commonly used abbreviations for medical terminology

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Last updated 7:32 PM on 10/14/26
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122 Terms

1
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♂

male

2
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♀

female

3
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>

more than

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<

less than

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abd

abdomen

6
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ABG

arterial blood gas

7
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ac

before meals

8
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ADL

activities of daily living

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ad lib

as desired

10
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A.M.

morning

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amb.

ambulatory, walking

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amp.

ampule

13
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amt.

amount

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A&O x3

alert and orientated to person, place, and time

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AP

anterior/posterior OR apical pulse

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approx.

approximately

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ax.

axillary

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bid

twice a day

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BM

bowel movement

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BMR

basal metabolic rate

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BP

blood pressure

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BR

bedrest

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BRP

bathroom privileges

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BS

bowel sounds

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c̄

with

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C

centrigrade, Celcius

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Ca

cancer

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cap(s)

capsule(s)

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CBC

complete blood count

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cc

cubic centimeter (milliliter)

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CHF

congestive heart failure

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cm

centimeter

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c/o

complains of

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C+S

culture + sensitivity

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CTA

clear to auscultation

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CVA

cerebral vascular accident (stroke)

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CXR

chest x-ray

38
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∆

change

39
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D.C. or D/C

discontinue

40
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DJD

degenerative joint disease

41
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DOE/doe

dyspnea on exertion

42
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dsg.

dressing

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Dx

diagnosis

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E.C.

enteric coated

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ECG (EKG)

electrocardiogram

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Elix.

alixir

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F.

Fahrenheit

48
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fld (Fl)

fluid

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Fx

fracture

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GI

gastro intestinal

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Gm (g) (gm)

gram

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gt (gtts)

drop (drops)

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GU

genitourinary

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h or HR

hour

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H/A

headache

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Hb (Hgb)

hemoglobin

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HCT

hematocrit

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HOB

head of bed

59
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hs (HS)

at bedtime/hour of sleep

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H₂O

water

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H.W.B

hot water bottle

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Hx

history

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IM

intramuscular (injection)

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I & O

intake and output

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IV

intravenous

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kg

kilogram

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L

left or liter

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lab

laboratory

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mcg.

microgram

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mEq.

milliequivalent

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mg (mgm)

milligram

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MI

myocardial infarction

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ml.

milliliter

74
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NPO

nothing by mouth (nil per os)

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NWB

non weight bearing

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O₂

oxygen

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OA

osteoarthritis

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O.D.

right eye

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O.S.

left eye

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OT

occupational therapy

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O.U.

both eyes

82
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oz.

ounce

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P

pulse

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p̄

after

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pc

after meals

86
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PCA

patient controlled analgesia

87
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per

by or through

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P.M.

after noon

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p.o.

by mouth

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prn

when necessary (as required)

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post-op

post-operative

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pre-op

pre-operative

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P.T.

physical therapy

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q

every

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qid

four times a day

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RA

rheumatoid arthritis

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RBC

red blood cell

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R/O

rule out

99
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RX

prescription/treatment

100
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s̄

without