A-, An-

Without; Lacking

Andr/o-

Male

Anti- 

Against

Auto-

Self

Bio- 

Life 

Chem/o-

Chemistry

Contra-

Against

Cyt/o-

Cell 

Dis-

Separation; Taking apart

Dys-

Difficult; Abnormal

Eu-

Good; Well

Fibr/o-

Fiber

Gluco-, Glyco-

Glucose; Sugar

Gyn/o-, Gynec-

Female

Hydr/o-

Water

Idio-

Self; One’s own

Lyso-, Lys-

Break down; Destruction; Dissolving

Mal-

Bad; Abnormal

Myc/o-

Fungus

Necr/o-

Death

Neo-

New

Oxy-

Sharp; Acute; Oxygen

Pan-, Pant/o-

All or everywhere

Pharmaco-

Drug; Medicine

Re-

Again; Backward

Somat/o-, Somatico-

Body; Bodily

Chlor/o-

Green

Chrom-, Chromato-

Color

Cyano-

Blue

Erythr/o-

Red

Leuk/o-

White

Melan/o-

Black

Acous/o-

Hearing

Aden/o-

Gland

Adip/o-

Fat

Adren/o-

Gland

Angi/o-

Blood vessel

Arteri/o-

Artery

Arthr/o-

Joint

Bucc/o-

Cheek

Bronch/i-

Bronchus

Burs/o-

Bursa

Carcin/o-

Cancer

Cardi/o-

Heart

Cephal/o-

Head

Chol-

Bile

Chondri-

Cartilage

Coron-

Heart

Cost-

Rib

Crani/o-

Brain

Cutane-

Skin

Cyst/o-, Cysti-

Bladder or sac

Derm-, Dermat/o-

Skin

Duoden/o-

Duodenum

Gastr-

Stomach

Gloss-

Tongue

Hem-, Hema-, Hemat-, Hemo-, Hemat/o-

Blood

Hepat/o-, Hepatico-

Liver

Hist/o-, Histio-

Tissue

Hyster/o-

Uterus

Ileo-

Ileum

Ischi/o-

Ischium

Kerat/o-

Cornea (eye or skin)

Lacrim/o-

Tear (from your eyes)

Lact/o-, Lacti-

Milk

Laryng/o-

Larynx

Lingu/o-

Tongue

Lip/o-

Fat

Lymph/o-

Lymph

Mamm-, Mast/o-

Breast

Mening/o-

Meninges

Muscul/o-

Muscle

My/o-

Muscle

Myel/o-

Spinal cord or bone marrow

Nephr/o-

Kidney

Neur/i-, Neur/o-

Nerve

Oculo-

Eye

Onco-

Tumor; Bulk; Volume

Onych/o-

Fingernail; Toenail

Oo-

Egg; Ovary

Oophor/o-

Ovary

Op-, Opt-

Vision

Ophthalm/o-

Eye

Orchid/o-, Orchio-

Testis

Orth/o-

Straight; Normal; Correct

Osseo-

Bony

Ossi-

Bone

Ost-, Oste/o-

Bone

Ot/o-

Ear

Ovar/i-, Ovario-, Ovi-, Ovo-

Ovary

Phalang-

Phalanx

Pharyng/o-

Pharynx; Throat

Phleb/o-

Vein

Phren/i-, Phreno-, Phrenico-

Diaphragm

Pleur-, Pleur/a-, Pleur/o-

Rib, pleura

Pneum/a- Pneumat/o-

Air; Lung

Proct/o-

Anus; Rectum

Prostat-

Prostate

Pseudo-

False

Psych/o-, Psyche-

Mind

Radio-

Radiation; Radius

Ren/o-

Kidney

Retin-

Retina (of the eye)

Rhin/o-

Nose

Salping/o-

Tube

Sarco-

Muscular; Flesh-like

Schiz/o-

Split; Cleft

Sclera-, Sclero-

Hardness

Sigmoid/o-

Sigmoid colon

Sperma-, Spermo-, Spermato-

Sperm

Splen/o-

Spleen

Sten/o-

Narrowed; Blocked

Stern-

Sternum

Stom/a-, Stomat/o-

Mouth

Thorac/o-, Thoracico-

Chest

Thromb/o-

Blood clot

Thyr/o-

Thyroid gland

Trache/o-

Trachea

Tympan/o-

Eardrum

Ur/o-

Urine

Vagin-

Vagina

Varic/o-

Duct; Blood vessel

Vasculo-

Blood vessel

Ven/o-

Vein

Vertbr-

Vertebra; Spine

Ab-, Abs-

Away from

Ad-

Towards

Ante-

Before; Forward

Circum-

Around

Cycl-

Circle; Cycle

De-

Away from; Ending

Dia-

Across; Through

Ect/o-, Exo-

Outer; Outside

End/o-, Ent-, Enter/o-

Within; Inner

Epi-

Upon; Outside of

Ex-, Extra-

Beyond

Infra-

Beneath; Below

Inter-

Between

Intra-

Within

Meso-

Middle

Meta-

Beyond; Change

Para-

Alongside; Abnormal

Path/o-

Disease

Peri-

Around

Post-

Behind; After

Pre-

Before; In front

Retro-

Backward; Behind

Sub-

Under

Super-

Above

Supra-

Above; Upon

Sy-, Syl-, Sym-, Syn-, Sys-

Together

Trans-

Across; Through

Cry/o-

Cold

Elect-

Electrical activity

Kin/o-, Kine-, Kinesi/o-

Movement

Kyphy/o-

Humped

Rhabd/o-

Rod-shaped; Striated

Phot/o-

Light

Reticul/o-

Net

Scoli/o-

Twisted

Therm/o-

Heat

-ac

Pertaining to

-blast, -blasto, -blastic

Bud; Germ

-cyte, -cytic

Cell

-dynia

Pain; Swelling

-eal, -ial

Pertaining to

-ectasis

Expansion; Dilation

-emia

Blood condition

-ia

Condition

-iasis

Condition; Formation of

-ism

Condition

-ites, -itis

Inflammation

-ity

Pertaining to

-ium

Structure or tissue

-lysis, -lytic

Break down; Destruction; Dissolving

-malacia

Softening

-megaly

Enlargement

-oid

Resembling

-oma

Tumor

-osis

Condition; Usually abnormal

-ous

Pertaining to

-pathy

Disease

-penia

Deficiency; Lack of

-phagia, -phagy

Eating; Swallowing

-phasia

Speech

-plasia, -plastic

Growth

-plegia

Paralysis

-pnea

Breathing

-poiesis

Production

-ptosis

Falling; Drooping

-rrhage, -rrhagic

Bleeding

-rrhea

Flow or discharge

-sclerosis

Hardening

-sis

Condition

-stasis

Level; Unchanging

-trophy

Growth

-uria

In the urine

Bi-

Two

Brady-

Slow

Diplo-

Double

Hemi-

Half

Hetero-

Other; Different

Homo-

Same

Hyper-

Above; Beyond; Excessive

Hypo-

Under; Deficient

Iso-

Equal; Like

Macro-

Large; Long; Big

Mic-, Micro-

Small

Mon-, Mono-

One

Olig/o-

Few; Little

Poly-

Many; Excessive

Quadri-

Four

Semi-

Half

Tachy-

Fast

Tetra-

Four

Tri-

Three

Uni-

One

-centesis

Surgical puncture to remove fluid

-desis

Surgical binding

-ectomy

Cut out; Removal

-gram

Record; Picture

-graph

Instrument used to create a record or picture

-graphy

To record or take a picture

-meter

Device used for measuring

-opsy

Visual examination

-ostomy

Opening

-otomy

Incision

-pexy

Surgical fixation

-plasty

Surgical reconstruction

-scope

For examining

-scopy

Examine

A.A.R.O.M.

active assistive range of motion

AAC

augmentative and alternative communication

A.B.G

arterial blood gas

a.c.

before meals

A/C

assist control

ADA Diet

American Diabetes Association Diet

A.D.L.

activities of daily living

A.Fib.

atrial fibrillation

AKA

above-knee amputation or above-the-knee amputation

ALS

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

AMA

against medical advice

A&O

alert and oriented

A/P

anterior–posterior

A.R.O.M.

active range of motion

ASAP

as soon as possible

ASD

autism spectrum disorder

ASL

American Sign Language

b.i.d.

twice a day

BKA

below-knee amputation

B/L

bilateral

B.L.BS

bilateral breath sounds

BMR

basal metabolism rate

BP

blood pressure

BR

bed rest

bs

bowel sounds

BS

breath sounds

B/S

bedside

bx

biopsy

CHI

closed head injury

cm

centimeter

CMT

continuing medication and treatment

CN

cranial nerve

CNA

certified nursing assistant

CNS

central nervous system

c/o

complains of

COTA

certified occupational therapy assistant

cont

continue(d)

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CP

cerebral palsy

CPAP

continuous positive airway pressure

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CRF

chronic renal failure

CRNP

certified registered nurse practitioner

c̅

with

C

Celsius, centigrade

C1, C2, etc.

first cervical vertebrae, second cervical vertebrae, etc.

CA

cardiac arrest

CA, ca

cancer, carcinoma

CABG

coronary artery bypass graft

CAD

coronary artery disease

cal

calorie

cath

catheter

CBC

complete blood count

cc

cubic centimeter

CC

chief complaint

CHF

congestive heart failure, chronic heart failure

CCU

coronary care unit

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid

CT

computerized tomography

CV

cardiovascular

CVA

cerebral vascular accident

CXR

chest X-ray

d

day

d/c

discontinue

DC

discharge

DM

diabetes mellitus

DNK

do not know

DNKA

did not keep appointment

DNR

do not resuscitate

DNT

did not test

DOA

dead on arrival

DOB

date of birth

DOE

dyspnea on exertion

d/t

due to

Dx

diagnosis

ECC, EKG

electrocardiogram

ED

emergency department

EEG

electroencephalogram

EENT

eyes, ears, nose, throat

EMG

electromyogram

ENT

ears, nose, throat

ER

emergency room

ETOH

ethanol (alcohol)

exam

examination

ext

external, exterior

GB

gall bladder

GCS

Glasgow Coma Scale

GE

gastroenterology

GERD

gastroesophageal reflux disease

G/E

gastroenteritis

gen

general

gest.

gestation

G.I.

gastrointestinal

GNA

geriatric nursing assistant

gluc

glucose

GP

general practitioner, general paralysis

GSW

gunshot wound

F

Fahrenheit

FH

family history

fib

fibrillation

fl, fld

fluid

FOB

foot of bed

f/u

follow-up

FWB

full weight bearing

Fx

fracture

GTT

glucose tolerance test

Gt. tr.

gait training

GYN

gynecology

H/A

headache

HAV

hepatitis A virus

Hb.

hemoglobin

HB

heart block

HBP

high blood pressure

h.d.

at bedtime

HEENT

head, eyes, ears, nose, throat

HEP

home exercise program

H₂O

water

h/o

history of

HOB

head of bed

H&P

history and physical

HR

heart rate

HTN

hypertension

HVD

hypertensive vascular disease

Hx

history

Hz

hertz (cycles/second)

ICCU

intensive coronary care unit

ICP

intracranial pressure

ICU

intensive care unit

imp.

impression

incr.

increased(ing)

inf

infusion, inferior

inspire

inspiration, inspiratory

int.

internal

I&O

intake and output

IPPB

intermittent positive pressure breathing

irreg.

irregular

IV

intravenous(ly)

J, jt.

joint

K

potassium, kidney

L

left, liver, liter, lower, light, lumbar

L2, L3

second lumbar vertebrae, third lumbar vertebrae

lab

laboratory

lac.

laceration

lat.

lateral

LBW

low birth rate

L.E.

lower extremities

liq.

liquid

L.O.C.

loss of consciousness, level of consciousness, laxative of choice

LOS

length of stay

LP

lumbar puncture

LPN

licensed practical nurse

m, M

married, male, mother, murmur, meter, mass, molar

max.

maximum, maxillary

MBC

maximum breathing capacity

MBSS

modified barium swallow study

MCA

middle cerebral artery

MD

muscular dystrophy

mdnt.

midnight

med.

medicine

mets.

metastasis

MG

myasthenia gravis

MI

myocardial infarction

min

minute

LUE

left upper extremity

Lx

larynx

L&W

living and well

MICU

medical intensive care unit

mod

moderate

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging

MRSA

methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

mss

massage

MVA

motor vehicle accident

n.

nerve

Na

sodium

NaCl

sodium chloride

NAD

no abnormality detected

NAD

no apparent distress

neg.

negative

neur.

neurology

NG

nasogastric

NIC

neonatal intensive care

NICU

neonatal intensive care unit

NKA

no known allergies

no.

number

NOS

not otherwise specified

NPO

nothing by mouth

NSA

no specific abnormality

NST

nonstress test

N&V

nausea and vomiting

NVD

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

N&W

normal and well

NWB

non–weight bearing

NYD

not yet diagnosed

o

none, without

O

oral

O₂

oxygen

O₂ cap.

oxygen capacity

O₂ sat.

oxygen saturation

OA

osteoarthritis

OB, OBG

obstetrics

OB/GYN

obstetrics and gynecology

Obs

observation

OBS

organic brain syndrome

ODD

oppositional defiant disorder

O/E

on examination

OH

occupational history

OHD

organic heart disease

oint.

ointment

O.M.

otitis media

O.M.E.

otitis media with effusion

OOB, oob

out of bed

Op.

operation

ot.

ear

Oto

otolaryngology

OTC

over-the-counter (pharmaceuticals)

O.T.

occupational therapy, old tuberculin

OR

operating room

PA

physician’s assistant

p&a

percussion and auscultation

PACU

post anesthesia care unit

PAF

paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

palp.

palpate, palpated, palpable

Path

pathology

PA view

posterior–anterior view on X-ray

p/c, p.c.

after meals

PD

Parkinson’s disease

pdr.

powder

PDN

private duty nurse

PE

physical exam, pulmonary embolism, pressure equalizer (tubes)

Ped.

pediatrics

PEEP

positive end-expiratory pressure

PEG

percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

PET

positron emission tomography

PH

past history

pharm

pharmacy

PHYS.

physical, physiology

PI

present illness, pulmonary insufficiency

PICU

pulmonary intensive care unit

PID

pelvic inflammatory disease

plts.

platelets

P.M.

afternoon, postmortem

PMH

past medical history

PMR

physical medicine and rehabilitation

PN

poorly nourished, practical nurse

P&N

psychiatry and neurology

PNA

pneumo, pneumonia

PNI

peripheral nerve injury

PNX

pneuomothorax

p.o.

by mouth

p.o.d.

postoperative day

pos.

positive

post.

posterior

POSTOP.

postoperative

pot. or potass.

potassium

PR

proctology

pre-op

preoperative

prep.

prepare for

p.r.m.

according to circumstances

p.r.n., PRN

as often as necessary, as needed

prod.

productive

Prog.

prognosis

PROM

passive range of motion

pron.

pronator, pronation

prosth.

prosthesis

PSH

past surgical history

Psych.

psychiatry

pt., Pt.

patient

PT, P.T.

physical therapy

PTA

prior to admission

PTA pulse

posterior tibial artery pulse

PUD

peptic ulcer disease

PVD

peripheral vascular disease

PVT

previous trouble

PWB%

partial weight bearing with percent

Px, PX

physical examination

q

every

q.h.

every hour

q.i.d.

four times a day

qt.

quart

quad.

quadriplegic

R, r

right

R.

rub, rectal temperature

RA

rheumatoid arthritis, right atrium

rad.

radial

r.a.m.

rapid alternating movements

R.A.S.

right arm sitting

RAtx

radiation therapy

rbc/RBC

red blood cell, red blood count

RCA

right coronary artery

RCU

respiratory care unit

RD

respiratory distress

RDS

respiratory distress syndrome

RE

reconditioning exercise

reg.

regular

rehab.

rehabilitation

resp.

respiratory, respirations

RF

rheumatic fever

RLAS

Rancho Los Amigos Scale

R to L&A

react to light and accommodation

RLE

right lower extremity

RN

registered nurse

RND

radical neck dissection

RO, R/O

rule out

ROM

range of motion, rupture of membranes, right otitis media

ROS

review of symptoms

Rt.

right

RT

radiation therapy, respiratory therapy

RUE

right upper extremity

RV

residual volume

RW

rolling walker

Rx

therapy, prescription

s

without

S

sensation, sensitive, serum

Sa.

saline

s.c.

subcutaneous(ly)

Scc

squamous cell carcinoma

SCCA

squamous cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma antigen

SCD

sudden cardiac death

SCI

spinal cord injury

schiz

schizophrenia

SCU

special care unit

sec

second

Sens.

sensory, sensation

sep.

separated

SGA

small for gestational age

s.gl.

without correction (without glasses)

SH

social history

SI

stroke index

sib.

sibling

SICU

surgical intensive care unit

SIDS

sudden infant death syndrome

skel.

skeletal

Sl.

slightly

SL

under the tongue

SLP

speech-language pathologist

sm

small

SNF

skilled nursing facility

SOAP

subjective, objective, assessment, plan

SOB

shortness of breath

S/P, s/p

status post (previous condition)

sp. cd.

spinal cord

spec.

specimen

sp. fl.

spinal fluid

sp&H

speech and hearing

spin.

spine, spinal

spont.

spontaneous

s/s

signs and symptoms

SS

social service

ST

speech therapy

stat., STAT

immediately

STD

sexually transmitted disease

subcut.

subcutaneous

subling.

sublingual

sup.

superior

supin.

supination

surg.

surgery, surgical

Sx

symptoms

sys.

system

Syst.

systolic

Sz

seizure

TIA

transient ischemic attack

TKR

total knee replacement

TNM

tumor, nodes, and metastases

TO

telephone order

TPN

total parenteral nutrition

TPR

temperature, pulse, respiration

tr

trace

trach

tracheostomy

tsp.

teaspoon

Tx

treatment, traction

T

temperature

T&A

tonsils and adenoids, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy

tab.

tablet

TAH

total abdominal hysterectomy

TB

tuberculosis

TBI

traumatic brain injury

temp

temperature

THERAP.

therapy, therapeutic

THR

total hip replacement

U/A

urinalysis

UCD, UCHD

usual childhood diseases

UG

upward gaze

Unilat.

unilateral

u/o

under observation

Ur.

urine

URD

upper respiratory disease

URI

upper respiratory infection

Urol.

urology

u/s, US

ultrasound

UTI

urinary tract infection

V

vein

VA

visual acuity

vag

vagina, vaginal

VC, vit.cap.

vital capacity

VD

venereal disease

vent.

ventilator

vert.

vertical

VF

visual fields, ventricular fibrillation

VFSS

videofluoroscopic swallowing study

Via

by way of

vit.

vitamin

VN

visiting nurse

VO

verbal order

VS, V.S.

vital signs

w, wk

week

W/C, wh.ch.

wheelchair

WBT

weight bearing tolerance

WFL

within functional limits

w/n

within

WNL

within normal limits

WP

whirlpool

wt.

weight

w/u

workup

x

times

y.o.

years old

yrs.

years