chap 15 med term

What is a medical abbreviation?

A medical phrase or term that has been shortened or condensed.

What is the purpose of using medical abbreviations?

To allow for a more efficient, consistent, and accurate way of communicating common medical terms.

What does the abbreviation 'ā' mean?

before

What does 'A&O' or 'A/O' stand for?

alert (aware) and oriented

What does 'aq.' stand for?

water

What does 'ASx' stand for?

asymptomatic; without symptoms

What does 'BAC' stand for?

blood alcohol content

What does 'BMI' stand for?

body mass index; calculated measure of weight to height

What does the abbreviation 'c̅' mean?

with

What does 'DOB' stand for?

date of birth

What does 'Dx' stand for?

diagnosis

What does 'Dz' stand for?

disease

What does 'F/U' stand for?

follow up

What does 'Fx' stand for?

fracture

What does 'GI' stand for?

gastrointestinal

What does 'H&P' stand for?

history and physical examination

What does 'HEENT' stand for?

head, eyes, ear, nose and throat exam

What does 'Hx' stand for?

history

What does 'NG' stand for?

nasogastric

What does 'NKA' stand for?

no known allergies

What does 'NKDA' stand for?

no known drug allergies

What does 'NOS' stand for?

not otherwise specified

What does 'NPO' stand for?

nothing by mouth

What does 'NWB' stand for?

non-weight bearing

What does the abbreviation 'p̄' mean?

after

What does 'PERRLA' stand for?

pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation

What does 'PMHx' stand for?

past medical history

What does 'PPE' stand for?

personal protective equipment

What does 'Pt' stand for?

patient

What does 'Px' stand for?

physical examination

What does 'ROM' stand for?

range of motion

What does 'RR' stand for?

respiratory rate

What does 'rxn' stand for?

reaction

What does 'stat' mean?

immediately

What does the abbreviation 's̅' mean?

without

What does 'Sx' stand for?

symptom

What does 'Tx' stand for?

treatment

What does 'W/D' stand for?

withdrawal

What does the abbreviation 'x̄' mean?

except

What does 'LLE' stand for?

left lower extremity

What does 'LLQ' stand for?

left lower quadrant

What does 'LUE' stand for?

left upper extremity

What does 'LUQ' stand for?

left upper quadrant

What does 'o.d.' stand for?

right eye

What does 'o.s.' stand for?

left eye

What does 'o.u.' stand for?

both eyes

What does 'RLE' stand for?

right lower extremity

What does 'RLQ' stand for?

right lower quadrant

What does 'RUE' stand for?

right upper extremity

What does 'RUQ' stand for?

right upper quadrant

What does the abbreviation ABG stand for and what does it measure?

Arterial blood gases; measures gas levels like oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.

What is an AED?

Automated external defibrillator; a portable device used to treat sudden cardiac arrest.

What does the ANA test measure?

Antinuclear antibody test; measures levels of antibodies associated with an autoimmune response.

What is a BCx?

Blood culture; a laboratory test used to diagnose blood infections.

What is a biopsy (bx)?

A medical procedure in which a tissue sample is taken for diagnosis.

What does CABG stand for?

Coronary artery bypass graft.

What is a CBC?

Complete blood count; a blood test that measures blood cells and types.

What is the purpose of an ECG or EKG?

Electrocardiogram; a medical device used to record the heart's electrical activity.

What is an ECHO?

Echocardiogram; a medical test that uses high-frequency sound waves to view the heart.

What is an EEG?

Electroencephalogram; a medical device used to record the brain's electrical activity.

What is an EMG?

Electromyogram; a medical device used to record the muscle's electrical activity.

What is hemoglobin (Hb)?

The oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.

What is hematocrit (Hct)?

The percentage of red blood cells in the blood.

What does MRI stand for?

Magnetic resonance imaging; a medical imaging test that uses magnetic and radio waves to create images of internal body structures.

What is O2 sat?

Oxygen saturation; a measurement of the percentage of oxygen-carrying hemoglobin in the blood.

What does the abbreviation COPD stand for?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.

What is a CVA?

Cerebrovascular accident, also known as a stroke.

What is an MI?

Myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack.

What is MRSA?

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; a type of antibiotic-resistant bacterium.

What is a TIA?

Transient ischemic attack; a temporary condition sometimes called a mini-stroke.

What does the abbreviation NSAID stand for?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

What does the abbreviation PRN mean?

As needed.

What does the abbreviation q.i.d. mean?

Four times a day.

What does the abbreviation AMA stand for in a hospital chart?

Against medical advice.

What does DNI stand for?

Do not intubate.

What does DNR stand for?

Do not resuscitate.

What is the medical abbreviation for 'refusing medical treatment'?

AMA

What is the medical abbreviation for 'do not intubate'?

DNI

What is the medical abbreviation for 'do not resuscitate'?

DNR

What is the medical abbreviation for 'discharge'?

D/C

What does the abbreviation 'NPO' mean in a medical context?

Nothing by mouth

What does the abbreviation 'Hx' stand for?

History

What is the medical abbreviation for 'three times a day'?

TID

What does the abbreviation 'SL' mean in a prescription?

Sublingual (placed under the tongue)

What does the abbreviation 'prn' mean in a prescription?

As needed

What is the full term for the abbreviation 'H&P'?

History and physical

What is the full term for the abbreviation 'Px'?

Physical examination

What is the full term for the abbreviation 'NKA'?

No known allergies

What is the full term for the abbreviation 'PMHx'?

Past medical history

What is the full term for the abbreviation 'MI'?

Myocardial infarction

What is the full term for the abbreviation 'CVD'?

Cardiovascular disease

What is the full term for the abbreviation 'CABG'?

Coronary artery bypass graft

What is the full term for the abbreviation 'HTN'?

Hypertension

What is the full term for the abbreviation 'po'?

By mouth

What is the full term for the abbreviation 'qd'?

Once daily

What is the full term for the abbreviation 'BMI'?

Body mass index

What is the full term for the abbreviation 'HEENT'?

Head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat

What is the full term for the abbreviation 'BP'?

Blood pressure

What is the full term for the abbreviation 'CBC'?

Complete blood count

What is the full term for the abbreviation 'ECHO'?

Echocardiogram