Med. Term Abbreviations - H-I, K-P

H

Hydrogen

h,hr

hour

HAART

highly active antiretroviral therapy (for AIDS)

HB, hgb, Hgb

hemoglobin

HbAlc

glycosylated hemoglobin (measured to test for diabetes)

HBV

hepatitis B virus

HCC

Hepatocellular carcinoma

HCG, hCG

human chorionic gonadotropin (secreted during pregnancy)

Het, HCT

hematocrit

HCV

hepatitis C virus

HD

hemodialysis (performed by artificial kidney machine); heart disease high-density

HDL

high-density lipoprotein (associated with decreased incidence of coronary artery disease)

HEENT

head, eyes, ears, nose, throat

Hg

Mercury

Hgb, hgb, Hb

hemoglobin

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996

HIV

human immunodeficiency virus

h/o

history of

H2O

water

H&P

history and physical (examination

HPV

human papillomavirus

HRT

hormone replacement therapy

h.s.

at bedtime (hora somni)

HSG

hysterosalpingography

HSV-1, HSV-2

herpes simplex virus type 1, type 2

HTN

hypertension

Hx

history

I

Iodine

I-131

Iodine-131 (radioactive iodine)

I&D

incision and drainage

IBD

inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis)

IBS

irritable bowel syndrome (of unknown etiology)

ICD

implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

ICU

intensive care unit

ID

infectious disease

IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, IgM

immunoglobulins (antibodies)

IM

intramuscular; infectious mononucleosis

INH

isoniazid (drug to treat tuberculosis)

INR

international normalized ratio (system for reporting results of blood coagulation tests)

I&O

intake and output (measurement of patient's fluids)

IOL

intraocular lens (implant)

IUD

intrauterine device (contraceptive)

IV

intravenous

IVF

in vitro fertilization

IVP

intravenous pyelography; intravenous push

K

Potassium

kg

kilogram (1 kg=1000 grams)

KS

Kaposi sarcoma (malignant lesion associated with AIDS)

KUB

kidney, ureter, bladder (x-ray study without contrast)

L, l

left; liter; lower

L1, L2

first lumbar vertebra, second lumbar vertebra

LA

Left atrium

LAD

left anterior descending artery (of the heart); lymphadenopathy

lat

lateral

LBP

low back pain; low blood pressure

LDH

lactic dehydrogenase (elevation associated with heart attacks)

LDL

low-density lipoprotein (high levels associated with heart disease)

LE

lupus erythematosus

LEEP

loop electrocautery excision procedure

LES

lower esophageal sphincter

LFTs

liver function tests

LLQ

left lower quadrant (abdomen)

LMP

last menstrual period

LP

lumbar puncture

LPM

licensed practical nurse

LTB

laryngotracheal bronchitis (croup)

LUQ

left upper quadrant (abdomen)

LV

left ventricle

LVAD

left ventricular assist device (bridge to cardiac transplantation)

L&W

living and well

lymphs

lymphocytes

lytes

electrolytes

m

meter; milli (one thousandth)

MAC

monitored anesthesia care

MCH

mean corpuscular hemoglobin (amount in each red blood cell)

MCHC

mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (amount per unit of blood)

MCV

mean corpuscular volume (size of individual RBC)

MD, M.D.

doctor of medicine; muscular dystrophy

MDI

metered dose inhaler

MDS

myelodysplastic syndrome (a bone marrow disorder)

mets

metastases

mg

milligram (1mg=1/1000g)

Mg

Magnesium

MH

marital history; mental health

MI

myocardial infarction (heart attack)

mL

milliliter (1mL=1/1000 liter)

mm

millimeter (1mm=1/1000m)

mm Hg

millimeters of mercury (units for measurement of blood pressure)

mono

monocytes (type of white blood cell)

MRA

magnetic resonance angiography

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging

MRSA

methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus

MS

mental status; mitral stenosis; multiple sclerosis

MSW

medical social worker

MTD

maximum tolerated dose

MVP

mitral valve prolapse

myop

myopia (nearsightedness)

N

Nitrogen

Na

Sodium

NB

newborn