Medical Abbreviations

BM

Bowel movement

B/P/BP

Blood pressure

BR, br

Bed rest

BRP

Bathroom privileges

BS

Blood sugar

bx

Biopsy

°C

Celsius degree, centigrade

c

With

CA

Cancer

Ca

Calcium

CAT

Computerized Axial Tomography

cath.

Catheter

CBC

Complete blood count

CC

Chief complaint

cc

Cubic centimeters

CCU

Coronary care unit

CHF

Congestive Heart Failure

Cl

Chloride

cl liq

Clear liquids

cm

Centimeters

c/o

Complains of

CO2

Carbon dioxide

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CS

Central supply

CVA

Cerebrovascular accident/stroke

D&C

Dilatation and curettage

dc, d/c

Discontinue

Del. Rm.

Delivery room

Diff

Differential white count

DNR

Do not resuscitate

DOA

Dead on arrival

DOB

Date of birth

DON

Director of nursing

Dr.

Doctor

dsg

Dressing

dx

Diagnosis

D/W

Dextrose in water

ECG/EKG

Electrocardiogram

EEG

Electroencephalogram

EENT

Eye, ear, nose, and throat

ER

Emergency room

Exc

Excision

Exp

Exploratory

°F

Fahrenheit degree

FBS

Fasting blood sugar

Fe

Iron

FF

Force fluids

Fl or fl

Fluid

ft

Foot

FUO

Fever of unknown origin

fx

Fracture

GB

Gallbladder

Gm

Gram

g

Gram

GI

Gastrointestinal

gr

Grain

gtt

Drop

GU

Genitourinary

Gyn

Gynecology

H

Hydrogen

H2O

Water, aqua

HA

Headache

HBV

Hepatitis B virus

Hct

Hematocrit

Hg

Mercury

Hgb

Hemoglobin

HOB

Head of bed

hr

Hour

hs

Bedtime, hour of sleep

ht

Height

hyper

Above, high

hypo

Below, low

ICU

Intensive care unit

I & D

Incision and drainage

I & O

Intake and output

IM

Intramuscular

inj

Injection

int

Internal, interior

irrig

Irrigation

IV

Intravenous

IVP

Intravenous pyelogram

K

Potassium

KCL

Potassium chloride

Kg or kg

Kilogram

KUB

Kidney, ureter and bladder x-ray

L & D

Labor and delivery

L

Left

lab

Laboratory

Lap

Laparotomy

lb

Pound

liq.

Liquid

LLQ

Left lower quadrant

LP

Lumbar puncture

LPN

Licensed practical nurse

LUQ

Left upper quadrant

LVN

Licensed vocational nurse

M

Minim

M.D.

Medical doctor

med.

Medicine