A |
Allergy |
ACU |
Ambulatory/Urgent Care |
AD |
Addictionology |
ADL |
Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine |
ADM |
Addiction Medicine |
ADP |
Addiction Psychiatry |
AI |
Allergy and Immunology |
ALI |
Allergy & Immunology/Clinical & Lab Immunology |
AM |
Aerospace Medicine |
AMI |
Adolescent Medicine, Internal Medicine |
AN |
Anesthesiology |
APM |
Anesthesiology Pain Management |
AS |
Abdominal Surgery |
ATP |
Anatomic Pathology |
AVM |
Aviation Medicine |
BBK |
Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine |
BE |
Broncho-Esophagology |
BLB |
Blood banking |
BRM |
Bariatric Medicine |
BRS |
Bariatric Surgery |
BS |
Breast Surgery |
CBG |
Clinical Biochemical Genetics |
CCA |
Critical Care Anesthesiology |
CCG |
Clinical Cytogenetics |
CCM |
Critical Care Medicine (IM) |
CCP |
Critical Care Pediatric |
CCS |
Critical Care Surgery |
CD |
Cardiovascular Diseases |
CDS |
Cardiovascular Surgery |
CED |
Corneal & External Eye Disease |
CG |
Clinical Genetics |
CHN |
Child Neurology |
CHP |
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry |
CI |
Clinical Informatics |
CI |
Clinical Informatics |
Clin Info |
Clinical Informatics |
CLP |
Clinical Pathology |
CMG |
Clinical Molecular Genetics |
CN |
Clinical Neurophysiology |
CR |
Clinical Research |
CRS |
Colon and Rectal Surgery |
CS |
Cosmetic Surgery |
CTR |
Cardiothoracic Radiology |
CTS |
Cardiothoracic Surgery |
D |
Dermatology |
DBP |
Developmental-Behavorial Pediatrics |
DDL |
Dermatological Immunology/Clinical & Lab |
DIA |
Diabetes |
DLI |
Diagnostic Lab Immunology |
DMP |
Dermatopathology |
DR |
Diagnostic Radiology |
DS |
Dermatologic Surgery |
ECH |
Echocardiography |
ELD |
Electrodiagnostic Med |
EM |
Emergency Medicine |
END |
Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism |
ESM |
Sports Medicine (Emergency Medicine) |
ESN |
Endovascular Surgical Neuroradiology |
ETX |
Medical Toxicology (Emergency Medicine) |
Female Pelvic |
Femaile Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery |
FM |
Family Medicine |
FM |
Family Medicine |
FOP |
Forensic Pathology |
FPG |
Family Practice, Geriatric Medicine |
FPS |
Facial Plastic Surgery |
FRM |
Functional Regenerative Med |
FSM |
Family Practice, Sports Medicine |
GE |
Gastroenterology |
GER |
Geriatrics |
GO |
Gynecological Oncology |
GP |
General Practice |
GPM |
General Preventive Medicine |
GS |
General Surgery |
GYN |
Gynecology |
HAM |
Headache Medicine |
HBS |
Hepatobiliary Surgery |
HEM |
Hematology, Internal Medicine |
HEP |
Hepatology |
HMP |
Hematology, Pathology |
HNS |
Head and Neck Surgery |
HO |
Hematology, Oncology |
HOS |
Hospitalist |
HPC |
Hospice & Palliative Care |
HPM |
Hospice & Palliative Med |
HS |
Hand Surgery |
HSO |
Hand Surgery, Orthopedic |
HSP |
Hand Surgery, Plastic Surgery |
HYP |
Hypnosis |
IC |
Interventional Cardiology |
ICE |
Internal Medicine, Cardiac Electrophysiology |
ID |
Infectious Disease |
IG |
Immunology |
ILI |
Internal Medicine, Clinical & Lab Immunology |
IM |
Internal Medicine |
IMG |
Internal Medicine, Geriatrics |
INS |
Insurance Medicine |
ISM |
Sports Medicine (Internal Medicine) |
ISSM |
Interventional Spine & Sports Medicine |
JR |
Joint Resconstruction |
LAR |
Laryngology |
LM |
Legal Medicine |
MDM |
Medical Management |
MFM |
Maternal & Fetal Medicine |
MFS |
Maxillofacial Surgery |
MG |
Medical Genetics |
MGG |
Molecular Genetic Pathology |
MGR |
Mohs Micrographic Surgery |
MM |
Medical Microbiology |
MPD |
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics |
MPH |
Public Health |
N |
Neurology |
NC |
Nuclear Cardiology |
NCC |
Neurological Surgery,Critical Care Medicine |
ND |
Neoplastic Diseases |
NDN |
Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (Psy&Neuro) |
NEP |
Nephrology |
NM |
Nuclear Medicine |
NMS |
Neuro Muscular Skeletal |
NO |
Otology/Neurotology |
NO |
Neuro Oncology |
NP |
Neuropathology |
NPM |
Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine |
NR |
Nuclear Radiology |
NRH |
Neurorehabilitation |
NS |
Neurological Surgery |
NS |
Neurosurgeon |
NSP |
Neurology, Pediatric Surgery |
NSU |
Neurosurgeon |
NSU |
Neurosurgeon |
NTR |
Nutrition |
NUP |
Neuropsychiatry |
OAR |
Orthopedics, Adult Reconstructive |
OBG |
Obstetrics & Gynecology |
OBS |
Obstetrics |
OCC |
Obstetrics & Gynecology, Critital Care Medicine |
OFA |
Orthopedics, Foot and Ankle |
OM |
Occupational Medicine |
OMM |
Osteopathic Manipulative Med |
OMO |
Orthopedic Musculoskeletal Oncology |
ON |
Oncology, Medical |
OO |
Ocular Oncology |
OP |
Pediatric Orthopedics |
OPH |
Ophthalmology |
OR |
Orthopedics (Generally) |
ORS |
Orthopaedic Surgery |
OS |
Other Specialty |
OSM |
Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine |
OSS |
Orthopedic Surgery, Spine |
OT |
Otology |
OTO |
Otolaryngology |
OTR |
Orthopedic, Trauma |
P |
Psychiatry |
PA |
Pharmacology, Clinical |
PAN |
Pediatric Anesthesiology |
PCC |
Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine |
PCH |
Pathology, Chemical |
PCP |
Pathology, Cytopathology |
PD |
Pediatrics |
PDA |
Pediatric Allergy |
PDC |
Pediatric Cardiology |
PDD |
Pediatric Dermatology |
PDD |
Pediatric Dentistry |
PDE |
Pediatric Endocrinology |
PDI |
Pediatric Infectious Diseases |
PDO |
Pediatric Otolaryngology |
PDP |
Pediatric Pulmonology |
PDR |
Pediatric Radiology |
PDS |
Pediatric Surgery |
PDT |
Pediatric Medical Toxicology |
PEM |
Pediatric Emergency Medicine |
PFP |
Psychiatry, Forensic |
PG |
Pediatric Gastroenterology |
PHO |
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology |
PHP |
Public Health & General Preventive Medicine |
PIP |
Pathology, Immunopathology |
PLI |
Pediatrics, Clinical & Lab Immunology |
PLM |
Palliative Medicine |
PM |
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation |
PMD |
Pain Medicine |
PMGT |
Pain Management |
PMM |
Sports Medicine Physical Med & Rehab) |
PN |
Pediatric Nephrology |
PO |
Pediatric Ophthalmology |
PP |
Pediatric Pathology |
PPR |
Pediatric Rheumatology |
PRMED |
Preliminary Medicine |
PS |
Plastic Surgery |
PSM |
Pediatric Sports Medicine |
PTH |
Pathology, Anatomic/Clinical |
PTX |
Medical Toxicology (Preventive Medicine) |
PUD |
Pulmonary Diseases |
PYA |
Psychoanalysis |
PYG |
Psychiatry, Geriatric |
PYM |
Psychosomatic Medicine |
QUR |
Quality Assurance/Utility Review |
R |
Radiology |
RCS |
Cornea Refractive Surgery |
REN |
Reproductive Endocrinology |
RHI |
Rhinology |
RHU |
Rheumatology |
RIP |
Radioisotopic Pathology |
RNR |
Neuroradiology |
RO |
Radiation Oncology |
RO |
Retinal Oncology |
RP |
Radiological Physics |
RVS |
Retina & Vitreous Surgery |
SCI |
Spinal Cord Injury |
SM |
Sleep Medicine |
SO |
Surgical Oncology |
SP |
Selective Pathology |
SUP |
Administrative Support |
THEP |
Transplant Hepatology |
TR |
Therapeutic Radiology |
TRS |
Traumatic Surgery |
TS |
Thoracic Surgery |
TSS |
Transplant Surgery |
U |
Urology |
UCM |
Urgent Care Medicine |
UGYN |
Urogynecology |
UM |
Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine |
UP |
Pediatric Urology |
US |
Unspecified |
US |
Urologic Surgery |
VIR |
Vascular & Interventional Radiology |
VS |
Vascular Surgery |
VS |
Vitreoretinal Surgery |
a.c |
before food |
a.m. |
before noon |
aa. |
of each |
ad lib. |
as much as desired |
alt. |
alternate |
alt. die. |
alternate days |
amp |
ampoule |
ante |
before |
applic. |
apply |
aq. or aqua |
water |
aur. |
ear |
aurist. |
ear drops |
b. |
twice |
b.d. |
twice daily |
b.i.d. |
twice daily |
|
|
c. |
with |
calid. |
warm |
cap. |
capsule |
cib. |
food |
co. |
compound |
collut. |
mouthwash |
collyr. |
eye lotion |
conc. |
concentrated |
crem. |
cream |
|
|
d. |
a day |
dest. |
distilled |
dil. |
diluted |
div. |
divide |
dol.urg |
when the pain is severe |
dolent.part. |
to the afflicted part |
dos. |
dose |
|
|
ex aq. |
in water |
ext. |
extract |
extemp. |
extemporaneously dispensed |
|
|
fort. |
strong |
|
|
h. |
at the hour of |
h.s. |
at bedtime |
i.c. |
between meals |
IM |
intramuscular |
inf |
infusion |
inj |
injection |
IV |
intravenous |
|
|
m. or mane |
in the morning |
m.d. |
as directed |
m.d.u. |
to be used as directed |
MDI |
metered dose inhaler |
mist. |
mixture |
mitt. or mitte |
send |
n. or nocte |
at night |
n.et m. |
night and morning |
narist. |
nasal drops |
NP or n.p. |
proper name |
o.alt.hor. |
every other hour |
o.d. |
every day |
o.m. |
every morning |
o.n. |
every night |
oculent. |
eye ointment |
|
|
p.a. |
to the affected part |
p.aeq. |
equal parts |
p.c. |
after food |
p.m. |
afternoon |
p.r.n. |
when required |
part. dolent. |
to the painful part |
past. |
paste |
PR |
per rectum |
pulv. |
powder |
PV |
per vagina |
q.d. |
four times daily |
q.d.s. |
to be taken four times daily |
q.i.d. |
four times daily |
q.q.h. |
every fourth hour |
q.s. |
sufficient |
q12h |
every 12 hours |
q4h |
every 4 hours |
q6h |
every 6 hours |
qq. |
every |
|
|
Rx |
take |
|
|
s.o.s. |
if necessary |
SC |
subcutaneous |
SL |
sublingual |
ss. |
half |
stat. |
immediately |
|
|
t.d.d. |
three times daily |
t.d.s. |
to be taken three times daily |
t.i.d. |
three times daily |
tinct. |
tincture |
trit. or triturate |
serial dilution or mixing ingredients |
|
|
u.a. |
as before |
ung. or unguentum |
ointment |
ut. direct or ut. dict. |
as directed |
|
|
WSP |
white soft paraffin |
|
|
YSP |
yellow soft paraffin |
|
|
|
AA |
amino acid |
ABG |
arterial blood gas |
ADM |
admission, admitted |
ALS |
advanced life support, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis |
AMA |
against medical advice, American Medical Association |
ASAP |
as soon as possible |
A&W |
alive and well |
C |
centigrade, celsius |
CC |
cubic centimeter, chief complaint, critical care, complications, carbon copy |
C/O |
complains of, care of |
CO2 |
carbon dioxide |
D/C |
discontinue or discharge |
DNR |
do not resuscitate |
DO |
disorder |
DOA |
dead on arrival or date of admission |
DOB |
date of birth |
DOT |
directly observed therapy |
DSM |
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders |
EDC |
estimated date of confinement |
EDD |
estimated delivery date |
EGA |
estimated gestational age |
ER |
emergency room |
F |
fahrenheit |
H&P |
history and physical examination |
HPI |
history of present illness |
H/O |
history of |
HR |
heart rate or hour |
HS |
hour of sleep (bedtime) |
ICU |
intensive care unit |
ID |
infectious diseases |
IP |
inpatient |
IQ |
intelligence quotient |
IU |
international units |
MCO |
managed care organization |
MG |
milligram |
MVA |
motor vehicle accident |
ML |
milliliter |
NKDA |
no known drug allergies |
NTG |
nitroglycerin |
|
|
O2 |
oxygen |
OPD |
outpatient department |
P |
pulse |
Post-op |
postoperative (after surgery) |
Pre-op |
preoperative (before surgery) |
PA or PT |
patient |
PCP |
primary care physician |
RBC |
red blood cell |
RF |
risk factor |
S |
without (sans) |
SX |
symptoms |
S/S |
signs and symptoms |
STAT |
immediately |
T |
temperature |
TPR |
temperature, pulse, respiration |
USOH |
usual state of health |
VS |
vital signs |
VSS |
vital signs stable |
WB |
whole blood |
WBC |
white blood cell |
WNL |
within normal limits |
|
|
These abbreviations are used in the context of prescription drugs.
When it comes to medical care, a variety of medical abbreviations are also commonly used.
When describing the condition of a patient or assigning a diagnosis, medical staff may use some of these abbreviations.
ADHD |
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder |
AF |
acid-fast |
AIDS |
acquired immune deficiency syndrome |
A&O |
alert and oriented |
AOB |
alcohol on breath |
ARDS |
adult respiratory distress syndrome |
ARF |
acute renal failure, acute rheumatic fever |
BAD |
bipolar affective disorder |
BM |
bowel movement |
BP |
blood pressure |
CA |
cancer |
CAB |
carotid artery bruit |
CABG |
coronary artery bypass graft |
CAD |
coronary artery disease |
CBC |
complete blood count |
CF |
cystic fibrosis |
C/F |
chills, fever |
CFT |
complement fixation testing |
CHD |
congenital heart disease |
CHF |
congestive heart failure |
COLD |
chronic obstructive lung disease |
COPD |
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
CP |
chest pain |
CP |
cerebral palsy |
C/S |
cesarean section |
CV |
cardiovascular |
CVA |
cerebral vascular accident (stroke) |
DTR |
deep tendon reflex |
DVT |
deep venous thrombosis |
Dx |
diagnosis |
EBL |
estimated blood loss |
EBV |
Epstein-Barr virus |
EC |
eye contact |
ECASA |
enteric coated acetylsalicylic acid |
EGC |
early gastric cancer |
FAS |
fetal alcohol syndrome |
FB |
foreign body |
F/C |
fever, chills |
FEF |
forced expiratory flow |
FHR |
fetal heart rate |
FM |
fetal movement |
FRC |
functional residual capacity |
FSE |
fetal scalp electrode |
FSH |
follicle stimulating hormone |
FT |
full term |
FX |
fracture |
GA |
gestational age |
GH |
growth hormone |
GHRH |
growth hormone releasing hormone |
GI |
gastrointestinal |
GLT |
glucose loading test |
GSW |
gunshot wound |
GTT |
glucose tolerance test |
GU |
genitourinary |
HA |
headache |
HA |
hemolytic anemia |
HAV |
hepatitis A virus |
HBV |
hepatitis B virus |
Hb |
hemoglobin |
HCV |
hepatitis C virus |
HDL |
high density lipoprotein |
HDV |
hepatitis D virus |
HIV |
human immunodeficiency virus |
HPA |
hypothalamic suppression test |
HR |
heart rate |
HTN |
hypertension |
IBD |
inflammatory bowel disease |
IBS |
inflammatory bowel syndrome |
ICP |
intracranial pressure |
IDDM |
insulin dependent diabetes mellitus |
IPF |
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis |
IUI |
intrauterine insemination |
IUP |
intrauterine pregnancy |
IVF |
in vitro fertilization |
IVIG |
intravenous immune globulin |
IVP |
intravenous push |
JCV |
JC virus |
JRA |
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis |
JVD |
jugular venous distension |
KS |
Kaposi sarcoma |
LAD |
leukocyte adhesion deficiency |
LBP |
lower back pain |
LBW |
low birth weight |
LIH |
left inguinal hernia |
LOF |
loss of fluid |
MD |
muscular dystrophy |
MR |
mental retardation |
MS |
multiple sclerosis |
NAD |
no acute distress |
Nat/O |
birth |
NIDDM |
non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus |
NM |
neuromuscular |
N/V |
nausea vomiting |
NVD |
normal vaginal delivery |
OCD |
obsessive compulsive disorder |
ON |
optic neuritis |
OSA |
obstructive sleep apnea |
PD |
Parkinson's disease |
PE |
pulmonary embolism |
PKD |
polycystic kidney disease |
PID |
pelvic inflammatory disease |
PIH |
pregnancy induced hypertension |
PMS |
premenstrual syndrome |
PTSD |
post-traumatic stress disorder |
RA |
rheumatoid arthritis |
RAD |
reactive airway disease |
RDS |
respiratory distress syndrome |
REM |
rapid eye movements |
RHD |
rheumatic heart disease |
RXN |
reaction |
SAB |
spontaneous abortion |
SBO |
small bowel obstruction |
SBS |
shaken baby syndrome |
SOB |
shortness of breath |
STD |
sexually transmitted disease |
TAH |
total abdominal hysterectomy |
TB – tuberculosis |
TBI |
traumatic brain injury |
TGA |
transient global amnesia |
UC |
ulcerative colitis |
UO |
urine output |
URI |
upper respiratory infection |
UTI |
urinary tract infection |
VB |
vaginal bleeding |
VBAC |
vaginal birth after caesarean section |
VF |
ventricular fibrillation |
VH |
vaginal hysterectomy, hallucination |
VIP |
voluntary interruption of pregnancy |
|
Medical professionals may refer to different parts of the body using abbreviations too.