Common Medical Terminology & Abbreviations (Prefixes, Roots, & Suffixes)

PHRM 3030 & PHRM 3550

a/an-

no/not/without

ABW

actual body weight

acro-

extremity/topmost

adeno-

gland

-algesia

sensitivity to pain

-algia/dynia

pain

amp.

ampule

angio-

vessel/pertaining to a vessel

APAP

acetaminophen

aq.

water

aq. dist.

distilled water

aru/o-

ear/relating to the ear

athr-

joint

ASA

aspirin

ASAP

as soon as possible

ATC

around the clock

BG

blood glucose

BM

bowel movement

BP

blood pressure

brady-

slow/slower

BS

blood sugar

BSA

body surface area

BUN

blood urea nitrogen

BW

body weight

C

centigrade/Celsius

CA

cancer/cardiac arrest

cardi/o-

heart

cephalo-

head

CBC

complete blood count

contra/anti-

opposite/against

CHF

congestive heart failure

CNS

central nervous system

chole-

bile/“gall”

cyst

bladder/sac of fluid

cyto-

cell

C&S

culture & sensitivity

D5W

5% dextrose in water (aq.)

D/C

discontinue

derm-

skin

dextro-

toward/on the right-hand side

DNR

do not resuscitate

DOB

date of birth

DPT

diphtheria, pertussis, & tetanus

DS

double strength

d.t.d./dtd

give of such doses

DW

distilled water

D5NS

dextrose 5% in normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl))

D5(1/2)NS/D5-0.45

dextrose 5% in half (1/2) normal saline (0.45% sodium chloride (NaCl))

D5W

dextrose 5% in water

Dx

diagnosis(es)

dys-

difficult/painful/faulty

EC

enteric coated

-ectomy

removal/resection

ECG/EKG

electrocardiogram

EDTA

edetate

EENT

eyes, ears, nose & throat

EES

erythromycin ethylsuccinate

EFAD

essential fatty aid deficiency

elix

elixir

enter/o

intestine/pertaining to the intestine

EPI

epinephrine

EPO

erythropoietin

ER/ED

emergency room/emergency department

et, et al.

and, and others

eu-

normal

f./ft

make

F

Fahrenheit

FBS/FBG

fasting blood sugar/fasting blood glucose

FFA

free fatty acids

fl/fld

fluid

FU/5-FU

fluorouracil

-emia

condition in blood

gastr/o-

stomach/pertaining to the stomach

GFR

glomerular filtration rate

GI

gastrointestinal

gr

grain

GYN

gynecology

GU

genitourinary

HA

headache

Hb/Hgb

hemoglobin

HBP/HTN

high blood pressure/hypertension

HC

hydrocortisone

HCT/Hct

hematocrit

HCTZ

hydrochlorothiazide

HEPA

high-efficiency particulate air

hepat-

liver

HR

heart rate

HRT

hormone replacement therapy

HT

height

Hx

history

hyper-

high/higher/more than normal

hypo-

low/lower/less than normal

-iasis

medical condition

IBW

ideal body weight

ICU

intensive care unit

ID

intradermal

inj

injection

IM

intramuscular/intramuscularly

INH

isoniazid

I&O

input & output