Medical Terminology

Vocabulary flashcards covering medical abbreviations, body system terminology, diagnostic terms, prescription sig codes, and clinical lab formats from PHP 327 Recitation.

PE

Physical exam

CT

Computerized tomography

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging

US

Ultrasound

Dx

Diagnosis

DDx

Differential diagnosis

CC

Chief Complaint

HPI

History of present illness

ROS

Review of systems

PMH / PMHx

Past medical history

PSH / PSHx

Past surgical history (S/P)

SH / SHx

Social history

FH / FHx

Family history

OH / OHx

Occupational history

NKDA

No known drug allergies

(+)

Present/positive

(-)

Negative/absent

Nl

Normal

WNL

Within normal limits

A & W

Alive and well

Bx

Behavior

C/O

Complains of

R/O

Rule out

Sx

Symptoms

Tx

Treatment

CBC

Complete blood count

CHEM-7 (or 8, 14, 20)

Chemistry panel

LFTs

Liver function tests

ABG

Arterial blood gas

UA

Urinalysis

Chem-7 Diagram

Standard chemistry panel fishbone layout showing Sodium (Na), Chloride (Cl), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) on top; Potassium (K), Bicarbonate (HCO3), Creatinine (Cr) on bottom; Glucose (Glu) on the right.

CBC Diagram

Standard complete blood count fishbone layout showing White Blood Cell count (WBC) on the left, Hemoglobin (Hgb) on top, Hematocrit (HCT) on bottom, and Platelets (PLT) on the right.

CSF

Cerebrospinal fluid

Hgb (Hb)

Hemoglobin

Hct

Hematocrit

RBC / WBC

Red/White blood cell (or count)

MCH

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin

MCHC

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration

MCV

Mean Corpuscular Volume

Rh

Rhesus blood factor

ABP

Arterial blood pressure

B/P (BP)

Blood pressure

HR (P)

Heart rate (pulse)

SpO2

Blood oxygen saturation

HEENT

Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat

Occipital

Back of head

NCAT

Normocephalic, Atraumatic

CVA

Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

HA

Headache

Photophobia

Intolerance of light

EOMI

Extra-ocular movement intact

Diplopia

Double vision

PERRLA

Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation

Anicteric sclerae

Whites of the eyes (no jaundice present)

Phonophobia

Intolerance of sound

Otorrhea

Discharge from ear

Tinnitus

Ringing noise in the ear

Presbycusis

Age-related hearing loss

TM

Tympanic membrane

Epistaxis

Nose bleed

Rhinorrhea

Runny nose, nasal discharge

MMM

Moist mucous membranes

Tonsillar Exudate

White spots on tonsils, fluid or cellular matter deposited on the tissue

Erythema

Redness

JVD

Jugular venous distention

LAD

Lymphadenopathy

CTAB

Clear to auscultation, bilaterally

R/R/W

Rales/rhonchi/wheezes

SOB

Shortness of breath

IPPB

Intermittent positive pressure breathing

RR

Respiratory rate

URI (URTI)

Upper respiratory infection (upper respiratory tract infection)

Hemoptysis

Coughing up blood

Pleuritic pain

Worse with deep inspiration/forceful breathing

Tachypnea

Rapid breathing

PVC

Premature ventricular contraction

RRR

Regular rate and rhythm

M/R/G

Murmurs/rubs/gallops

A.fib / A.tach

Atrial fibrillation/tachycardia

V.fib / V.tach

Ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia

Tachycardia

Rapid heart rate

Anorexia

Loss or lack of appetite

Postprandial

After eating

Emesis

Vomiting

Hematemesis

Vomiting blood

Hematochezia

Blood in the stool

Melena

Tarry black stool

Guarding

Tensing of muscles to protect inflamed organ(s)

Rebound

Worse pain as examining hand is quickly pulled away

WDWN

Well developed, well nourished

BRBPR

Bright red blood per rectum

BS

Bowel sounds (normo-, hyper-, hypo-, absent, active)

TTP

Tender to palpation

I & O

Intake and output

UO

Urinary output

Hematuria

Blood in the urine

Dysuria

Painful urination

Nocturia

Night awakening to use the bathroom

Polyuria

Frequent urination

MS / Ext

Musculoskeletal / Extremities