Handout Medical Abbreviations

Common Abbreviations in Doc’s Order •

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cap: Capsule.

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CBC: Complete blood count.

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CC: Chief complaint. The patient's main

a.c.: Before meals. As in taking a medicine before meals.

concern.

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cc: Cubic centimeters. For example, the amount

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a/g ratio: Albumin to globulin ratio.

of fluid removed from the body is recorded in

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ACL: Anterior cruciate ligament. ACL injuries are

ccs.

one of the most common ligament injuries to

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the knee. The ACL can be sprained or

comprehensive screening blood test that

completely torn from trauma and/or

indicates the status of the liver, kidneys, and

degeneration.

electrolytes.

Ad lib: At liberty. For example, a patient may be

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COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

permitted to move out of bed freely and orders

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CVA: Cerebrovascular accident (Stroke).

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D/C or DC: Discontinue or discharge. For

would, therefore, be for activities to be ad lib.

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AKA: Above the knee amputation.

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Anuric: Not producing urine. A person who is

example, a doctor will D/C a drug. Alternatively,

anuric is often critical and may requiredialysis.

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Chem panel: Chemistry panel. A

App-Appendectomy

the doctor might DC a patient from the hospital.

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DDX: Differential diagnosis The variety diagnostic possibilities being considered.

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b.i.d.: Twice daily. As in taking a medicine twice

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DM: Diabetes mellitus.

daily.

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DNC, D&C, or D and C: Dilation and curettage.

Bandemia: Slang for elevated level of band

Widening the cervix and scrapping with

forms of white blood cells.

acurette for the purpose of

Bibasilar: At the bases of both lungs. For

removing tissue lining the inner surface of

example, someone with a pneumonia in both

the womb (uterus).

lungs might have abnormal bibasilar breath sounds.

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BKA: Below the knee amputation.

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BMP:

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not to revive a patient artificially if theysuccumb to illness. If a patient is given a DNR order, they are not resuscitated if they are

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

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BP: Blood pressure. Blood pressure is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of

near death and no code blue is called.

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BSO: Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. A BSO is the removal of both of the ovaries

DOE: Dyspnea on exertion. Shortness of breath with activity.

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DTR: Deep tendon reflexes. These are reflexes that the doctor tests by banging on the tendons

the "vital signs."

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DNR: Do not resuscitate. This is a specific order

with a rubber hammer.

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DVT: Deep venous thrombosis (Blood clot in large vein).

andadjacent Fallopian tubes and often is performed as part of a total abdominal hysterectomy.

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

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C&S: Culture and sensitivity, performed to detect infection.

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C/O: Complaint of. The patient's expressed concern.

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FX: Fracture.

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GOMER: Slang for "get out of my emergency

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room."

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

gtt: Drop

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MCL: Medial collateral ligament.

H&H: Hemoglobin and hematocrit. When the H

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mg: Milligrams.

& H is low, anemia is present. The H&H can be

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ml: Milliliters.

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MVP: Mitral valve prolapse.

elevated in persons who have lung disease from long term smoking or from disease, such as polycythemia rubra vera.

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H&P: History and physical examination.

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N/V: Nausea or vomiting.

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h.s.: At bedtime. As in taking a medicine at

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Na: Sodium. An essential electrolyte frequently

bedtime.

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H/O or h/o: History of. A past event that

monitored regularly in intensive care.

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npo: Nothing by mouth. For example, if a patient

occurred.

was about to undergo a

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HA: Headache.

surgicaloperation requiring general anesthesia,

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HTN: Hypertension.

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I&D: Incision and drainage.

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IM: Intramuscular. This is a typical notation

in the laboratory to detect parasiticinfection in

when noting or ordering an injection (shot) given

persons with chronic diarrhea.

into muscle, such as with B12 for pernicious anemia.

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IMP: Impression. This is the summary conclusion of the patient's condition by the healthcare practitioner at that particular date and

they may be required to avoid food or beverage prior to the procedure.

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O.D.: Right eye.

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O.S.: Left eye.

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O.U.: Both eyes.

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ORIF: Open reduction and internal fixation, such

time.

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in vitro: In the laboratory.

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in vivo: In the body.

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IU: International units.

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JT: Joint.

as with the orthopedic repair of a hip fracture.

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signs."

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p.r.n.: As needed. So that it is not always done,

K: Potassium. An essential electrolyte frequently

but done only when the situation calls for it (or

monitored regularly in intensive care.

example, taking a pain medication only when

KCL: Potassium chloride.

having pain and not without pain).

LBP: Low back pain. LBP is one of most

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PCL: Posterior cruciate ligament.

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PERRLA: Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation.

LLQ: Left lower quadrant. Diverticulitis pain is

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

Plt: Platelets, one of the blood forming elements along with the white and red blood cells.

often in the LLQ of the abdomen.

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p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.

common medical complaints.

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P: Pulse. Pulse is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital

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O&P: Ova and parasites. Stool O & P is tested

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PMI: Point of maximum impulse of the heart when felt during examination, as in beats against the chest.

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t.i.d.: Three times daily. As in taking a medicine

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q.d.: Each day. As in taking a medicine daily.

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q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine

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tab: Tablet.

four times daily.

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TAH: Total abdominal hysterectomy.

q2h: Every 2 hours. As in taking a medicine

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TAH-BSO: Total abdominal hysterectomy

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three times daily.

every 2 hours.

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q3h: Every 3 hours. As in taking a medicine

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THR: Total hip replacement.

every 3 hours.

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TKR: Total knee replacement.

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UA or u/a: Urinalysis. A UA is a typical part of a

qAM: Each morning. As in taking a medicine each morning.

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qhs: At each bedtime. As in taking a medicine each bedtime.

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qod: Every other day. As in taking a medicine every other day.

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Bilateral Salphingo oophorectomy

qPM: Each evening. As in taking a medicine

comprehensive physical examination.

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as sinusitis or the common cold.

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R/O: Rule out. Doctors frequently will rule out

ut dict: As directed. As in taking a medicine according to the instructions that the healthcare

each evening.

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URI: Upper respiratory infection, such

practitioner gave in the office or in the past.

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UTI: Urinary tract infection.

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VSS: Vital signs are stable. This notation means

various possible diagnoses when figuring out the correct diagnosis.

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REB: Rebound, as in rebound tenderness of the

that from the standpoint of the temperature,

abdomen when pushed in and then released.

blood pressure, and pulse, the patient is doing well.

RLQ: Right lower quadrant. The appendix is located in the RLQ of the abdomen.

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ROS: Review of systems. An overall review concerns relating to the organ systems, such as

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Wt: Weight. Body weight is often recorded as part of the physical examination.

the respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurologic systems.

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RUQ: Right upper quadrant. The liver is located

2°-“Secondary to” (Seen in the MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS)

in the RUQ of the abdomen.

q2°- “Every 2 hours” ( Seen in prescription)

s/p: Status post. For example, a person who had a knee operation would be s/p a knee operation.

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SOB: Shortness of breath.

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SQ: Subcutaneous. This is a typical notation when noting or ordering an injection (shot) given into the fatty tissue under the skin, such as with insulin for diabetes mellitus.

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T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."

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T&A: Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.