List of medical abbreviations

It has been suggested that List of abbreviations used in medical prescriptions be merged into this article or section. ()

This is a list of medical acronyms and abbreviations. Note that some items in the following list are informal or slang usage among medical or paramedical professionals (e.g., "GOMER"). The US-based Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) requires its members to follow a "do not use list":[1]

"Do Not Use" List Official in the United States
Do Not Use	Potential Problem	Use Instead
U (unit)	Mistaken for “0” (zero), the number “4” (four) or “cc”	"unit"
IU (International Unit)	Mistaken for IV (intravenous) or the number 10 (ten)	"International Unit"
Q.D., QD, q.d., qd (daily) Q.O.D., QOD, q.o.d, qod (every other day)	Mistaken for each other. Period after the Q mistaken for "I" and the "O" mistaken for "I" (q.i.d. is four times a day dosing)	"daily" "every other day"
Trailing zero (X.0 mg) Lack of leading zero (.X mg)	Decimal point is missed	X mg 0.X mg
MS	Can mean morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate	"morphine sulfate"
MSO4 and MgSO4	Confused for one another	"morphine sulphate" and "magnesium sulfate"
For possible future inclusion in the Official List:
> (greater than) < (less than)	Misinterpreted as the number "7" (seven) or the letter "L". Confused for one another	"greater than" "less than"
Abbreviations for drug names	Misinterpreted due to similar abbreviations for multiple drugs	Write drug names in full
Apothecary units	Unfamiliar to many practitioners. Confused with metric units	metric units
@	Mistaken for the number "2" (two)	"at"
cc	Mistaken for U (units) when poorly written	"mL" or "milliliters"
µg	Mistaken for mg (milligrams) resulting in one thousandfold overdose	"mcg" or "micrograms"

Contents: Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

0–9

Abbrv.	Meaning
Δ	Diagnosis; Also can mean "change"
ΔΔ	Differential diagnosis, i.e. the list of possible diagnoses
#	Fracture
#NOF	Fracture to the neck of the femur
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-HT	Serotonin, 5-Hydroxytryptamine

A

a	(a with a bar over it) before, from Latin, ante
A	Adenosine
AAOx3	Awake, Alert and Oriented to person, place, and time
A&Ox3	Alert and Oriented to person, place, and time
A&Ox4	Alert and Oriented to person, place, time, and circumstances (often used interchangeably with A&Ox3)
A&W	Alive and well
a.a.	of each, from Latin, ana ana
AAA	Abdominal aortic aneurysm, Pronounced "Triple A"
AAT	activity as tolerated
Ab	Antibody
ABC	aspiration biopsy cytology
ABCD	"Asymmetry, borders, color, diameter" features on considering "is it a Malignant Melanoma"?
Abd	abdomen
ABG	Arterial Blood Gas
ABMT	Autologous bone marrow transplantation
ABPI	Ankle brachial pressure index
ABVD	doxorubicin bleomycin vinblastine dacarbazine First-line treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma.
ABX	antibiotics
a.c.	before meal, from Latin, ante cibum
ACE	Angiotensin converting enzyme
ACEI	Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
Ach	Acetylcholine
ACL	Anterior cruciate ligament
ACLS	Advanced cardiac life support
ACTH	Adrenocorticotropic hormone
ad.	right ear
ad part. dolent	to the painful parts, from Latin, partes dolentes
AD	Alzheimer's Disease
ADA	Adenosine deaminase
ADC	AIDS dementia complex
ADCC	Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity
ADD	Attention Deficit Disorder
ADH	Antidiuretic hormone
ADHD	Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADL	activities of daily living
ad lib	as desired from Latin, ad libitum
adm	admission
ADR	Adverse drug reaction
AEM	Ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring
AF	atrial fibrillation
AF	atrial flutter
AF	Amniotic fluid
AFB	acid fast bacilli
AFib	atrial fibrillation
AFO	ankle-foot orthosis
AFP	Alpha-fetoprotein
Ag	Antigen
AGA	Anti-gliadin Antibodies
a.h.	every other hour, from Latin, alternis horis
AHF	Antihemophilic factor
AHG	Antihemophilic globulin
AHH	aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase
AI	Artificial insemination
AI	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
AIIRB	Angiotensin II receptor antagonist
aka	also known as
AKA	Above knee amputation
ALG	Antilymphocytic globulin
ALL	Acute lymphocytic leukemia
ALP	Alkaline phosphatase
ALPS	Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome
ALS	Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
ALS	Advanced Life Support
ALT	Alanine transferase
altern. d.	every other day, from Latin, alterno die
AMA	Advanced Maternal Age (35 years or greater)
AMA	Against Medical Advice
AMA	American Medical Association
AMA	Anti-mitochondrial Antibodies
AMC	Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita
AMI	Acute myocardial infarction
AML	Acute myelocytic leukemia
AMP	Adenosine monophosphate
AMS	Acute mountain sickness
AMS	atypical measles syndrome
ANA	Anti-nuclear antibody
ANCA	Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies
ANF	Atrial natriuretic factor
ANP	Atrial natriuretic peptide
ANS	Autonomic nervous system
ANUG	Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
a.p.	before dinner, from Latin, ante prandium
AP	Alkaline phosphatase
APC	Antigen-presenting cell
APAP	acetaminophen, paracetamol; from the chemical name N-acetyl-para-aminophenol
APD	adult polycystic disease
APKD	adult polycystic kidney disease
APECED	autoimmune polyendocrinopathy
APH	Antepartum haemorrhage
APLS	antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
applic.	applicandus, from Latin, to be applied
APSAC	Anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex
APS	autoimmune polyglandular syndrome
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
ARF	Acute renal failure
Arg	Arginine
ART	antiretroviral therapy
ART	assuming room temperature, i.e. the patient has died.
ARM	Artificial rupture of membranes
ASA	Acetylsalicylic acid - commonly known as aspirin
AS	Aortic stenosis
ASCAD	arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease
ASD	Atrial septal defect
ASGUS	Atypical squamous glandular cells of undetermined significance
ASCUS	Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance
ASL	American sign language
ASO	Antistreptolysin-O
ASOT	Antistreptolysin-O titre
AST	Aspartate transaminase
ASX	Asymptomatic
ATA	Anti-transglutaminase antibodies
ATCC	American Type Culture Collection
ATG	Antithymic globulin
AT-III	Antithrombin III
ATP	Acute Thrombocytopenic Purpura
ATP	Adenosine Triphosphate
ATP	Anti-tachycardia pacing
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
AVM	Arteriovenous malformation
AVR	Aortic valve replacement
AZT	Azidothymidine also know as Zidovudine

B

Ba	Barium
BAL	Bronchoalveolar lavage
BAL	British anti-Lewisite
BAL	Blood Alcohol Level
BAO	Basic acid output
BAT	Brown adipose tissue
BCG	Bacille Calmette-Guerin (a tuberculosis vaccination)
BCX	Blood culture
BBMF	"Bone break, me fix" Orthopedic consent form
b.d.	Twice daily, from Latin, bis die
BD	Bipolar Disorder
b.i.d.	Twice daily, from Latin, bis in die
BE	Base excess
BGL	Blood Glucose Level
BIBA	brought in by ambulance
BIB	Brought in by
BK	Bacterium Koch
BKA	Below Knee Amputation
bl.cult	Blood culture
bld	Blood
BLS	Basic Life Support
BMC	Bone mass 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
BNF	British National Formulary
BNO	Bowel Not Open
BNP	Brain natriuretic peptide
BO	Bowel Open
BOA	Born out of Asepsis
BOI	Born on island, ie. a local patient.
BOOP	Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia
BP	Blood pressure
BP	Bipolar disorder
BPAD	Bipolar Affective Disorder
BPD	Bi-Parietal Diameter
BPD	Borderline personality disorder
BPH	Benign prostatic hyperplasia
BPM	Beats per minute
BPPV	Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
BRAT	Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, (dry) Toast: acronym for bland diet
BRATY	Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, (dry) Toast, Yogurt: acronym for bland diet for children
BRP	Bathroom Privileges
BRBPR	Bright red blood per rectum
BS	Breath or Bowel sounds on auscultation with stethoscope
BS	Blood Sugar
BSE	Bovine spongiform encephalopathy
BSE	Breast self-examination
BSL	Blood Sugar Level
BSP	Bromsulphthalein
BUN	Blood urea nitrogen
BV	Bacterial vaginosis
Bx	Biopsy

C

c	(c with a bar over it) with, from Latin, cum
C	Cytosine
CABG	Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery. Pronounced "Cabbage".
CAD	Coronary artery disease
CAG	Coronary Artery Graft
cAMP	cyclic adenosine monophosphate
CA	Carcinoma, Cancer
Ca	Calcium
CADASIL	Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy
CAH	Chronic Active Hepatitis
CAH	Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
CAT	Computed axial tomography
CAPD	Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
CBC	Complete Blood Count
CC	Cubic centimeter, or Chief Complaint
CCF	Congestive cardiac failure
CCK	Cholecystokinin same as CCK-PZ (v.i.)
CCK-PZ	Cholecystokinin-Pancreozymin
CDP	Cytosine diphosphate
CEA	Carcinoembryonic antigen
CF	Cystic fibrosis
cGMP	Cyclic guanosine monophosphate
ChE	Cholinesterase
CHD	Coronary heart disease
CHE	Cholinesterase
CHF	Congestive heart failure
CI	Confidence interval
CJD	Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
CK	Creatine kinase
CKD	Chronic kidney disease
CLL	Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
CME	Continuing Medical Education
CML	Chronic myelogenous leukemia also called Chronic myeloid leukaemia
CMML	Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
CMP	Complete metabolic panel
CMP	Cytosine monophosphate
CMS	Chronic mountain sickness
CMV	Cytomegalovirus
CNS	Central nervous system
COAD	Chronic obstructive airways disease
COLD	Chronic obstructive lung disease
COPD	Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CO	Cardiac output
CO, C/O	Complains Of...
CO	Carbon monoxide
CO2	Carbon dioxide
COX-1	Cyclooxygenase 1
COX-2	Cyclooxygenase 2
CP	cerebral palsy
CP	Chest Pain
CPAP	Continuous positive airway pressure
CPK	Creatine phosphokinase
CPR	Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CREST	Calcinosis Raynaud Esophagus Sclerosis Teleangiectasiae
CRF	Chronic renal failure
CRF	Corticotropin-releasing factor
CRH	Corticotropin-releasing hormone
CRI	Chronic renal insufficiency
CRP	C-reactive protein
CR	Complete remission
CS	Caesarean section
CsA	Ciclosporin A
CSF	Cerebrospinal fluid
CT	computed axial tomography
CTP	Cytosine triphosphate
CTX	ceftriaxone, a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic, Contractions
CVA	Cerebrovascular accident
CVC	Central venous catheter
CVC	Chronic Veinous Congestion
CVD	Cardiovascular disease
CVI	Cerebrovascular incident
CVP	Central venous pressure
CVS	Chorionic villus sampling
CVS	Cardiovascular System
CVID	Common variable immunodeficiency
Cx	Microbiological culture
CXR	Chest X-ray

D

DA	Dopamine
DBP	Diastolic blood pressure
D&C	Dilatation and curettage
D&E	Dilatation and evacuation
DCBE	Double Contrast Barium Enema
DCM	Dilated cardiomyopathy
d.d.	Differential Diagnosis
DDD	Daily Defined Doses
DDx	Differential diagnosis
DEXA	Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry
DHE	Dihydroergotamine
DHEA-S	Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate
DIB	Dead in Bed
DIC	Disseminated intravascular coagulation
DIP	Distal interphalangeal joint
DiPerTe	Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus
DiTe	Diphtheria Tetanus
DJD	Degenerative Joint Disease
DKA	Diabetic Keto-Acidosis
DPT	Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus
DM	Diabetes Mellitus
DNA	Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNI	Do Not Intubate
DNR	Do Not Resuscitate
DNAR	Do Not Attempt Resuscitation
DOA	Dead on arrival or Drugs of abuse
DOB	Date of birth
DOE	Dyspnea on exertion
DOSS	Docusate sodium; from the chemical name dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate
DRT	Dead right there
DSA	Digital Substraction Angiography
DSM	Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
DT	Diphtheria Tetanus
DTP	Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis
DUB	Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
DVT	Deep vein thrombosis
Dx	Diagnosis

E

E	Ecstasy
E	Electrolytes
E	Epinephrine
EACA	Epsilon-aminocaproic acid
EBM	Evidence-based medicine
EBM	Expressed Breast Milk
EBV	Epstein-Barr virus
EC	Enterically Coated
ECG	Electrocardiogram
ECMO	Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
ED	Emergency department
ED	Erectile Dysfunction
ED	Ectodermal dysplasia
EDC	Estimated Date of Confinement (at 40/40 weeks of pregnancy)
EDD	Estimated Date of Delivery (at 40/40 weeks of pregnancy)
EDD	Estimated date of discharge
EDRF	Endothelium-derived relaxing factor aka Nitric oxide
EDTA	ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid
EEG	Electroencephalogram
EEX	Electrodiagnosis
EF	Ejection Fraction
EGF	Epidermal Growth Factor
EKG	Electrocardiogram
ELLSCS	Elective Lower Segment Caesarian Section
ELISA	Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
EmBx	Endometrial Biopsy
EMC	Encephalomyocarditis
EMD	Early Morning Discovery
EMD	ElectroMechanical Dissociation
EMF	Endomyocardial fibrosis
EMG	Electromyography
EMLSCS	Emergency Lower Segment Caesarian Section
EMU	Early Morning Urine sample (being the most concentrated generally used for pregnancy testing)
ENT	Ear Nose and Throat. (Otolaryngology)
EENT	eyes, ears, nose, throat
EOM	Extra ocular muscles
EOMI	Extra ocular movements intact
EPH	Edema Proteinuria Hypertension
EPO	Erythropoietin
EPS	Electrophysiology
ERCP	Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
ESL	Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (also ESWL) - see lithotriptor
ESBL	Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase gram negative bacteria
ESR	Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
ESRD	End-stage renal disease
ESWL	Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (also ESL) - see lithotriptor
ET	Endothelin
ETT	Endotracheal tube
ETOH	ethanol or ethyl alcohol
EUS	Endoscopic Ultrasonography

F

FBC	Full blood count
FBE	Full blood exam
FBG	Fasting blood glucose
F/C	Fevers or Chills
FDIU	Foetal Demise In Utero
FDP	Fibrinogen Degradation Products
FEV1	Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second
Fe	Iron
FF	Free Fluids (non-thickened fluids)
FFA	Free fatty acids
FFP	Fresh frozen plasma
FHR	Fetal heart rate
FHT	Fetal heart tones
FHx	Family History
FIBD	Found in Bed Dead
FLK	Funny Looking Kid (suggesting an unspecified syndrome, should now be termed "dysmorphic features")
FNA	Fine Needle Aspirate
FNC	Full nursing care
FOF	Found on Floor (Patient fell out of bed)
FOS	Full of Stool
FPG	Fasting plasma glucose
FSE	Fetal Scalp Electrode
FSH	Follicle stimulating hormone
FTA-ABS	Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption
FTA	Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody
FUBAR	F***ed Up Beyond All Recognition, originally used to refer to corpses after horrendous (typically battlefield) trauma, but "FUBAR" is now sometimes used to describe very ill patients with little hope of recovery, including those that have not necessarily suffered trauma. Not very politically correct!
FVC	Forced Vital Capacity (Spirometry test value used in assessment of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
FWB	Full weight bearing
FWD	Full ward diet
Fx	Fracture of a bone

G

G	Gravidity (total number of pregnancies, successful or not)
G6PD	Glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase
G	Guanosine
GA	General anaesthesia
GABA	gamma-aminobutyric acid
GC	General Condition
GCA	Giant cell arteritis
GCS	Glasgow Coma Scale
GDLH	Glutamate dehydrogenase
G-CSF	Granulocyte - Colony Stimulating Factor
GM-CSF	Granulocyte-Monocyte - Colony Stimulating Factor
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
GIT	Gastrointestinal Tract
GITS	Gastrointestinal therapeutic system
GIFT	Gamete intrafallopian transfer
GMC	General Medical Condition (i.e., 0 GMC)
GNRH	Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone
GDP	Guanosine Diphosphate
GMP	Guanosine Monophosphate
GOD	Glucose Oxidase
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.
GOK	God only knows
GORD	Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
GOT	glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase
GPT	glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
GSW	gunshot wound see HVLT
GTN	Glyceryl trinitrate
GU	Genitourinary
GUM	Genitourinary medicine (often used more restrictively as alternative to sexually transmitted disease clinic)
GvH	Graft-versus-host
GvHD	Graft-versus-host disease

H

HA	Hypertonia arterialis
HAD	HIV-associated dementia
H/A	headache
H&E	Hematoxlyn and Eosin standard tissue stain. Sometimes used as noun referring to stained slides--"H&E's showed..."
HAV	Hepatitis A virus
Hb	Hemoglobin
HBV	Hepatitis B virus
HCC	Hepato Cell Carcinoma
HCG	Human chorionic gonadotropin
HCM	Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
HCT	Hematocrit
HCTZ	Hydrochlorothiazide
HCV	Hepatitis C virus
HDL	High density lipoprotein
HDL-C	High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol
HDU	High Dependency Unit
HDV	Hepatitis D virus
HEENT	Head Eyes Ears Nose Throat
HES	Hydroxyethyl Starch
HEV	Hepatitis E virus
HGB	Hemoglobin
HH	Hiatus hernia
H&H	Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
Hib	Haemophilus influenzae B
HIV	Human immunodeficiency virus
HL	Hepatic lipase
HLA	Human leukocyte antigens
H&M	Hematemesis and Melena
HOCM	Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
HONK	Hyperosmolar Non Ketotic Coma
H&P	History & Physical
HPI	History of Present Illness
HPV	Human papillomavirus
HR	Heart rate
HRT	Hormone replacement therapy
H.S.	At bedtime, from Latin, hora somni
HSG	Hysterosalpingogram
HSV	Herpes simplex virus
HT	Hypertension
HTLV	Human T-lymphotropic virus
HTN	Hypertension
HUS	Hemolytic uremic syndrome
HVLT	High-velocity Lead Therapy, also see GSW (gunshot wound)
Hx	history (of)

I

I131	radioactive iodine
IA	Intra-arterial
IABP	Intra-aortic balloon pump
IAI	Intra-amniotic infection
IBD	Inflammatory bowel disease
IBS	Irritable bowel syndrome
IC	Intracardiac
ICD	Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
ICD-10	International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision
ICH	Intracerebral hemorrhage
ICP	Intracranial pressure
ICU	Intensive care unit
I&D	Incision and drainage (how to treat an abscess}
IDA	Iron deficiency anemia
IDC	Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy
IDC	Indwelling catheter
IDDM	Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
IDL	Intermediate density lipoprotein
IDP	Infectious Disease Precautions/ Process
IFG	Impaired fasting glycaemia
Ig	Immunoglobulin
IGT	Impaired glucose tolerance
IHD	Ischaemic heart disease
i.m.	intramuscular
IMB	InterMenstrual Bleed (bleeding between periods)
IMI	Intramuscular injection
INF	Interferon
INR	International normalized ratio
IO	Intraosseous infusion
I&O	inputs and outputs
IOL	Induction of labor
IOL	Intraocular lens
IOP	Intraocular pressure
IP	Interphalangeal joint
IPPV	Intermittent positive pressure ventilation
IQ	Intelligence Quotient
ISA	Intrinsic Sympathomimetic Activity
ISDN	Isosorbide dinitrate
ISH	Isolated systolic hypertension
ISMN	Isosorbide mononitrate
i.s.q.	no change (from Latin, in status quo)
IT	Intrathecal
ITP	Idiopathic 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
IUD	intrauterine device - sometimes confused with intrauterine death. We now use IUCD
IUFD	IntraUterine Foetal Demise
IUI	Intrauterine insemination
IUS	IntraUterine System
i.v.	Intravenous
IV-DSA	Intravenous digital subtraction angiography
IVDU	Intravenous drug user
IVF	In vitro fertilization
IVP	Intravenous pyelogram
IVU	Intravenous urogram

J

JMS	"Junior Medical Student" AKA "MS-3"
JVD	Jugular vein distension
JVP	Jugular venous pressure

K

K	Potassium (from the word Kalium, in turn from "alkali" from Arabic al qalīy = "the calcined ashes")
Kcal	Kilocalorie, Calorie
kg	Kilogram
KIV	Keep in view
KUB	Kidneys, ureters, and bladder (x-ray)

L

L	Leukocytes
LABBB	Left anterior bundle branch block
LAD	Left Anterior Descending coronary artery
LAP	Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase
LAR	Low Anterior Resection
LAS	Lymphadenopathy syndrome
LBBB	Left bundle branch block
LCM	Lymphocytic meningitis
LDH	Lactate dehydrogenase
LDL	Low density lipoprotein
LDL-C	Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
L-DOPA	Levo-DihydrOxyPhenylAlanine
LES	Lower esophageal sphincter
LES	Lupus erythematosus systemicus
LE	Lupus erythematosus (in German Lupus erythematodes)
leu	Leukocytes
LFT	Liver function test
LGL	Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome
LGM	Lymphogranulomatosis maligna
LGV	Lymphogranuloma venereum
LH	Luteinizing hormone
LIH	left inguinal hernia
LLL	left lower lobe
LLQ	left lower quadrant
LM	Left Main
LMP	Last Menstrual Period - first day of the menstrual period prior to conceiving, used to calculated Expected Date of Delivery.
LOC	Level Of Consciousness
LOL	Little old lady ... often LOL in NAD
LORTA	Loss Of Resistance To Air (in anesthesiology; when placing epidural, LORTA indicates entrance of needle to epidural space)
LOS	Length of stay
Lp	Lipoprotein
LP	Lumbar puncture
LPL	Lipoprotein lipase
LUL	Left upper lobe
LUQ	Left upper quadrant
LVEDP	Left ventricular end diastolic pressure
LVEF	Left ventricular ejection fraction
LVF	Left ventricular failure
LVH	Left ventricular hypertrophy
LV	Left ventricle
LVOT	Left Ventricular Outflow Track
Ly	Lymphocytes
lytes	electrolytes

M

MAO-I	Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
Mφ	Macrophage
MARSA	Methicillin and aminoglycoside resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MAS	Morgani-Adams-Stokes
MC	Metacarpal bone
MCP	Metacarpophalangeal joint
MCHC	Mean cell hemoglobin concentration
MCH	Mean cell hemoglobin
MC&S	Microscopy, Culture & Sensitivity, the investigation steps in processing microbiology samples
MCV	Mean cell volume
MDS	Myelodysplastic syndrome
Mg	Magnesium
MgSO4	Magnesium or Magnesium Sulfate
MGUS	Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (unknown or uncertain may be substituted for undetermined)
MI	Myocardial infarction
MIC	Morbus Ischaemicus Cordis
MIC	Minimal inhibitory concentration
MLA	Myelosis Leucemica Acuta
MM	Myeloma multiplex
mod	Moderate
MODY	Maturity onset diabetes of the young
Mo	Monocytes
MOM	Milk of magnesia
MOPP	Mechlorethamine, Vincristine, Procarbazine, and Prednisone in combination, older treatment for Hodgkins lymphoma.
MPV	Mean platelet volume
MRA	Magnetic resonance angiogram or angiogrphy
MRI	Magnetic resonance imaging
MR	Mitral regurgitation
MR	Modified release
MRSA	Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MS	Mitral stenosis
MS	Multiple sclerosis
MS	Medical student MS-1, MS-2, MS-3, MS-4 respectively
MSH	Melanocyte stimulating hormone
MSO4	Morphine or Morphine Sulfate
MSU	Mid Stream Urine sample (used in testing for presence of urine infections)
MT	Metatarsal bone
MTP	Metatarsalphalangeal joint
MTX	Methotrexate
MVP	Mitral valve prolapse
MVPS	Mitral valve prolapse syndrome

N

Na	Sodium (Latin: natrium)
NAD	No Abnormality Detected, i.e. the absence of abnormal signs on examination
NAD	No apparent distress.
NE	Norepinephrine
Ne	Neutrophil granulocytes
Neo	Neoplasm
NFR	Not For Resuscitation
NGU	Non-gonococcal urethritis
NHL	Non Hodgkin Lymphoma
NIDDM	Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
NK	Natural killer cells
NKA	no known allergies
NKDA	no known drug allergies. This abbreviation is also used in the military of the United States and may be printed on dog tags or a uniform.
NMR	Nuclear magnetic resonance
NNH	Number needed to harm
NNT	Number needed to treat
NO	Nitric oxide
NOF	Neck of Femur Fracture (refers to Hip fracture)
NOS	Nitric oxide synthase
Npl	Neoplasm
NPO	nil per os (nothing by mouth)
NREM	non-Rapid Eye Movement
n.s.	not significant
NS	Normal Saline
NSAID	Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
NSCC	Non Squamous Cell Carcinoma
NSE	Neurospecific enolase
NSR	normal sinus rhythm
NSRI	Noradrenaline-Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
NSU	Non-specific urethritis
NTG	Nitroglycerin
N&V	nausea & vomiting
NVD	nausea, vomiting & diarrhea
NVD	Normal Vaginal Delivery

O

O2	Oxygen
OA	osteoarthritis
OB-GYN	Obstetrics and gynecology
OCD	Obsessive-compulsive disorder
OD	right eye from Latin, oculus dexter
OD	overdose
od	every day, usually regarded as once daily, from the Latin, omni die. Generally written in lower case.
O/E	on examination
OGTT	Oral glucose tolerance test
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.
OP	outpatient department
OPPT	Oriented to Person Place and Time
OS	left eye from Latin, oculus sinister
OS	Orthopedic surgery
OSA	Obstructive Sleep Apnea
OSH	outside hospital
OTC	Over-the-counter drug
OTD	Out the Door (discharged)
OTPP	Oriented to Time Place and Person
OU	Both eyes, from Latin, oculi uterque

P

p	(p with a bar over it) after, from Latin, post
P	Parturition (total number of live births)
P	Phosphorus
P	Pulse
PA	posterior-anterior
PA	Pulmonary artery
PAF	Platelet activating factor
PAF	Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (meaning intermittent AF)
PAH	Pulmonary arterial hypertension
PAI-1	Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1
PAO	Peak Acid Output
PAP	Papanicolaou stain
Pap	Papanicolaou Test (pap smear)
PAT	Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
p.c.	After food, from Latin, post cibum
PCI	Percutaneous coronary intervention
PCL	Posterior cruciate ligament
PCOS	Polycystic ovarian syndrome
PCP	Pneumocystis pneumonia (formerly Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia)
PCP	Primary Care Physician/Primary Care Provider
PCR	Polymerase chain reaction
PCWP	Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
PDA	Patent ductus arteriosus
PDE	Phosphodiesterase
PDT	Photodynamic Therapy
PE	Pulmonary Embolism
PE	Pre-eclampsia
PEEP	Positive end expiratory pressure
PEF	Peak expiratory flow
PEFR	Peak expiratory flow rate
PERLA	Pupils Equal and Reactive to Light and Accommodation
PERRLA	Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation
PET	Positron-emission tomography
PFO	Patent foramen ovale
PID	Pelvic inflammatory disease
PIH	Pregnancy induced hypertension
PIP	Proximal interphalangeal joint
PKA	Protein kinase A
PKD	Polycystic kidney disease
PKU	Phenylketonuria
PLT	platelets
PMB	Post-menopausal bleeding (bleeding after menopause)
PMH	[past medical history] or Perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage
PMI	Point of maximal impulse or apical beat
PMN	Polymorphonuclear cells, ie Neutrophils
PMR	Percutaneous Myocardial Revascularisation
PMR	Polymyalgia Rheumatica
PND	Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
p.o.	By mouth (orally), from Latin, per os
poly	Polymorphonuclear cells, ie Neutrophils
POX	Peroxidase
PPH	Post partum haemorrhage
PPH	Primary Pulmonary hypertension
PPI	Proton pump inhibitor
PPROM	Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes
PPTL	Post-Partum Tubal Ligation
p.r.	per rectum (as noun: rectal examination)
PRA	Plasma renin activity
PRBCS	Packed Red Blood Cells
PRIND	Prolonged Reversible Ischemic Neurologic Deficit
prn	as necessary, from Latin, pro re nata (if used in chronic pain control disparagingly termed "pain relief nil")
PROM	Premature Rupture of Membranes
PRP	PanRetinal Photocoagulation
PSA	Prostatic specific antigen
PSP	Phenylsulphtalein
PTB	Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Pt.	Patient, from Latin patiens, meaning "one who endures" or "one who suffers"
PTA	Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty
PTCA	Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
PT	Prothrombin time
PTH	Parathyroid hormone
PTx	Pneumothorax
PTT	Partial thromboplastin time
PUD	peptic ulcer disease
PUVA	Psoralen UV A
p.v.	per vagina (as noun: vaginal examination with manual examination and speculum inspection)
PVD	peripheral vascular disease
PVR	Pulmonary vascular resistance
PWP	Pulmonary Wedge Pressure
Px, px	physical examination
Px	Prognosis

Q

q	each, every, {from Latin, quaque}
q.a.d.	every other day, (from Latin, quaque altera die)
QALY	Quality-adjusted life years
q.AM	every AM, (from Latin, quaque ante meridiem)
q.d.	each day, {from Latin, quaque die}
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}
q.m.t.	every month
q.w.k.	weekly
q.o.d	every other day

R

RA	Refractory anaemia
RA	Rheumatoid arthritis
RAI	Radioactive Iodine
RAPD	Relative afferent pupillary defect
RBBB	Right bundle branch block
RBC	Red blood cells
RCA	Right coronary artery
RCT	Randomized controlled trial
REM	Rapid eye movement
RF	Rheumatoid factor
RFLP	Restriction fragment length polymorphism
RFT	Renal function test
Rh	Rhesus factor
RhF	Rheumatoid factor
RIA	Radioimmune assay
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
RLQ	Right lower quadrant
RNA	Ribonucleic acid
RNV	Radionuclear Ventriculography
ROM	Range of motion
R/O	Rule Out
RR	Respiratory rate
RRR	Regular Rate and Rhythm
ROS	Review of systems
RUQ	Right upper quadrant
RPR	Rapid Plasma Reagin test
RSV	Respiratory Syncytial Virus
RV	Residual volume
RV	Right ventricle
RVF	Right ventricular failure
RVSP	Right ventricular systolic pressure
Rx	medical prescription or Prescription drug

S

s	(s with a bar over it) without from Middle English sans, borrowed from Old French sans, Latin sine
SAH	Subarachnoid hemorrhage
SARS	Severe acute respiratory syndrome
SBE	Subacute bacterial endocarditis
SBP	Systolic blood pressure
SBP	spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
s.c.	subcutaneous from Latin, subcutis
SCC	Squamous cell carciona
SCID	Severe combined immunodeficiency
Scope	Microscope or Endoscope
SD	Standard deviation
Segs	Segmented cells
SGA	Small for gestational age
SGOT	Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase
SGPT	Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase
SH	Social history (personal habits, living situation, job)
SHBG	Sex Hormone Binding Globuline
SHx	Surgical History
SI	International System of Units, Suicidal ideation
SIADH	Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
SIDS	Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
SIMV	Synchronized Intermittent Mechanical Ventilation
SK	Streptokinase
SLE	Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
SM	Multiple sclerosis from Latin, Sclerosis multiplex
SMA	Sequential Multiple Analysis
SMA-7	Serum Metabolic Assay
SMS	Senior medical student
SMT	Spinal Manipulative Therapy
SNP	Sodium Nitroprusside
SNRI	Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
SOAP	Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan (How Doctors notes are organized)
SOB	Shortness of breath
SOBOE	Short Of Breath On Exercise
SOL	Space Occupying Lesion
SOOB	Send Out Of Bed
SOS	Save Our Souls, meaning "in case of emergency"
SP	Status post
SPET	Single photon emission tomography
SQ	Subcutaneous
SR	Slow Release
SROM	Spontaneous rupture of membranes
SSRI	Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
SSSS	Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome
SSS	Sick Sinus Syndrome
Staph	Staphylococcus
STD	Sexually transmitted disease
STH	Somatotropic hormone
STI	Sexually transmitted infection
STI	Soft tissue injury
STOP	Surgical Termination Of Pregnancy (sometimes Suction Termination of Pregnancy)
Strep	Streptococcus
Subq	Subcutaneous
SV	Seminal Vesicle
SVD	Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery
SVI	Systemic Viral Infection
SVN	Small Volume Nebulizer
SVR	Systemic vascular resistance
SVT	Supraventricular tachycardia
Sx	Surgery or Symptoms
SXA	Single energy X-ray absorptiometer
SXR	skull x-ray

T

T&A	tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy
TAH	Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
TAH-BSO	Total Abdominal Hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy
TB	tuberculosis
TBC	tuberculosis
TBC	Total body crunch
Td	Tetanus and Diphtheria
TdP	Torsades de pointes
TBI	Total body irradiation
TCC	Transitional cell carcinoma
t.d.s.	Three times a day, from Latin, ter die sumendus
TEE or TOE	Transesophageal echocardiogram
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
THR	Total hip replacement
TIA	Transient ischemic attack
TIBC	Total iron binding capacity
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
TMB	"Too Many Birthdays" Very frail elderly patient
TNF	Tumor necrosis factors
TNM	Tumor-Nodes-Metastases
TOE	Transoesophageal echocardiogram
TOP	Termination of Pregnancy
TPa	Tissue plasminogen activator
TPN	Total parenteral nutrition
TR	Tricuspid regurgitation
TRF	Transfer (pronounced "turf")
TRF'd	Transferred (Pronounced "turfed", as in "We just turfed Mrs Johnson OTD")
TRH	Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone
TS	Tricuspid stenosis
TSH	Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
TT	thrombin time
TTE	Transthoracic echocardiogram
TTO	To Take Out (medicines given to patient on discharge from hospital stay)
TTP	Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
TTS	Transdermal therapeutic system
Tu	Tumor
TUR	Transurethral resection
TURBT	Transurethral resection of bladder tumour
TURP	Transurethral resection of the prostate
Tx	Transplant
Tx	treatment

U

UA	Urinalysis
UBT	Urea Breath Test
U & E	urea and electrolytes (sodium and potassium) blood test, often including	creatinine
UC	Ulcerative colitis
UD	As Directed, from Latin, Ut Dictum
URI	Upper Respiratory Infection
URTI	Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
US	Ultrasound
USG	Ultrasonography
USR	Unheated Serum Reagin
USS	Ultrasound scan
UTI	Urinary Tract Infection
UVAL	Ultraviolet Argon Laser

V

VA	visual acuity
VAD	vincristine adriblastine dexamethasone
VAMP	vincristine adriblastine methylprednisone
V-BAC	Vaginal Birth After Caesarian
VC	Vital capacity
vCJD	Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
VD	Vaginal Delivery
VDRF	Ventilator dependent respiratory failure
VDRL	Venereal Diseases Research Laboratory (old test for syphilis}
VE	vaginal examination (manual examination)
VEB	Ventricular ectopic beat
VRE	Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci
VF	Ventricular fibrillation
VIP	Vasoactive intestinal peptide
VLDL	Very low density lipoprotein
VMA	Vanillylmandelic acid
VOD	Volume of distribution
VPA	Valproic acid
VSD	Ventricular septal defect
VT	Ventricular tachycardia

W

WAT	White adipose tissue
WBC	White blood cells
WDWN	Well developed, well nourished
WNL	Within Normal Limits (Also: We Never Looked)
WPW	Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
WWI	Walking While Intoxicated

Z

ZIFT	Zygote intrafallopian transfer

Latin abbreviations

Some of the following list are considered non-standardized abbreviations because their meanings could be easily misunderstood.

Abbrev.	Meaning	Latin origin
a.c.	Before food	ante cibum
a.d.	Right ear	auris dexter
ad lib.	Freely as wanted	ad libitum
a.l.	Left ear	aurix laevus
alt. die	Every other day	alternus die
alt. h.	Every other hour	alternus horis
a.m.	Morning	ante meridiem
a.n.	Before the night	ante noctum
aq.	Water	aqua
a.s.	Left ear	auris sinister
a.u.	Each ear	auris utro
aurist.	Ear drops	auristillae
b.d. or bd	Twice a day	bis die
b.i.d. or bid	Twice a day	bis in die
gtt.	Drop	gutta
h.	Hour	hora
h.s.	At bedtime	hora somni
i.d.	during the day
i.d.	the same	idem
I.D.	Infectious Disease
i.d.	intradermal, between layers of the skin
mane	In the morning	mane
narist.	Nasal drops	naristillae
Nocte	At night	nocte
o.c.	Eye ointment	oculentum
o.d. or od	Daily	omni die
o.d.	Right eye	oculus dexter
o.l.	Left eye	oculus laevus
o.m.	In the morning	omni mane
o.n.	At night	omni nocte
o.s.	Left eye	oculus sinister
o.u.	Each eye	oculus utro
p.c.	After food	post cibum
p.m.	Afternoon	post meridiem
p.o. or po	Orally	per os
p.r.	Rectally	per rectum
p.r.n.	As occasion requires (as needed)	pro re nata
p.v.	Vaginally	per vaginum
q.	every	quaque
q.2.h.	Every two hours	quaque 2 hora
q.4.h.	Every four hours	quaque 4 hora
q.6.h.	Every six hours	quaque 6 hora
q.8.h.	Every eight hours	quaque 8 hora
q.d. or qd	Every day	quaque die
q.d.s.	Four times a day	quater die sumendus
q.h.	Every hour, hourly	quaque hora
q.i.d. or qid	Four times a day	quater in die
q.q.h.	Every four hours	quarta quaque hora
q.s.	A sufficient quantity	quantum sufficiat
s.i.d. or sid	Once a day	semel in die
Sig. or S.	Write on the label	signa
SL.	Sublingual, under the tongue	sub linguam
Stat.	Immediately, with no delay	statim
t.d.s.	Three times a day	ter die sumendus
t.i.d. or tid	Three times a day	ter in die
top.	Topically, applied to the skin
ut dict. or u.d.	As directed	ut dictum
ung.	Ointment	unguentum

See also

• Acronym
• List of abbreviations for medical organisations and personnel
• Medical Prefixes, Suffixes, and Combining Forms
• Medical dictionary

External links

• Medical abbreviations on KMLE Medical dictionary
• Medical abbreviations on mediLexicon