List of medical abbreviations

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List of medical abbreviations

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This is the overview for the medical abbreviations series.

This list is far from complete; you can help by expanding it. Comprehensive reference books of medical abbreviations are available in bookstores and libraries. (See the bibliography for some suggested titles.)

Abbreviations are used very frequently in medicine. They boost efficiency as long as they are used intelligently. The advantages of brevity should be weighed against the possibilities of crypticness (making the communication harder for others to understand) and ambiguity (having more than one possible interpretation). In other words, a smart communicator uses good shortcuts, but makes sure that other people will understand what he means. Certain medical abbreviations should be avoided to prevent mistakes.

1 Orthographic styling
2 See also
3 Bibliography
4 External links

Orthographic styling

Periods (stops)

Periods (stops) are often used in styling abbreviations. Prevalent practice in medicine today is often to forgo them as unnecessary.

Example:
- Less common: The diagnosis was C.O.P.D.
  [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]
- More common: The diagnosis was COPD.

Plurals

The prevalent way to represent plurals for medical acronyms is simply to affix a lowercase s (no apostrophe).

Example: one OCP, two OCPs [oral contraceptive pills].

Possessives

Possessive forms are not often needed, but can be formed using apostrophe + s. Often the writer can also recast the sentence to avoid it.

Example:
- BP's effect on risk of MI is multifaceted.
- The effect of BP on MI risk is multifaceted.

Conventions of this series

This series of lists omits periods from acronyms and initialisms.
It uses periods for certain abbreviations that traditionally often have them (mostly older Latin/Neo-Latin abbreviations). For example, both bid and b.i.d. may be found in the list.
It generally uses the singular form of an abbreviation (not the plural) as the headword.

For more information on styling

The short summaries above are all that most readers will need in using this list. Interested readers can find much more detail in the main articles on abbreviations and acronyms and initialisms. For more information, see:

0-9

Abbrev.	Meaning
Δ	Diagnosis; Change
ΔΔ	Differential diagnosis (the list of possible diagnoses, and the effort to narrow that list)
#	Fracture
#NOF	Fracture to the neck of the femur
℞	(R with crossed tail) prescription
Ψ	Psychiatry
Σ	Sigmoidoscopy
x/12	x number of months
x/40	x number of weeks of pregnancy
x/52	x number of weeks
x/7	x number of days
5-HIAA	5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid
5-HT	5-hydroxytryptamine, that is, serotonin

A

Abbrev.	Meaning
ā	(a with a bar over it) before (from Latin ante) artery
A	Adenosine Apical
a.a.	Of each (from Latin ana ana) Amino acids: A or Ala -- alanine C or Cys -- cysteine D or Asp -- aspartic acid E or Glu -- glutamic acid F or Phe -- phenylalanine H or His -- histidine I or Ile -- isoleucine K or Lys -- lysine L or Leu -- leucine M or Met -- methionine N or Asn -- asparagine O or Pyl -- pyrrolysine P or Pro -- proline Q or Gln -- glutamine R or Arg -- arginine S or Ser -- serine T or Thr -- threonine U or Sec -- selenocysteine V or Val -- valine W or Trp -- tryptophan Y or Tyr -- tyrosine
AAA	Abdominal aortic aneurysm (pronounced "triple-A")
AAT	Activity as tolerated
AAL	Anterior axillary line
AAOx3	Awake, alert, and oriented, times 3 (i.e., to person, place, and time)
A/B	Acid-base ratio
ab	Abdomen Abdominal
Ab	Antibody
AB	Abortion
ABC	Airway, breathing, circulation Aspiration biopsy cytology
ABCD	Airway, breathing, circulation, disability Asymmetry, borders, color, diameter (features on considering "Is it a malignant melanoma?") ABCD rating (a staging system for prostate cancer)
ABCs ABCDs ABCDEs	Airway, breathing, circulation, etc. Refers to priority of needs in emergency situations. Exact spell-out and details after "C" vary by institution, but the "ABCs" theme is recurrent.
Abd	Abdomen Abdominal
ABE	Acute bacterial endocarditis
ABG	Arterial blood gas
ABI	Acquired brain injury Ankle brachial pressure index
ABMT	Autologous bone marrow transplantation
Abn	Abnormal
ABO	Landsteiner's blood grouping system
ABPA	Allergic broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis
ABPI	Ankle brachial pressure index
ABVD	Doxorubicin (Adriamycin), bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine (first-line treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma)
ABX	Antibiotics
a.c. AC	Before a meal (from Latin ante cibum)
ACB	Aortocoronary bypass
AC&BC	Air conduction and bone conduction, as in Weber test
Acc	Accommodation (eye)
ACCU	Acute coronary care unit
ACD	Anemia of chronic disease
ACDF	Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
Ace	Acetone
ACE	Angiotensin-converting enzyme
ACEI	Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor(s)
ACh	Acetylcholine
AChE	Acetylcholine esterase
ACL	Anterior cruciate ligament
ACLS	Advanced cardiac life support
ACS	Acute coronary syndrome
ACTH	Adrenocorticotropic hormone
ACU	Ambulatory care unit
ad.	Right ear (from Latin auris dexter)
AD	Alzheimer's disease Acute distress Right ear (from Latin auris dexter)
ADA	Adenosine deaminase
ADC	AIDS dementia complex
ADCC	Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity
ADD	Attention deficit disorder
ADH	Antidiuretic hormone
ADHD	Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
ADHR	Autosomal-dominant hypophosphatemic rickets
ADLs	Activities of daily living
ad lib	As desired (from Latin ad libitum)
adm	Admission
Adn	Adnexae (for example, adnexae of the uterus)
ADP	Adenosine diphosphate
ad part. dolent	To the painful parts (from Latin ad partes dolentes)
ADR	Adverse drug reaction
AED	Automated external defibrillator Anti-epileptic drug(s)
AEM	Ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring
AF	Atrial fibrillation Atrial flutter Amniotic fluid
AFB	Acid-fast bacilli
AFib	Atrial fibrillation
AFO	Ankle-foot orthosis
AFP	Alpha-fetoprotein
Ag	Antigen
AGA	Anti-gliadin antibodies Appropriate gestational age (see birth weight)
AGES criteria	Age, grade, extent, size (for tumors)
AGN	Acute glomerulonephritis
a.h.	Every other hour (from Latin alternis horis)
AHF	Antihemophilic factor
AHG	Antihemophilic globulin
AHH	Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase
AHR	Airway hyper-reactivity
AI	Artificial insemination Aortic insufficiency
AICD	Automated implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
AID	Artificial insemination by donor
AIDS	Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AIH	Artificial insemination by husband
AIHD	Artificial insemination by pooled husband and donor semen
AIPD	Acute infectious and parasitical diseases Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
AIIRB	angiotensin II receptor antagonist
AIN	Acute interstitial nephritis
AIS	Adenocarcinoma in situ
aka	Also known as
AKA	above-knee amputation Also known as
ALA	Aminolevulinic acid
Alc	Alcohol
ALG	Antilymphocytic globulin
ALI	Acute lung injury
Alk phos	Alkaline phosphatase (sometimes abbreviated as ALP)
ALL	Acute lymphoblastic leukemia Allergies
ALP	Alkaline phosphatase (sometimes abbreviated as Alk phos)
ALPS	Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome
ALS	Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Advanced life support
ALT	Alanine transaminase
altern. d.	Every other day (from Latin alterno die)
AMA	Advanced maternal age (35 years or greater) Against medical advice Anti-mitochondrial antibody American Medical Association
Amb	Ambulate
AMC	Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita
AMI	Acute myocardial infarction
AML	Acute myeloid leukemia
AMP	Adenosine monophosphate
Amp	Ampule Ampere
AMPA receptor	Alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor of the brain
AMS	Acute mountain sickness Atypical measles syndrome
Amt	Amount
ANA	Anti-nuclear antibody
ANCA	Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
ANDI	Aberrations of normal development and involution (of breast)
ANF	Atrial natriuretic factor
ANP	Atrial natriuretic peptide
ANS	Autonomic nervous system
Ant	Anterior
Anti-	Refers to an antibody to the suffixed antigen
ANTR	Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex
ANUG	Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
A&O	Aware and oriented
A&Ox3	Alert and oriented, times 3 (to person, place, and time)
A&Ox4	Alert and oriented, times 4 (to person, place, time, and circumstances) (often used interchangeably with A&Ox3)
AODM	Adult-onset diabetes mellitus (now called diabetes mellitus type 2)
AOM	Acute otitis media
a.p.	Before a meal (from Latin ante prandium)
AP	Alkaline phosphatase Anteroposterior Angina pectoris
A&P	Auscultation and percussion
APACHE II	Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II
APAP	Paracetamol (aka acetaminophen) (from its chemical name, N-acetyl-para-aminophenol) Automatic positive airway pressure
APC	Atrial premature contraction Antigen-presenting cell Activated protein C
APD	Adult polycystic disease Automated peritoneal dialysis
APKD	Adult polycystic kidney disease
APECED	Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy
APGAR	Appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, respiration - used to assess newborns
APH	Antepartum haemorrhage
APLS	Antiphospholipid syndrome
APMPPE	Acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy
applic.	Applicandus (Latin meaning "to be applied")
APR	Abdominoperineal resection
APS	Autoimmune polyendocrine/polyglandular syndrome
APSAC	Anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex
aPTT	Activated partial thromboplastin time
aq.	Water (from Latin aqua)
aq. bull.	Boiling water (from Latin aqua bulliens)
aq. calid.	Warm or hot water (from Latin aqua calida)
aq. dist.	Distilled water (from Latin aqua distillata)
aq. gel.	Cold water (from Latin aqua gelida)
AR	Aortic regurgitation
ARB	Angiotensin II receptor antagonist
ARC	AIDS-related complex
ARDS	acute respiratory distress syndrome Adult respiratory distress syndrome
ARF	Acute renal failure
Arg	Arginine
ARM	Artificial rupture of membranes (also abbreviated as AROM)
AROM	Active range of motion Artificial rupture of membranes
ART	Antiretroviral therapy Assuming room temperature (that is, the patient has died)
ARVC	Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
ARVD	Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia
AS	Aortic stenosis Atherosclerosis
ASA	Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
ASAP	As soon as possible
ASC	Ambulatory surgery center
ASCAD	Arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease
ASCUS	Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance
ASCVD	Arteriosclerotic vascular disease (arteriosclerosis)
ASD	Atrial septal defect
ASGUS	Atypical squamous glandular cells of undetermined significance
ASH ASHD	Arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary heart disease)
ASIS	Anterior superior iliac spine
ASO	Antistreptolysin-O
ASOT	Antistreptolysin-O titre
Ass	Assessment
AST	Aspartate transaminase
ASX	Asymptomatic
AT	Antithrombin Angiotensin
ATA	Anti-transglutaminase antibodies
ATB	Antibiotic
ATCC	American Type Culture Collection
ATG	Antithymic globulin
AT-III	Antithrombin III
ATN	Acute tubular necrosis
ATNR	Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex
ATP	Acute thrombocytopenic purpura Adenosine triphosphate Anti-tachycardia pacing
Atp	Atapical
ATRA	All-trans retinoic acid
ATS	Anti-tetanus serum, that is, anti-tetanus immunoglobulins
AUC	Area under the curve (pharmacology)
aur.	Ear (from Latin auris)
aur. dextro.	To right ear (from Latin auris dextrae)
aur. laev	To left ear (from Latin auris laevae)
aurist.	Ear drops (from Latin auristillae)
AV	Arteriovenous Atrioventricular
AVM	Arteriovenous malformation
AVR	Aortic valve replacement
A&W A/W	Alive and well
Ax	Axillary
AXR	Abdominal x-ray
AZT	Azidothymidine

B

Abbrev.	Meaning
B_x	Biopsy
Ba	Barium
BAC	Blood alcohol content
BAL	Bronchoalveolar lavage British anti-Lewisite Blood alcohol level
BAO	Basic acid output
BAT	Brown adipose tissue
BBB	Blood brain barrier
BBB L	Left bundle branch block
BBB R	Right bundle branch block
BC	Bone conduction Blood culture
BCC	Basal cell carcinoma Blind carbon copy
BCG	Bacille Calmette-Guerin (a tuberculosis vaccination)
BCP	Birth control pill
BCX BCx	Blood culture
BBMF	"Bone break, me fix" (orthopedic consent form)
BD	Bipolar disorder Twice a day (from Latin bis in die)
BDD	Body dysmorphic disorder
BDI	Beck Depression Inventory
BE	Barium enema Base excess
BFP	Bundle forming pilus
BGAT	Blood Glucose Awareness Training (to help patients with diabetic hypoglycemia)
BGL	Blood glucose level
BIB	Brought in by
BIBA	Brought in by ambulance
BID bid b.i.d.	Twice a day (from Latin bis in die)
Bilat eq	Bilaterally equal
BiPAP	Bilevel positive airway pressure
BiVAD	Bilateral ventricular assist device (left and right)
BK	Bradykinin
BKA	Below-the-knee amputation
bl.cult	Blood culture
bld	Blood
BLS	Basic life support
BM	Bowel movement
BMC	Bone mineral content
BMD	Bone mineral density (also termed bone mass measurement)
BMI	Body mass index
BMP	Blood metabolic profile
BMR	Basal metabolic rate
BMT	Bone marrow transplantation
BNO	Bowel not open
BNP	Brain natriuretic peptide
BO	Bowel open
B/O	Because of
BOA	Born out of asepsis
BOI	Born on island (i.e., a local patient)
BOM	Bilateral otitis media
BOOP	Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia
BP	Blood pressure Bipolar disorder
BPAD	Bipolar affective disorder
BPD	Biparietal diameter Borderline personality disorder Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
BPH	Benign prostatic hyperplasia aka benign prostatic hypertrophy
BPM	Beats per minute
BPPV	Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
BR	Bedrest Bathroom
BRA	Bilateral renal agenesis
BRAT	The BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, (dry) toast (helps digestion in some GI disorders)
BRATY	Another version of the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, (dry) toast, yogurt (helps digestion in some GI disorders)
BRB	Bright red blood (color is important as an indicator of source, for example in gastrointestinal bleeding)
BRBPR	Bright red blood per rectum
BRCA1 (gene) BRCA1 (protein)	Breast cancer 1 (a human gene and its protein)
BRCA2 (gene) BRCA2 (protein)	Breast cancer 2 (a human gene and its protein)
BRP	Bathroom privileges
BS	Breath Breath sound Bowel sounds on auscultation with stethoscope Blood sugar
BSA	Body surface area
BSC	Bedside commode
BSE	Bovine spongiform encephalopathy Breast self-examination
BSL	Blood sugar level
BSP	Bromsulphthalein
BT	Bleeding time
BTL	Bilateral tubal ligation
BTP	Breakthrough pain
BUN	Blood urea nitrogen
BV	Bacterial vaginosis
BVP	Biventricular pacing (see artificial pacemaker)
Bx	Biopsy
BZDs	benzodiazepines

C

Abbrev.	Meaning
c	(c with a bar over it) with (from Latin cum)
C	Cytosine Cervical vertebrae
C1	Atlas - first cervical vertebra of the spine
C2	Axis - second cervical vertebra of the spine
C-section	Cesarean section
CA	Carcinoma Cancer
Ca	Calcium Carcinoma Cancer
CABG	Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (pronounced "cabbage")
CABP	Coronary artery bypass procedure
CAD	Coronary artery disease
CADASIL	Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy
CAG	Coronary artery graft Coronary angiography
CAGS	Coronary artery graft surgery
cAMP	Cyclic adenosine monophosphate
CAH	Chronic active hepatitis Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
CAPD	Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
Caps	Capsule
CAT	Computed axial tomography
Cath	Catheter
CBC	Complete blood count
CBC/DIFF	Complete blood count/differential
CBD	Common Bile Duct
CBS	Chronic brain syndrome
CC cc	Cubic centimeter (use mL instead—see the do-not-use list) Chief complaint Cardiac catheter Carbon copy
CCCU	Critical coronary care unit
CCE C/C/E	Clubbing, cyanosis, and edema (general signs of cardiovascular disease)
CCF	Congestive cardiac failure
CCK	Cholecystokinin
CCK-PZ	Cholecystokinin-pancreozymin
CCR	Cardiocerebral resuscitation
CCU	Coronary care unit Critical care unit
CD	Crohn's disease
CDH	Congenital dislocated hip
CDP	Cytosine diphosphate
CEA	Carcinoembryonic antigen Carotid endarterectomy Cost-effectiveness analysis
CF	Cystic fibrosis
CFA	Colonization factor antigen
CFIDS	Chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome
CFS	Chronic fatigue syndrome
CFTR	Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator
cGMP	Cyclic guanosine monophosphate
CGN	Chronic glomerulonephritis
CH	Congenital hypothyroidism
CHD	Chronic heart disease
ChE	Cholinesterase
CHEM-7	A group of blood tests, commonly called a basic metabolic panel (blood urea nitrogen, carbon dioxide, creatinine, glucose, serum chloride, serum potassium, serum sodium)
CHEM-20	A group of blood tests (albumin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, calcium - serum, serum chloride, carbon dioxide, creatinine, direct bilirubin, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, glucose test, lactate dehydrogenase, phosphorus - serum, potassium test, serum sodium, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, total protein, uric acid)
CHD	Coronary heart disease
CHE	Cholinesterase
CHF	Congestive heart failure
CHO	Carbohydrate
Chol	Cholesterol
CHT	Congenital hypothyroidism
CI	Confidence interval Cardiac index
CICU	Cardiac intensive care unit
CIDP	Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
CIN	Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Circ	Circumcision Circulation
CIS	Carcinoma in situ
CJD	Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
CK	Creatine kinase Creatinine phosphokinase (formerly CPK)
CKD	Chronic kidney disease
CKMB	MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase
CLL	Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
CM	Chirurgiae Magister Master of Surgery British and Commonwealth countries medical degree
CMD	Cystic medial degeneration
CME	Continuing medical education
CML	Chronic myelogenous leukemia, also called chronic myeloid leukaemia
CMML	Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
CMP	Complete metabolic panel Cytosine monophosphate
CMS	Chronic mountain sickness
CMT	Cervical motion tenderness
CMV	Cytomegalovirus
CN	Cranial nerves
CNS	Central nervous system Crigler-Najjar syndrome
C/O	Complains of...
CO	Cardiac output Carbon monoxide Complains of...
COAD	Chronic obstructive airways disease
COCP	Combined oral contraceptive pill
COLD	Chronic obstructive lung disease
Comp	Compound
Conj	Conjunctiva
COPD	Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CO₂	Carbon dioxide
COX-1	Cyclooxygenase 1
COX-2	Cyclooxygenase 2
COX-3	Cyclooxygenase 3
CP	Cerebral palsy Chest pain
CPAP	Continuous positive airway pressure
CPC	Clinical pathological conference
CPE	Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin
CPK	Creatine phosphokinase
CPKMB	Creatine phosphokinase heart
CPP	Cerebral perfusion pressure
CPR	Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CPT	Current procedural terminology
CR	Complete remission
Cr	Creatinine
CrCl	Creatinine clearance (Note: Looks similar to, but does not mean, the chromium chlorides—CrCl₂, CrCl₃, CrCl₄)
Creat	Creatinine
CREST	Calcinosis Raynaud Esophagus Sclerosis Teleangiectasiae
CRF	Chronic renal failure Corticotropin-releasing factor
CRH	Corticotropin-releasing hormone
CRI	Chronic renal insufficiency
Crit	Hematocrit
CRP	C-reactive protein
CRT	Cardiac resynchronization therapy (artificial pacemaker)
CS C/S	Caesarean section
C&S	Culture and sensitivity (antibiogram)
C-spine	Cervical spine
CsA	Ciclosporin A
CSF	Cerebrospinal fluid Colony stimulating factor
CT	Computed tomography
CTA	Clear to auscultation Computed tomography angiography
CTP	Cytosine triphosphate
CTS	Computed tomography scan
CTU	Cancer treatment unit
CTX	Ceftriaxone (a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic) Contractions
CV	Cardiovascular
CVA	Cerebrovascular accident Costovertebral angle
CVAT	Costovertebral angle tenderness
CVC	Central venous catheter Chronic venous congestion
CVD	Cardiovascular disease
CVI	Cerebrovascular incident
CVP	Central venous pressure
CVS	Chorionic villus sampling Cardiovascular system
CVID	Common variable immunodeficiency
c/w	Consistent with
CWP	Coal worker's pneumoconiosis
Cx	Microbiological culture
CXR	Chest x-ray

D

Abbrev.	Meaning
D_S	Diagnosis
D5	5% dextrose
D5W	5% dextrose in water - IV fluids for intravenous therapy
d	Day(s)
DA	Dopamine
DAEC	Diffusely-adherent Escherichia coli
DALY	Disability adjusted life year
DBP	Diastolic blood pressure
DBS	Deep brain stimulation
D&C	Dilatation and curettage
D/C	Discontinue Discharge
DCBE	Double Contrast Barium Enema
DCIS	Ductal carcinoma in situ
DCM	Dilated cardiomyopathy
DD	Differential diagnosis
DDD	Daily Defined Doses
DDx	Differential diagnosis
D&E	Dilatation and evacuation
DES	Diethylstilbestrol
DEXA	Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry
DH	Developmental history
DHE	Dihydroergotamine
DHEA-S	Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate
DHF	Decompensated heart failure
DI	Diabetes insipidus
DIB	Dead in Bed
DIC	Disseminated intravascular coagulation
DIP	Distal interphalangeal joint
DiPerTe	Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus
Dis	Dislocation
Disch	Discharge
DiTe	Diphtheria Tetanus
DIU	Death in utero - stillbirth
DJD	Degenerative Joint Disease Degenerative joint disease - Osteoarthritis
DKA	Diabetic Keto-Acidosis
dl	Deciliter
dL	Deciliter
DLE	Disseminated lupus erythematosus - Systemic lupus erythematosus
DM	Diabetes mellitus
DMD	Duchenne muscular dystrophy; Dentariae Medicinae Doctor, that is, Doctor of Dental Medicine
DNA	Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNI	Do Not Intubate
DNR	Do not resuscitate
DNAR	Do not attempt resuscitation
DOA	Dead on arrival Drugs of abuse
DOB	Date of birth
DOE	Dyspnea on exertion
DOSS	Docusate sodium; from the chemical name dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate
DP	Dorsalis pedis
DPH	Diphenylhydantoin
DPL	diagnostic peritoneal lavage
DPT	Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus - DPT vaccine
DRT	Dead right there
DS	Disease
DS	Down's Syndrome - Trisomy 21
DSA	Digital subtraction angiography
DSD	Dry sterile dressing
Dsg	Dressing
DSM	Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
dsRNA	Double stranded RNA
DT	Diphtheria Tetanus Delirium tremens
DTA	Descending thoracic aorta
DTaP	Diphtheria Tetanus acellular Pertussis
DTP	Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis
DTR	Deep tendon reflex
DTs	Delirium tremens
DU	Duodenal ulcer - peptic ulcer
DUB	Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
DVT	Deep vein thrombosis
DW	Dextrose in water
D5W	5% dextrose in water
DX	Diagnosis
DZ	Disease

E

Abbrev.	Meaning
E	Ecstasy Electrolytes Enterococcus Epinephrine
EAC	External acoustic meatus
EACA	Epsilon-aminocaproic acid
EAEC	Enteroadhesive Escherichia coli
EAF	Enteric adherence factor
EBL	Estimated blood loss (see bleeding)
EBM	Evidence-based medicine Expressed breast milk
EBT	Electron beam tomography
EBV	Epstein-Barr virus
EC	Enteric coating
ECF	Extracellular fluid Enteric cytopathic human orphan
ECG	Electrocardiogram
ECM	Extracellular matrix
ECHO	Enteric cytopathic human orphan virus
ECI	Febris e causa ignota (normally written as febris E.C.I.) Fever of unknown origin
ECLS	Extracorporeal life support
ECMO	Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
ECP	Emergency Care Practitioner
ECT	Electroconvulsive therapy
ED	Emergency department Erectile dysfunction Ectodermal dysplasia
EDC	Estimated date of confinement (at 40/40 weeks of pregnancy)
EDD	Estimated date of delivery (at 40/40 weeks of pregnancy); expected date of delivery Estimated date of discharge
EDH	Epidural hematoma
EDM	Esophageal Doppler monitor
EDRF	Endothelium-derived relaxing factor aka nitric oxide
EDTA	Ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid
EDV	End-diastolic volume
EEE	Eastern equine encephalitis
EEG	Electroencephalogram
EENT	Ears, eyes, nose, throat (see Otolaryngology)
EEX	Electrodiagnosis
EF	Ejection fraction
EFM	Electronic fetal monitoring, aka external fetal monitoring (cardiotocograph)
EGBUS	External genitalia, Bartholin's glands, urethra & Skene's glands
EGD	Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
EGF	Epidermal growth factor
EHEC	Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli
EIEC	Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli
EJ	Elbow jerk (triceps reflex)
EKG	Electrocardiogram
ELLSCS	Elective lower segment caesarean section
ELISA	Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
EmBx	Endometrial biopsy
EMC	Encephalomyocarditis
EMD	Early morning discovery Electromechanical dissociation
EMF	Endomyocardial fibrosis
EMG	Electromyography
EMLSCS	Emergency lower segment Caesarean section
EMU	Early morning urine sample (being the most concentrated, generally used for pregnancy testing)
Emul	Emulsion
ENT	Ear, nose, and throat (see Otolaryngology)
EOM	Extraocular muscles
EOMI	Extraocular movements intact (see eye movement)
EPEC	Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli
EPH	Edema proteinuria hypertension
EPO	Erythropoietin
EPS	Electrophysiology
ER	Emergency room
ERCP	Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ESL	Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (also ESWL) (see lithotriptor); English as a second language (affects provider-patient communication)
ESBL	Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (see also gram-negative bacteria)
ESR	Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
ESRD	End-stage renal disease
ESV	End-systolic volume
ESWL	Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (also ESL) (see lithotriptor)
ET	Endothelin Endotracheal
ETEC	Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli
Etiol	Etiology
ETOH	Ethanol (ethyl alcohol)
ETS	Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy
ETT	Endotracheal tube
EUA	Examination under anesthesia
EUP	Extrauterine pregnancy
EUS	Endoscopic ultrasonography
EVAR	Endovascular aneurysm repair
EVF	Erythrocyte volume fraction (see hematocrit)
Exam	Examination (for example, physical examination)
Exp Lap	Exploratory laparotomy
Ext	Extremities

F

Abbrev.	Meaning
F_x	Fracture
FAMMM syndrome	Familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome
FAP	Familial adenomatous polyposis
FAST	Focused assessment with sonography for trauma
FB	Foreign body
FBC	Full blood count
FBE	Full blood exam
FBG	Fasting blood glucose
FBS	Fasting blood sugar
F/C	Fevers and/or chills
FDC	Follicular dendritic cells
FDIU	Foetal demise in utero
FDP	Fibrin degradation product
FEV₁	Forced expiratory volume in 1 second
Fe	Iron
fem	Female Femoral
FEP	Free erythrocyte protoporphyrin
FF	Free fluids (non-thickened fluids)
FFA	Free fatty acids
FFP	Fresh frozen plasma
FHR	Fetal heart rate
FHS	Fetal heart sound
FHT	Fetal heart tones
FHx	Family history (in medicine, meaning specifically the medical histories of family members and ancestors)
FIBD	Found in bed dead
FISH	Fluorescence in situ hybridization
FLK	Funny-looking kid (unprofessional, offensive slang referring imprecisely to dysmorphic features)
fl.oz.	Fluid ounce (1 Imperial fluid ounce ≈ 28.4 mL; 1 U.S. fluid ounce ≈ 29.6 mL) (use of these units is generally deprecated in modern medicine in favor of mL)
FMF	Fetal movements felt
FMP	First menstrual period (that is, menarche)
fMRI	Functional magnetic resonance imaging
F→N	Finger-to-nose test (one simple clinical test of motor coordination)
FNA	Fine-needle aspiration
FNAB	Fine-needle aspiration biopsy
FNAC	Fine-needle aspiration cytology
FNC	Full nursing care
FNH	Focal nodular hyperplasia
FOBT	Fecal occult blood test
FOF	Found on floor (patient fell out of bed)
FOS	Full of stool
FPG	Fasting plasma glucose
FROM	Full range of motion
FSBS	Finger-stick blood sugar (one method of blood glucose monitoring)
FSE	Fetal scalp electrode
FSH	Follicle-stimulating hormone
FTA	Fluorescent treponemal antibody
FTA-ABS	Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption
FTT	Failure to thrive
F/U	Follow-up
FUO	Fever of unknown origin
FVC	forced vital capacity (spirometry test value used in assessment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
FWB	Full weight bearing
FWD	Full ward diet; forward
Fx	Fracture of a bone

G

Abbrev.	Meaning
G	Gravidity (total number of pregnancies, successful or not) Guanosine
G6PD	Glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase
GA	General anaesthesia
GABA	Gamma-aminobutyric acid
GB	Gallbladder
GBS	Guillain-Barre syndrome
GBM	Glioblastoma multiforme Glomerular basement membrane
GC	General Condition Gonococcus
GCA	Giant cell arteritis
GCS	Glasgow coma scale
G-CSF	Granulocyte - colony stimulating factor
GDA	Gastroduodenal artery
GDLH	Glutamate dehydrogenase
GDP	Guanosine diphosphate
GERD	Gastroesophageal reflux disease
GFR	Glomerular filtration rate
GGT	Gamma glutamyl transferase
GGTP	Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase
GH	Growth hormone
GHRF	Growth hormone releasing factor
GI	Gastrointestinal (... tract)
GIFT	Gamete intrafallopian transfer
GIST	Gastrointestinal stromal tumor
GIT	Gastrointestinal tract
GITS	Gastrointestinal therapeutic system
GMC	General Medical Condition (i.e., 0 GMC)
GM-CSF	Granulocyte-Monocyte - Colony Stimulating Factor
GMP	Guanosine monophosphate
GN	Glomerulonephritis
GNRH	Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone
GOAT	Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test
GOD	Glucose Oxidase
GOK	God only knows
GOMER	Get Outta My E.R. i.e. patient who frequently presents at the ER near death but manages to pull through each and every time.
GORD	Gastroesophageal reflux disease
GOT	Glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase
GP	General practitioner
GPT	Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
Gr	Grain
GRAV I	Indicating woman during first pregnancy
GSW	Gunshot wound see HVLT (High-velocity Lead Therapy)
GTN	Glyceryl trinitrate
GTT	Glucose tolerance test
Gtts	Drops - Guttae
GU	Genitourinary Gastric ulcer
GUM	Genitourinary medicine (often used more restrictively as alternative to sexually transmitted disease clinic)
GvH	Graft-versus-host
GvHD	Graft-versus-host disease
GYN	Gynecology

H

Abbrev.	Meaning
h	Hour
H	Histamine or its receptors (if with subscripts) hemagglutinin
H_x	History
HA	Hypertonia arterialis Headache
H/A	Headache
HAA	Hepatitis Associated antigen
HAART	Highly active anti-aetroviral therapy
HACE	High-altitude cerebral edema
HACEK	acronym for a group of bacteria that are a frequent cause of endocarditis in children
HAE	Hereditary angioedema
HAD	HIV-associated dementia
H/A	Headache
HALE	Health-adjusted life expectancy
HAPE	High-altitude pulmonary edema
HAV	Hepatitis A virus
Hb	Hemoglobin
HB	Heart block
Hb%	Hemoglobin concentration in gram per deciliter
HbA	Hemoglobin A (commonest type of hemoglobin)
HbA₁C	Glycosylated hemoglobin (used as a measure of diabetes control)
HBD	Has been drinking
HbF	Fetal hemoglobin
HBP	High blood pressure, that is, hypertension
Hb_sAg	Hepatitis B surface antigen
HBV	Bepatitis B virus
HC	Hemorrhagic colitis
HCC	Hepatocellular carcinoma
hCG	Human chorionic gonadotropin
HCL	Hairy cell leukemia
HCM	Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hct	Hematocrit
HCT	Hematocrit Hematopoietic cell transplantation
HCRP	Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme
HCTZ	Hydrochlorothiazide
HD	Hodgkin's disease
HCV	Hepatitis C virus
HDL	High-density lipoprotein
HDL-C	High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol
HDU	High dependency unit
HDV	Hepatitis D virus
H&E	Hematoxylin and eosin, a standard tissue stain
HEENT	Head, eyes, ears, nose, throat
HELP HELLP	Hypertension, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (syndrome) (in pregnancy)
HEMA	Hydroxy ethyl methacrylate, a material in soft contact lenses
Hema	Hematest - e.g. Hema (-) - fecal occult blood
HES	Hydroxyethyl starch
HETE	Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid
HEV	Hepatitis E virus
HFM	Hand foot and mouth disease
HFRS	Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome
HGB	Hemoglobin
HGSIL	High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
HGV	Hepatitis G virus
HGPRTase	Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase
HH	Hiatus hernia
H&H	Hemoglobin and hematocrit
HHT	Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectisia
HHV	Human herpesvirus (including numerous subtypes such as HHV8)
HI	Homicidal ideation
Hib	haemophilus influenzae B
HIDS	Hyper-IgD (and periodic fever) syndrome
HIT	Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
HIV	Human immunodeficiency virus
HL	Hepatic lipase Hodgkin's lymphoma Hearing level
HLA	Human leukocyte antigen
HLHS	Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
H&M	Hematemesis and melena
HMD	Hyaline membrane disease
HMG-CoA	3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA
HMGR	3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase
HMS	Hyper-reactive malarial splenomegaly
HMSN	Hereditary motor sensory neuropathy
HN	Hemagglutinin-neuraminidase
HND	Hemolytic disease of the newborn
HNPCC	Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer
H/O	History of ...
HOB	Head of bed--usually followed by degrees
HOCM	Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
HONK	Hyperosmolar nonketotic coma
H&P	History and physical examination (which very often are considered as a pair)
HPA	Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
HPETE	Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid
HPF	High power field (microscopy)
HPI H/oPI	History of the present illness
HPOA	Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (clubbing)
HPL	Human placental lactogen (same as human chorionic somatomammotropin)
HPS	Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
HPV	Human papillomavirus
HR	Heart rate
HRCT	High resolution computed tomography
HRT	Hormone replacement therapy
h.s.	At bedtime (from Latin hora somni)
hs	Hours of sleep
H→S	Heel-to-shin test
HSC	Human chorionic somatomammotropin (same as human placental lactogen)
HSG	Hysterosalpingogram
HSIL	High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
HSP	Henoch-Schönlein purpura
HSV	Herpes simplex virus
HT	Hypertension
Ht	Height
HTLV	Human T-lymphotropic virus
HTN	Hypertension
HTPA	Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
HTVD	Hypertensive vascular disease
HUS	Hemolytic uremic syndrome
HVLT	High-velocity lead therapy (see also GSW, gunshot wound)
Hx	History (of)

I

Abbrev.	Meaning
¹³¹I or I131	Radioactive iodine
IA	Intra-arterial
IABP	Intra-aortic balloon pump
IAI	Intra-amniotic infection
IBC	Inflammatory breast cancer
IBD	Inflammatory bowel disease
IBS	Irritable bowel syndrome
IC	Ileocecal Immunocompromised Informed consent Intensive care Interstitial cystitis Immune complex Intracardiac
ICD	Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
ICDS	Integrated Child Development Services Program
ICD-10	International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision
ICF	Intracellular fluid
ICG	Impedance cardiography
ICH	Intracerebral hemorrhage
ICP	Intracranial pressure
ICS	Intercostal space
ICU	Intensive care unit
ICCU	Intensive cardiac care unit
ID	Infectious disease Identifying data
I&D	Incision and drainage (how to treat an abscess}
IDA	Iron deficiency anemia
IDC	Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy Indwelling catheter Infiltrating ductal carcinoma
IDDM	Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
IDL	Intermediate density lipoprotein
IDP	Infectious Disease Precautions/ Process
IF	Immunofluorescence
IFG	Impaired fasting glycaemia
Ig	Immunoglobulin
IgA	Immunoglobulin A
IgD	Immunoglobulin D
IgE	Immunoglobulin E
IgG	Immunoglobulin G
IgM	Immunoglobulin M
IGT	Impaired glucose tolerance
IHC	Immunohistochemistry e
IHD	Ischaemic heart disease
IHSS	Ideopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis - Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
IM	Intramuscular
IMA	Inferior mesenteric artery
IMB	Intermenstrual Bleed (bleeding between periods)
IMI	Intramuscular injection
IMN	Infectious Mononucleosis
IMT	Intima-media thickness
IMV	Intermittent mandatory ventilation - Mechanical ventilation
Inc	Incomplete
INF(-α/-β/-γ)	Interferons -α/-β/-γ
INH	Isoniazid
Inj	Injection
INR	International normalized ratio
Int	Internal
IO	Intraosseous infusion
I&O	Inputs and Outputs Intake and Outputs
IOL	Induction of labor Intraocular lens
IOP	Intraocular pressure
IP	Interphalangeal joint
IPF	Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
IPS	Intra-Peritoneal Sounds
IPPB	Intermittent positive pressure ventilation
IPPV	Intermittent positive pressure ventilation
IQ	Intelligence Quotient
IR	Insulin resistance
IRDS	Infant respiratory distress syndrome
ISA	Intrinsic Sympathomimetic Activity
ISDN	Isosorbide dinitrate
ISH	Isolated systolic hypertension
ISMN	Isosorbide mononitrate
ISQ	No change (from Latin, in status quo)
IT	Intrathecal
ITP	Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura Immune mediated thrombocytopenic purpura
ITU	Intensive Treatment Unit (or Intensive Therapy Unit)
IUCD	intrauterine contraceptive device
IU	International units
IUD	Intrauterine Death - sometimes confused with intrauterine contraceptive device. Use FDIU or IUFD Intrauterine device - sometimes confused with intrauterine death. We now use IUCD - Intrauterine contraceptive device
IUFD	IntraUterine Foetal Demise
IUGR	Intrauterine growth retardation
IUI	Intrauterine insemination
IUP	Intrauterine pregnancy
IUS	IntraUterine System
IV	Intravenous
IVC	Inferior vena cava
IV-DSA	Intravenous digital subtraction angiography
IVDU	Intravenous drug user
IVF	In vitro fertilization; Intravenous fluids
IVP	Intravenous pyelogram
IVPB	Intravenous Piggyback (i.v. short term infusion)
IVU	Intravenous urogram
IVUS	Intravascular ultrasound

J

Abbrev.	Meaning
JCV	John Cunningham virus
JEV	Japanese encephalitis virus
JIA	Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
JMS	Junior medical student, aka MS-3
JODM	Juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus
JRA	Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (now called juvenile idiopathic arthritis)
JVD	Jugular vein distension
JVP	Jugular venous pressure

K

Abbrev.	Meaning
K	Potassium
KA	Ketoacidosis
Kcal	Kilocalorie, calorie
KCCT	Kaolin cephalin clotting time
kg	Kilogram
KIV	Keep in view
KLS	Kidney, liver, spleen
KS	Kaposi's sarcoma Kartagener Syndrome
KSHV	Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus
KUB	Kidneys, ureters, and bladder (x-ray)
KVO	Keep vein open (with slow infusion)

L

Abbrev.	Meaning
L	Leukocytes Lumbar vertebrae
LA	Lymphadenopathy Left atrium
Lab	Laboratory
LABBB	Left anterior bundle branch block
LAD	Left Anterior Descending - Coronary artery Leukocyte adhesion deficiency Left Axis Deviation - Electrocardiogram Lymphadenopathy
LAE	Left atrial enlargement
LAH	Left anterior hemiblock
LAHB	Left anterior hemiblock
Lam	Laminectomy
LAP	Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase
Lap	Laparotomy
LAR	Low Anterior Resection
LARP	Left → anterior, right → posterior (path of the vagi as they wander from thorax to abdomen)
LAS	Lymphadenopathy syndrome
Lat	Lateral
lb; LB	Pound (mass)
LBBB	Left bundle branch block
LBO	Large bowel obstruction
LBP	Low back pain
LBW	Low birth weight
LCA	Left coronary artery
LCIS	Lobular carcinoma in situ
LCM	Lymphocytic meningitis
LCMV	Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
LCV	Leukocytoclastic vasculitis
LCX	Left circumflex artery
L&D	Labor and delivery - Childbirth
LDH	Lactate dehydrogenase
LDL	Low density lipoprotein
LDL-C	Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
L-DOPA	Levo-DihydrOxyPhenylAlanine
LEC	Lupus erythematosus cell
LEEP	Loop electrical excision procedure
LES	Lower esophageal sphincter Lupus erythematosus systemicus
LE	Lupus erythematosus (in German Lupus erythematodes) Lower extremity - Human leg
leu	Leukocytes
LFT	Liver function test
LGA	Large for gestational age, see birth weight
LGL	Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome
LGM	Lymphogranulomatosis maligna
LGSIL	Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
LGV	Lymphogranuloma venereum
LH	Luteinizing hormone
Lig	Ligament
LIH	Left inguinal hernia
LLE	Left lower extremity
LLETZ	Large loop excision of the transformation zone
LLL	Left lower lobe
LLQ	Left lower quadrant
LM	Left Main
LMA	left mentoanterior - Fetal position
LMCA	Left main coronary artery
LMD	Local medical doctor
LMP	Last Menstrual Period - first day of the menstrual period prior to conceiving, used to calculated Expected Date of Delivery.
LN	Lymph node
LOA	Left occipitoanterior - Fetal position
LOC	Loss of consciousness - Unconsciousness Level of consciousness (e.g. "altered LOC from head trauma")
LOL	Little old lady ... often LOL in NAD (see House of God)
LOP	Left occipitoposterior - Fetal position
LORTA	Loss Of Resistance To Air (in anesthesiology; when placing epidural, LORTA indicates entrance of needle to epidural space)
LOS	Length of stay
Lot	Lotion
Lp	Lipoprotein
LP	Lumbar puncture
LPH	Left posterior hemiblock - Heart block
LPL	Lipoprotein lipase
LR	Lactated Ringer's solution
LRTI	Lower respiratory tract infection
LT	Heat labile
LTAC	Long-term acute care
LSB	Left sternal border
LSIL	Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
LUL	Left upper lobe - Lung
LUQ	Left upper quadrant
LV	Left ventricle
LVAD	Left ventricular assist device
LVEDP	Left ventricular end diastolic pressure
LVEF	Left ventricular ejection fraction
LVF	Left ventricular failure
LVH	Left ventricular hypertrophy
LVOT	Left Ventricular Outflow Track
Lc of ch	Laxative of choice
Ly	Lymphocytes
lytes	Electrolytes

M

Abbrev.	Meaning
M	Murmur (heart murmur)
MAE	Moves all extremities
MAHA	Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia
MAL	Midaxillary line
MALT	Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue
MAO-I	Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
Mφ	Macrophage
MAP	Mean arterial pressure
MARSA	Methicillin- and aminoglycoside-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MAS	Morgagni-Adams-Stokes syndrome
MAT	Multifocal atrial tachycardia Microscopic agglutination test
MC	Metacarpal bone
MCP	Metacarpophalangeal joint
MCHC	Mean cell hemoglobin concentration
MCH	Mean cell hemoglobin; Mean corpuscular hemoglobin
MC&S	Microscopy, culture, and sensitivity (the investigation steps in processing microbiology samples)
MCV	Mean cell volume
MDD	Major depressive disorder
MDE	Major depressive episode
MDS	Myelodysplastic syndrome
M/E	Microscopic examination
MEDLINE	Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online
MEN	Multiple endocrine neoplasia
MeSH	Medical Subject Headings
MET	Metabolic equivalent
met	Metastasis (pronounced like the word met; plural mets)
Mg	Magnesium
MgSO4	Magnesium sulfate
MGUS	Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (unknown or uncertain may be substituted for undetermined)
MI	Myocardial infarction
MIC	Minimum inhibitory concentration
MICA	Mental illness and chemical abuse; mentally ill chemical abuser
MICU	Mobile Intensive Care Unit
MLC	Mixed lymphocyte culture
MLE	Midline episiotomy
MM	Myeloid metaplasia
M&M	Morbidity & Mortality
MMPI	Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
mod	Moderate; Modified
MODY	Maturity onset diabetes of the young
Mo	Monocytes
MOM	Milk of magnesia
MOPP	Mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone in combination (older treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma)
MPD(s)	Myeloproliferative disease(s)
MPV	Mean platelet volume
MR	Mitral regurgitation Modified release Medical representative Mental retardation
MRA	Magnetic resonance angiography
MRCP	Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography
MRG	Murmurs, rubs, and gallops (see heart sounds)
MRI	Magnetic resonance imaging
MRSA	Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MS	Mitral stenosis Multiple sclerosis Medical student MS-1, MS-2, MS-3, MS-4 respectively Mental status - Mental status examination
MSE	Mental status examination
MSH	Melanocyte-stimulating hormone
MSO4	Morphine or morphine sulfate
MSU	Midstream urine sample (used in testing for presence of urinary tract infections)
MSUD	Maple syrup urine disease
MT	Metatarsal bone
MTBI	Mild traumatic brain injury
MTP	Metatarsalphalangeal joint
MTX	Methotrexate
MVA	Motor vehicle accident
MVC	Motor vehicle crash
MVP	Mitral valve prolapse
MVPS	Mitral valve prolapse syndrome
MVR	Mitral valve replacement

N

Abbrev.	Meaning
Na	Sodium (from Latin natrium)
NABS	Normoactive bowel sounds
NAD	No abnormality detected no apparent distress (and many variations of the above)
NAS	No added salt
NB	Newborn (infant) Note well (please pay attention) (from Latin nota bene)
NBN	Newborn nursery
NBTE	Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis
NC	Nerve action potential Nasal cannula
NCC	Noncompaction cardiomyopathy
NCS	Nerve conduction study
NCT	Nerve conduction test, aka nerve conduction study
NCV	Nerve conduction velocity (see nerve conduction study)
ND	(Examination) not done
NE	Norepinephrine
Ne	Neutrophil granulocytes
NEC	Not elsewhere classified Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis
Neg	Negative
Neo	Neoplasm
NES	Not elsewhere specified
NFR	Not for resuscitation
NGT NG tube	Nasogastric tube (see intubation)
NGU	Non-gonococcal urethritis
NHL	Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
NICU	Neonatal intensive care unit
NIDDM	Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
NK NK cells	Natural killer cells
NKA	No known allergies
NKDA	No known drug allergies
Nl	Normal
NLP	No light perception (highest degree of blindness)
NM	Nuclear medicine
NMR	Nuclear magnetic resonance
NNH	Number needed to harm
NNT	Number needed to treat
NO	Nitric oxide
No.	Number
NOF	Neck of femur fracture (refers to hip fracture)
Non rep.	Do not repeat
NOS	Nitric oxide synthase; Not otherwise specified
NPH	Normal pressure hydrocephalus
Npl	Neoplasm
NPO	Nil per os (nothing by mouth)
NPTAC	No previous tracing available for comparison
NRB	Non-rebreather mask
NRBC	Nucleated red blood cells
NREM	Non-rapid eye movement
n.s.	Not significant
NS	Normal saline
NSA	No significant abnormality
NSAID	Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NSCC	Non-squamous-cell carcinoma
NSCLC	Non-small cell lung cancer
NSD	Normal spontaneous delivery (see childbirth)
NSE	Neurospecific enolase
NSR	Normal sinus rhythm
NST	Non-stress test (see cardiotocograph)
NSTEMI	Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction
NSU	Non-specific urethritis
NT	Not tested
NTG	Nitroglycerin
NTT	Nasotracheal tube (see intubation)
N&V n/v	Nausea and vomiting
NVD	Normal vaginal delivery (see childbirth); Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
NVDC	Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation

O

Abbrev.	Meaning
o	Nothing
O₂	Oxygen
OA	Osteoarthritis
OB-GYN	Obstetrics and Gynecology
Obl	Oblique
OBS	Organic brain syndrome
Occ	Occasional
OCD	Obsessive-compulsive disorder
OCG	Oral cholecystogram
OCNA	Old chart not available - Medical history
OCP	Oral contraceptive pill
OCT	Optical Coherence Tomography
OD	Right eye from Latin, oculus dexter Overdose Occupational disease
od	Every day, usually regarded as once daily, from the Latin, omni die. Generally written in lower case.
OE	Otitis externa
O/E	On examination
OGTT	Oral glucose tolerance test
OHL	Oral hairy leukoplakia
Oint	Ointment
OM	Otitis media
om	Every morning, from the Latin, omni mane. Generally written in lower case.
OME	Otitis Media with Effusion - fluid in the inner ear without other symptoms.
on	Every night, from the Latin, omni nocte. Generally written in lower case.
OOB	Out of bed
OP	Outpatient department
O&P	Ova and parasites
OPD	Outpatient department
OPPT	Oriented to person place and time
OPV	Outpatient visit
OR	Operating room, operating theatre
ORIF	Open reduction internal fixation
ORSA	Oxacillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus
ORT	Oral rehydration therapy
OS	Left eye from Latin, oculus sinister
OS	Orthopedic surgery
OSA	Obstructive sleep apnea
OSH	Outside hospital
Osm	Osmolarity
Osteo	Osteomyelitis
OT	Occupational therapy
OTC	Over-the-counter drug
OTD	Out the Door (discharged)
OTPP	Oriented to time place and person
OU	Both eyes, from Latin, oculi uterque
oz	Ounce

P

Abbrev.	Meaning
p	(p with a bar over it) after, from Latin, post
P	Parturition (total number of live births) Phosphorus Pulse Post
PA	Posterior-anterior, posteroanterior Pulmonary artery Physician Assistant
P&A	Percussion and auscultation
PAC	Premature atrial contraction Pulmonary artery catheter, Pulmonary artery catheterisation
PAD	Peripheral artery disease - Peripheral artery occlusive disease
PAF	Platelet activating factor Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (meaning intermittent AF)
PAH	Pulmonary arterial hypertension Phenylalanine hydroxylase
PAI-1	Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1
PAL	Posterior axillary line
PALS	Pediatric Advanced Life Support
PAN	Polyarteritis nodosa
PAO	Peak Acid Output
PAOD	Peripheral artery occlusive disease
PAP	Papanicolaou stain Positive airway pressure Pulmonary artery pressure - Pulmonary hypertension
Pap	Papanicolaou Test (pap smear)
PARA I	Indicating a woman with one child (partus = birth)
PARA II	Indicating a woman with two children (partus = birth)
PAT	Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
PBF	Peripheral blood film
p.c.	After food, from Latin, post cibum After meals
PCA	Patient-controlled analgesia
PCa	Prostate cancer
PCD	Postconcussional disorder Primary ciliary dyskinesia
PCI	Percutaneous coronary intervention
PCL	Posterior cruciate ligament
PCN	Penicillin
PCNSL	Primary CNS (central nervous system) lymphoma
PCO	Polycystic ovary - polycystic ovarian syndrome
PCOS	Polycystic ovarian syndrome
PCP	(Formerly Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) - Pneumocystis pneumonia Primary Care Physician/Primary Care Provider
PCR	Patient Care Report Polymerase chain reaction
PCS	Post-concussion syndrome
PCV	Packed cell volume - Hematocrit Polycythemia vera
PCWP	Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
PD	Parkinson's disease Peritoneal dialysis Physical diagnosis
PDA	Patent ductus arteriosus
PDE	Phosphodiesterase
PDGF	Platelet derived growth factor
PDR	Physicians' Desk Reference
PDT	Photodynamic Therapy
PE	Pulmonary embolism [Pre-eclampsia] Physical examination
PEA	Pulseless electrical activity
PEEP	Positive end expiratory pressure
PEF	Peak expiratory flow
PEFR	Peak expiratory flow rate
PEG	Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
pen	Penicillin (Best practice is to avoid drug name abbreviations)
PEP	Post exposure prophylaxis
PERRL	Pupils equal, round, reactive to light (e.g. "pupils PERRL")
PERLA	Pupils equal and reactive to light and accommodation
PERRLA	Pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation
Per Vag	Per vaginam
PET	Positron-emission tomography (cerebral metabolic scan)
PFO	Patent foramen ovale
PFT	Pulmonary function test - Spirometry
PGCS	Paediatric Glasgow Coma Scale
PH	Pulmonary hypertension Past history - medical history
PH_x	Past history - medical history
PHTLS	Prehospital trauma life support
PI	Present illness
PICC	Peripherally inserted central catheter
PID	Pelvic inflammatory disease Prolapsed intervertibral disc
PIH	Pregnancy induced hypertension
PIP	Proximal interphalangeal joint
PKA	Protein kinase A
PKD	Polycystic kidney disease
PKU	Phenylketonuria (PKU card - Guthrie test)
PLAT	Tissue plasminogen activator
PLT	Platelets
PM	Post meridiem In the afternoon
PMB	Post-menopausal bleeding (bleeding after menopause)
PMH	Past medical history Perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage
PMI	Point of maximal impulse or apical beat Point of maximal intensity
PML	Polyoma virus
PMP	Pseudomyxoma peritonei
PMN	Polymorphonuclear leukocytes, i.e., Neutrophils
PMR	Percutaneous myocardial revascularisation Polymyalgia rheumatica
PM&R	Physical medicine and rehabilitation
PND	Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea Postnasal drip
PNH	Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
PNM	Perinatal mortality
PO	By mouth (orally), from Latin, per os
POD	postoperative days
poly	Polymorphonuclear cells, ie Neutrophils
Post	Posterior - anatomical terms of location
POX	Peroxidase
PP	Pulse pressure Postpartum - postnatal
PPCS	Prolonged post-concussion syndrome
PPD	Packs per day (Cigarettes) Postpartum depression - Postnatal depression Purified protein derivative or Mantoux test, for tuberculosis testing
PPH	Postpartum haemorrhage Primary pulmonary hypertension Procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids
PPI	Proton pump inhibitor
PPROM	Preterm premature rupture of membranes
PPS	Post-polio syndrome
Ppt	Precipitate Precipitating
PPTCT	Prevention of parent-to-child transmission (of HIV: Govt of India)
PPTL	Post-partum tubal ligation
PR	Prothrombin ratio
p.r.	Per rectum (as noun: rectal examination)
PRA	Plasma renin activity
PRBC	Packed red blood cells
Preme	Premature infant - premature birth
Prep	Preparation
PRIND	Prolonged reversible ischemic neurologic deficit
prn PRN	As necessary, from Latin, pro re nata (if used in chronic pain control disparagingly termed "pain relief nil") As needed
Prog	Prognosis
PROM	Premature rupture of membranes
PRP	Panretinal photocoagulation Progressive rubella panencephalitis
PRV	Polycythemia rubra vera - polycythemia vera
PSA	Prostatic specific antigen
PSH	Psychosocial history Past medical history
PSP	Phenylsulphtalein
PSS	Progressive systemic sclerosis - scleroderma
PT	Prothrombin time Physical therapy (physiotherapy)
Pt.	Patient, from Latin patiens, meaning "one who endures" or "one who suffers"
PTA	Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty Post-traumatic amnesia Prior to admission
PTB	Pulmonary tuberculosis
PTC	Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography
PTCA	Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
PTD	Prior to discharge
PTH	Parathyroid hormone
PTHC	Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography
PTSD	Posttraumatic stress disorder
PTSS	Posttraumatic stress syndrome - posttraumatic stress disorder
PTT	Partial thromboplastin time
PTx	Pneumothorax
PUD	Peptic ulcer disease
PUO	Pyrexia of unknown origin
PUVA	Psoralen UV A (photochemical ultraviolet light A waves)
p.v.	Per vagina (as noun: vaginal examination with manual examination and speculum inspection)
PVC (VPC)	Premature ventricular contraction
PVD	Peripheral vascular disease
PVFS	Post-viral fatigue syndrome
PVR	Pulmonary vascular resistance
PVS	Persistent vegetative state Pulmonary valve stenosis Plummer-Vinson syndrome
PWP	Pulmonary Wedge Pressure
Px px	Physical examination
Px	Prognosis
P-Y	Pack-years (years of smoking one package of cigarettes per day)

Q

Abbrev.	Meaning
Q	Perfusion
q	Each, every (from Latin quaque)
q.a.d.	Every other day (from Latin quaque altera die)
QALY	Quality-adjusted life year
q.AM	Every morning (from Latin quaque ante meridiem)
q.d.	Each day (from Latin quaque die) (deprecated; use "daily" instead. See the do-not-use list)
q.d.s.	Four times each day, (from Latin quater die sumendus)
q.h.	Each hour (from Latin quaque hora)
q.h.s.	Every bedtime (from Latin quaque hora somni)
q.i.d.	Four times each day (from Latin quater in die) (not deprecated, but consider using "four times a day" instead. See the do-not-use list)
q.l.	As much as you like (from Latin quantum libet)
q.m.t.	Every month
q.n.	Every night
QNS q.n.s.	Quantity not sufficient
q.o.d.	Every other day (deprecated; use "every other day" instead. See the do-not-use list)
QOF	Quality and Outcomes Framework system for payment of GPs in the UK National Health Service
q.o.h.	Every other hour
q.s.	As much as suffices (from Latin quantum satis or quantum sufficit)
qt	Quart
q.v.	Which see (from Latin quod vide); as much as you please (from Latin quantum vis)
q.w.k.	Weekly

R

Abbrev.	Meaning
RA	Refractory anaemia Rheumatoid arthritis Right atrium
RAD	Reflex anal dilatation Right Axis Deviation Reactive Airway Disease
Rad hys	Radical hysterectomy
RAI	Radioactive Iodine
RAPD	Relative afferent pupillary defect
RAS	Renal artery stenosis
RBBB	Right bundle branch block
RBC	Red blood cells, Red blood count
RBLM	Recurrent benign lymphocytic meningitis
RCA	Right coronary artery
RCM	Restrictive cardiomyopathy Right costal margin
RCT	Randomized controlled trial
RD	Retinal detachment
RDS	Respiratory distress syndrome - Infant respiratory distress syndrome
RDW	Red cell distribution width
REM	Rapid eye movement
RF	Rheumatoid factor Rheumatic fever
RFLP	Restriction fragment length polymorphism
RFT	Renal function test
r/g/m	Rubs/gallops/murmurs - heart sounds
Rh	Rhesus factor
RHD	Rheumatoid heart disease
RhF	Rheumatoid factor
RIA	Radioimmunoassay
RIBA	Radioimmunoblotting assay
RICE	Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (treatment for a soft tissue injury)
RIMA	Reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A
RIND	Reversible ischemic neurologic deficit
RL	Ringer's lactate; lactated Ringer's solution
RLE	Right lower extremity
RLL	Right lower lobe - lung
RLN	Recurrent laryngeal nerve; Regional lymph node
RLQ	Right lower quadrant
RML	Right middle lobe - lung
RNA	Ribonucleic acid
RNP	Ribonucleoprotein
RNV	Radionuclear Ventriculography
ROM	Range of motion
R/O	Rule Out
ROA	Right occipital anterior - childbirth
ROP	Right occipital posterior - childbirth
ROS	Review of systems
ROSC	Return of spontaneous circulation
RPR	Rapid plasma reagin test
RR	Respiratory rate Blood pressure measured with a specific sphygmomanometer
RRR	Regular rate and rhythm - pulse
RS cell	Reed-Sternberg cell
RSI	Rapid sequence induction
RSV	Respiratory sncytial virus
RT	Respiratory therapy Reverse transcriptase
RT-PCR	Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
RTA	Renal tubal acidosis
RTC	Return to clinic (appointment for outpatient for next medical examination)
RTS	Revised trauma score
RUE	Right upper extremity
RUL	Right upper lobe (of the lung)
RUQ	Right upper quadrant (see also Human abdomen#Regions of the abdomen)
RV	Residual volume Right ventricle
RVAD	Right ventricular assist device
RVF	Right ventricular failure
RVH	Right ventricular hypertrophy
RVSP	Right ventricular systolic pressure
RVT	Renal vein thrombosis
Rx or ℞ or R_x	(R with crossed tail) medical prescription or Prescription drug

S

Abbrev.	Meaning
s	Without (s with a bar over it); from Middle English sans, borrowed from Old French sans, Latin sine
S	Sacrum
S_x	Symptoms
S₁	First heart sound
S₂	Second heart sound
SA	Sinoatrial node
SAB	Staphylococcal bacteremia Spontaneous abortion - Miscarriage
SAH	Subarachnoid hemorrhage
SAN	Sinoatrial node
SAPS II	Simplified acute physiology score
SAPS III	Simplified acute physiology score
SARS	Severe acute respiratory syndrome
SB	Small bowel - small intestine
SBE	Subacute bacterial endocarditis
SBO	Small bowel obstruction
SBP	Systolic blood pressure Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
s.c.	Subcutaneous from Latin, subcutis
SCC	Squamous cell carcinoma
SCD	Sudden cardiac death
SCLC	Small cell lung cancer
SCID	Severe combined immunodeficiency
Scope	Microscope or endoscope
s.d.	Subdermal
SD σ	Standard deviation
SDH	Subdural hematoma
Sed	Sedimentation (rate) - Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Segs	Segmented cells
SEM	Systolic ejection murmur - Heart murmur
SERT	Serotonin transporter
SFA	Superficial femoral artery Serum folic acid
SGA	Small for gestational age
SG cath	Swan-Ganz catheter - pulmonary artery catheter
SGOT	Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase
SGPT	Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase
SH SH_x	Social history (personal habits, living situation, job)
SHBG	Sex hormone-binding globulin
SHx	Surgical history
SI	International System of Units Suicidal ideation Seriously ill Sacroiliacal (joint)
SIADH	Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
SICS	Surgical intensive care unit
SIDS	Sudden infant death syndrome
SIMV	Synchronized intermittent mechanical ventilation
SIT	Stress inoculation training - posttraumatic stress disorder
SK	Streptokinase
sl	Sublingual
SLE	Systemic lupus erythematosus
SLEV	St. Louis virus
SLR	Straight leg raise - Lasègue's sign
SLL	Small lymphocytic lymphoma
SM	Multiple sclerosis from Latin, sclerosis multiplex
SMA	Sequential multiple analysis; Superior mesenteric artery
SMA-6	Six-channel serum multiple analysis
SMA-7	Serum metabolic assay
SMS	Senior medical student
SMT	Spinal manipulative therapy
SMV	Superior mesenteric vein
SN	Student nurse
SNB	Sentinel node biopsy (ductal carcinoma]]
SNP	Sodium nitroprusside; Single nucleotide polymorphism
SNRI	Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
SNV	Sin nombre virus, most common type of hantavirus
SOAP	Subjective, objective, assessment, plan (how Doctors notes are organized)
SOB	Shortness of breath - dyspnea
SOBOE	Short of breath on exercise
SOL	Space occupying lesion
Sol	Solution
SOOB	Send out of bed
SOS	Save our souls, meaning "in case of emergency" [from Latin "si opus sit" having the same meaning]
SP s/p	Status post
Spec	Specimen
SPECT	Single photon emission computed tomography
SPEP	Serum protein electrophoresis
SPET	Single photon emission tomography
Sp. fl.	Spinal fluid - cerebrospinal fluid
Sp. gr.	Specific gravity
SQ sq	Subcutaneous
SR	Slow release
SROM	Spontaneous rupture of membranes
SS	Hemoglobin SS (HbSS) - in Sickle-cell disease = SS disease
SSPE	Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
ssRNA	Single stranded RNA
SSRI	Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
SSSS	Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome
SSS	Sick sinus syndrome
ST	Heat stable
Staph.	Staphylococcus
STD	Sexually transmitted disease
STAT	Shortest Turn Around Time. Immediately
STEC	Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli, another name for enterohaemorrhagic E. coli
STEMI	ST elevation MI (Myocardial infarction)
STH	Somatotropic hormone
STI	Sexually transmitted infection Soft tissue injury
STNR	Symmetrical tonic neck reflex
STOP	Surgical termination of pregnancy (sometimes suction termination of pregnancy)
Strep. Strepto.	Streptococcus
STS	Serological test for syphilis
Subq	Subcutaneous
Supp	Suppository
SV	Seminal vesicle Stroke volume
SVC	Superior vena cava
SVD	Spontaneous vaginal delivery Simple vertex delivery
SVI	Systemic viral infection
SVN	Small volume nebulizer
SVR	Systemic vascular resistance
SVT	Supraventricular tachycardia
Sx	Surgery Symptoms
SXA	Single energy X-ray absorptiometer
SXR	Skull x-ray
Sz	Seizure

T

Abbrev.	Meaning
T	Thoracic vertebrae
T_x	Transplatation Traction
T&A	Tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy
T&C	Type an cross-match - Blood transfusion
Tab	Tablet
TAB	Therapeutic abortion
TAH	Total abdominal hysterectomy
TAH-BSO	Total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
TB	Tuberculosis
TBC	Tuberculosis Total body crunch
TBI	Total body irradiation Traumatic brain injury
TBLC	Term birth living child
TC	Traffic crash
TCC	Transitional cell carcinoma
TCM	Traditional Chinese medicine
TCN	Tetracycline
TCT	Thrombin clotting time
Td	Tetanus and diphtheria
TdP	Torsades de pointes
t.d.s.	Three times a day, from Latin, ter die sumendus
TEB	Thoracic electrical bioimpedance - impedance cardiography
TEE	Transesophageal echocardiogram
TEM	Transmission electron microscopy
Temp	Temperature
TENS	Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator
TERN	"Intern"
TF	Transfer
T/F	Transfer
TFTs	Thyroid function tests
TGA	Transposition of the great arteries
TG	Triglycerides
Tg	Thyroglobulin
TGF	Tumor growth factor
TGV	Transposition of the great vessels
T&H	Type and hold - (stay ready for blood transfusion)
THR	Total hip replacement
TIA	Transient ischemic attack
TIBC	Total iron binding capacity
Tib-Fib	Tibia and fibula
t.i.d.	Three times a day, from Latin, ter in die
TIPS	Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
TKO	To keep (vein) open for IV therapy
TKR	Total knee replacement
TKVO	To keep vein open
TLC	Total lung capacity Tender loving care
TLR	Tonic labyrinthine reflex
TM	Tympanic membrane
TMB	"Too Many Birthdays" Very frail elderly patient
TME	Total mesorectal excision
TNF	Tumor necrosis factors
TMJ	Temporomandibular joint
TNG	Trinitroglycerin
TNM	Tumor-nodes-metastases
TOA	Tuboovarian abscess
TOD	Transoesophageal doppler
TOE	Transoesophageal echocardiogram
TOF	Tetralogy of fallot
TOP	Termination of pregnancy
TP	Total protein]]
TPa	Tissue plasminogen activator
TPN	Total parenteral nutrition
TPR	Temperature, pulse, respiration
TR	Tricuspid regurgitation
Tr	Tincture
TRAM	Transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (TRAM flap)
TRAP	Tartarate resistant acid phosphatase
TRF	Transfer (pronounced "turf")
TRF'd	Transferred (Pronounced "turfed", as in "We just turfed Mrs Johnson OTD")
TRH	Thyrotropin releasing hormone
TS	Tricuspid stenosis
Tsp	Teaspoon (5 ml)
TSH	Thyroid stimulating hormone
T.S.T.H.	Too sick to send home
TT	Thrombin time
TTE	Transthoracic echocardiogram
TTO	To take out (medicines given to patient on discharge from hospital stay)
TTP	Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
TTP	Tender to palpation
TTR	Transthyretin
TTS	Transdermal therapeutic system
TTTS	Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
Tu	Tumor
TUR	Transurethral resection
TURBT	Transurethral resection of bladder tumour
TURP	Transurethral resection of the prostate
TVH	Total vagina hysterectomy
Tx	Transplant Treatment

U

Abbrev.	Meaning
UA	urinalysis
UBT	urea breath test
UC	ulcerative colitis
UCHD	usual childhood diseases (see list of childhood diseases)
UD	as directed (from Latin ut dictum)
UDS	urine drug screening
UE	upper extremity
U&E	urea and electrolytes (blood test) (for sodium and potassium, and often creatinine)
UIP	Usual interstitial pneumonitis
UGI	upper gastrointestinal
UOP	Urinary Output
Ung	ointment (from Latin unguentum)
Unk	unknown
UPJ	ureteropelvic junction (see pyeloplasty)
URA	unilateral renal agenesis
URI	upper respiratory infection
URTI	upper respiratory tract infection
US	ultrasonogram
USG	ultrasonogram
USP	United States Pharmacopeia
USR	unheated serum reagin
USS	ultrasound scan
UTI	urinary tract infection
UVAL	ultraviolet argon laser

V

Abbrev.	Meaning
V	Ventilation
VA	visual acuity
VAD	Ventricular assist device Vincristine adriblastine dexamethasone
Vag	Vaginal
VAMP	Vincristine adriblastine methylprednisone
VBAC	Vaginal birth after caesarean
VC	Vital capacity
VCTC	Voluntary counselling and testing centers (for HIV: Govt Centres in India)
vCJD	Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
VD	Venereal disease Vaginal delivery Volume of distribution
VDRF	Ventilator dependent respiratory failure
VDRL	Venereal Diseases Research Laboratory (old test for syphilis)
VE	Vaginal examination (manual examination)
VEE	Venezuelan equine encephalitis
VEB	Ventricular ectopic beat
VF V-fib	Ventricular fibrillation
VIP	Vasoactive intestinal peptide
VLDL	Very low density lipoprotein
VMA	Vanillylmandelic acid Violent mechanical asphyxia
VNPI	VanNuys prognostic scoring index (ductal carcinoma)
VO	Verbal order
VOD	Volume of distribution
VPA	Valproic acid
VPAP	Variable positive airway pressure
VPB	Ventricular premature beats - premature ventricular contraction
VPC (PVC)	Ventricular premature contraction
V/Q	Ventilation/Perfusion scan
VRE	Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus
VRSA	Vancomycin-resistant staphylococcus aureus
VS	Vital signs (VSS = vital signs stable)
VSD	Ventricular septal defect
VSR	Ventricular septal rupture - myocardial rupture
VT	Ventricular tachycardia Verotoxin
VTE	Venous thromboembolism
VTEC	Verotoxin producing Escherichia coli, also known as enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli
VZV	Varicella zoster virus

W

Abbrev.	Meaning
w/	With
WAP	Wandering atrial pacemaker (see multifocal atrial tachycardia)
WAT	White adipose tissue
WBC	White blood cell White blood cell count
WC	White cells
W/C	Wheelchair
WD	Well developed
WDL	Within defined limits (as per hospital defined policy)
WH	Well hydrated (not dehydrated or hyperhydrated)
WDWN	Well developed and well nourished
WEE	Western equine encephalitis virus
WG	Wegener's granulomatosis
WN	Well nourished
WNL	Within normal limits (also: we never looked)
W/O w/o	Without
WPW	Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
WS	Waardenburg syndrome; Warkany syndrome; Water-soluble; Werner syndrome; West syndrome; Williams syndrome; Wolfram syndrome
wt	Weight
WWI	Walking while intoxicated (ethanol or other drugs); World War I

X

Abbrev.	Meaning
x	(x with macron) except
XR	Extended release; X-ray radiography
XRT	Radiation therapy

Y

Abbrev.	Meaning
y	Year
YO yo	Years old

Z

Abbrev.	Meaning
ZD	Zinc deficiency
ZIFT	Zygote intrafallopian transfer

Bibliography

Davis, Neil M. (2008). Medical Abbreviations: 30,000 Conveniences at the Expense of Communication and Safety (14th ed.). Warminster, PA, USA: Neil M Davis Associates. ISBN 978-0-931431-14-2.
Jablonski, Stanley (2008). Jablonski's Dictionary of Medical Acronyms and Abbreviations with CD-ROM (6th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders. ISBN 978-1-4160-5899-1.
Sloane, Sheila B. (1997). Medical Abbreviations & Eponyms (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders. ISBN 978-0-7216-7088-1.