List of medical abbreviations

List of Medical Abbreviations

This is a comprehensive list of commonly used medical abbreviations. These abbreviations are frequently used in medical documentation, prescriptions, and communication between healthcare professionals. It is important to understand and be familiar with these abbreviations to ensure accurate and efficient communication within the medical field.

A

• ABG - Arterial Blood Gas
• ACE - Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme
• ACL - Anterior Cruciate Ligament
• AD - Alzheimer's Disease
• ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• AIDS - Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• AKI - Acute Kidney Injury
• ALS - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• AMI - Acute Myocardial Infarction
• ANA - Antinuclear Antibody
• ARDS - Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
• ASA - Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin)
• ASD - Atrial Septal Defect
• ASHD - Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease
• AV - Atrioventricular

B

• BBB - Blood-Brain Barrier
• BID - Twice a Day
• BMI - Body Mass Index
• BP - Blood Pressure
• BPH - Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
• BPM - Beats Per Minute
• BRBPR - Bright Red Blood Per Rectum
• BS - Blood Sugar
• BUN - Blood Urea Nitrogen

C

• CAD - Coronary Artery Disease
• CBC - Complete Blood Count
• CC - Chief Complaint
• CHF - Congestive Heart Failure
• COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• CPR - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
• CSF - Cerebrospinal Fluid
• CT - Computed Tomography
• CVA - Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)
• CXR - Chest X-Ray

D

• D&C - Dilation and Curettage
• DNR - Do Not Resuscitate
• DOA - Dead on Arrival
• DVT - Deep Vein Thrombosis

E

• ECG/EKG - Electrocardiogram
• ED - Emergency Department
• EEG - Electroencephalogram
• ESR - Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

F

• FBS - Fasting Blood Sugar
• FDA - Food and Drug Administration
• FHR - Fetal Heart Rate
• FSH - Follicle-Stimulating Hormone

G

• GERD - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
• GI - Gastrointestinal
• GSW - Gunshot Wound
• GTT - Glucose Tolerance Test

H

• Hb - Hemoglobin
• HBP - High Blood Pressure
• HCG - Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
• HDL - High-Density Lipoprotein
• HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus
• HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy
• HSV - Herpes Simplex Virus
• HTN - Hypertension

I

• I&D - Incision and Drainage
• IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• ICU - Intensive Care Unit
• IUD - Intrauterine Device
• IV - Intravenous

J

• JVD - Jugular Venous Distention

K

• KUB - Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder

L

• LAD - Left Anterior Descending (coronary artery)
• LDL - Low-Density Lipoprotein
• LMP - Last Menstrual Period
• LP - Lumbar Puncture
• LVEF - Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

M

• MI - Myocardial Infarction
• MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• MS - Multiple Sclerosis
• MVP - Mitral Valve Prolapse

N

• NPO - Nothing by Mouth
• NSAID - Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug

O

• OB/GYN - Obstetrics and Gynecology
• OD - Right Eye (oculus dexter)
• OR - Operating Room
• OS - Left Eye (oculus sinister)

P

• PAC - Premature Atrial Contraction
• PCP - Primary Care Physician
• PE - Pulmonary Embolism
• PERRLA - Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation
• PID - Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• PMH - Past Medical History
• PMS - Premenstrual Syndrome
• PO - By Mouth (per os)
• PRN - As Needed (pro re nata)
• PT - Physical Therapy
• PTSD - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Q

• QD - Every Day (quaque die)
• QID - Four Times a Day (quater in die)

R

• RBC - Red Blood Cell
• RCT - Randomized Controlled Trial
• ROM - Range of Motion
• ROS - Review of Systems
• RSV - Respiratory Syncytial Virus
• Rx - Prescription

S

• SLE - Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• SOB - Shortness of Breath
• STD - Sexually Transmitted Disease
• Sx - Symptoms

T

• TIA - Transient Ischemic Attack
• TID - Three Times a Day (ter in die)
• TKO - To Keep Open
• TSH - Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
• TURP - Transurethral Resection of the Prostate

U

• UA - Urinalysis
• URI - Upper Respiratory Infection
• UTI - Urinary Tract Infection

V

• VSD - Ventricular Septal Defect
• VSS - Vital Signs Stable

W

• WBC - White Blood Cell
• WNL - Within Normal Limits
• WPW - Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

X

• XR - X-Ray

Y

• YO - Years Old

Z

• Zn - Zinc

See Also

• [[Medical terminology
• List of commonly prescribed medications
• [[Medical acronyms

External Links

• Medical Abbreviations: 32,000 Conveniences at the Expense of Communication and Safety
• Medical Abbreviations: Knowledge and Use among Health Care Professionals
• Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms: A Quick Reference Guide