Medical Abbreviations AML acute myelogenous leukemia

AAA abdominal aortic aneurysm ANA antinuclear antibody

A-a gradient alveolar to arterial gradient ANS autonomic nervous system

AAD antibiotic-associated diarrhea AOB alcohol on breath

AAO alert, awake, and oriented AODM adult onset diabetes mellitus

A&O alert & oriented AP anteroposterior or abdominal - perineal

AAS acute abdominal series ARDS acute respiratory distress syndrome

ABD abdomen ARF acute renal failure

ABG arterial blood gas AS aortic stenosis

AC before eating ASAP as soon as possible                     

ACLS advanced cardiac life support ASCVD atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone ASD atrial septal defect

ADH anti-diuretic hormone ASHD atherosclerotic heart disease

ADR adverse drug reaction. | acute dystonic AV atrioventricular

reaction
A-V arteriovenous
ad lib as much as needed
A-VO2 arteriovenous oxygen
AED antiepileptic drug
BBB bundle branch block
AF atrial fibrillation or afebrile
BCAA branched chain amino acids
AFB acid-fast bacilli
BE barium enema
AFP alpha-fetoprotein
BEE basal energy expenditure
A /G albumin/globulin ratio
bid twice a day
AI aortic insufficiency
BKA below the knee amputation
AKA  above the knee amputation
BM bone marrow or bowel movement
ALD alcoholic liver disease
BMR basal metabolic rate
ALL acute lymphocytic leukemia
BOM bilateral otitis media
amb ambulate
BP blood pressure CHO carbohydrate

BPH benign prostatic hypertrophy                     CI cardiac index

BPM beats per minute CML chronic myelogenous leukemia

BRBPR bright red blood per rectum CMV cytomegalovirus

BRP bathroom priviledges CN cranial nerves

BS bowel or breath sounds CNS  central nervous system

BUN blood urea nitrogen CO cardiac output

BW body weight C/O complaining of

BX biopsy COLD chronic obstructive lung disease

c with COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

C&S culture and sensitivity CP chest pain or cerebral palsy

CA cancer CPAP continuous positive airway pressure

Ca calcium CPK creatine phosphokinase

CAA crystalline amino acids CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CABG coronary artery bypass graft CRCL creatinine clearance

CAD coronary artery disease CRF chronic renal failure

CAT computerized axial tomography CRP C-reactive protein

CBC complete blood count CSF cerebrospinal fluid

CBG capillary blood gas CT computerized tomography

CC chief complaint CVA cerebrovascular accident or costovertebral

angle
CCU clean catch urine or cardiac care unit
CVAT CVA tenderness
CCV critical closing volume
CVP central venous pressure
CF cystic fibrosis
CXR chest X-ray
CGL chronic granulocytic leukemia
DAT diet as tolerated
CHF congestive heart failure
DAW dispense as written
DC discontinue or discharge
D&C dilation and curettage
DDx differential diagnosis
D5W 5% dextrose in water
DI diabetes insipidus
DIC disseminated intravascular coagulopathy
DIP distal interphalangeal  joint
DJD degenerative joint disease
DKA diabetic ketoacidosis
dL deciliter
DM diabetes mellitus
DNR  do not resuscitate
DOA dead on arrival
DOE dyspnea on exertion
DPL diagnostic peritoneal lavage
DPT diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus
DTR deep tendon reflexes
DVT deep venous thrombosis
DX diagnosis
EAA essential amino acids
EBL estimated blood loss
ECG electrocardiogram
ECT electroconvulsive therapy
EFAD essential fatty acid deficiency
EMG Electromyogram
EMV eyes, motor, verbal response (Glasgow
coma scale)
ENT ears, nose, and throat
EOM extraocular muscles
ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate
ET endotracheal
ETT endotracheal tube
ERCP endoscopic retrograde cholangio
-pancreatography
ETOH ethanol
EUA examination under anesthesia
FBS fasting blood sugar
FEV forced expiratory volume
FFP fresh frozen plasma
FRC functional residual capacity
FTT failure to thrive
FU follow-up
FUO fever of unknown origin
FVC forced vital capacity
Fx fracture
GC gonorrhea
GETT general by endotracheal tube
GFR glomerular filtration rate
GI gastrointestinal
gr grain;  1 grain = 65mg. Therefore Vgr =
325mg
GSW gun shot wound
gt or gtt drops HTLV-III human lymphotropic virus, type III
(AIDS agent, HIV)
GTT glucose tolerance test
HSV herpes simplex virus
GU genitourinary
HTN hypertension
GXT graded exercise tolerance (Stress test)
Hx history
HA headache
I&D incision and drainage
HAA hepatitis  B surface antigen
I&O intake and output
HAV hepatitis A virus
ICS intercostal space
HBP high blood pressure
ICU intensive care unit
HCG human chorionic gonadotropin
ID infectious disease or identification
HCT hematocrit
IDDM insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
HDL high density lipoprotein
IG immunoglobulin
HEENT head, eyes, ears, nose, throat
IHSS idiopathic hypertropic subaortic stenosis
Hgb hemoglobin
IM intramuscular
H/H henderson- hasselbach equation or
hemoglobin/ hematocrit IMV intermittent mandatory ventilation

HIV human immunodeficiency virus INF intravenous nutritional fluid

HLA histocompatibility locus antigen IPPB intermittent positive pressure breathing

HJR hepatojugular reflex IRBBB incomplete right bundle branch block

HO history of IRDM insulin resistant diabetes mellitus

HOB head of bed IT interthecal

HPF high power field ITP idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

HPI history of present illness IV intravenous

HR heart rate IVC intravenous cholangiogram  | inferior vena

cava
HS at bedtime
IVP intravenous pyelogram
HSM hepatosplenomegaly
JODM juvenile onset diabetes mellitus
JVD  jugular venous distention LVEDP left ventricular end diastolic pressure

KOR keep open rate LVH left ventricular hypertrophy

KUB kidneys, ureters, bladder MAO monoamine oxidase

KVO keep vein open MAP mean arterial pressure

L left MAST medical antishock trousers

LAD left axis deviation or left anterior MBT maternal blood type
descending
MCH mean cell hemoglobin
LAE left atrial enlargement
MCHC mean cell hemoglobin concentration
LAHB left anterior hemiblock
MCV mean cell volume
LAP left atrial pressure or leukocyte alkaline
phosphatase MI myocardial infarction or mitral insufficiency

LBBB left bundle branch block mL milliliter

LDH lactate dehydrogenase MLE midline episiotomy

LE lupus erythematosus MMEF maximal mid expiratory flow

LIH left inguinal hernia mmol millimole

LLL left lower lobe MMR measles, mumps, rubella

LMP last menstrual period MRI magnetic resonance imaging

LNMP last normal menstrual period MRSA methicillin resistant staph aureus

LOC loss of consciousness or level of MS multiple sclerosis or mitral stenosis, or

consciousness morphine sulfate

LP lumbar puncture MSSA methicillin-sensitive staph aureus

LPN licensed practical nurse MVA motor vehicle accident

LUL left upper lobe MVI multivitamin injection

LUQ Left Upper Quadrant MVV maximum voluntary ventilation

LV left ventricle NAD no active disease

NAS no added salt OU both eyes

NCV nerve conduction velocity P para

NED no evidence of recurrent disease PA posteroanterior

ng nanogram PAC premature atrial contraction

NG nasogastric PAO2 alveolar oxygen

NIDDM non-insulin dependent diabetes PaO2 peripheral arterial oxygen content

mellitus
PAP pulmonary artery pressure
NKA no known allergies
PAT paroxysymal atrial tachycardia
NKDA no known drug allergies
P&PD percussion and postural drainage
NMR nuclear magnetic resonance
PC after eating
NPO nothing by mouth
PCWP pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
NRM no regular medications
PDA patent ductus arteriosus
NSAID non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs
PDR physicians desk reference
NSR normal sinus rhythm
PE pulmonary embolus, or physical exam or
NT nasotracheal pleural effusion

OB obstetrics PEEP positive end expiratory pressure

OCG oral cholecystogram PFT pulmonary function tests

OD overdose or right eye pg pictogram

OM otitis media PI pulmonic insufficiency disease

OOB out of bed PKU phenylketonuria

OOP out of plaster PMH previous medical history

OPV oral polio vaccine PMI point of maximal impulse

OR operating room PMN polymorphonuclear leukocyte (neutrophil)

OS left eye PND paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

PO by mouth qod every other day

POD post-op day Qs/Qt shunt fraction

PP postprandial or pulsus paradoxus Qt total cardiac output

PPD purified protein derivative R right

PR by rectum RA rheumatoid arthritis or right atrium

PRBC packed red blood cells RAD right atrial axis deviation

PRN as needed RAE right atrial enlargement

PS pulmonic stenosis RAP right atrial pressure

PT prothrombin time, or physical therapy RBBB right bundle branch block

Pt patient RBC red blood cell

PTCA percutaneous transluminal coronary RBP retinol-binding protein

angioplasty
RDA recommended daily allowance
PTH parathyroid hormone
RDW red cell distribution width
PTHC percutanous transhepatic cholangiogram
RIA radioimmunoassay
PTT partial thromboplastin time
RIH right inguinal hernia
PUD peptic ulcer disease
RLL right lower lobe
PVC premature ventricular contraction
RLQ right lower quadrant
PVD peripheral vascular disease
RML right middle lobe
q every   (e.g.  q6h = every 6 hours)
RNA ribonucleic acid
qd every day
R/O rule out
qh every hour
ROM range of motion
q4h, q6h.... every 4 hours, every 6 hours etc.
ROS review of systems
qid four times a day
RPG retrograde pyelogram
QNS quantity not sufficient
RRR regular rate and rhythm
RT respiratory or radiation therapy SIADH syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic
hormone
RTA renal tubular acidosis
sig write on label
RTC return to clinic
SIMV synchronous intermittent mandatory
RU resin uptake ventilation

RUG retrograde urethogram sl sublingual

RUL right upper lobe SLE systemic lupus erythematous

RUQ right upper quadrant SMO slips made out

RV residual volume SOAP subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan

RVH right ventricular hyperthrophy SOB shortness of breath

Rx treatment SQ subcutaneous

s without  |  ss = one-half STAT immediately

SA sinoatrial SVD spontaneous vaginal delivery

SAA synthetic amino acid Sx symptoms

S&E sugar and acetone T&C type and cross

SBE subacute bacterial endocarditis TAH total abdominal hysterectomy

SBFT small bowel follow through T&H type and hold

SBS short bowel syndrome TB tuberculosis

SCr serum creatinine TBG total binding globulin

SEM systolic ejection murmur Td tetanus-diphtheria toxoid

SG Swan-Ganz TIA transient ischemic attack

SGA small for gestational age TIBC total iron binding capacity

SGGT serum gamma- glutamyl transpeptidase tid three times a day

SGOT serum glutamic- oxaloacetic transaminase TIG tetanus immune globulin

SGPT serum glutamic- pyruvic transaminase TKO to keep open

TLC total lung capacity V/Q ventilation - perfusion

TMJ temporo mandibular joint VRE vancomycin-resistant enterococcus

TNTC too numerous to count VSS vital signs stable

TO telephone order VT ventricular tachycardia

TOPV trivalent  oral polio vaccine VV varicose veins

TPN total parenteral nutrition VW vessel wall

TSH thyroid stimulating hormone VWD von Willebrand's disease

TT thrombin time VZV varicella zoster virus

TTP thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura WB whole blood

TU tuberculin units WBC white blood cell or count

TUR transurethral resection WBR whole body radiation

TURBT TUR bladder  tumors WD well developed

TURP transurethral  resection of prostate WF white female

TV tidal volume WIA wounded in action

TVH total vaginal hysterectomy WID widow, widower

tw twice a week WM white male

Tx treatment,  transplant WN well nourished

VAD venous access device WNL within normal limits

VC vital capacity WO written order |  weeks old  |  wide open.

VCT venous clotting time WOP without pain

VCUG voiding cysourethrogram W.P. whirlpool

VDRL Venereal Disease Research WPW Wolff-Parkinson-White

Laboratory (test for syphilis)
W-T-D wet to dry
VMA vanillymadelic acid
VO verbal or voice order W/U workup
X2d times 2 days.

XI eleve

n XII twelve

XL extended release. |  extra large.

XM crossmatch

XMM xeromammography

XOM extraocular movements

XRT X-ray therapy (radiation therapy)

XS excessive

XULN times upper limit of normal

YF yellow fever

YLC youngest living child

yo years old

YOB year of birth

yr year

ytd year to date

ZDV zidovudine

ZE Zollinger-Ellison

Z-ESR zeta erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Zn zinc

ZnO zinc oxide

ZSB zero stools since birth