Medical Abbreviations
COMMONLY USED MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS
ABG – arterial blood gas
ADL – activities of daily living
AMS – altered mental status
A&Ox3 – alert & oriented to person, place, time
ARF – acute renal failure
ASA – aspirin
B – bilaterally
BAL – bronchoalveolar lavage
BBB – bundle branch block
bid – twice a day
bx – biopsy
BPH – benign prostatic hypertrophy
BRBPR – bright red blood per rectum
BS – bowel sounds or breath sounds
c – with
CAD – coronary artery disease
C/C/E – clubbing, cyanosis, edema
CHF – congestive heart failure
c/o – complains of
COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CRI or CRF – chronic renal insufficiency or failure
CTA – clear to auscultation
CVA – cerebrovascular accident
CVAT – costovertebral angle tenderness
c/w – consistent with
cx – culture
CXR – chest X-ray
D5W – 5% dextrose
D/C – discharge or discontinue
DJD – degenerative joint disease
DOE – dyspnea on exertion
DTRs – deep tendon reflexes
DVT – deep venous thrombosis
dx – diagnosis
ECASA – enteric-coated aspirin
EOMI – extraocular movements intact
ESRD – end-stage renal disease
ET – endotracheal
F/C/NS – fever, chills, night sweats
FROM – full range of motion
FUO – fever of unknown origin
HA – headache
HCTZ – hydrochlorothiazide
HEENT – head, eyes, ears, nose, throat
h/o – history of
HSM – hepatosplenomegaly
HTN – hypertension
IM – intramuscular
IV – intravenous
JVD or JVP – jugular venous distention or pulsations
KUB – kidneys, ureters, bladder (nl. abdom. X-ray)
L – left
LAD – lymphadenopathy
LBP – lower back pain
LFTs – liver function tests
mEq – milliequivalent
M/G/R/C – murmurs, gallops, rubs, clicks
MMM – mucous membranes moist
MOM – milk of magnesia
NAD – no acute (or apparent) distress
NC/AT – normocephalic, atraumatic
NKDA – no known drug allergies
NS – normal saline
NSR – normal sinus rhythm
NTG – nitroglycerin
NT/ND – nontender, nondistended
N/V/D – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
OP – oropharynx
OT/PT – occupational therapy, physical therapy
p – after
PE – physical exam or pulmonary embolus
PERRLA – pupils equal, round, reactive to light, and
accommodate
PN – progress note
PND – paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
PO – by mouth
PR – by rectum
prn – as needed
PTA – prior to admission
PUD – peptic ulcer disease
PVC – premature ventricular contraction
qd – once a day
qhs – at bedtime
qid – four times a day
qod – every other day
R – right
RRR – regular rate and rhythm
s – without
SC – subcutaneous
SEM @ LLSB – systolic ejection murmur at left
lower sternal border
SOB – shortness of breath
s/p – status post
TFTs – thyroid function tests
tid – three times a day
TMs – tympanic membranes
TMG – thyromegaly
tx – treatment
U/S – ultrasound
VSS AF – vital signs stable, afebrile (do not ever
write just this on your PNs)
WD/WN – well-developed, well-nourished
x – except
XRT – radiation therapy
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