Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms for Medical Terms

Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms

Abbreviation is a single letter or group of letters, which is derived from a word or words. It is used to represent the words for the sake of briefness. The doctors, medical students, pharmacists and scientists very commonly use some abbreviations in their communication in the healthcare industry. These shortcuts or short forms are known as medical abbreviations.

Medical abbreviations can be found in the medical as well as non-medical literature. Many of the common medical abbreviations are frequently used in physician orders, to write prescriptions, complete the patient charts and medical records as well as in communication. They boost brevity, convenience and efficiency as long as wisely used. They also save the time of medical professionals who would otherwise have to write very lengthy medical terms. However, you need to avoid certain abbreviations to avoid confusion and mistakes. There are thousands of medical abbreviations and it may be difficult for you to remember all the short forms.

List of Medical Acronyms and Abbreviations for Medical Terms

Following is an A to Z list of medical abbreviations and acronyms used as short forms for medical terms. This list contains more than just common medical abbreviations, and would be helpful to you as a reference to know the meaning of abbreviations used in medical fields and specialties.

Abbreviation	Medical Term
AAA	Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
AAD	Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
AAO	Alert, awake and oriented
AAS	Acute Abdominal Series
AB	Abortion
ab, abs	Abdomen or Abdominal
ABD	Abdomen
ABE	Acute Bacterial Endocarditis
ABG	Arterial Blood Gas
ABI	Acquired Brain Injury
AC	Before eating
ACB	Aortocoronary Bypass
ACD	Anemia of Chronic Disease
ACE	Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme
ACL	Anterior Cruciate Ligament
ACLS	Advanced Cardiac Life Support
ACS	Acute Coronary Syndrome
ACTH	Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
AD	Alzheimer's Disease
ADA	Adenosine Deaminase
ADD	Attention Deficit Disorder
ADH	Antidiuretic Hormone
ADHD	Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADR	Adverse Drug Reaction
ADR	Acute Dystonic Reaction
AE	Hyperkalemia
AED	Antiepileptic Drug
AED	Automated External Defibrillator
AF	Atrial Fibrillation or afebrile
AF	Amniotic Fluid
AFB	Acid Fast Bacteria
AFP	Alpha-fetoprotein
AGN	Acute Glomerulonephritis
AI	Artificial Insemination or Aortic Insufficiency
AIDS	Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
AIDP	Acute Infectious and Parasitical Diseases
AIDP	Autoimmune Progesterone Dermatitis
AIDP	Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
AIN	Acute Interstitial Nephritis
AKA	Above the Knee Amputation
ALA	Aminolevulinic Acid
Alc	Alcohol
ALD	Alcoholic Liver Disease
ALG	Antilymphocytic Globulin
ALI	Acute Lung Injury
ALL	Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
ALP	Alkaline Phosphatase
ALPS	Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome
ALS	Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
ALT	Alanine Transaminase
amb	Ambulate
AMI	Acute Myocardial Infarction
AML	Acute Myeloid Leukemia
AMS	Acute Mountain Sickness
ANA	Anti-nuclear Antibody
ANS	Autonomic Nervous System
AODM	Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2 Diabetes)
AOM	Acute Otitis Media
APC	Atrial Premature Contraction
APD	Adult Polycystic Disease
APECED	Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy-Candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy
APH	Antepartum Hemorrhage
APKD	Adult Polycystic Kidney Disease
APLS	Antiphospholipid Syndrome
APR	Abdominoperineal Resection
APS	Autoimmune Polyendocrine/Polyglandular Syndrome
APTT	Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time
ARC	AIDS-related Complex
ARDS	Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
ARF	Acute Renal Failure
Arg	Arginine
ARM	Artificial Rupture of Membranes
ART	Antiretroviral Therapy
ARVC	Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
ARVD	Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia
AS	Aortic Stenosis
ASA	Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin)
ASAP	As soon as possible
ASCAD	Arteriosclerotic Coronary Artery Disease
ASCVD	Arteriosclerotic Vascular Disease (Arteriosclerosis)
ASD	Autism Spectrum Disorder
ASD	Atrial Septal Defect
ASGUS	Atypical Squamous Glandular Cells of Undetermined Significance
ASH, ASHD	Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease (Coronary Heart Disease)
ASIS	Anterior Superior Iliac Spine
ASO	Antistreptolysin-O
AST	Aspartate Transaminase
ATN	Acute Tubular Necrosis
ATNR	Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex
ATP	Adenosine triphosphate
ATP	Acute Thrombocytopenic Purpura
ATS	Anti-tetanus Serum
AV	Arteriovenous/Atrioventricular
AVM	Arteriovenous Malformation
AVR	Aortic Valve Replacement
AXR	Abdominal X-Ray
AZT	Azidothymidine
a.a.	Amino Acids
A-a gradient	Alveolar to Arterial Gradient
A/G	Albumin/Globulin ratio
A-V	Arteriovenous
A-VO2	Arteriovenous Oxygen
BAC	Blood Alcohol Content
BAL	Blood Alcohol Level
BAL	Bronchoalveolar Lavage
BAO	Basic Acid Output
BAT	Brown Adipose Tissue
BBB	Bundle Branch Block
BBB L	Left Bundle Branch Block
BBB R	Right Bundle Branch Block
BC	Blood Culture
BCAA	Brached Chain Amino Acid
BCC	Basal Cell Carcinoma
BCG	Bacille Calmette-Guerin (Tuberculosis Vaccination)
BCP	Birth Control Pill
BD	Bipolar Disorder
BDD	Body Dysmorphic Disorder
BDI	Beck Depression Inventory
BE	Barium Enema
BEE	Basal Energy Expenditure
BGAT	Blood Glucose Awareness Training
BGL	Blood Glucose Level
bid	Twice a day
BiPAP	Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure
BiVAD	Bilateral Ventricular Assist Device
BK	Bradykinin
BKA	below-the-knee amputation
bld	Blood
BM	Bone Marrow
BM	Bowel Movement
BMC	Bone Mineral Content
BMD	Bone Mineral Density
BMI	Body Mass Index
BMP	Blood Metabolic Profile
BMR	Basal Metabolic Rate
BMT	Bone Marrow Transplant
BNP	Brain Natriuretic Peptide
BOM	Bilateral Otitis Media
BOOP	Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia
BP	Blood Pressure
BPAD	Bipolar Affective Disorder
BPD	Borderline Personality Disorder
BPH	Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
BPM	Beats Per Minute
BPPV	Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
BRBPR	Bright Red Blood Per Rectum
BRCA 1	Breast Cancer 1 (human gene and protein)
BS	Blood Sugar
BS	Breathe Sound, Bowel Sounds
BSA	Body Surface Area
BSE	Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
BSL	Blood Sugar Level
BRBPR	Bright Red Blood Per Rectum
BRP	Bathroom Privileges
BT	Bleeding Time
BTL	Bilateral Tubal Ligation
BTP	Breakthrough pain
BUN	Blood Urea Nitrogen
BVP	Biventricular Vaginosis
BW	Body Weight
BX	Biopsy
CA	Carcinoma
CA	Cancer
Ca	Calcium
CAA	Crystalline Amino Acids
CABG	Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
CAD	Coronary Artery Disease
CADASIL	Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy
CAG	Coronary Artery Graft
CAG	Coronary Angiography
CAH	Chronic Active Hepatitis
CAH	Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
cAMP	Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate
CAPD	Central Auditory Processing Disorder
CAPD	Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis
Caps	Capsule
CAT	Computed Axial Tomography
CBC	Complete Blood Count
CBG	Capillary Blood Gas
CBS	Chronic Brain Syndrome
cc	Cardiac Catheter
CC	Chief Complaint
CCF	Congestive Cardiac Failure
CCK	Cholecystokinin
CCR	Cardiocerebral Resuscitation
CCU	Coronary Care Unit
CCU	Clean Catch Urine
CCV	Critical Closing Volume
CDH	Congenital Dislocated Hip
CDP	Cytosine Diphosphate
CEA	Carcinoembryonic Antigen, Carotid Endarterectomy
CF	Cystic Fibrosis
CFS	Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
CGL	Chronic Granulocytic Leukemia
cGMP	Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate
CGN	Chronic Glomerulonephritis
CH	Congenital Hypothyroidism
CHD	Chronic Heart Disease
CHD	Coronary Heart Disease
ChE	Cholinesterase
CHF	Congestive Heart Failure
CHO	Carbohydrate
Chol	Cholesterol
CHT	Congenital Hypothyroidism
CI	Cardiac Index
CICU	Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
CIDP	Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
Circ	Circumcision
CIS	Carcinoma in situ
CJD	Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
CKD	Chronic Kidney Disease
CKMB	MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase
CLL	Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
CML	Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia/Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
CMML	Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia
CMP	Cytosine Monophosphate
CMS	Chronic Mountain Sickness
CMV	Cyomegalovirus
CN	Cranial Nerves
CNS	Central Nervous System
CO	Cardiac Output, Carbon Monoxide
CO2	Carbon Dioxide
COAD	Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease
COCP	Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill
COLD	Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
Conj	Conjunctiva
COPD	Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
COX-1	Cyclooxygenase 1
CP	Cerebral Palsy
CP	Chest Pain
CPAP	Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
CPK	Creatine Phosphokinase
CPKMB	Creatine Phosphokinase heart
CPP	Cerebral Perfusion Pressure
CPR	Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CPT	Current Procedural Terminology
CrCl	Creatinine Clearance
CREST	Calcinosis Raynaud Esophagus Sclerosis Teleangiectasiae
CRF	Chronic Renal Failure
CRF	Corticotropin-releasing factor
CRH	Corticotropin-releasing hormone
CRI	Chronic Renal Insufficiency
CRNS	Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
CRP	C-Reactive Protein
CRT	Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
CsA	Ciclosporin A
CSF	Cerebrospinal Fluid
CT	Computerized Tomography
CTA	Computed Tomography Angiography
CTP	Cytosine Triphosphate
CTS	Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
CTU	Cancer Treatment Unit
CTX	Ceftriaxone Contractions
CV	Cardiovascular
CVA	Costovertebral Angle
CVA	Cerebrovascular Accident
CVAT	CVA tenderness
CVC	Central Venous Catheter
CVC	Chronic Venous Congestion
CVD	Cardiovascular Disease
CVI	Cardiovascular incident
CVID	Common Variable Immunodeficiency
CVP	Central Venous Pressure
CVS	Cardiovascular System
CXR	Chest X-Ray
C/O	Complaining of
C&S	Culture & Sensitivity
C-Section	Cesarean Section
D5W	5% dextrose in water
DAT	Direct Antiglobulin Test
DAT	Diet as tolerated
DAW	Dispense as written
DBP	Diastolic Blood Pressure
DBS	Deep Brain Stimulation
DBT	Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
DC	Discharge or Discontinue
DCBE	Double Contrast Barium Enema
DCIS	Ductal Carcinoma in situ
DCM	Dilated Cardiomyopathy
DDD	Daily Defined Doses
DDS	Doctor of Dental Surgery
DDx	Differential Diagnosis
DES	Diethylstilbestrol
Detox	Detoxification
DEXA	Dual Energy X-ray Absorptionmetry
DHE	Dihydroergotamine
DHEA	Dehydroepiandrosterone
DHEA-S	Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
DHF	Decompensated Heart Failure
DI	Diabetes Insipidus
DIC	Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
DID	Dissociative Identity Disorder
DIP	Distal Interphalangeal Joint
DiPer Te	Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus
Dis	Dislocation
DiTe	Diphtheria Tetanus
DIU	Death in Utero-Stillbirth
DJD	Degenerative Joint Disease (Osteoarthritis)
DKA	Diabetic Ketoacidosis
dl	Deciliter
DLE	Disseminated Lupus Erythematosus
DM	Diabetes Mellitus
DMD	Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
DMD	Doctor of Dental Medicine
DNA	Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNR	Do not resuscitate
DO	Doctor of Osteopathy
DOA	Drugs of Abuse
DOA	Dead on Arrival
DOB	Date of Birth
DOE	Dyspnea on Exertion
DP	Dorsalis Pedis
DPH	Diphenylhydantoin
DPL	Diagnostic Peritoneal Lavage
DPT	Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus-DPT vaccine
DSA	Digital Subtraction Angiography
DSM	Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
DT	Diphtheria Tetanus
DT	Delirium Tremens
DTA	Descending Thoracic Aorta
DTP	Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis
DTR	Deep Tendon Reflex
DU	Duodenal Ulcer
DUB	Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding
DVT	Deep Vein Thrombosis
DX	Diagnosis
dz	Disease
D & C	Dilation and curettage
D/C	Discharge
d.d.	Differential Diagnosis
EAA	Essential Amino Acids
EACA	Epsilon-aminocaproic acid
EBL	Estimated blood loss
EBM	Expressed Breast Milk
EBT	Electron beam tomography
EBV	Epstein-Barr Virus
ECF	Extracellular fluid
ECG	Electrocardiogram
ECHO	Echocardiogram
ECMO	Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
ECT	Electroconvulsive Therapy
ED	Erectile Dysfunction
ED	Ectodermal Dysplasia
EDD	Estimated Date of Delivery
EDH	Epidural Hematoma
EDM	Esophageal Doppler Monitor
EDTA	Ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid
EEG	Electroencephalogram
EEX	Electrodiagnosis
EF	Ejection Fraction
EFAD	Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency
EGD	Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
EI	Emotional Intelligence
EKG	Electrocardiogram
ELISA	Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay
EmBx	Endometrial Biopsy
EMF	Endomyocardial Fibrosis
EMG	Electromyography
EMR	Electronic Medical Record
EMU	Early Morning Urine Sample
EMV	Eyes, motor, verbal response
ENT	Ear, Nose and Throat
EOM	extraocular Muscles
EOMI	Extraocular Movements Intact
EPH	Edema Proteinuria Hypertension
EPO	Erythropoietin
EPS	Electrophysiology
EQ	Emotional Intelligence Quotient
ER	Emergency Room
ERCP	Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
ESBL	Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase
ESR	Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
ESRD	End-Stage Renal Disease
ESV	End-systolic Volume
ESWL	Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy
ET	Endotracheal
Etiol	Etiology
ETOH	Ethanol
ETS	Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy
ETT	Endotracheal Tube
EUA	Examination under Anesthesia
EUP	Extrauterine Pregnancy
EUS	Endoscopic Ultrasonography
EVAR	Endovascular Aneurysm Repair
EVF	Erythrocyte Volume Fraction
Exam	Examination
Exp Lap	Exploratory Laparotomy
E. Coli	Escherichia Coli bacteria
F	Fahrenheit
Fab	Fragment Antigen Binding
FAMMM	Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma Syndrome
FAP	Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
FB	Foreign Body
FBC	Full Blood Count
FBE	Full Blood Exam
FBG	Fasting Blood Glucose
FBS	Fasting Blood Sugar
FDA	Food and Drug Administration
FDC	Follicular Dendritic Cells
FDIU	Fetal Demise in Utero
FDP	Fibrin Degradation Product
Fe	Iron
fem	Female
FEV	Forced Expiratory Volume
FFA	Free Fatty Acids
FFP	Fresh Frozen Plasma
FHR	Fetal Heart Rate
FHS	Fetal Heart Sound
FHT	Fetal Heart Tones
FHx	Family History
Flu	Influenza
FMF	Fetal Movements Felt
FMP	First Menstruation Period (Menarche)
fMRI	Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
FNA	Fine Needle Aspiration
FNAB	Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy
FNAC	Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology
FNC	Full Nursing Care
FNH	Focal Nodular Hyperplasia
FOBT	Fecal Occult Blood Test
FOS	Full of Stool
FPG	Fasting Plasma Glucose
FRC	Functional Residual Capacity
FROM	Full Range of Motion
FSBS	Finger-stick Blood Sugar
FSE	Fetal Scalp Electrode
FSH	Follicle-stimulating Hormone
FTA	Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody
FTA-ABS	Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption
FTT	Failure to thrive
FU	Follow-up
FUO	Fever of Unknown Origin
FVC	Forced Vital Capacity
FWB	Full Weight Bearing
Fx, #	Fracture
F/C	Fevers and/or Chills
G	Gravidity
G6PD	Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase
GA	General Anesthesia
GABA	Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
GAD	Generalized Anxiety Disorder
GB	Gallbladder
GBM	Glomerular Basement Membrane
GC	Gonorrhea or Gonococcus
GCA	Giant Cell Arteritis
GCS	Glasgow Coma Scale
GDA	Gastroduodenal Artery
GDLH	Glutamate Dehydrogenase
GDP	Guanosine Diphosphate
GERD	Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
GETT	General by Endotracheal Tube
GFR	Glomerular Filtration Rate
GGT	Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase
GH	Growth Hormone
GHFR	Growth Hormone Releasing factor
GI	Glycemic Index
GI	Gastrointestinal
GIFT	Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer
GIST	Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor
GIT	Gastrointestinal Tract
GITS	Gastrointestinal Therapeutic System
GMC	General Medical Condition
GMP	Guanosine Monophosphate
GM-CSF	Granulocyte-Monocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor
GN	Glomerulonephritis (Nephritis)
GnRH	Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
GOAT	Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test
GOD	Glucose Oxidase
Gomer	Get Outta My ER
GORD	Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
GOT	Glutamic-oxalacetic Transaminase
GPT	Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
gr	Grain
GRAV I	First Pregnancy
GSW	Gunshot Wound
GTT	Glucose Tolerance Test
GU	Gastric Ulcer
GU	Genitourinary
GVHD	Graft-versus-host disease
Gym	Gymnasium
Gyn	Gynecology
GXT	Graded Exercise Tolerance (stress test)
HA, H/A	Headache
HA	Hypertonia Arterialis
HAA	Hepatitis Associated Antigen
HAART	Highly Active Anti-aetroviral Therapy
HACE	High Altitude Cerebral Edema
HAD	HIV-associated dementia
HAE	Hereditary Angioedema
HAPE	High Altitude Pulmonary Edema
HAV	Hepatitis A Virus
Hb	Hemoglobin
HB	Heart Block
HbA	Hemoglobin A
HbA1C	Glycosylated hemoglobin
HbF	Fetal Hemoglobin
HBP	High Blood Pressure
HBsAg	Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
HBV	Hepatitis B Virus
HCC	Hepatocellular Carcinoma
hCG	Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
HCL	Hairy Cell Leukemia
Hct	Hematocrit
HCT	Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
HCTZ	Hydrochlorothiazide
HCV	Hepatitis C Virus
HD	Hodgkin's Disease
HDL	High-density lipoprotein
HDL-C	High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol
HDU	High Dependency Unit
HDV	Hepatitis D virus
HEENT	Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat
HELP, HELLP	Hypertension, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelets
HEMA	Hydroxy Ethyl Methacrylate
Hema	Hematest
HES	Hydroxyethyl Starch
HETE	Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acid
HEV	Hepatitis E Virus
Hgb	Hemoglobin
HGH	Human Growth Hormone
HGPRTase	Hypoxanthine-guanine Phosphoribosyl Transferase
HGV	Hepatitis G Virus
HH	Hiatus Hernia
HHT	Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectisia
HHV	Human Herpes Virus
HI	Homicidal Ideation
Hib	Haemophilus Influenzae B
HIDS	Hyper-IgD Syndrome
HIT	Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia
HIV	Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HJR	Hepatojugular Reflex
HL	Hepatic Lipase
HL	Hodgkin's Lymphoma
HL	Hearing Level
HLA	Human Leukocyte Antigen
HLA	Histocompatibility Locus Antigen
HLHS	Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
HMD	Hyaline Membrane Disease
HMGR	3-hydroxy-30methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase
HMG-CoA	3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA
HMS	Hyper-reactive Malarial Splenomegaly
HMSN	Hereditary Motor Sensory Neuropathy
HN	Hemagglutinin-neuraminidase
HND	Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn
HNPCC	Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer
HOB	Head of Bed
HOCM	Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy
HONK	Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Coma
HPA	Hypothalamic-Pituiatary-Adrenal Axis
HPETE	Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acid
HPF	High Power Field (Microscopy)
HPI	History of Present Illness
HPOA	Hypertrophic Pulmonary Osteoarthropathy
HPL	Human Placental Lactogen
HPV	Human Papillomavirus
HR	Heart Rate
HRT	Hormone Replacement Therapy
hs	Hours of Sleep
HSC	Human Chorionic Somatomammotropin
HSG	Hysterosalpingogram
HSM	Hepatosplenomegaly
HSP	Henoch-Schonlein Purpura
HSV	Herpes Simplex Virus
HT, HTN	Hypertension
Ht	Height
HTLV	Human T-lymphotropic Virus
HTPA	Hypothalamic-pitutary-adrenal axis
HTVD	Hypertensive Vascular Disease
HUS	Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
HVLT	High-velocity Lead Therapy
Hx	History (medical)
h/o	History of
H/H	Henderson-Hasselbach Equation
H & E	Hematoxylin and Eosin
H & H	Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
h.s.	At Bedtime
H-S	Heel-to-shin test
H&M	Hematemesis and Melena
H&P	History and Physical Examination
I131	Radioactive Iodine
IA	Intra-arterial
IABP	Intra-aortic Balloon Pump
IAI	Intra-amniotic Infection
IBC	Inflammatory Breast Cancer
IBD	Inflammatory Bowel Disease
IBS	Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IC	Informed Consent
IC	Intensive Care
IC	Ileocecal
IC	Immunocompromised
IC	Interstitial Cystitis
IC	Immune Complex
IC	Intracardiac
ICCU	Intensive Cardiac Care Unit
ICD	Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillator
ICDS	Integrated Child Development Services Program
ICD-10	International Classification of Diseases - 10th revision
ICF	Intracellular Fluid
ICG	Impedance Cardiography
ICH	Intracerebral Hemorrhage
ICP	Intracranial Pressure
ICS	Intercostal Space
ICU	Intensive Care Unit
ID	Infectious Disease or Identifying Data or Identification
IDA	Iron Deficiency Anemia
IDC	Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
IDC	Indwelling Catheter
IDC	Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma
IDDM	Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
IDL	Intermediate Density Lipoprotein
IDP	Infectious Disease Precautions/Process
IF	Immunofluorescence
IFG	Impaired Fasting Glycaemia
Ig	Immunoglobulin
IgA	Immunoglobulin A
IgD	Immunoglobulin D
IgE	Immunoglobulin E
IgG	Immunoglobulin G
IgM	Immunoglobulin M
IGT	Impaired Glucose Tolerance
IHC	Immunohistochemistry
IHD	Ischemic Heart Disease
IHSS	Idiopathic hypertrophic Subaortic Stenosis
IM	Intramuscular
IMA	Inferior Mesenteric Artery
IMB	InterMenstrual Bleed
IMI	Intramuscular Injection
IMN	Infectious Mononucleosis
IMS	Irritable Male Syndrome
IMT	Intima-media Thickness
IMV	Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation
Inc	Incomplete
Inf	Injection
INF	Intravenous Nutritional Fluid
INH	Isoniazid
IO	Intraosseous Infusion
IOL	Induction Of Labor
IOP	Intraocular Pressure
IP	Interphalangeal Joint
IPPB	Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing
IPPV	Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation
IPS	Intra-Peritoneal Sounds
IQ	Intelligence Quotient
IRDM	Insulin Resistant Diabetes Mellitus
ISA	Intrinsic Sympathomimetic Activity
ISDN	Isosorbide dinitrate
ISH	Isolated Systolic Hypertension
ISMN	Isosorbide Mononitrate
IT	Interthecal
ITP	Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
ITU	Intensive Treatment/Therapy Unit
IU	International Units
IUCD	Intrauterine Contraceptive Device
IUD	Intrauterine Death
IUD	Intrauterine Device
IUFD	Intrauterine Fetal Demise
IUI	Intrauterine Insemination
IUP	Intrauterine Pregnancy
IUS	Intrauterine System
IV	Intravenous
IVC	Intravenous Cholangiogram
IVC	Inferior Vena Cava
IVDU	Intravenous Drug User
IVF	In vitro fertilization
IVF	Intravenous Fluids
IVP	Intravenous Pyelogram
IVPB	Intravenous Piggyback
IVU	Intravenous Urogram
IVUS	Intravascular Ultrasound
IV-DSA	Intravenous Digital Subtraction Angiography
I&D	Incision and Drainage
I&O	Inputs and Outputs, Intake and Outputs
i.s.q.	No change
JIA	Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
JMS	Junior Medical Student
JODM	Juvenile-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
JRA	Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
JVD	Jugular Vein Distension
JVP	Jugular Venous Pressure
K	Potassium
KA	Ketoacidosis
KBr	Potassium Bromide
Kcal	Kilocalorie
KCCT	Kaolin Cephalin Clotting Time
kg	Kilogram
KIV	Keep in View
KLS	Kidney, Liver, Spleen
KOR	Keep Open Rate
KS	Kaposi's Sarcoma
KSHV	Kaposi's sarcoma-associated Herpes virus
KUB	Kidneys, Ureters and Bladder
KVO	Keep Vein Open
L	Leukocytes (White Blood Cells)
L	Lumbar vertebrae
LA	Left Atrium, Lymphadenopathy
Lab	Laboratory
LABBB	Left Anterior Bundle Branch Block
LAD	Left Anterior Descending-Coronary Artery
LAD	Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency
LAD	Left Axis Deviation-Electrocardiogram
LAD	Lymphadenopathy
LAE	Left Atrial Enlargement
LAHB	Left Anterior Hemiblock
Lam	Laminectomy
LAP	Leukocyte Alkaline Phosphatase
Lap	Laparotomy
LAR	Low Anterior Resection
LARP	Left-Anterior, Right-Posterior
LAS	Lymphadenopathy Syndrome
LASIK	Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis
Lat	Lateral
lb, LB	Pound
LBBB	Left Bundle Branch Block
LBO	Large Bowel Obstruction
LBP	Low Back Pain
LCA	Left Coronary Artery
LCIS	Lobular Carcinoma in situ
LCM	Lymphocytic Meningitis
LCX	Left Circumflex Artery
Lc of ch	Laxative of choice
LDH	Lactate Dehydrogenase
LDL	Low Density Lipoprotein
LDL-C	Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
LE	Lupus Erythematosus
LE	Lower Extremity
LEC	Lupus Erythematosus Cell
LES	Lower Esophageal Sphincter
LES	Lupus Erythematosus Systemicus
leu	Leukocytes
LFT	Liver Function Test
LGL	Lown-Ganong-Levine Syndrome
LGM	Lymphogranulomatosis Maligna
LGV	Lymphogranuloma Venereum
LH	Luteinizing Hormone
Lig	Ligament
LIH	Left Inguinal Hernia
LLE	Left Lower Extremity
LLL	Left Lower Lobe
LLQ	Left Lower Quadrant
LM	Left Main
LMA	Left Mentoanterior-Fetal Position
LMCA	Left Main Coronary Artery
LMD	Local Medical Doctor
LMP	Last Menstrual Period
LN	Lymph Node
LOA	Left Occipitoanterior
LOC	Level of Consciousness
LOP	Left Occipitoposterior
LORTA	Loss of Resistance To Air
LOS	Length of Stay
Lot	Lotion
Lp	Lipoprotein
LP	Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap)
LPH	Left Posterior Hemiblock
LPL	Lipoprotein Lipase
LPN	Licensed Practical Nurse
LR	Lactated Ringer's Solution
LRTI	Lower Respiratory Tract Infection
LTAC	Long-term Acute Care
LSB	Left Sternal Border
LSD	Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
LUL	Left Upper Lobe-Lung
LUQ	Left Upper Quadrant
LV	Left Ventricle
LVAD	Left Ventricular Assist Device
LVEDP	Left Ventricular End Diastolic Pressure
LVEF	Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
LVF	Left Ventricular Failure
LVH	Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
LVOT	Left Ventricular Outflow Track
Ly	Lymphocytes
lytes	Electrolytes
L&D	Labor and Delivery (Childbirth)
L-DOPA	Levo-Dihydroxyphenylalanine
M	Murmur (heart murmur)
MAE	Moves All Extremities
MAL	Midaxillary Line
MAO-I	Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor
MAP	Mean Arterial Pressure
MAS	Morgagni-Adams-Stokes Syndrome
MAST	Medical Antishock Trousres
MARSA	Methicillin and Aminoglycoside-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MAT	Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia
MBT	Maternal Blood Type
MC	Metacarpal Bone
MCH	Mean Cell Hemoglobin
MCH	Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin
MCHC	Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration
MCP	Metacarpophalangeal Joint
MCV	Mean Cell Volume
MC&S	Microscopy, Culture and Sensitivity
MDD	Major Depressive Disorder (Clinical Depression)
MDE	Major Depressive Episode
MDI	Metered Dose Inhaler
MDS	Myelodysplastic Syndrome
MEDLINE	Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online
MEN	Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia
mEq	milliequivalent
MeSH	Medical Subject Headings
met	Metastasis
MET	Metabolic Equivalent
mg	milligram
Mg	Magnesium
MgSO4	Magnesium Sulfate
MGUS	Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance
MI	Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
MIC	Minimum Inhibitory Concentration
MICA	Mental Illness and Chemical Abuse
MICU	Mobile Intensive Care Unit
MIP	Maximum Inspiratory Pressure
mL	milliliter
MLC	Mixed Lymphocyte Culture
MLE	Midline Episiotomy
MM	Myeloid Metaplasia
MMEF	Maximal Mid Expiratory Flow
mmol	millimole
MMPI	Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
MMR	Measles, Mumps, Rubella
Mo	Monocytes
mod	Moderate
mod	Modified
MODY	Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young
MOM	Milk of Magnesia
Mono	Infectious Mononucleosis (Glandular Fever)
MOPP	Mechlorethamine, Vincristine, Procarbazine and Prednisone
MPD	Myeloproliferative Disease
MPV	Mean Platelet Volume
MR	Mitral Regurgitation
MR	Modified Release
MR	Mental Retardation
MRA	Magnetic Resonance Angiography
MRCP	Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography
MRG	Murmurs, Rubs and Gallops
MRI	Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MRSA	Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
MS	Multiple Sclerosis
MS	Mitral Stenosis
MS	Mental Status
MSE	Mental Status Examination
MSH	Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone
MSM	Methylsulfonylmethane
MSSA	Methicillin-sensitive Staph aureus
MSO4	Morphine or Morphine Sulfate
MSU	Midstream Urine Sample
MSUD	Maple Syrup Urine Disease
MT	Metatarsal Bone
MTBI	Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
MTP	Metatarsalphalangeal Joint
MTX	Methotrexate
MVA	Motor Vehicle Accident
MVC	Motor Vehicle Crash
MVI	Multivitamin Injection
MVP	Mitral Valve Prolapse
MVPS	Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome
MVR	Mitral Valve Replacement
MVV	Maximum Voluntary Ventilation
M&M	Morbidity & Mortality
Na	Sodium
NABS	Normoactive Bowel Sounds
NAD	No Abnormality Detected
NAD	No Apparent Distress
NAS	No Added Salt
NB	Newborn
NBN	Newborn Nursery
NC	Nasal Cannula
NC	Nerve Action Potential
NCC	Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy
NCS	Nerve Conduction Study
NCT	Nerve Conduction Test
NCV	Nerve Conduction Velocity
ND	Not Done
Ne	Neutrophil Granulocytes
NE	Norepinephrine
NEC	Not Elsewhere Classified
NED	No Evidence of Recurrent Disease
Neg	Negative
Neo	Neoplasm
NES	Not Elsewhere Specified
NFR	Not for Resuscitation
ng	Nanogram
NG	Nasogastric
NGT	Nasogastric Tube
NGU	Non-Gonococcal Urethritis
NHL	Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
NICU	Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
NIDDM	Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2 Diabetes)
NK	Natural Killer Cells
NKA	No Known Allergies
NKDA	No Known Drug Allergies
NI	Normal
NLP	No Light Perception
NLP	Neuro-Linguistic Programming
NM	Nuclear Medicine
NMR	Nuclear Magnetic Resoance
NNH	Number Needed to Harm
NNT	Number Needed to Treat
NO	Nitric Oxide
No.	Number
NOF	Neck of Femur Fracture
Non rep.	Do not repeat
NOS	Nitric Oxide Synthase
NOS	Not Otherwise Specified
NPH	Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Npl	Neoplasm
NPO	Nil per os
NPTAC	No Previous Tracing Available For Comparison
NRB	Non-Rebreather Mask
NREM	Non-Rapid Eye Movement
NRM	No Regular Medications
NS	Normal Saline
NSA	No Significant Abnormality
NSAID	Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
NSCC	Non-squamous-cell carcinoma
NSD	Normal Spontaneous Delivery (Natural Childbirth)
NSE	Neurospecific Enolase
NSR	Normal Sinus Rhythm
NST	Non-Stress Test
NSTEMI	Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction
NSU	Non-Specific Urethritis
NT	Not Tested
NT	Nasotracheal
NTG	Nitroglycerin
NTT	Nasotracheal Tube
NVD	Normal Vaginal Delivery
NVD	Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea
NVDC	Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea and Constipation
n.s.	Not Significant
N&V	Nausea and Vomiting
O2	Oxygen
OA	Osteoarthritis
Obl	Oblique
OBS	Organic Brain Syndrome
OB-GYN	Obstetrics and Gynecology
Occ	Occasional
OCD	Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OCG	Oral Cholecystogram
OCNA	Old Chart Not Available
OCP	Oral Contraceptive Pill
OCPD	Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
OCT	Optical Coherence Tomography
od	Everyday
OD	Right Eye (Latin: Oculus Dexter)
OD	Occupational Disease
OD	Overdose
OE	Otitis Externa (Ear Infection)
OGTT	Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
Oint	Ointment
om	Every Morning
OM	Otitis Media (Ear Infection)
OME	Otitis Media with Effusion
on	Every Night
OOB	Out of bed
OPD	Outpatient Department
OPPT	Oriented to Person, Place and Time
OPV	Outpatient Visit
OPV	Oral Polio Vaccine
OR	Operating Room
ORIF	Open Reduction Internal Fixation
ORSA	Oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
OS	Orthopedic Surgery
OS	Left Eye (Ltin-Oculus Sinister)
OSA	Obstructive Sleep Apnea
OSH	Outside Hospital
OSHA	Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Osm	Osmolarity
Osteo	Osteomyelitis
OT	Occupational Therapy
OTC	Over-the-counter Drug
OTD	Out the Door
OTPP	Oriented to Time Place and Person
OU	Both eyes (Latin: Oculi Uterque)
oz	Ounce
O/E	On examination
O&P	Ova and Parasites
P	Phosphorus
P	Post
P	Pulse
PA	Pulmonary Artery
PA	Posteroanterior
PA	Physician Assistant
PAC	Premature Atrial Contraction
PAC	Pulmonary Artery Catheter
PAD	Peripheral Artery Disease
PAF	Platelet Activating Factor
PAF	Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
PAI-1	Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1
PAL	Posterior Axillary Line
PALS	Pediatric Advanced Life Support
PAN	Polyarthritis Nodosa
PAO	Peak Acid Output
PaO2	Peropheral Arterial Oxygen Content
PAO2	Alveolar Oxygen
PAOD	Peripheral Artery Occlusive Disease
Pap	Papanicolaou Test (Pap Smear)
PAP	Positive Airway Pressure
PAP	Papanicolaou Stain
PAP	Pulmonary Artery Pressure
PARA I	Indicating a woman with one child
PAT	Paroxysmal Atrial Trachycardia
PCa	Prostate Cancer
PCA	Patient Care Report
PCA	Patient-controlled Analgesia
PCD	Postconcussional Disorder
PCI	Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
PCL	Posterior Cruciate Ligament
PCN	Penicillin
PCNSL	Primary CNS Lymphoma
PCO	Polycystic Ovary
PCOS	Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
PCP	Pneumocystis Pneumonia
PCP	Primary Care Physician
PCR	Polymerase Chain Reaction
PCS	Post-concussion Syndrome
PCV	Packed Cell Volume
PCV	Polycythemia vera
PCWP	Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure
PD	Parkinson's Disease
PD	Peritoneal Disease
PDA	Patent Ductus Arteriosus
PDD	Pervasive Developmental Disorder
PDE	Phosphodiesterase
PDR	Physician's Drug Reference
PDT	Photodynamic Therapy
PE	Pre-eclampsia
PE	Pulmonary Embolism
PE	Physical Examination
PEA	Pulseless Electrical Activity
PEEP	Positive End Expiratory Pressure
PEF	Peak Expiratory Flow
PEFR	Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
PEG	Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy
pen	Penicillin
PERRL	Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light
PERLA	Pupils Equal and Reactive to Light and Accommodation
Per Vag	Per Vaginam
PET	Positron-emission Tomography
PFO	Patent Foramen Ovale
PFT	Pulmonary Function Test
pg	Picogram
PGCS	Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale
pH	Hydrogen Ion Concentration
Ph1	Philadelphia Chromosome
PH	Pulmonary Hypertension
PHx	Past Medical History
PHTLS	Prehospital Trauma Life Support
PI	Present Illness
PI	Pulmonic Insufficiency Disease
PICC	Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter
PID	Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
PID	Prolapsed Intervertibral Disc
PIH	Pregnancy Induced Hypertension
PIP	Proximal Interphalangeal Joint
PK	Pyruvate Kinase
PKA	Protein Kinase A
PKD	Polycystic Kidney Disease
PKU	Phenylketonuria
PLAT	Tissue Plasminogen Activator
PLT	Platelets
PMB	Post-Menopausal Bleeding
PMH	Past Medical History
PMH	Perimesencephalic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
PMI	Point of Maximal Impulse
PMN	Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes
PMS	Premenstrual Syndrome
PMR	Polymyalgia Rheumatica
PMR	Percutaneous Myocardial Revascularisation
PM&R	Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
PND	Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea
PNM	Perinatal Mortality
POD	Postoperative Days
POEMS	Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal Protein, Skin Changes
poly	Polymorphonuclear Cells
Post	Posterior
POX	Peroxidase
PP	Post-partum
PP	Postprandial or Pulsus Paradoxus or Pulse Pressure
PPCS	Prolonged Post-Concussion Syndrome
PPD	(Cigarette) Packs Per Day
PPD	Postpartum Depression
PPD	Purified Protein Derivative or Mantoux Test
PPH	Postpartum Hemorrhage
PPH	Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
PPH	Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids
PPI	Proton Pump Inhibitor
PPROM	Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes
Ppt	Precipitate
PPTCT	(HIV) Prevention of Parent To Child Transmission
PPTL	Post-Partum Tubal Ligation
PR	Prothrombin Ratio
PRA	Plasma Renin Activity
PRBC	Packed Red Blood Cells
Preme	Premature Baby
Prep	Preparation
PRIND	Prolonged Reversible Ischemic Neurologic Deficit
PRL	Prolactin
PRN	As Necessary
Prog	Prognosis
PROM	Premature Rupture of Membranes
PRP	PanRetinal Photocoagulation
PRV	Polycythemia rubra vera
PS	Pulmonic Stenosis
PSA	Prostate Specific Antigen
PSH	Pscychosocial History
PSP	Phenylsulphtalein
PSS	Progressive Systemic Sclerosis
PSV	Pressure Supported Ventilation
Pt	Patient
PT	Physical Therapy
PT	Prothrombin Time
PTA	Peritonsillar Abscess
PTA	Post-traumatic Amnesia
PTA	Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty
PTA	Prior to admission
PTB	Pulmonary Tuberculosis
PTC	Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography
PTCA	Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty
PTD	Prior to Discharge
PTH	Parathyroid Hormone
PTHC	Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography
PTSD	Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSS	Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome
PTT	Partial Thromboplastin Time
PTU	Propylthioluracil
PTx	Pneumothorax
PUD	Peptic Ulcer Disease
PUO	Pyrexia of Unknown Origin
PUVA	Psoralen UV A
PVC	Premature Ventricular Contraction
PVD	Peripheral Vascular Disease
PVFS	Post-viral Fatigue Syndrome
PVR	Pulmonary Vascular Resistance
PVS	Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
PVS	Persistent Vegetative State
PWP	Pulmonary Wedge Pressure
Px	Physical Examination
Px	Prognosis
p.c.	After Food (Latin: Post Cibum)
p.o.	By Mouth
p.r.	Per rectum
p.v.	Per Vagina
P&A	Percussion and Auscultation
P&PD	Percussion and Postural Drainage
P-Y	Pack-years
q	Each, every (Latin: Quaque)
q4h, q6h	Every 4 hours, every 6 hours
QALY	Quality-adjusted Life Years
QNS	Quantity Not Sufficient
QOF	Quality and Outcomes Framework
Qs/Qt	Shunt Fraction
qt	Quart
Qt	Total Cardiac Output
q.a.d.	Every Other Day (Latin: Quaque Altera Die)
q.AM	Every morning
q.d.	Each Day
q.d.s.	Four Times Each Day
q.h.	Each Hour
q.h.s.	Every bedtime
q.i.d.	Four Times Each Day
q.I.	As much as you like
q.m.t.	Every Month
q.n.	Every Night
q.o.d.	Every Other Day
q.o.h.	Every other hour
q.s.	AS much as suffices
q.w.k.	Weekly
RA	Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA	Refractory Anemia
RA	Right Atrium
rad	Radian
RAD	Right Axis Deviation
RAD	Reflex Anal Dilatation
RAD	Reactive Attachment Disorder
Rad hys	Radical Hysterectomy
RAE	Right Atrial Enlargement
RAI	Radioactive Iodine
RAP	Right Atrial Pressure
RAPD	Relative Afferent Pupilary Defect
RBBB	Right Bundle Branch Block
RBC	Red Blood Cells
RBC	Red Blood Count
RBP	Retino-binding Protein
RCA	Right Coronary Artery
RCM	Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
RCM	Right Costal Margin
RCT	Randomized Controlled Trial
RD	Retinal Detachment
RDA	Recommended Daily Allowance
RDS	Respiratory Distress Syndrome
RDW	Red Cell Distribution Width
RELP	Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism
REM	Rapid Eye Movement
RES	Reticuloendothelial System
RF	Rheumatic Fever
RF	Rheumatoid Factor
RFLP	Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism
RFT	Renal Function Test
Rh	Rhesus factor
RHD	Rheumatoid Heart Disease
RhF	Rheumatoid Factor
RIA	Radioimmunoassay
RIBA	Radioimmunoblotting Assay
RICE	Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation
RIH	Right Inguinal Hernia
RIMA	Reversible Inhibitor of Monoamine Oxidase A
RIND	Reversible Ischemic Neurologic Deficit
RL	Ringer's Lactate
RLE	Right Lower Extremity
RLL	Right Lower Lobe-lung
RLN	Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve
RLN	Regional Lymph Node
RLQ	Right Lower Quadrant
RLS	Restless Legs Syndrome
RML	Right Middle Lobe-lung
RNA	Ribonucleioc Acid
RNV	Radionuclear Ventriculography
ROA	Right Occipital Anterior
ROM	Range of Motion
ROP	Right Occipital Posterior
ROS	Review of Systems
ROSC	Return of Spontaneous Circulation
RPG	Retrograde Pyelogram
RPR	Rapid Plasma Reagin Test
RQ	Respiratory Quotient
RR	Respiratory Rate
RRR	Regular Rate and Rhythm
RSI	Rapid Sequence Induction
RSV	Respiratory Syncytial Virus
RT	Respiratory Therapy
RTA	Renal Tubal Acidosis
RTC	Return to Clinic
RTS	Revised Trauma Source
RU	Resin Uptake
RUE	Right Upper Extremity
RUL	Right Upper Lobe - lung
RUG	Retrograde Urethogram
RUQ	Right Upper Quadrant
RV	Right Ventricle
RV	Residual Volume
RVAD	Right Ventricular Assist Device
RVF	Right Ventricular Failure
RVH	Right Ventricular Hypertrophy
RVSP	Right Ventricular Systolic Pressure
RVT	Renal Vein Thrombosis
Rx	Prescription Drug or medical treatment
r/g/m	rubs/gallops/murmurs
R/O	Rule Out
S	Sacrum
S1	First Heart Sound
S2	Second Heart Sound
SA	Sinoatrial Node
SAA	Syntheric Amino Acid
SAB	Staphylococcal Bacteremia
SAB	Spontaneous Abortion (Miscarriage)
SAH	Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
SAN	Sinoatrial Node
SaO2	Oxygen Saturation of Artial Blood
SAPS II	Simplified Acute Physiology Score
SAPS III	Simplified Acute Physiology Score
SARS	Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
Sat	Saturation
SB	Small Bowel
SBE	Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis
SBFT	Small Bowel Follow Through
SBO	Small Bowel Obstruction
SBP	Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis
SBP	Systolic Blood Pressure
SBS	Short Bowel Syndrome
SCC	Squamous Cell Carcinoma
SCID	Severe Combined Immunodeficiency
Scope	Microscope or Endoscope
SCr	Serum Creatinine
SD	Standard Deviation
SDH	Subdermal Hematoma
Sed	Sedimentation
Segs	Segmented Cells
SEM	Systolic Ejection Murmur
SFA	Serum Folic Acid
SFA	Superficial Femoral Artery
SGA	Small for Gestational Age
SGGT	Serum Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase
SGOT	Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase
SGPT	Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase
SG cath	Swan-Ganz Catheter
SHBG	Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
SHx	Social history
SHx	Surgical History
SI	Suicidal Ideation
SI	Seriously Ill
SI	International System of Units
SI	Sacroiliacal (SI Joint)
SIADH	Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone
SICU	Surgical Intensive Care Unit
SIDS	Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
sig	Write on label
SIMV	Synchronized Intermittent Mechanical Ventilation
SIT	Stress Inoculation Training
SK	Streptokinase
sl	Sublingual
SLE	Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
SLR	Straight Leg Raise
SM	Multiple Sclerosis
SMA	Superior Mesenteric Artery
SMA	Sequential Multiple Analysis
SMA	Spinal Muscular Atrophy
SMA-6	Six-channel Serum Multiple Analysis
SMA-7	Serum Metabolic Assay
SMO	Slips made out
SMS	Senior Medical Student
SMT	Spinal Manipulative Therapy
SMV	Superior Mesenteric Vein
SN	Student Nurse
SNB	Sentinel Node Biopsy
SNP	Sodium Nitroprusside
SNRI	Serotonin-norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor
SOAP	Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
SOB	Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea)
SOBOE	Short of Breath On Exercise
Sol	Solution
SOL	Space Occupying Lesion
SOOB	Send Out of bed
SOS	Save Our Souls
SP	Status Post
Spec	Specimen
SPECT	Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography
SPEP	Single Protein Electrophoresis
SPET	Single Photon Emission Tomography
Sp. Fl.	Spinal Fluid
Sp. Gr.	Specific Gravity
Sq	Subcutaneous
SR	Slow Release
SROM	Spontaneous Rupture of Membranes
SS	Sickle-cell disease (anemia)
SSRI	Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
SSS	Sick Sinus Syndrome
SSSS	Staphylococcal Sclaed Skin Syndrome
Staph	Staphylococcus
STD	Sexually Transmitted Disease
STAT	Immediately
STEMI	ST Elevation MI (Myocardial Infarction)
STH	Somatotropic Hormone
STI	Soft Tissue Injury
STI	Sexually Transmitted Infection
STNR	Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex
STOP	Surgical Termination of Pregnancy
Strep	Streptococcus
STS	Serological Test for Syphilis
Subq	Subcutaneous
Supp	Suppository
SV	Seminal Vesicle
SV	Stroke Volume
SVD	Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery
SVI	Systemic Viral Infection
SVN	Small Volume Nebulizer
SVR	Systemic Vascular Resistance
SVT	Supraventricular Tachycardia
Sx	Symptoms
Sx	Surgery
SXA	Single Energy X-ray Absorptiometer
SXR	Skull X-ray
Sz	Seizure
s.c.	Subcutaneous
s.d.	Subdermal
S&E	Sugar and Acetone
T	Thoracic Vertebrae
Tab	Tablet
TAB	Therapeutic Abortion
TAH	Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
TB, TBC	Tuberculosis
TBC	Total Body Crunch
TBG	Total Binding Globulin
TBI	Total Body Irradiation
TBI	Traumatic Brain Injury
TBLC	Term Birth Living Child
TC	Traffic Crash
TCC	Transitional Cell Carcinoma
TCN	Tetracycline
TCT	Thrombin Clotting Time
Td	Tetanus and Diphtheria
TdP	Torsades de pointes
TEB	Thoracic Electrical Bioimpedance
TEE	Transesophageal Echocardiogram
TEM	Transmission Electron Microscopy
Temp	Temperature
TENS	Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator
TERN	Intern
TF, T/F	Transfer
TFTs	Thyroid Function Tests
Tg	Thyroglobulin
TG	Triglycerides
TGA	Transposition of the Great Arteries
THR	Total Hip Replacement
TIA	Transient Ischemic Attack
TIBC	Total Iron Binding Capacity
Tib-Fib	Tibia and Fibula
TIG	Tetanus Immune Globulin
TIPS	Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt
TKR	Total Knee Replacement
TKVO	To Keep Vein Open
TLC	Total Lung Capacity
TLC	Total Leucocyte Count
TLC	Tender Loving Care
TLR	Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex
TM	Tympanic Membrane
TM	Transcendental Meditation
TMB	Too Many Birthdays
TME	Total Mesorectal Excision
TNF	Tumor Necrosis Factors
TMJ	Temporomandibular Joint
TNG	Trinitroglycerin
TNM	Tumor-Nodes-Metastases
TNTC	Too numerous to count
TO	Telephone Order
TOA	Tuboovarian Abscess
TOD	Transoesophageal Doppler
TOE	Transoesophageal Echocardiogram
TOP	Termination Of Pregnancy (Abortion)
TOPV	Trivalent Oral Polio Vaccine
TP	Totyal Protein
TPa	Tissue Plasminogen Activator
TPN	Total Parenteral Nutrition
TPR	Temperature, Pulse, Respiration
Tr	Tincture
TR	Tricuspid Regurgitation
TRAM	Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap
TRF	Transfer
TRF'd	Transferred
TRH	Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone
TS	Tricuspid Stenosis
TSH	Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
Tsp	Teaspoon
TT	Thrombin Time
TTE	Transthoracic Echocardiogram
TTO	To Take Out
TTP	Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
TTR	Transthyretin
TTS	Transdermal Therapeutic System
TTTS	Twin To Twin Transfusion Syndrome
Tu	Tumor
TUR	Transurethral Resection
TURBT	Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor
TURP	Transurethral Resection of Prostate
TV	Tridal Volume
TVH	Total Vagina Hysterectomy
tw	Twice a week
Tx	Treatment
Tx	Transplatation (Organ Transplant)
Tx	Traction
t.d.s.	Three Times a day
t.i.d.	Three times a day
T.S.T.H.	Too sick to send home
T&A	Tonsillectomy with Adenoidectomy
T&C	Type and cross-match (Blood Transfusion)
T&H	Type and Hold
UA	Urinanalysis
UAC	Uric Acid
UAC	Umbilical Artery Catheter
UAO	Upper Airway Obstruction
UBD	Universal Blood Donor
UBT	Urea Breath Test
UC	Umbilical Cord
UC	Ulcerative Colitis
UCHD	Usual Childhood Disease
UD	As directed
UDS	Urine Drug Screening
UE	Upper Extremity
UFH	Unfractionated Heparin
UGI	Upper Gastrointesinal
Ung	Ointment
Unk	Unknown
UOP	Urinary Output
UPJ	Ureteropelvic Junction
URI	Upper Respiratory Infection
URQ	Upper Respiratory Quadrant
URTI	Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
US	Ultrasonogram
US	Ultrasound
USG	Ultrasonography (Prenatal Ultrasound Imaging)
USP	United States Pharmacopeia
USR	Unheated Serum Reagin
USS	Ultrasound Scan
UTI	Urinary Tract Infection
UUN	Urinary Urea Nitrogen
UVAL	Ultraviolet Argon Laser
U&E	Urea and Electrolytes
VA	Visual Acuity
VAD	Ventricular Assist Device
VAD	Venous Access Device
VAD	Vincristine Adriblastine Dexamethasone
Vag	Vaginal
VAMP	Vincristine Adriblastine Methylprednisone
VBAC	Vaginal Birth After Cesarean
VC	Vital Capacity
vCJD	Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
VCT	Venous Clotting Time
VCTC	Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centers
VCUG	Voiding Cysourethrogram
VD	Vaginal Delivery
VD	Volume of Distribution
VD	Venereal Disease
VDRF	Ventilator Dependent Respiratory Failure
VDRL	Venereal Diseases Research Laboratory
VE	Vaginal Examination
VEB	Ventricular Ectopic Beat
VF or V-fib	Ventricular Fibrillation
VIP	Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide
VLDL	Very Low Density Lipoprotein
VMA	Vanillylmandelic Acid
VMA	Violent Mechanical Asphyxia
VNPI	VanNuys Prognostic Scoring Index (Ductal Carcinoma)
VO	Verbal Order
VOD	Volume of Distribution
VPA	Valproic Acid
VPAP	Variable Positive Airway Pressure
VPB	Ventricular Premature Beats
VPC	Ventricular Premature Contraction
VRE	Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus
VRSA	Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
VS	Vital Signs
VSD	Ventricular Septal Defect
VSR	Ventricular Septal Rupture
VSS	Vital Signs Stable
VT	Ventricular tachycardia
VTE	Venous THromboembolism
VV	Varicose Veins
VW	Vessel Wall
VWD	Von Willebrand's Disease
VZV	Varicella Zoster Virus
V/Q	Ventilation/perfusion Scan
WAP	Wandering Atrial Pacemaker
WAT	white adipose tissue
WB	Whole Blood
WBC	White Blood Cell, White Blood Cell Count
WBR	whole body radiation
WC	white cells
WD	well-developed
WDL	within defined limits
WDWN	well-developed and well-nourished
WF	white female
WH	Well Hydrated (no Dehydration nor Water Intoxication)
WIA	wounded in action
WN	well-nourished
WNL	within normal limits
WO	written order, weeks old, wide open.
WOP	without pain
WPW	Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
WS	Waardenburg syndrome
WS	water-soluble
WS	Werner syndrome
WS	West syndrome
WS	Wolfram syndrome
WS	Williams Syndrome
wt	Weight
WWI	walking while intoxicated
W-T-D	wet to dry
W/	With
w/o	without
W/U	Workup
W/C	Wheelchair
X2d	Times 2 days
XL	Extended Release
XL	Extra Large
XM	Crossmatch
XMM	Xeromammography
XOM	Extraocular Movements
XR	Extended Release
XR	X-ray Radiography (Radiation Therapy)
XRT	X-ray Threapy
XS	Excessive
XULN	Times Upper Limit of Normal
YF	Yellow Fever
YLC	Youngest Living Child
YO/yo	Years Old
YOB	Year of Birth
ytd	Year to Date
ZD	Zinc Deficiency
ZDV	Zidovudine
ZE	Zollinger-Ellison
Zn	Zinc
ZnO	Zinc Oxide
ZIFT	Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer
ZSB	Zero Stools Since Birth
Z-ESR	Zeta Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

For medical terminology list, see Medical Terms and Definitions Glossary.