Med Term Prep - symbols and abbreviations

1^o

primary

2^o

secondary

triangle symbol

change

L with a circle around it

left

R with a circle around it

right

up arrow

increased

down arrow

decreased

^

above

+
_

doubtful, slight

x

times

_
a

before

A, Acc

accommodation

___
aa

of each

A1c

glycated hemoglobin

Ab

antibody

AB

abortion

ABC

aspiration biopsy cytology

ABG(s)

arterial blood gas(es)

ABR

auditory brainstem response

ac

before meals

AC

air conduction

ACE

angiotensin-coverting enzyme

ACh

acetylcholine

ACL

anterior cruciate ligament

ACTH

adrenocorticotropic hormone

ad lib

as desired

AD

alzheimer disease

ADH

antidiuretic hormone

ADHD

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ADL

activities of daily living

AE

above the elbow

AED

automated external defibrillator

AF

atrial fibrillation

AFB

acid-fast bacillus

AFP

alpha-fetoprotein

Ag

antigen, also silver

AGA

appropriate for gestational age

AI

artificial insemination; aromatase inhibitor

AIDS

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

AK

above the knee

ALL

acute lymphoblastic (lymphocytic) leukemia

ALS

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

AMA

against medical advice

AMB

ambulatory

AMD

age-related macular degeneration

AMI

acute myocardial infarction

AML

acute myeloblastic (myelogenous) leukemia

ANS

autonomic nervous system

AP

anteroposterior

APAP

acetaminophen

APC

atrial premature complex

APTT

activated partial thromboplastin time

aq

water, aqueous

AR

aortic regurgitation

ARB

angiotensin receptor blocker

ARC

abnormal retinal correspondence

ARDS

acute respiratory distress syndrome

ARF

acute respiratory failure; acute renal failure

ART

assisted reproductive technology

ASA

Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin)

As, Ast

astigmatism

AS

arterial stenosis; arteriosclerosis

ASCVD

arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease

ASD

atrial septal defect

ASF

anterior spinal fusion

ASHD

arteriosclerotic heart disease

ASHP

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

AT

atrial tachycardia

ATN

acute tubular necrosis

AV

atrioventricular

BAEP

brainstem auditory evoked potentials

BBB

bundle branch block

BC

bone conduction

BCG

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (tb vaccine)

BE

barium enema; below the elbow

bid, b.i.d.

twice per day

BK

below the knee

BM

bowel movement

BMD

bone mineral density

BNO

bladder neck obstruction

BP

blood pressure

BPH

benign prostatic hyperplasia (hypertrophy)

bpm

beats per minute

BRCA1 and 2

breast cancer gene 1 and 2

BRP

bathroom privileges

BS

bowel sounds, breath sounds, blood sugar

BSA

body surface area

BSE

breast self-examination

BSO

bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy

BT

bleeding time

BUN

blood urea nitrogen

BV

bacterial vaginosis

bx

biopsy

_
c

with

C

celcius; compliance; cervical vertebra

C-section

cesarean section

CA, ca

cancer

CABG

coronary artery bypass graft

CAD

coronary artery disease

CAM

complementary and alternative medicine

cap

capsule

CAPD

continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

CBC

complete blood count

CBD

common bile duct

CBF

cerebral blood flow

CBR

complete bed rest

cc

with correction

CC

chief complaint

CCPD

continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis

CCU

coronary care unit, cardiac care unit

CF

cystic fibrosis

CFS

chronic fatigue syndrome

CGL

chronic granulocytic leukemia

CHD

coronary heart disease

CHF

congestive heart failure

Ci

Curie

CIN

cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

CIS

carcinoma in situ

CJD

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (Mad Cow disease)

CK

creatine kinase

CK-MB

creatine kinase-MB

CLL

chronic lymphocytic leukemia

cm

centimeter

CMG

cystometrogram (graphy)

CML

chronic myelogenous leukemia

CNS

central nervous system; clinical nurse specialist

c/o, CO

complains of; complaining of

Co

coccyx; coccygeal

CO2

carbon dioxide

COLD

chronic obstructive lung disease

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CP

cerebral palsy

CPAP

continuous positive airway pressure

CPD

cephalopelvic disproportion

C(P)K

creatine (phospho) kinase

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CRF

chronic renal failure

crit

hematocrit

CRP

C-reactive protein

C&S

culture and sensitivity

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid

CSII

continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion

CT

computed tomography

CTA

computed tomography angiography

CTS

carpal tunnel syndrome

CVS

cerebrovascular accident

CVD

Cardiovascular disease
Cerebrovascular disease

CVI

chronic venous insufficiency

CVP

central venous pressure

CVS

chorionic villus sampling

CXR

chest x-ray

D&C

dilation and curettage

DAW

dispense as written

dB

decibel

dc, D/C

discontinue

DCIS

ductal carcinoma in situ

D&E

dilation and evacuation

DES

diethylstilbestrol

DEXA

dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan

DIC

disseminated intravascular coagulation

DIFF

differential count

DIP

distal interphalangeal joint

DJD

degenerative joint disease

dL

deciliter

DLE

discoid lupus erythematosus

DM

diabetes mellitus

DNR

do not resuscitate

DOE

dyspnea on exertion

DTaP

diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis vaccine

DRE

digital rectal examination

DS

double strength

DSM

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

DTR

deep tendon reflexes

DUB

dysfunctional uterine bleeding

DVT

deep vein thrombosis

Dx

diagnosis

EBL

estimated blood loss

EBV

Epstein-Barr virus

ECG, EKG

electrocardiogram, electrocardiography

ECMO

extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

ED

erectile dysfunction

EDC

estimated date of confinement

EEG

electroencephalogram, electroencephalography

EGD

esophagogastroduodenoscopy

ELISA

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

elix

elixir

EM

emmetropia

EMG

electromyography (gram)

ENG

electronystagmography

ENT

ears, nose and throat

EOM

Extra ocular movement / extra ocular muscles

EOMI

extraocular muscles intact

EPO, EP

erythropoietin

ERCP

endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

ERG

electroretinography

ERV

expiratory reserve volume

ESR

erythrocyte sedimentation rate

ESRD

end-stage renal disease

ESWL

extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

ET

esotropia

ETOH

alcohol, ethyl alcohol

F

fahrenheit

FAP

familial adenomatous polyposis

FBG

fasting blood glucose

FBS

fasting blood sugar

FC

finger counting

FDA

Food and Drug Administration

FEV

forced expiratory volume

FFP

fresh frozen plasma

FHR

fetal heart rate

FHT

fetal heart tone

FMS

fibromyalgia syndrome

FPG

fasting plasma glucose

FRC

functional residual capacity

FSH

follicle-stimulating hormone

FTI

free thyroxine index

FTND

full-term normal delivery

FTP

full term pregnancy

FTSG

full thickness skin graft

FUO

fever of unknown origin

FVC

forced vital capacity

Fx

fracture

g

gram

GA

gestational age

GAD

generalized anxiety disorder

GC

gonococcus, gonorrhea

GDM

gestational diabetes mellitus

GERD

gastroesophageal reflux disease

GFR

glomerular filtration rate

GH

growth hormone

GI

gastrointestinal

GIFT

gamete intrafallopian transfer

GTT

glucose tolerance test

GU

genitourinary

GYN

gynecology

H&P

history and physical examination

HAV

hepatitis A virus

Hb, Hgb

hemoglobin

HbA1c

hemoglobin A1c; glycated hemoglobin

HBV

hepatitis B virus

hCG

human chorionic gonadotropin

HCl

hydrochloric acid

Hct, Ht

hematocrit

HCV

hepatitis C virus

HDL

high-density lipoprotein

HDN

hemolytic disease of the newborn

HDV

hepatitis D virus

HEV

hepatitis E virus

HEENT

head, eyes, ears, nose, throat

HIPPA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

HIV

human immunodeficiency virus

HL

hearing level

HM

hand movements

HNP

herniated nucleus pulposus

h/o

history of

HPI

history of present illness

HPS

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome

HPV

human papillomavirus

HR

heart rate

HRT

hormone replacement therapy

hs

at bedtime

hs-crp

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (test)

HSV

herpes simplex virus

HTN

hypertension

Hx

history

Hz

Hertz

131^I

iodine-131

I&D

incision and drainage

I&O

intake and output

IABP

intra-aortic balloon pump

IBD

inflammatory bowel disease

IBS

irritable bowel syndrome

IC

inspiratory capacity

ICD

implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

ICP

intracranial pressure

ICU

intensive care unit

ID

intradermal

IF

intrinsic factor

IFG

impaired fasting blood glucose

Ig

immunoglobulin

IGRA

Interferon-gamma release assay (test for TB)

IGT

impaired glucose tolerance

IM

intramuscular/intramedullary

INH

isoniazid-antituberculosis agent

IOL

intraocular lens

IOP

intraocular pressure

IPPA

Inspection
Palpation
Percussion
Auscultation

IPPB

intermittent positive pressure breathing

IPPV

intermittent positive pressure ventilation

IRV

inspiratory reserve volume

ITP

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

IU

international unit

IUD

intrauterine device

IV

intravenously

IVC

intravenous cholangiogram

IVCD

intraventricular conduction delay

IVDA

intravenous drug abuse

IVF

in vitro fertilization

IVP

intravenous pyelography

IVPB

intravenous piggyback

IVU

intravenous urography

JVP

jugular venous pulse

K

Potassium

kg

kilogram

km

kilometer

KUB

kidney, ureter, bladder

KVO

keep vein open

L

lumbar vertebra; liter

LA

long-acting

LAD

left anterior descending (coronary artery)

LAHB

left anterior hemiblock

LDL

low-density lipoprotein

LE

lupus erythematosus

LES

lower esophageal sphincter

LH

luteinizing hormone

LL

left lateral

LLL

left lower lobe (of lung)

LLQ

left lower quadrant

LMN

lower motor neuron

LMP

last menstrual period

LOC

level of consciousness

LP

lumbar puncture

LUL

left upper lobe (of lung)

LUQ

left upper quadrant

LV

left ventricle

LVAD

left ventricular assist device

LVEDP

left ventricular end diastolic pressure

LVH

left ventricular hypertrophy

lytes

electrolytes

m

meter

MAOI

monoamine oxidase inhibitor

mcg

microgram

MCH

mean corpuscular hemoglobin

MCHC

mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration

mcL

microliter

mcm

micrometer

MCP

metacarpophalangeal

MCV

mean corpuscular volume

MDS

myelodysplastic syndrome

MED(s)

medicine (s) medications

MEFR

maximal expiratory flow rate

MEN

multiple endocrine neoplasia-hereditary hormonal disorder marked by adenomas and carcinomas

mEq

milliequivalent

MET

metastasis

mg

milligram

MG

myasthenia gravis

MI

myocardial infarction

MID

multi-infarct dementia

mL

milliliter

mm

millimeter

MMFR

maximum midexpiratory flow rate

mmHg

millimeters of mercury

MMT

manual muscle test

MN

myoneural

MR

mitral regurgitation, reflux

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging

MRSA

methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus

MS

multiple sclerosis, mitral stenosis

MTP

metatarsophalangeal

MUGA

multigated acquisition (scan)

MVP

mitral valve prolapse

MVR

mitral valve replacement

Na

Sodium

NAA

nucleic acid amplification (test for TB)

NAD

no apparent distress

NB

newborn

NCCAM

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

NG

nasogastric

NGU

nongonococcal urethritis

NHL

non-Hodgkin lymphoma

NICU

neonatal intensive care unit, neurological intensive care unit

NKDA

no known drug allergies

NMJ

neuromuscular junction

NPH

neutral protamine Hagedorn (insulin)

NPH

Normal pressure hydrocephalus

NPO

nothing by mouth

NRC

normal retinal correspondence

NREM

non rapid eye movement - sleep

NS, N/S

normal saline

NSAIDs

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

NSR

normal sinus rhythm

NV

near vision

N/V, N&V, n&v

nausea and vomiting

N/V/D

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

O2

Oxygen

OA

osteoarthritis

OB

obstetrics, obstetrician

OCD

obsessive compulsive disorder

ODS

Office of Dietary Supplements

OGTT

oral glucose tolerance test

OI

osteogenesis imperfecta

OL

otolaryngology

OOB

out of bed

OM

otitis media

ORIF

open reduction internal fixation

ORL

otorhinolaryngology

ortho, ORTH

orthopedics

OT

occupational therapy

OTC

over the counter

p

after, post

P

pulse

PA

posteroanterior, physician assistant

PAC

premature atrial contraction

Paco2

arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide

PACU

post anesthesia care unit

Pao2

arterial partial pressure of oxygen

PAP

pulmonary arterial pressure

pc

after meals

PCA

patient-controlled anesthesia

PCI

percutaneous coronary intervention

PCL

posterior cruciate ligament

PCOS

polycystic ovarian syndrome

PCP

Pneumocystis pneumonia

PCV

packed cell volume

PCWP

pulmonary capillary wedge pressure

PDA

patent ductus arteriosus

PDD

pervasive developmental disorder

PDR

Physician's Desk Reference

PE

physical examination

PEEP

positive end expiratory pressure

PEFR

peak expiratory flow rate

PEG

percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (tube)

PEP

Protein electrophoresis

PE(R)RLA

pupils equal, (regular), react to light and accommodation

PET

positron emission tomography

PFT

pulmonary function test

pH

scale for measuring hydrogen ion concentration (acidity or alkalinity)

Ph

philadelphia chromosome

PICC

peripherally inserted central catheter

PID

pelvic inflammatory disease

PIH

pregnancy induced hypertension

PIP

peak inspiratory pressure

PIP

proximal interphalangeal

PKU

phenylketonuria

PMH

past medical history

PMI

point of maximal impulse

PMN

polymorphonuclear (neutrophil)

PMS

premenstrual syndrome

PND

paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

PNS

peripheral nervous system

po, PO

by mouth, orally

poly, polymorph

neutrophil

PONV

postoperative nausea and vomiting

post-op

post operative

pp

postprandial (after meals)

PPD

purified protein derivative (tuberculin)

PPI

proton pump inhibitor

preop

preoperative

PRL

prolactin

prn

as needed

PSA

prostate-specific antigen

PSF

posterior spinal fusion

PSS

physiologic saline solution; progressive systemic sclerosis

PSVT

paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia

pt

patient

PT

physical therapy

PT, ProTime

prothrombin time

PTCA

percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

PTH

parathyroid hormone

PTSD

post traumatic stress disorder

PTT

partial thromboplastin time

PUVA

psoralen ultraviolet A

PVC

premature ventricular contraction

PVD

peripheral vascular disease

PYP

pyrophosphate

qam

every morning

qh

every hour

q__h

every _ hours

qid

four times a day

QNS

quantity not sufficient

QS

quantity sufficient

R

respiration

RA

rheumatoid arthritis

RAIU

radioactive iodine uptake

RAS

reticular activating system

RATx

radiation therapy

RBC

red blood cell (count)

RDS

respiratory distress syndrome

REM

rapid eye movement

RIA

radioimmunoassay

RICE

rest, ice, compression, elevation

RL

right lateral

RLL

right lower lobe (of lung)

RLQ

right lower quadrant

RLS

restless leg syndrome

RML

right middle lobe (lung)

R/O

rule out

ROM

range of motion

ROS

review of systems

RSI

repetitive strain injury

RSV

respiratory syncytial virus

RTC

rotator cuff

RUL

right upper lobe (of lung)

RUQ

right upper quadrant

RV

residual volume

Rx

drug, prescription, therapy

_
s

without

S

sacrum; sacral

S1

first heart sound

S2

second heart sound

SA

sinoatrial; sustained action

SARS

severe acute respiratory syndrome

SBE

subacute bacterial endocarditis

sc

without correction

SC, SQ, subcut

subcutaneous(ly)

SCLE

subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus

seg

neutrophil

SERM

selective estrogen receptor modulator

SG

specific gravity

SIADH

syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone

SIDS

sudden infant death syndrome

SITS

supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis (muscles)

SK

streptokinase

SL

sublingual

SLE

systemic lupus erythematosus

SPECT

single photon emission computed tomography

SPF

sun protection factor

SpO2

oxygen percent saturation

SR

sustained release

--
ss

half

SSEP

somatosensory evoked potential

SSRI

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

ST

speech threshold

staph

Staphylococcus

STAT

immediately

STD

sexually transmitted disease

STI

sexually transmitted infection

strep

Streptococcus

STSG

split-thickness skin graft

supp

suppository

susp

suspension

SVD

spontaneous vaginal delivery

SVT

supraventricular tachycardia

T

temperature; thoracic vertebra

T1DM

Type 1 diabetes mellitus

T2DM

type 2 diabetes mellitus

T3

triiodothyronine

T4

thyroxine (tetraiodothyronine)

T7

free thyroxine index

T&A

tonsils and adenoids, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy

tab

tablet

TAH

total abdominal hysterectomy

TB

tuberculosis

TBG

thyroxine-binding globulin

99mTc

Technetium-99m

TCA

tricyclic antidepressant

TEE

transesophageal echocardiogram

TGV

thoracic gas volume

THA

total hip arthroplasty

TIA

transient ischemic attack

tid

three times a day

tinct

tincture

TKA

total knee arthroplasty

TKO

to keep open

TLC

total lung capacity

Tm

Maximal transport capacity; tubular maximum

TM

tympanic membrane

Tn

troponin

TNM

(primary) tumor, (regional lymph) nodes, (distant) metastases

TMJ

temporomandibular joint

tPA

tissue plasminogen activator

TPN

total parenteral nutrition

TPR

temperature, pulse, respiration

TPUR

transperineal urethral resection

TSE

testicular self-examination

TSH

thyroid stimulating hormone

TSS

toxic shock syndrome

T(C)T

thrombin clotting time

TTP

thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

TTS

temporary threshold shift

TUIP

transurethral incision of the prostate

TURP

transurethral resection of the prostate

TV

tidal volume

Tx

traction

U

units

UA

urinalysis

UC

uterine contractions

UFE

uterine fibroid embolization

UG

urogenital

UGI

upper gastrointestinal

UMN

upper motor neuron

ung

ointment

URI

upper respiratory infection

USP

United States Pharmacopeia

UTI

urinary tract infection

UTP

uterine term pregnancy

UV

ultraviolet

UVA

ultraviolet A

UVB

ultraviolet B

VA

visual acuity

VAC

vacuum-assisted closure

VAD

ventricular assist device

VBAC

vaginal birth after cesarean section

VC

vital capacity

VD

venereal disease

VDRL

Venereal Disease Research Laboratory

VEP

visual evoked potential

VF

ventricular fibrillation, visual field

v fib

ventricular fibrillation

VLDL

very low density lipoprotein

VPC

ventricular premature complex

VRSA

Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

VS

vital signs

VSD

ventricular septal defect

VT

ventricular tachycardia

VTE

venous thromboembolism

V^TG

thoracic gas volume

vWF

von Willebrand factor

WBC

white blood cell (count)

WD

well developed

WNL

within normal limits

w/o

without

WPW

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

x

times

XT

exotropia

YO, y/o

years old; year-old

ZIFT

zygote intrafallopian transfer