Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms

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ALL

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

AMI

Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack)

B-ALL

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

FSH

Follicle-stimulating hormone. A blood test for follicle-stimulating hormone is used to evaluate fertility in women.

HAPE

High altitude pulmonary edema

HPS

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. A type of contagious, infectious disease is transmitted by rats infected with the virus.

IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome (A medical disease that involves the gastrointestinal tract.)

IDDM

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Type 1 diabetes.

MDS

Myelodysplastic syndrome

NBCCS

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome

PE

Pulmonary embolism. A type of blood clot in the lungs.

SIDS

Sudden infant death syndrome

TSH

Thyroid-stimulating hormone. A blood test for TSH is used to diagnose thyroid disease.

a.c.

Before meals. As in taking medicine before meals.

a/g ratio

Albumin to globulin ratio.

ACL

Anterior cruciate ligament. ACL injuries are one of the most common ligament injuries to the knee. The ACL can be sprained or completely torn from trauma and/or degeneration.

Ad lib

At liberty. For example, a patient may be permitted to move out of bed freely and orders would, therefore, be for activities to be ad lib.

AFR

Acute renal failure

ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ADR

Adverse drug reaction. If a patient is taking a prescription drug to treat high blood pressure disease

AIDS

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome

AKA

Above the knee amputation.

Anuric

Not producing urine. A person who is anuric is often critical and may require dialysis.

ANED

Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.

ADH

Antidiuretic hormone

ARDS

Acute respiratory distress syndrome.

ARF

Acute renal (kidney) failure

ASCVD

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. A form of heart disease.

b.i.d.

Twice daily. As in taking medicine twice daily.

bld

Blood. Blood was visible on the patient’s scalp.

Bandemia

Slang for an elevated level of band forms of white blood cells.

Bibasilar

At the bases of both lungs. For example, someone with pneumonia in both lungs might have abnormal bibasilar breath sounds.

BKA

Below the knee amputation.

BMP

Basic metabolic panel. Electrolytes (potassium, sodium, carbon dioxide, and chloride) and creatinine and glucose.

BP

Blood pressure. Blood pressure is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."

BPD

Borderline personality disorder. A personality disorder.

BSO

Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. A BSO is the removal of both of the ovaries and adjacent Fallopian tubes and often is performed as part of a total abdominal hysterectomy.

C&S

Culture and sensitivity, performed to detect infection.

C/O

Complaint of. The patient's expressed concern.

cap

Capsule.

Ca

Cancer; carcinoma. For example, a patient who underwent treatment for cancer should assure that they are eating and drinking enough fluids daily, both during and after treatment.

CABG. Coronary artery bypass graft. A surgery involving the heart.

CBC

Complete blood count.

CC

Chief complaint. The patient's main concern.

CDE

Complete dental (oral) evaluation.

cc

Cubic centimeters. For example, the amount of fluid removed from the body is recorded in ccs.

Chem panel

Chemistry panel. A comprehensive screening blood test that indicates the status of the liver, kidneys, and electrolytes.

CPAP

Continuous positive airway pressure. Treatment for sleep apnea.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

CT

Chemotherapy. A type of treatment therapy for cancer.

CVA

Cerebrovascular accident (Stroke).

D/C or DC

Discontinue or discharge. For example, a doctor will D/C a drug. Alternatively, the doctor might DC a patient from the hospital.

DCIS

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ. A type of breast cancer. The patient is receiving treatment for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ.

DDX

Differential diagnosis. A variety of diagnostic possibilities are being considered to diagnose the type of cancer present in the patient.

DJD

Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.

DM

Diabetes mellitus.

DNC, D&C, or D and C

Dilation and curettage. Widening the cervix and scrapping with a curette for the purpose of removing tissue lining the inner surface of the womb (uterus).

DNR

Do not resuscitate. This is a specific order not to revive a patient artificially if they succumb to illness. If a patient is given a DNR order, they are not resuscitated if they are near death and no code blue is called.

DOE

Dyspnea on exertion. Shortness of breath with activity.

DTR

Deep tendon reflexes. These are reflexes that the doctor tests by banging on the tendons with a rubber hammer.

DVT

Deep venous thrombosis (blood clot in a large vein).

ETOH

Alcohol. ETOH intake history is often recorded as part of patient history.

ECT

Electroconclusive therapy. A procedure used to control seizures (convulsions).

FX

Fracture.

g

gram, a unit of weight. The cream is available in both 30 and 60-gram tubes.

GOMER

Slang for "get out of my emergency room."

GvHD

Graft vs. host disease. It is complicated by the syndromes of acute and chronic graft-vs-host disease (GVHD).

gtt

Drops.

H&H

Hemoglobin and hematocrit. When the H & H is low, anemia is present. The H&H can be elevated in persons who have lung disease from long term smoking or from disease, such as polycythemia rubra vera.

H&P

History and physical examination.

h.s.

At bedtime. As in taking medicine at bedtime.

H/O or h/o

History of. A past event that occurred.

HA

Headache.

HRT

Hormone replacement or hormone replacement therapy.

HTN

Hypertension.

I&D

Incision and drainage.

IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

ICD

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator

ICU

Intensive care unit. The patient was moved to the intensive care unit.

IM

Intramuscular. This is a typical notation when noting or ordering an injection (shot) given into a muscle, such as with B12 for pernicious anemia.

IMP

Impression. This is the summary conclusion of the patient's condition by the healthcare professional at that particular date and time.

ITU

Intensive therapy unit

in vitro

In the laboratory

in vivo

In the body

IPF

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. A type of lung disease.

IU

International units.

JT

Joint.

K

Potassium. An essential electrolyte is frequently monitored regularly in intensive care.

KCL

Potassium chloride.

LCIS

Lobular Carcinoma In Situ. A type of cancer of the breast. The patient is receiving treatment for Lobular Carcinoma In Situ.

LBP

Low back pain. LBP is one of most common medical complaints.

LLQ

Left lower quadrant. Diverticulitis pain is often in the LLQ of the abdomen.

LUQ

Left upper quadrant. The spleen is located in the LUQ of the abdomen.

Lytes

Electrolytes (potassium, sodium, carbon dioxide, and chloride).

MCL

Medial collateral ligament.

mg

Milligrams.

M/H

Medical history

ml

Milliliters.

MVP

Mitral valve prolapse.

N/V

Nausea or vomiting.