TH

Common Medical Abbreviations and Prefixes

Abbreviations in Medical Terminology

Page 1: Initial Abbreviations

  • a: before

  • AAROM: active assisted range of motion

  • abd: abdomen

  • ABR: absolute bedrest

  • ac, a.c.: before meals

  • AD: Alzheimer’s disease

  • ADC: AIDS dementia complex

  • ad lib: as desired

  • ADLs: activities of daily living

  • adm.: admission

  • AED: automated external defibrillator

  • AHA: American Heart Association

  • AIDS: acquired immune deficiency syndrome

  • AIIR: airborne infection isolation room

  • AKA: above-knee amputation, also known as am

  • AM: morning

  • AMA: against medical advice, American Medical Association

  • amb: ambulate, ambulatory

  • AMD: age-related macular degeneration

  • amt.: amount

  • ANS: autonomic nervous system

  • ant.: anterior

  • a.p./AP: apical pulse

  • approx.: approximately

  • AROM: active range of motion

  • ASAP: as soon as possible

  • assist: assistance

  • as tol: as tolerated

  • A, T, D: admission, transfer, and discharge

  • ax: axillary

  • BID, b.i.d.: two times a day

  • BKA: below-knee amputation

  • bld: blood

  • BLS: basic life support

  • BM: bowel movement

  • BP, B/P: blood pressure

  • BPH: benign prostatic hypertrophy

  • BPM: beats per minute

  • BR: bedrest

  • BRP: bathroom privileges

  • BSC: bedside commode

  • BSE: breast self-examination

  • C: centigrade, Celsius

  • c: with

  • Ca/CA: calcium, cancer, carcinoma

  • CAD: coronary artery disease

  • cal: calorie

  • cath.: catheter

  • CBC: complete blood count

  • CBI: continuous bladder irrigation

  • CBR: complete bedrest

Page 2: Continued Abbreviations

  • CRF: chronic renal failure

  • CCMS: clean-catch midstream

  • CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  • CDE: certified diabetes educator

  • C. diff: clostridium difficile

  • CEP: competency evaluation (testing) programs

  • CEU: continuing education unit

  • CHD: coronary heart disease

  • CHF: congestive heart failure

  • chol: cholesterol

  • ck: check

  • cl liq: clear liquid

  • cm: centimeter

  • CMS: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

  • CNA: certified nursing assistant

  • CNP: certified nurse practitioner

  • CNS: central nervous system

  • c/o: complains of, in care of

  • CO2: carbon dioxide

  • COLD: chronic obstructive lung disease

  • COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

  • CP: cerebral palsy

  • CPM: continuous passive motion

  • CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation

  • C.S.: Central Supply

  • CSF: cerebrospinal fluid

  • CVA: cerebrovascular accident, stroke

  • CVP: central venous pressure

  • CVS: cardiovascular system

  • CXR: chest x-ray

  • DAT: diet as tolerated

  • DJD: degenerative joint disease

  • DKA: diabetic ketoacidosis

  • DM: diabetes mellitus

  • DNR: do not resuscitate

  • DO: doctor of osteopathy

  • DOA: dead on arrival

  • DOB: date of birth

  • DON: director of nursing

  • Dr.: doctor

  • DRG: diagnostic related group

  • drsg: dressing

  • DVT: deep vein thrombosis

  • Dx/dx: diagnosis

Page 3: Further Abbreviations

  • ECG, EKG: electrocardiogram

  • ED: emergency department

  • EENT: eye, ear, nose, and throat

  • e.g.: for example

  • EMS: emergency medical services

  • ER: emergency room

  • ESRD: end-stage renal disease

  • et al.: and other things

  • ETOH: alcohol

  • exam: examination

  • F: Fahrenheit, female

  • FBS: fasting blood sugar

  • FDA: Food and Drug Administration

  • Fe: iron

  • FF: force fluids

  • FH: family history

  • fld: fluid

  • FS: fingerstick

  • FSBS: fingerstick blood sugar

  • ft: foot

  • F/U, f/u: follow-up

  • FUO: fever of unknown origin

  • FWB: full weight-bearing

  • fx: fracture

  • FYI: for your information

  • g: gram

  • GAD: generalized anxiety disorder

  • gal: gallon

  • GB: gallbladder

  • GERD: gastroesophageal reflux disease

  • geri chair: geriatric chair

  • GI: gastrointestinal

  • GP: general practitioner

  • GSW: gunshot wound

  • GTT: glucose tolerance test

  • GU: genitourinary

  • GYN/gyn: gynecology

Page 4: Ongoing Abbreviations

  • h, hr, hr.: hour

  • H2O: water

  • H2O2: hydrogen peroxide

  • H/A: headache

  • HAART: highly active antiretroviral therapy

  • H&P: history and physical

  • HAV: hepatitis A virus

  • HBV: hepatitis B virus

  • HCV: hepatitis C virus

  • HDV: hepatitis D virus

  • HEV: hepatitis E virus

  • Hg: mercury

  • HHA: home health aide

  • Hi-cal: high calorie

  • HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

  • HIV: human immunodeficiency virus

  • HMO: health maintenance organization

  • HOB: head of bed

  • HOH: hard of hearing

Page 5: Additional Abbreviations

  • HPV: human papillomavirus

  • HS/hs: hours of sleep

  • ht: height

  • HTN: hypertension

  • H.U.C.: Health Unit Coordinator

  • Hx: history

  • hyper: above normal, too fast, rapid

  • hypo: low, less than normal

  • I&D: incision and drainage

  • I&O: intake and output

  • IBD: irritable bowel disease

  • IBS: irritable bowel syndrome

  • ICU: intensive care unit

  • ID: identification

  • i.e.: that is

  • IICU: intermediate intensive care unit

  • IM: intramuscular

  • in: inch

  • inc: incontinent

  • inf: inferior

  • IQ: intelligence quotient

  • irr., irrig: irrigation

  • isol: isolation

  • I.V., IV: intravenous

  • K: potassium

  • kg: kilogram

  • KS: Kaposi’s sarcoma

  • l, L: liter

  • L, lt: left

  • lab: laboratory

  • lb: pound

  • LBP: low back pain

Page 6: Further Abbreviations

  • LE: lower extremity

  • lg: large

  • liq: liquid

  • LLE: left lower extremity

  • LLQ: left lower quadrant

  • LOC: level of consciousness, level of care

  • Low-cal: low-calorie

  • Low-fat/ low-fat: low-calorie

  • Low-Na: low-sodium

  • LPN: Licensed Practical Nurse

  • LTC: long-term care

  • LTCF: long-term care facility

  • LUQ: left upper quadrant

  • LVN: Licensed Vocational Nurse

  • M.D.: medical doctor

  • MD: muscular dystrophy

  • MDROs: multidrug-resistant organisms

  • MDR-TB: multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

Page 7: Medical Units and Measurements

  • MDS: minimum data set

  • meds: medications

  • med-surg: medical-surgical

  • mg: milligram

  • MI: myocardial infarction

  • min: minute

  • mL: milliliter

  • mm: millimeter

  • mm Hg: millimeters of mercury

  • MO: microorganism

  • mod: moderate

  • MRI: magnetic resonance imaging

  • MRSA: methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus

  • MS: multiple sclerosis

  • MSDs: musculoskeletal disorders

  • MSW: medical social worker

  • MUFA: monounsaturated fat

  • MVA: motor vehicle accident

  • Na: sodium

  • N/A: not applicable

  • NA: nursing assistant

  • NaCl: sodium chloride (table salt)

  • NAS: no added salt

  • NATCEP: Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program

  • N/C: no complaints, no call

  • NCS: no concentrated sweets

  • neg: negative

  • NF: nursing facility

  • NG, ng: nasogastric

  • NIBP: non-invasive blood pressure monitoring

  • NKA: no known allergies

  • NKDA: no known drug allergies

  • no: number

  • noc: night

  • NPO: nothing by mouth

  • NVD: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

  • NWB: non-weight-bearing

Page 8: Ongoing Medical Abbreviations

  • O2: oxygen

  • O&P: ova and parasites

  • OB: obstetrics

  • ob/gyn: obstetrics and gynecology

  • OBRA: Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act

  • occ: occasionally

  • OCD: obsessive-compulsive disorder

  • OD: overdose

  • O.D.: right eye

  • OG: orogastric

  • OOB: out of bed

  • OPD: outpatient department

  • O.R.: operating room

  • ord.: orderly, ordered

  • PH: past history

  • PHI: protected health information

  • ORIF: open reduction, internal fixation

  • ortho: orthopedics

  • os: mouth

  • O.S.: left eye

  • OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration

  • OT: occupational therapist, occupational therapy

  • OTC: over-the-counter (medication)

  • O.U.: both eyes

  • oz: ounce

  • p: after

  • P.A.: physician’s assistant

  • PAD: peripheral artery disease

  • pc, p.c.: after meals

  • PCA: patient-controlled anesthesia

  • PDR: Physician’s Desk Reference

  • PE: pulmonary embolism

  • Peds/peds: pediatrics

  • PEG: percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

  • peri care: perineal care

  • per os: by mouth

  • PET: positron emission tomography

  • pH: parts hydrogen

  • phy. ex.: physical exam

  • PID: pelvic inflammatory disease

  • PM/pm: afternoon

  • PMH: past medical history

  • PNS: peripheral nervous system

  • PO: by mouth (per os)

  • pos.: positive

  • post op: after surgery

  • PPD: purified protein derivative (test for tuberculosis)

  • PPE: personal protective equipment

  • pre op: before surgery

  • prep: preparation

  • p.r.n., prn: when necessary

  • prog.: progress

  • PROM: passive range of motion

  • Pt/pt: patient

  • pt.: pint

  • PT: physical therapist, physical therapy

  • PTH: parathyroid hormone

  • PTSD: post-traumatic stress disorder

  • PUFA: polyunsaturated fat

  • PVD: peripheral vascular disease

  • PWB: partial weight-bearing

Page 9: Additional Abbreviations

  • q: every

  • q2h, q3h: every two hours, every three hours

  • q4h: every four hours

  • QA: quality assurance

  • qam: every morning

  • Q&A: questions and answers

  • qd: every day

  • qh, qhr: every hour

  • qhs: every night at bedtime

  • q.o.d.: every other day

  • qt.: quart

  • quad: quadrant, quadriplegic

  • R: respirations, rectal

  • R, rt.: right

  • RA: rheumatoid arthritis

  • RBC: red blood cell

  • RDT: registered dietitian

  • reg.: regular

  • rehab: rehabilitation

  • REM: rapid eye movement

  • req.: requisition

  • res.: resident

  • resp.: respiration

  • RF: restrict fluids

  • RLE: right lower extremity

  • RLQ: right lower quadrant

  • RN: registered nurse

  • RNA: restorative nursing assistant

  • R/O: rule out

  • ROM: range of motion

  • RR: respiratory rate

  • RT: respiratory therapy/therapist

  • RUE: right upper extremity

  • RUQ: right upper quadrant

  • Rx: prescription, treatment

  • s: without

  • S&A: sugar and acetone

  • S&S, S/S: signs and symptoms

  • s.c.: subcutaneously

  • SCA: sudden cardiac arrest

  • SCDs: sequential compression devices

  • SDS: safety data sheet

  • SIDS: sudden infant death syndrome

  • sl: sublingually

  • SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus

  • SLP: speech-language pathologist

  • sm.: small

  • SNAFU: situation normal, all fouled up (slang)

  • SNF: skilled nursing facility

  • SNS: somatic nervous system

  • SOB: shortness of breath

  • SP, Std prec: Standard Precautions

Page 10: Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes

Common Prefixes

  • a, an: without, not, lack of

    • Example: analgesic = without pain

  • ante: before, in front of

    • Example: antepartum = before delivery

  • bi: two, twice, double

    • Example: bifocal = two lenses

  • brady: slow

    • Example: bradycardia = slow pulse, heartbeat

  • contra: against

    • Example: contraceptive = prevents pregnancy

  • dis: apart, free from

    • Example: disinfected = free from microorganisms

  • dys: bad, painful

    • Example: dysuria = painful urination

  • endo: inner

    • Example: endoscope = instrument for examining the inside of an organ

  • epi: on, upon, over

    • Example: epidermis = outer layer of skin

  • erythro: red

    • Example: erythrocyte = red blood cell

  • ex: out, away from

    • Example: exhale = to breathe out

Roots

  • cyst(o): bladder, cyst

    • Example: abdomin(o) = abdomen

  • aden(o): gland

    • Example: adenitis = inflammation of a gland

  • angi(o): vessel

    • Example: angioplasty = surgical repair of a vessel using a balloon

  • arterio: artery

    • Example: arteriosclerosis = hardening of artery walls

  • artthr(o): joint

    • Example: arthrotomy = cut into a joint

  • brachi(o): arm

    • Example: brachial = pertaining to the arm

  • card, cardi(o): heart

    • Example: cardiology = study of the heart

  • hepato: liver

    • Example: hepatomegaly = enlargement of the liver

Page 11: More Roots

  • man: hand

    • Example: manual = relating to hands

  • gastro: stomach

    • Example: gastritis = inflammation of the stomach

  • nephr(o): kidney

    • Example: nephrectomy = removal of a kidney

  • neur(o): nerve

    • Example: neuritis = inflammation of a nerve

  • onc(o): tumor

    • Example: oncology = study of tumors

  • ophthalm(o): eye

    • Example: ophthalmologist = eye doctor

Page 12: Suffixes

Common Suffixes

  • -cyte: cell

    • Example: leukocyte = white blood cell

  • -ectomy: excision, removal

    • Example: splenectomy = removal of spleen

  • -emia: blood condition

    • Example: anemia = lack of red blood cells

  • -itis: inflammation

    • Example: stomatitis = inflammation of the mouth

  • -megaly: enlargement

    • Example: splenomegaly = enlarged spleen

  • -oma: tumor

    • Example: melanoma = black mole or tumor

  • -rrhage: excessive flow

    • Example: hemorrhage = excessive flow of blood

  • -uria: condition of the urine

    • Example: dysuria = painful urination

Summary

  • Understanding medical abbreviations, prefixes, roots, and suffixes is crucial for effective communication in healthcare settings. These terms provide essential shorthand for complex medical concepts and procedures, enhancing the clarity and efficiency of medical documentation and communication.