Common Medical Abbreviations

A-P

anterior-posterior

AKA

above knee amputation

ASA

aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)

A&W

alive and well

BID

twice a day

BKA

below knee amputation

BM

bowel movement

BMI

body mass index

BP

blood pressure

BPH

benign prostatic hypertrophy

BS

bowel sounds

BSE

breast self exam

BSO

bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy

BUN

blood urea nitrogen

Bx

biopsy

CA

cancer

CABG

coronary artery bypass graft

CAD

coronary artery disease

CBC

complete blood count

CBE

clinical breast exam

CC

chief complaint

CHF

congestive heart failure

CN

cranial nerve

CNS

central nervous system

C/O

complaints of

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid

CT

computed tomography

CTA

clear to ausculation

CVA

cerebrovascular accident

CXR

chest xray

D/C

discharge

D&C

dilation and curettage

DJD

dejenerative joint disease

DM

diabetes mellitus

DNR

do not recuscitate

DOA

dead on arrival

DOB

date of birth

DOE

dyspnea on exertion

DPT

diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus

DTR

deep tendon reflex

DVT

deep vein thrombosis

Dx

diagnosis

ECG

electrocardiogram

ED

emergency department

ETOH

ethanol

FB

foreign body

FBS

fasting blood sugar

FUO

fever of unknown origin

Fx

fracture

GERD

gastroesophageal reflux disease

GI

gastrointestinal

GU

genitourinary

H&P

history and physical

HA

headache

Hct

hematocrit

HEENT

head, eyes, ears, nose, throat

Hgb

hemoglobin

Hib

haemophilus influenza B

H/O

history of

HPI

history of present illness

HRT

hormone replacement therapy

HTN

hypertension

I&D

incision and drainage

IM

intramuscular

I&O

input and output

IV

intravenous

IVP

intravenous pyelogram

JACHO

Joint Review Commission on Accreditation of HC Organizations

JVD

Jugular Venous Distention

KUB

kidney, urinary, bladder

LE

lower extremities

LFTs

liver function tests

LMP

last menstrual period

LOC

loss/level of consciousness

LP

lumbar puncture

MI

myocardial infarction

MMR

measles, mumps, rubella

MMSE

mini mental status exam

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging

MS

mental state/multiple sclerosis

NAD

no apparent distress

NGT

nasogastric tube

NKA

no known allergies

NKDA

no known drug allergies

NPO

nothing by mouth

NSAID

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

EEG

electroencephalogram

ENT

ears, nose, throat

EOM

extraocular muscles/movement

ESR

erythrocyte sedimentation rate

OC

oral contraceptives

OD

right eye

OOB

out of bed

OS

left eye

OT

occupational therapy

OTC

over the counter

OU

both eyes

PC

after meals

PCN

penicillin