Medical Abbreviations & Terminology

BP

Blood pressure

P

Pulse

bpm

Beats per minute

HTN

Hypertension

MI

Myocardial infarction

CHF

Congestive heart failure

CAD

Coronary artery disease

DVT

Deep vein thrombosis

CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CBC

Complete blood count

RBC

Red blood cell

WBC

White blood cell

Hgb / HgB

Hemoglobin

Hct / HCT

Hematocrit

RA

Rheumatoid arthritis

OA

Osteoarthritis

ORIF

Open reduction and internal fixation

TKR / TKA

Total knee replacement / arthroplasty

THR / THA

Total hip replacement / arthroplasty

IM

Intramuscular

ID

Intradermal

SubQ

Subcutaneous

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

SOB

Shortness of breath

SpO2

Peripheral oxygen saturation

CXR

Chest X-ray

PE

Pulmonary embolism

ABGs

Arterial blood gases

NPO

Nothing by mouth

DNR

Do not resuscitate

GI

Gastrointestinal

ENT

Ear, nose and throat

CV

Cardiovascular

LLQ

Left lower quadrant

LUQ

Left upper quadrant

RT

Respiratory therapist

TPR

Temperature, pulse, respirations

RR

Respiratory rate

O2

Oxygen

CO2

Carbon dioxide

TB

Tuberculosis

LLL

Left lower lobe

LUL

Left upper lobe

RLL

Right lower lobe

RML

Right middle lobe

RUL

Right upper lobe

BKA

Below-knee amputation

NSAID

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

Bx

Biopsy

C&S

Culture and sensitivity

I&D

Incision and drainage

L1

First lumbar vertebra

C2

Second cervical vertebra

T2

Second thoracic vertebra

AAT

Activity as tolerated

WBAT

Weight bearing as tolerated

NWB

Non-weight-bearing

TTWB

Toe-touch weight bearing

1PA

One-person assist

DM

Diabetes mellitus

OSA

Obstructive sleep apnea

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

VRE

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci

ESBL

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase

I/O

Intake and output

LBM

Last bowel movement

u/o

Urine output

AFib

Atrial fibrillation

A&O

Alert and oriented

HOH

Hard of hearing

CBGM

Capillary blood glucose monitoring

IDDM

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

ETOH

Alcohol

BRP

Bathroom privileges

JP

Jackson-Pratt drain

U/S

Ultrasound

Lytes / E7

Electrolytes

NYD

Not yet diagnosed

DAT

Diet as tolerated

FWB

Full weight bearing

OB

Occult blood (stool test)

D5 1/2NS

5% dextrose in half-normal saline

q2h

Every two hours

QID

Four times daily

Ecchymosis

Bruise / skin discoloration caused by bleeding under the skin

Gangrene

Tissue death, often from reduced blood supply

Debridement

Removal of dead or damaged tissue

Keloid

Raised, overgrown scar

Purulent

Containing or producing pus

Ulcer

Open sore on skin or mucous membrane

Decubitus ulcer

Pressure injury or sore

Pruritus

Itching

Edema

Swelling from excess fluid in tissues

Urticaria

Hives / itchy raised welts

Anaphylaxis

Severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction

Nosocomial infection

Healthcare-associated infection / traditionally hospital-acquired

Asthma

Chronic airway inflammation with variable airflow narrowing

Influenza

Viral respiratory infection (flu)

Emphysema

Damage to alveoli causing air trapping

Auscultate

Listen to internal body sounds