Common medical abbreviations & symbols

The HUMAN BODY IN HEALTH & DISEASE

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APPENDIX D
Common Abbreviations and Symbols
Table 1 Disease and Infectious Agents
Table 2 Charting Terms
Table 4 Units of Measurement
Table 5 General Scientific Abbreviations
Table 6 Health Sciences Academic Degrees and Professional Credentials

Scientists and health care professionals must use a variety of technical terms to keep accurate records
and to communicate with each other effectively. Over the years, a kind of shorthand for many of these
terms has evolved. Some terms can be represented by a symbol. For example, nearly everyone knows
that
represents the term female. Other terms are simply shortened to a recognizable, abbreviated form.
For example, the abbreviation for the blood protein hemoglobin is Hb or Hgb. Phrases or very long
words are often represented with an acronym—an abbreviation composed of the first letter of each word
or word part.
The following is a list of commonly used symbols, acronyms, and other abbreviations used in
discussing the human body in health and disease. The list has been subdivided into groups for easier
reference. As you use this list, be careful to watch for multiple meanings. For example, the abbreviation
DC can mean “discharge,” “discontinue,” or “doctor of chiropractic,” depending on the context.
Conversely, a single term may have several commonly used abbreviations. For example, the term
electrocardiogram can be shortened to either ECG or EKG.
Another important issue is accuracy in charting. Some symbols and acronyms that were common in
the past have been found to be easily confused with other terms. Such confusion can lead to tragic
mistakes in medical care. Therefore, The Joint Commission, which accredits health care facilities, has
developed National Patient Safety Goals that specify that each institution must develop a list of
abbreviations, acronyms, symbols, and dose designations that are not to be used. Examples of “banned”
terms include these items from a recent Joint Commission document:
U, u
IU
Q.D., QD, q.d., qd
Q.O.D., QOD, q.o.d, qod
Trailing zero (X.0 mg)*
Lack of leading zero (.X mg)
MS

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MSO 4
MgSO
4
*A trailing zero may be used only when required to demonstrate the level
of precision of the value being reported, such as for laboratory results, imaging
studies that report the size of lesions, or catheter/tube sizes. It may not be used
in medication orders or other medication-related documentation.

Although these and other terms may be banned from use at clinical sites, many of them are still used in
research and other nonclinical settings.
If you can learn to recognize all or most of the abbreviations listed here you will be well on your way
to mastering the language of the health professions.

Table 1
Diseases and Infectious Agents
AIDS acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
ARC AIDS-related complex
ARDS adult respiratory distress syndrome
ATLL acute T-cell lymphocytic leukemia
CF cystic fibrosis
CHF congestive heart failure
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CVA cerebrovascular accident
DJD degenerative joint disease
DM diabetes mellitus
DMD Duchenne muscular dystrophy
EBV Epstein-Barr virus
EP ectopic pregnancy
FAS fetal alcohol syndrome
GDM gestational diabetes mellitus
HBV hepatitis B virus
HD Huntington disease
HIV human immunodeficiency virus
HPV human papillomavirus
IDDM insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
IM infectious mononucleosis
IRDS infant respiratory distress syndrome
LE lupus erythematosus
LGV lymphogranuloma venereum
MI myocardial infarction
MS multiple sclerosis

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NIDDM non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
PCM protein-calorie malnutrition
PID pelvic inflammatory disease
PKU phenylketonuria
PMS premenstrual syndrome
RhA rheumatoid arthritis
RMSF Rocky Mountain spotted fever
SCID severe combined immune deficiency
SIDS sudden infant death syndrome
STD sexually transmitted disease
T.b., TB tuberculosis
TSS toxic shock syndrome
URI upper respiratory infection
VD, VDRL venereal disease
VZV varicella-zoster virus

Table 2
Charting Terms

a.c. before meals a.m.a. against medical advice
of each
ABC aspiration biopsy cytology
ABC airway, breathing, circulation
ABG arterial blood gas
Ad lib. as much as desired
ADL activities of daily living
Alb. albumin
AM before noon
AMI acute myocardial infarction
Amt. amount
Ante before
Aq. water
Av. average
b.i.d. twice a day
b.m. bowel movement
BE barium enema
Bib drink
BMI body mass index
BMR basal metabolic rate
BP blood pressure
BPM beats per minute
BRP bathroom privileges
BSA body surface area
BUN blood urea nitrogen

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c/o complains of
CA cancer, carcinoma
CAD coronary artery disease
Cap capsule
CAPD continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
CAT computed axial tomography
CATH catheter
CBC complete blood (cell) count
CBI continuous bladder irrigation
CCU coronary care unit
CCU cardiac care unit
CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CRF chronic renal failure
CSF cerebrospinal fluid
CSR Cheyne-Stokes respiration
CT computed tomography
CVA cerebrovascular accident
CVP central venous pressure
with
d/c discontinue
D & C dilation and curettage
D5W 5% dextrose in water
DC discharge
DC discontinue
decub decubitus ulcer (bedsore)
DIC disseminated intravascular coagulation
DNR do not resuscitate
DOA dead on arrival
DRNG drainage
DRSG dressing
DVT deep venous thrombosis
Dx, DX diagnosis
ECG electrocardiogram
ECT electroconvulsive therapy
EDC expected date of confinement
EEG electroencephalogram
EENT ear, eye, nose, throat
EKG electrocardiogram
EMG electromyogram
EMS emergency medical service
ENT ear, nose, throat
EP evoked potential
ER emergency room

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ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate
EVP evoked potential
FBS fasting blood sugar
FDA Food and Drug Administration
FMH family medical history
FP false positive
FUO fever of undetermined origin
fx, Fx fracture
GI gastrointestinal
GP general practitioner
GTT glucose tolerance test
GU genitourinary
H & P history and physical
h.s. at bedtime
HCT, Hct hematocrit
I & O intake and output
ICP intracranial pressure
ICU intensive care unit
IM intramuscular
IND investigational new drug
IUD intrauterine device
IV intravenous
IVP intravenous pyelogram
IVU intravenous urogram
KUB kidney, ureter, and bladder
KVO keep vein open
LASIK laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis
LLQ left lower quadrant
LMP last menstrual period
LOC loss of consciousness
LP lumbar puncture
LUQ left upper quadrant
MRI magnetic resonance imaging
NMR nuclear magnetic resonance
Non rep. do not repeat
NPO nothing by mouth
NYD not yet diagnosed
OB-GYN obstetrics and gynecology
OD overdose
OD right eye
Od once daily
OR operating room
OS left eye
OTA open to air
OTC over-the-counter

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p.c. after meals
p.r.n. as needed
P-A, PA, P/A posterior-anterior
PCO2 carbon dioxide pressure
PCV packed cell volume
per by
PET positron emission tomography
PH past history
Phar., Pharm. pharmacy
PI previous illness
PM postmortem
PM after noon
PO by mouth
PO2 oxygen pressure
PT prothrombin time
PT physical therapy
PTX, Px pneumothorax
PX physical examination
Px prognosis
q. every
q.d. every day
q.h. every hour
q.i.d. four times a day
q.n.s. quantity not sufficient
q.o.d. every other day
q.s. quantity sufficient
R/O rule out
RLQ right lower quadrant
ROM range of motion
RUQ right upper quadrant
s without
s one half
SC subcutaneous
SOB shortness of breath
sos if necessary
sp. gr. specific gravity
SPECT single-photon emission computed tomography
stat. at once, immediately
STD skin test dose
subQ subcutaneous
T & A tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
T temperature
t.i.d. three times a day
TIA transient ischemic attack
TPN total parenteral nutrition

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TPR temperature, pulse, respiration
TUR transurethral resection
UA urinalysis
UTI urinary tract infection
VS vital signs
VSS vital signs stable
w/c wheel chair

TABLE 3
Symbols
a alpha @ at
b beta
D change
¯ decrease
° degree
= equal
female
g gamma
> greater than
³ greater than or equal to
­ increase
£ less than or equal to
< less than
male
m micro
± plus or minus
prescription
1° primary
a proportional
2° secondary
s sigma
3° tertiary

TABLE 4
Units of Measurement
Å angstrom ° C degrees Celsius (Centigrade)
cc cubic centimeter (= milliliter)
cm centimeter
d. day
dl deciliter
° F degrees Fahrenheit

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g, Gm, gm gram
gr grain
gtt drops
h. hour
hr. hour
kg kilogram
liter
m meter
mcg microgram
mg milligram
ml milliliter (= cubic centimeter)
mmHg millimeters of mercury
mm millimeter
msec millisecond
mg microgram
mm micrometer
pH hydrogen ion concentration (acidity; alkalinity)
s., sec. second

TABLE 5
General Scientific Abbreviations
A-V, AV, A/V atrioventricular ADH antidiuretic hormone
Ba barium
BBB blood-brain barrier
Ca calcium
CNS central nervous system
CO carbon monoxide
CO cardiac output
Co cobalt
CO2 carbon dioxide
CSF cerebrospinal fluid
CT calcitonin
DNA deoxyribonucleic acid
EM electron micrograph
FSH follicle-stimulating hormone
GH growth hormone
H2O water
Hb hemoglobin
HCG human chorionic gonadotropin
Hgb hemoglobin
HGH human growth hormone
HR heart rate
I iodine
K potassium

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LH luteinizing hormone
O2 oxygen (gas)
PDL periodontal ligament
RBC red blood cell
RNA ribonucleic acid
SEM scanning electron micrograph
Tc technetium
TEM transmission electron micrograph
WBC white blood cell


Table 6
Health Sciences Academic Degrees and Professional Credentials
A.T.C. Athletic Trainer–Certified
ART Accredited Record Technician
AuD Doctor of Audiology
BCPS Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist
BSN Bachelor of Science in Nursing
CCRN Critical Care Registered Nurse
CEN Emergency Clinical Nurse Specialist
CLPlb Clinical Phlebotomist (laboratory)
CLS Clinical Laboratory Scientist
CLT Clinical Laboratory Technician
CMA Certified Medical Assistant (or Massage Therapist)
CMT Certified Massage Therapist
CMT Certified Medical Transcriptionist
CNA Certified Nurse Assistant
CNM Certified Nurse Midwife
CNMT Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist
CNP Certified Nurse Practitioner
CNS Clinical Nurse Specialist
CPT Certified Pharmacy Technician
CRNA Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
CST Certified Surgical Technologist
CT Cytotechnologist
CTRS Certified Recreational Therapy Specialist
DDS Doctor of Dental Surgery
DMD Doctor of Dental Medicine
DPM Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
DVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
EMT Emergency Medical Technician
EMT–P Emergency Medical Technician–Paramedic
LD Licensed Dietitian
MLT Medical Laboratory Technician

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MPH Master of Public Health
MSN Master of Science in Nursing
MT Medical Technologist
ND Doctor of Naturopathy
NP Nurse Practitioner
NREMT–P National Registry EMT–Paramedic
OD Doctor of Optometry
OT Occupational Therapist
PA Physician Assistant
PBT Phlebotomy Technician
Pharm. D. Doctor of Pharmacy
PT Physical Therapist
R. EDT. Registry in Nerve Conduction Studies
R. EEG T. Registry in Electroencephalography
R. EP T. Registry in Evoked Potentials
R.Ph. Registered Pharmacist
RD Registered Dietitian
RDCS Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer
RDMS Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
RICS Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist
RRT Registered Respiratory Therapist
RT (N.) Radiologic Technologist (Nuclear Medicine)
RT (R.) Radiologic Technologist (Radiographer)
RT (T.) Radiologic Technologist (Therapist)
RVT Registered Vascular Technologist