Included here are common abbreviations used in medical records and in this edition.
Symbols
Õ: divided dose
: decrease(d), reduce, downward
x: times for multiplication sign
: increase(d), upward (as in titrate upward)
/: per
+/–: with or without
+: with
<: less than, younger than
>: more than, older than
~: approximately
: approximately equal to
A
AAA: abdominal aortic aneurysm
A–a gradient: alveolar-to-arterial gradient
A/A index: ankle/arm index
AADC VAN DISSL: mnemonic for Admit/Attending, Diagnosis, Condition, Vitals, Activity, Nursing procedures, Diet, Ins and outs, Specific medications, Symptomatic medications, Labs
AAS: acute abdominal series
A&B: apnea and bradycardia
A/B index: ankle/brachial index
AB: antibody, abortion, antibiotic
ABD: abdomen
ABG: arterial blood gas
ABMT: autologous bone marrow transplantation
ac: before eating (ante cibum)
AC: assist controlled, air conduction
ACCP: American College of Chest Physicians
ACE: angiotensin-converting enzyme
Ach-ase: acetylcholinesterase
ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support
ACS: acute coronary syndrome, American Cancer Society, American College of Surgeons
ACT: activated coagulation time
ACTH: adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticotropin
ADH: antidiuretic hormone
ADHD: attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
ad lib: as much as needed (ad libitum)
ad lib: as often as desired
ADR: adverse drug reaction
AED: automated external defibrillator
AEIOU TIPS: mnemonic for Alcohol, Encephalopathy, Insulin, Opiates, Uremia, Trauma, Infection, Psychiatric, Syncope (diagnosis of coma)
AF: afebrile, aortofemoral, atrial fibrillation
AFB: acid-fast bacilli
AFP: alpha-fetoprotein
A/G: albumin/globulin ratio
AHA: American Heart Association
AHF: antihemophilic factor
AI: aortic insufficiency
AIDS: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
AJCC: American Joint Committee on Cancer
AKA: above-the-knee amputation, also known as
ALL: acute lymphocytic leukemia
ALS: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
ALT: alanine aminotransferase
AM: morning
AMA: American Medical Association
amb: ambulate
AMI: acute myocardial infarction
AML: acute myelocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia
AMMoL: acute monocytic leukemia
amp: ampule
AMP: adenosine monophosphate
ANA: antinuclear antibody
ANC: absolute neutrophil count
ANCA: antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
ANLL: acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia
ANS: autonomic nervous system
AOB: alcohol on breath
AODM: adult-onset diabetes mellitus
AP: anteroposterior, abdominal-perineal
APAP: acetaminophen
APL: acute promyelocytic leukemia
aPPT: activated partial thromboplastin time
APSAC: anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex
APUD: amine precursor update (and) decarboxylation
Ara-C: cytarabine
ARB: angiotensin II receptor blocker
ARD: antibiotic removal device
ARDS: adult respiratory distress syndrome
ARF: acute renal failure
AS: aortic stenosis
ASA: American Society of Anesthesiologists
ASAP: as soon as possible
ASAT: aspartate aminotransferase
ASCVD: atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
ASD: atrial septal defect
ASHD: atherosclerotic heart disease
ASO: antistreptolysin O
AST: aspartate aminotransferase
ATG: antithymocyte globulin
ATN: acute tubular necrosis
ATP: adenosine triphosphate
AUC: area under the curve
A–V: arteriovenous
AV: atrioventricular
A–VO2: arteriovenous oxygen
AZT: azidothymidine (zidovudine)
B
B: band neutrophils
B I&II: Billroth I and II
B. burgdorferi: Borrelia burgdorferi
BACOD: bleomycin, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), cyclophosphamide, vincristine (Oncovin), dexamethasone
BACOP: bleomycin, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), cyclophosphamide, vincristine (Oncovin), prednisone
BAL: bronchoalveolar lavage
BAS: body surface area
BBB: bundle branch block
BC: bone conduction
BCAA: branched-chain amino acid
BCG: bacille Calmette-Guérin
BE: barium enema
BEE: basal energy expenditure
bid: twice/day
bili: bilirubin
BKA: below-the-knee amputation
BLS: basic life support
BM: bone marrow, bowel movement
BMD: bone mineral density
BMR: basal metabolic rate
BMT: bone marrow transplantation
BOM: bilateral otitis media
BOO: bladder outlet obstruction
BP: blood pressure
BPH: benign prostatic hypertrophy
BPM: beats per minute
BR: bed rest
BRBPR: bright red blood per rectum
BRP: bathroom privileges
BS&O: bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
bs, BS: bowel sounds, breath sounds
BSA: body surface area
BUN: blood urea nitrogen
BW: body weight
Bx: biopsy
C
c: with (cum)
C. difficile: Clostridium difficile
Ca: calcium
CA: cancer
CAA: crystalline amino acid
CABG: coronary artery bypass graft
CAD: coronary artery disease
CAF: cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), 5-fluorouracil
CALGB: Cancer and Leukemia Group B
cAMP: cyclic adenosine monophosphate
Cao2: arterial oxygen content
CAP: carcinoma of prostate
caps: capsule(s)
CAT: computed axial tomography
CBC: complete blood count
CBG: capillary blood gas
CC: chief complaint, clinical clerk
CCB: calcium channel blocker
CCI: corrected count increment (platelets)
CCO: continuous cardiac output
CO2: capillary oxygen content
CCU: clean-catch urine, cardiac care unit
CCV: critical closing volume
CD: continuous dose
CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CEA: carcinoembryonic antigen
CEP: counterimmunoelectrophoresis
CF: cystic fibrosis
CFU: colony-forming unit(s)
CGL: chronic granulocytic leukemia
CH50: (total serum) hemolytic complement
CHD: coronary heart disease
CHF: congestive heart failure
CHO: carbohydrate
CHOP: cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine (Oncovin), prednisone
CI: cardiac index
CIEP: counterimmunoelectrophoresis
circ.: circulating
CIS: carcinoma in situ
CK: creatine kinase
CK-MB: isoenzyme of creatine kinase with muscle and brain subunits
CKI: cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor
Cl: chlorine
CLL: chronic lymphocytic leukemia
CML: chronic myelogenous leukemia
CMV: cytomegalovirus
CN: cranial nerve
CNS: central nervous system
CO: cardiac output
C/O: complaining of
COAD: chronic obstructive airway disease
COLD: chronic obstructive lung disease
COMT: catechol-o-methyltransferase
conc: concentrate
cont inf: continuous infusion
COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
COX-2: cyclooxygenase-2
CP: chest pain, cerebral palsy
CPAP: continuous positive airway pressure
CPK: creatinine phosphokinase
CPP: central precocious puberty
CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CPT: Current Procedural Terminology
CR: controlled release
CrCl: creatinine clearance
CREST: calcinosis cutis, Raynaud disease, esophageal dysmotility, syndactyly, telangiectasia
CRF: chronic renal failure
CRH: corticotropin-releasing hormone
CRP: C-reactive protein
C&S: culture and sensitivity
CSA: cyclosporine
CSF: cerebrospinal fluid, colony-stimulating factor
C-spine: cervical spine
CT: computed tomography
CV: cardiovascular
CVA: cerebrovascular accident, costovertebral angle
CVAT: costovertebral angle tenderness
CVH: common variable hypogammaglobulinemia
CVO2: oxygen content of mixed venous blood
CVP: central venous pressure
CXR: chest x-ray
D
d: day
D: diarrhea
D50: 50% dextrose solution
DAG: diacylglycerol
DAP: diastolic pulmonary artery pressure
DAT: diet as tolerated
DAW: dispense as written
D/C: discontinue
D&C: dilation and curettage
DC: discontinue, discharge, direct current
ddI: dideoxyinosine
DDx: differential diagnosis
DEA: US Drug Enforcement Administration
DES: diethylstilbestrol
DEXA: dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry
DFA: direct fluorescent antibody
DHEA: dehydroepiandrosterone
DHEAS: dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate
DI: diabetes insipidus
DIC: disseminated intravascular coagulation
DIP: distal interphalangeal joint
DIT: diiodotyrosine
DJD: degenerative joint disease
DKA: diabetic ketoacidosis
D5LR: 5% dextrose in lactated Ringer solution
DM: diabetes mellitus
DMARD: disease-modifying antirheumatic drug
DMSA: dimercaptosuccinic acid
DN: diabetic nephropathy
DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid
DNP: deoxyribonucleic protein
DNR: do not resuscitate
DO2: oxygen delivery
DOA: dead on arrival
DOCA: deoxycorticosterone acetate
DOE: dyspnea on exertion
DOPA: dihydroxyphenylalanine
DP: dorsalis pedis
2,3-DPG: 2,3-diphosphoglycerate
DPL: diagnostic peritoneal lavage
DPT: diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus
DR: delayed release
DRG: diagnosis-related group
DS: double strength
DSA: digital subtraction angiography
DTPA: diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid
DTR: deep tendon reflex
DVT: deep venous thrombosis
D5W: 5% dextrose in water
Dx: diagnosis
Dz: disease
E
E: eosinophils
E. coli: Escherichia coli
EAA: essential amino acid
EBL: estimated blood loss
EBV: Epstein–Barr virus
EC: enteric-coated
ECC: emergency cardiac care
ECG: electrocardiogram
ECOG: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
ECT: electroconvulsive therapy
EDC: estimated date of confinement
EDTA: ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid
EDVI: end-diastolic volume index
EFAD: essential fatty acid deficiency
EIA: enzyme immunoassay
ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
EMD: electromechanical dissociation
EMG: electromyelogram
EMIT: enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique
EMS: emergency medical system, eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome
EMV: eyes, motor, verbal response (Glasgow Coma Scale)
ENA: extractable nuclear antigen
ENT: ear, nose, and throat
eod: every other day
EOM: extraocular muscle
EPO: erythropoietin
EPS: extrapyramidal symptoms
EPSP: excitatory postsynaptic potential
ER: endoplasmic reticulum, emergency department, extended release
ERCP: endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ERV: expiratory reserve volume
ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate
ESRD: end-stage renal disease
ET: endotracheal
EtOH: ethanol
ETT: endotracheal tube
EUA: examination under anesthesia
ExU: excretory urogram
F
Fab: antigen-binding fragment
FANA: fluorescent antinuclear antibody
FBS: fasting blood sugar
Fe: iron
FEV1: forced expiratory volume in 1 s
FFP: fresh frozen plasma
FHR: fetal heart rate
FIGO: Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d’Obstétrique
FIO2: fraction of inspired oxygen
FRC: functional residual capacity
FSH: follicle-stimulating hormone
FSP: fibrin split product
FTA-ABS: fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed
FTT: failure to thrive
FU: follow-up
5-FU: fluorouracil
FUO: fever of unknown origin
FVC: forced vital capacity
Fx: fracture
Fxn: function
G
G: gravida
G6PD: glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
GABA: gamma-aminobutyric acid
GAD: glutamic acid decarboxylase
GC: gonorrhea (gonococcus)
G-CSF: granulocyte colony-stimulating factor
GDP: guanosine diphosphate
gen: generation
GERD: gastroesophageal reflux disease
GETT: general by endotracheal tube (anesthesia)
GF: growth factor
GFR: glomerular filtration rate
GGT: gamma-glutamyltransferase
GH: growth hormone
GHB: gamma hydroxybutyrate
GHIH: growth hormone-inhibiting hormone
GI: gastrointestinal
GM-CSF: granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor
GNID: gram-negative intracellular diplococci
GnRH: gonadotropin-releasing hormone
GOG: Gynecologic Oncology Group
gr: grain
GSP: glycated serum protein
GSW: gunshot wound
gt, gtt: drop, drops (gutta)
GTP: guanosine triphosphate
GTT: glucose tolerance test
GU: genitourinary
GVHD: graft-versus-host disease
GXT: graded exercise tolerance (cardiac stress test)
H
H. influenzae: Haemophilus influenzae
H. pylori: Helicobacter pylori
HA: headache
HAA: hepatitis B surface antigen (hepatitis-associated antigen)
HAV: hepatitis A virus
HBcAg: hepatitis B core antigen
Hbg: hemoglobin
HBeAg: hepatitis B e antigen
HBP: high blood pressure
HBsAg: hepatitis B surface antigen
HBV: hepatitis B virus
HC: hydroxycholesterol
HCG: human chorionic gonadotropin
HCL: hairy cell leukemia
HCO3–: bicarbonate
[HCO3–]: bicarbonate concentration
HCT: hematocrit
HCTZ: hydrochlorothiazide
HD: hemodialysis
HDL: high-density lipoprotein
HEENT: head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat
HELLP: preeclampsia with microangiopathic hemolysis, elevated liver function test results, and low platelet count
HFV: high-frequency ventilation
Hgb: hemoglobin
[Hgb]: hemoglobin concentration
H/H: hemoglobin/hematocrit, Henderson-Hesselbach equation
HIAA: 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid
HIDA: hepatic 2,6-dimethyliminodiacetic acid
HIT: heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
HIV: human immunodeficiency virus
HJR: hepatojugular reflex
HLA: histocompatibility locus antigen
HMG-CoA: 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A
HO: history of
HOB: head of bed
H&P: history and physical examination
HPA: hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal
hpf: high-power field
HPI: history of the present illness
HPLC: high-pressure liquid chromatography
HPV: human papilloma virus
HR: heart rate
hs: at bedtime (hora somni)
HSG: hysterosalpingogram
HSM: hepatosplenomegaly
HSV: herpes simplex virus
5-HT3: 5-hydroxytryptamine
HTLV: human T-cell lymphotrophic virus
HTLV-III: human T-lymphotropic virus, type III (AIDS agent, HIV)
HTN: hypertension
HUS: hemolytic uremic syndrome
Hx: history
I
IBW: ideal body weight
IC: inspiratory capacity
ICN: Intensive Care Nursery
ICS: intercostal space
ICSH: interstitial cell-stimulating hormone
ICU: intensive care unit
I&D: incision and drainage
ID: identification, infectious disease
IDDM: insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
Ig: immunoglobulin
IgG1 : immunoglobulin G1 kappa
IHSS: idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis
inj: injection
IL: interleukin
IM: intramuscular
IMV: intermittent mandatory ventilation
inf: infusion
INF: intravenous nutritional fluid
Infxn: infection
INH: isoniazid
inhal: inhalation
inj: injection
INR: international normalized ratio
I&O: intake and output
IP3: inositol triphosphate
IPPB: intermittent positive pressure breathing
IPSP: inhibitory postsynaptic potential
iPTH: parathyroid hormone by radioimmunoassay
IPV: inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine
IR: inversion recovery
IRBBB: incomplete right bundle branch block
IRDM: insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus
IRV: inspiratory reserve volume
ISA: intrinsic sympathomimetic activity
IT: intrathecal
ITP: idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
IV: intravenous
IVC: intravenous cholangiogram
IVP: intravenous pyelogram
J
JODM: juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus
JVD: jugular venous distention
K
K: potassium
KIU: kallikrein inactivation unit
KOR: keep open rate
17-KSG: 17-ketogenic steroids
KUB: kidneys, ureters, bladder
KVO: keep vein open
L
L: left, lymphocytes
LAD: left axis deviation, left anterior descending
LAE: left atrial enlargement
LAHB: left anterior hemiblock
LAP: left atrial pressure, leukocyte alkaline phosphatase
LBBB: left bundle branch block
LDH: lactate dehydrogenase
LDL: low-density lipoprotein
LE: lupus erythematosus
LH: luteinizing hormone
LHRH: leuteinizing hormone releasing hormone
LIH: left inguinal hernia
liq: liquid
LLL: left lower lobe
LLQ: left lower quadrant
LLSB: left lower sternal border
LMP: last menstrual period
LMWH: low-molecular-weight heparin
LNMP: last normal menstrual period
LOC: loss of consciousness, level of consciousness
LP: lumbar puncture
LPN: licensed practical nurse
LR: lactated Ringer solution
LSB: left sternal border
LSD: lysergic acid diethylamide
LUL: left upper lobe
LUQ: left upper quadrant
LV: left ventricle
LVD: left ventricular dysfunction
LVEDP: left ventricular end-diastolic pressure
LVH: left ventricular hypertrophy
M
M: monocytes
M. pneumoniae: Mycoplasma pneumoniae
MAC: Mycobacterium avium complex
MACE: methotrexate, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), cyclophosphamide, epipodophyllotoxin
MAG3: mercaptoacetythiglycine
MAMC: midarm muscle circumference
MAO: monoamine oxidase
MAOI: monoamine oxidase inhibitor
MAP: mean arterial pressure
MAST: military/medical antishock trousers
MAT: multifocal atrial tachycardia
max: maximum
MBC: minimum bactericidal concentration
MBT: maternal blood type
MCDT: mixed connective tissue disease
MCH: mean cell hemoglobin
MCHC: mean cell hemoglobin concentration
MCT: medium-chain triglycerides
MCTD: mixed connective tissue disease
MCV: mean cell volume
MEN: multiple endocrine neoplasia
mEq: milliequivalent
MESNA: 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate sodium
met-dose: metered-dose
Mg: magnesium
MHA-TP: microhemagglutination–Treponema pallidum
MHC: major histocompatibility complex
MI: myocardial infarction, mitral insufficiency
MIBG: metaiodobenzyl-guanidine
MIC: minimum inhibitory concentration
min: minimum
MIT: monoiodotyrosine
MLE: midline episiotomy
MMDA: ecstasy
MMEF: maximal midexpiratory flow
mmol: millimole
MMR: measles, mumps, rubella
mo: month
MOPP: mechlorethamine, vincristine (Oncovin), procarbazine, prednisone
6-MP: mercaptopurine
MPF: M phase-promoting factor
MPGN: membrane-proliferative glomerulonephritis
MPTP: analog of meperidine (used by drug addicts)
MRI: magnetic resonance imaging
mRNA: messenger ribonucleic acid
MRS: magnetic resonance spectroscopy
MRSA: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MS: mitral stenosis, morphine sulfate, multiple sclerosis, medical student
MSBOS: maximal surgical blood order schedule
MSH: melanocyte-stimulating hormone
MSSA: methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus
MTT: monotetrazolium
MTX: methotrexate
MUGA: multigated (image) acquisition (analysis)
MVA: motor vehicle accident
MVI: multivitamin injection
MVV: maximum voluntary ventilation
MyG: myasthenia gravis
N
N: nausea
N. gonorrhoeae: Neisseria gonorrhoeae
N. meningitidis: Neisseria meningitidis
N/A: not applicable
Na: sodium
Na+/K+-ATPase: sodium/potassium adenosine triphosphate
NAACP: mnemonic for Neoplasm, Allergy, Addison disease, Collagen–vascular disease, Parasites (causes of eosinophilia)
NAD: no active disease
NAG: narrow-angle glaucoma
NAPA: N-acetylated procainamide
NAS: no added sodium
NAVEL: mnemonic for Nerve, Artery, Vein, Empty space, Lymphatic
NCV: nerve conduction velocity
NE: norepinephrine
neb: nebulization
NED: no evidence of recurrent disease
NG: nasogastric
NHL: non-Hodgkin lymphoma
NIDDM: non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
NK: natural killer
NKA: no known allergies
NKDA: no known drug allergy
nl: normal
NMR: nuclear magnetic resonance
NPC: nuclear pore complex
NPO: nothing by mouth (nil per os)
NRM: no regular medicines
NRTI: nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
NS: normal saline
NSAID: nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug
NSCLC: non-small-cell lung cancer
NSILA: nonsuppressible insulin-like activity
NSR: normal sinus rhythm
NT: nasotracheal
NTG: nitroglycerin
O
OAB: overactive bladder
OB: obstetrics
Obs: observation
OCD: obsessive-compulsive disorder
OCG: oral cholecystogram
7-OCHS: 17-hydroxycorticosteroids
OCP: oral contraceptive pill
OD: overdose, right eye (oculus dexter)
oint: ointment
OM: otitis media
OOB: out of bed
ophth: ophthalmic
OPV: oral polio vaccine
OR: operating room
OS: opening snap, left eye (oculus sinister)
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OTC: over-the-counter (medications)
OU: both eyes
P
P-24: HIV core antigen
P. aeruginosa: Pseudomonas aeruginosa
P. mirabilis: Proteus mirabilis
p: para
PA: posteroanterior, pulmonary artery
PAC: premature atrial contraction
PaCO2: arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide
PAD: diastolic pulmonary artery pressure, public access defibrillator
PAF: paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
PAL: periarterial lymphatic (sheath)
PaO2: arterial partial pressure of oxygen
PAO2: alveolar partial pressure of oxygen
PAOP: pulmonary artery occlusion pressure
PAP: pulmonary artery pressure, prostatic acid phosphatase
PAS: systolic pulmonary artery pressure
PASG: pneumatic antishock garment
PAT: paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
PBM: pharmacy benefit manager
pc: after eating (post cibum)
PCA: patient-controlled analgesia
PCI: percutaneous coronary intervention
PCKD: polycystic kidney disease
PCN: penicillin, percutaneous nephrostomy
PCP: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, phencyclidine
PCR: polymerase chain reaction
PCWP: pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
PDA: patent ductus arteriosus
PDGF: platelet-derived growth factor
PDR: Physicians’ Desk Reference
PDS: polydioxanone
PE: pulmonary embolus, physical examination, pleural effusion
PEA: pulseless electrical activity
PEEP: positive end-expiratory pressure
PEG: polyethylene glycol, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
PERRLA: pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation
PERRLADC: pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation directly and consensually
PET: positron emission tomography
PFT: pulmonary function test
PGE1: prostaglandin E1
PI: pulmonic insufficiency (disease)
PICC: peripherally inserted central catheter
PID: pelvic inflammatory disease
PIE: pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophilia
PIH: prolactin-inhibiting hormone
PKU: phenylketonuria
PM: afternoon and night
PMDD: premenstrual dysphoric disorder
PMH: past medical history
PMI: point of maximal impulse
PMN: polymorphonuclear neutrophil
PMNL: polymorphonuclear leukocyte (neutrophil)
PN: parenteral nutrition
PND: paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
PNS: peripheral nervous system
PO: by mouth (per os)
pod: postoperative day
postop: postoperative, after surgery
PP: pulsus paradoxus, postprandial
P&PD: percussion and postural drainage
PPD: purified protein derivative
PPN: peripheral parenteral nutrition
PR: by rectum
preop: preoperative, before surgery
PRG: pregnancy
PRN: as needed
PRA: plasma renin activity
PRBC: packed red blood cells
PRG: pregnancy
PRN: as often as needed (pro re nata)
PS: pulmonic stenosis, partial saturation
PSA: prostate-specific antigen
PSV: pressure support ventilation
PSVT: paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
Pt: patient
PT: prothrombin time, physical therapy, posterior tibial
PTCA: percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
PTH: parathyroid hormone
PTHC: percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram
PTT: partial thromboplastin time
PTU: propylthiouracil
PUD: peptic ulcer disease
PVC: premature ventricular contraction, polyvinyl chloride
PVD: peripheral vascular disease
PVR: peripheral vascular resistance
PWP: pulmonary wedge pressure
PZI: protamine zinc insulin
Q
Q: mathematical symbol for flow
q: every
qd: every day (use not recommended)
q__h: every __ hours
qid: 4 times/day
QNS: quantity not sufficient
qo: every other
qs: quantity sufficient
Qs: volume of blood (portion of cardiac output) shunted past nonventilated alveoli
Qs/Qt: shunt fraction
Qt: total cardiac output
R
R: right
R/O: rule out
RA: rheumatoid arthritis, right atrium
RAD: right axis deviation
RAE: right atrial enlargement
RAP: right atrial pressure
RBBB: right bundle branch block
RBC: red blood cell (erythrocyte)
RBP: retinol-binding protein
RCC: renal cell carcinoma
RDA: recommended dietary allowance
RDS: respiratory distress syndrome (of newborn)
RDW: red cell distribution width
REF: right ventricular ejection fraction
REM: rapid eye movement
RER: rough endoplasmic reticulum
resp: respiratory
RF: rheumatoid factor
% RH: percentage of relative humidity
RIA: radioimmunoassay
RIH: right inguinal hernia
RIND: reversible ischemic neurological deficit
RL: Ringer lactate
RLL: right lower lobe
RLQ: right lower quadrant
RME: resting metabolic expenditure
RML: right middle lobe
RMSF: Rocky Mountain spotted fever
RNA: ribonucleic acid
RNase: ribonuclease
RNP: ribonucleoprotein
ROM: range of motion
ROS: review of systems
RPG: retrograde pyelogram
RPR: rapid plasma reagin
rRNA: ribosomal ribonucleic acid
RRR: regular rate and rhythm
RSV: respiratory syncytial virus
RT: radiation therapy, respiratory therapy, reverse transcriptase, rubella titer
RTA: renal tubular acidosis
RTC: return to clinic
RTOG: Radiation Therapy Oncology Group
RT-PCR: reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
RU: resin uptake
RUG: retrograde urethrogram
RUL: right upper lobe
RUQ: right upper quadrant
RV: residual volume
RVEDVI: right ventricular end-diastolic volume index
RVH: right ventricular hypertrophy
Rx: treatment
Rxn: reaction
S
s: without (sine)
S: segmented or stab neutrophils
S&A: sugar and acetone
S. aureus: Staphylococcus aureus
S. pyogenes: Streptococcus pyogenes
SA: sinoatrial
SAA: synthetic amino acid
SAE: serious adverse event
SaO2: arterial oxygen saturation
SBE: subacute bacterial endocarditis
SBFT: small bowel follow-through
SBS: short bowel syndrome
SCD: sudden cardiac death
SCr: serum creatinine
segs: segmented cells
SEM: systolic ejection murmur
SER: smooth endoplasmic reticulum
SG: Swan-Ganz, specific gravity
SGA: small for gestational age
SGGT: serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase
SGOT: serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase
SGPT: serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
SI: Système International
SIADH: syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone
sig: write on label (signa)
SIMV: synchronous intermittent mandatory ventilation
SIRS: systemic inflammatory response syndrome
SKSD: streptokinase-streptodornase
SL: sublingual
SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus
SMA: sequential multiple analysis
SMO: slips made out
SMX: sulfamethoxazole
SOAP: mnemonic for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
SOB: shortness of breath
SOC: signed on chart
soln: solution
S/P: status post
Sp, sp: species
SPAG: small-particle aerosol generator
SPECT: single-photon emission computed tomography
SpO2: pulse oximetry reading
SQ: subcutaneous
SR: sustained release
SRP: single recognition particle
SRS-A: slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis
SSKI: saturated solution of potassium iodide
SSRI: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
SSS: sick sinus syndrome
stat: immediately (statim)
supl: supplement
supp: suppository
susp: suspension
STD: sexually transmitted disease
SVD: spontaneous vaginal delivery
S O2: mixed venous oxygen saturation
SVR: systemic vascular resistance
SVT: supraventricular tachycardia
SWOG: Southwest Oncology Group
Sx: symptom
Sz: seizure
T
T: one
T3 RU: triiodothyronine resin uptake
T3: triiodothyronine
T4: thyroxine
tabs: tablet(s)
TAH: total abdominal hysterectomy
TB: tuberculosis
TBG: thyroxine-binding globulin, total blood gas
TBLC: term birth, living child
TBW: total body water
T&C: type and cross-match
TCA: tricyclic antidepressant
TC&DB: turn, cough, and deep breathe
TCF: triceps skin fold
TCP: transcutaneous pacer
Td: tetanus-diphtheria toxoid
TD: transdermal
TFT: thyroid function test
6-TG: 6-thioguanine
T&H: type and hold
TIA: transient ischemic attack
TIBC: total iron-binding capacity
tid: 3 times/day
TIG: tetanus immune globulin
TKO: to keep open
TLC: total lung capacity
TMJ: temporomandibular joint
TMP: trimethoprim
TMP-SMX: trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
TNF : tumor necrosis factor alpha
TNM: tumor-nodes-metastases
TNTC: too numerous to count
TO: telephone order
TOPV: trivalent oral polio vaccine
TORCH: toxoplasma, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes virus (O = other [syphilis])
tox: toxicity
TPA: tissue plasminogen activator
TPN: total peripheral resistance, total parenteral nutrition
TRH: thyrotropin-releasing hormone
tri: trimester
TSH: thyroid-stimulating hormone
TT: thrombin time
TTP: thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
TU: tuberculin units
TUR: transurethral resection
TURBT: TUR bladder tumors
TURP: TUR prostate
TV: tidal volume
TVH: total vaginal hysterectomy
Tx: treatment, transplant, transfer
type 2 DM: non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes mellitus
U
UA: urinalysis
UAC: uric acid
UDS: urodynamic studies
UGI: upper gastrointestinal
uln, ULN: upper limit of normal
UPEP: urine protein electrophoresis
URI: upper respiratory tract infection
US: ultrasonography
USP: United States Pharmacopeia
UTI: urinary tract infection
UUN: urinary urea nitrogen
V
V: vomiting
VAERS: Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System
VAMP: vincristine, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), methylprednisolone
VAS: visual analog scale
VC: vital capacity
VCUG: voiding cystourethrogram
VDRL: Venereal Disease Research Laboratory
VF: ventricular fibrillation
VLDL: very low density lipoprotein
VMA: vanillylmandelic acid
VO: voice order
VP-16: etoposide
/ : ventilation–perfusion
VSS: vital signs stable
VT: ventricular tachycardia
W
WB: whole blood
WBC: white blood cell, white blood cell count
WD: well developed
WF: white female
WHI: Women’s Health Initiative
WHO: World Health Organization
WM: white male
WN: well nourished
wnl, WNL: within normal limits
WPW: Wolff-Parkinson-White
X
XR: extended release
XRT: x-ray therapy
Y
y: year
YO: years old
Z
ZE: Zollinger-Ellison
Courtesy : The McGraw-Hill Companies
Thanks a lot for providing such help guide.
Bharat