Medical Abbreviations
Abbreviations of Medical Specialties
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
Pharmacy/Prescription Abbreviations
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
Prescription

These abbreviations are used in the context of prescription drugs.

ABX antibiotics AC before meals
Ad lib at will, as desired BID bis in dies (twice a day)
CAP capsule GTT drop-liquid measurement
MDD maximum daily dose NPO nothing by mouth
OCP oral contraceptive pill OPV oral polio vaccine
OTC over the counter PC after meals
PCN penicillin PNV prenatal vitamins
PO per os (by mouth) PRN as needed
q2h every 2 hours q3h every 3 hours
qam every morning qd once a day
qh once every hour qhs at bedtime
qid four times a day qod every other day
qpm every evening RDI recommended daily intake
Rx prescription, treatment SC/SQ subcutaneous
TAB tablet TIW three times a week
Care

When it comes to medical care, a variety of medical abbreviations are also commonly used.

AXR abdominal x-ray BAC blood alcohol content
BC birth control BE barium enema
BMT bone marrow transplant Bx biopsy
BRP bathroom privileges CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CXR chest x-ray ECC emergency cardiac care
ECG or EKG electrocardiogram ECMO extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
ECT electroconvulsive therapy ECV external cephalic version
FB foreign body FNA fine needle aspiration
FOBT fecal occult blood testing GLT glucose loading test
GTT glucose tolerance test H20 water
I&D incision and drainage IM intramuscular
I&O intake and output IV intravenous
IUPC intrauterine pressure catheter In vitro in the laboratory
In vivo in the body KUB kidney, ureter, bladder (x-ray)
OGTT oral glucose tolerance test PAP pulmonary artery pressure; Papanicolaou test
PEEP positive end expiratory pressure PT physical therapy
T&C type and cross (blood) TPA tissue plasminogen activator (dissolve clots), total parenteral alimentation (intravenous nutritional needs)
UA urinalysis US ultrasound
XRT external radiation therapy
Diagnosis or Condition

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
Body Description

Medical professionals may refer to different parts of the body using abbreviations too.

ABD abdomen AD right ear
AL left ear AU both ears
BMD bone mass density BMI body mass index
BMR basal metabolic rate CBD common bile duct
CBF cerebral blood flow FL femur length
FROM free range of motion HC head circumference
IBW ideal body weight LLL left lower lobe
LLQ left lower quadrant LUL left upper lobe
LUQ left upper quadrant LV left ventricle
OD right eye OS left eye
OU both eyes PNS peripheral nervous system
RA right atrium RUL right upper lobe
RUQ right upper quadrant RV right ventricle, residual volume
TLC total lung capacity UE upper extremity
WT weight
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