Medical Abbreviations

Common abbreviations used in healthcare

QD/qd

once a day

BID

twice a day

TID

three times a day

QID

four times a day

Q4H/Q6H

every 4 hours/every 6 hours

Ac

before meals

NPO

nothing by mouth

DNR

Do Not Resuscitate

HS

hour of sleep

Dx

diagnosis

CVA

Cerebrovascular accident, commonly known as a stroke.

OU

both eyes

c (with a line over it)

with

BM

Bowel movement; the passage of feces from the digestive tract.

HOB

head of bed

DON

director of nursing

CHF

Congestive heart failure, a condition where the heart struggles to pump blood effectively.

IV

intravenous

MN

midnight

pc

after meals

Hx

history

P.T.

physical therapy

QOD

every other day

W/C or w/c

wheelchair

I&O

intake and output

ADL

Activities of Daily Living

HOH

Hard of hearing

O.T.

Occupational Therapy, a therapeutic approach that helps individuals develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills.

S.T.

Speech Therapy

DOB

Date of Birth

Fx

fracture

OS

OD

right eye

s (with a line over it)

without

PO

by mouth

FOB

fecal occult blood

CAD

coronary artery disease

GI

gastrointestinal system

MI

myocardial infarction/heart attack

SOB

shortness of breath

HTN

hypertension, a condition characterized by elevated blood pressure levels.