liver is located in the RUQ of the abdomen.

 PT: Physical therapy

 PTH: Parathyroid hormone

 PTSD: Post-traumatic stress syndrome

 PUD: Peptic ulcer disease. A type of ulcer of the stomach.

Q- Medical abbreviations

 q.d.: Each day. As in taking a medicine daily.

 q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.

 q2h: Every 2 hours. As in taking a medicine every 2 hours.

 q3h: Every 3 hours. As in taking a medicine every 3 hours.

 qAM: Each morning. As in taking a medicine each morning.

 qhs: At each bedtime. As in taking a medicine each bedtime.

 qod: Every other day. As in taking a medicine every other day.

 qPM: Each evening. As in taking a medicine each evening.

R- Medical abbreviations

 RA: Rheumatoid arthritis. A type of joint disease.

 RDS: Respiratory distress syndrome

 R/O: Rule out. Doctors frequently will rule out various possible diagnoses when figuring
out the correct diagnosis.

 REB: Rebound, as in rebound tenderness of the abdomen when pushed in and then
released.