Common Medical Abbreviations A-R

Questions and Answers

What does the abbreviation 'a' stand for?

Amount

After

Before (correct)

Again

What does 'aa' mean?

of each

What is 'abd' an abbreviation for?

abdominal

What does 'a.c.' stand for?

before meals Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ADL' refer to?

activity of daily living Signup and view all the answers

Define 'ad lib'.

as desired Signup and view all the answers

What does 'a.m.' stand for?

morning Signup and view all the answers

What is 'amt.' an abbreviation for?

amount Signup and view all the answers

What does 'AROM' mean?

active range of motion Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'AX'?

axillary Signup and view all the answers

What does 'BID' mean?

two times a day Signup and view all the answers

What does 'BM' stand for?

bowel movement Signup and view all the answers

What does 'BP' stand for?

blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

What does 'BRP' mean?

bathroom privileges Signup and view all the answers

What does 'C' stand for?

Celsius Signup and view all the answers

What does '- over C' signify?

with Signup and view all the answers

What does 'cal' stand for?

calorie Signup and view all the answers

What is 'cath' an abbreviation for?

catheter Signup and view all the answers

What does 'CBR' mean?

complete bed rest Signup and view all the answers

What does 'cc' stand for?

cubic centimeter Signup and view all the answers

What does 'CHF' mean?

congestive heart failure Signup and view all the answers

What does 'cm' stand for?

centimeter Signup and view all the answers

What does 'CN' refer to?

charge nurse Signup and view all the answers

What does 'CNS' stand for?

central nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What does 'c/o' mean?

complains of Signup and view all the answers

What does 'DC' stand for?

discontinue Signup and view all the answers

What does 'DON' stand for?

director of nurses Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Dr.' stand for?

doctor Signup and view all the answers

What does 'DX' stand for?

diagnosis Signup and view all the answers

What does 'F' represent?

Fahrenheit Signup and view all the answers

What does 'fx' mean?

fracture Signup and view all the answers

What does 'GI' stand for?

gastrointestinal Signup and view all the answers

What does 'gtt' mean?

drop Signup and view all the answers

What does 'GU' stand for?

genitourinary Signup and view all the answers

What does 'h' signify?

hour Signup and view all the answers

What does 'H2O' represent?

water Signup and view all the answers

What does 'HOB' stand for?

head of bed Signup and view all the answers

What does 'HOH' mean?

hard of hearing Signup and view all the answers

What does 'HS' stand for?

hour of sleep Signup and view all the answers

What does 'I/O' refer to?

intake and output Signup and view all the answers

What does 'IV' mean?

intravenous Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Common Medical Abbreviations A through R

a: Means "before," used in medical orders (e.g., "Enema a pre-op").
aa: Stands for "of each," indicating a dose for individual medications (e.g., "two drops aa medication").
abd: Abbreviation for "abdominal," often used to describe the physical state (e.g., "abd is soft and nondistended").
a.c.: Refers to "before meals," indicating when medication should be taken (e.g., "take the medication a.c.").
ADL: Stands for "activity of daily living," a measure of a patient's functional capability (e.g., "ADL has decreased since stroke").
ad lib: Means "as desired," granting the patient freedom for certain activities (e.g., "OOB ad lib").
a.m.: Indicates morning, often mentioned in nursing schedules (e.g., "bathed in the a.m.").
amt.: Abbreviation for "amount," quantifying intake or output (e.g., "30% of the amt. of diet").
AROM: Stands for "active range of motion," used to describe physical therapy exercises (e.g., "AROM exercises ordered").
AX: Abbreviation for "axillary," often used when referring to temperature (e.g., "temperature was 98.2 AX").
BID: Means "twice a day," indicating the frequency of a prescribed action (e.g., "sit up in the chair BID").
BM: Refers to "bowel movement," a vital sign of digestive health (e.g., "infant had BMs x7 in 24 hours").
BP: Stands for "blood pressure," essential for monitoring cardiovascular health (e.g., "BP was 122/78").
BRP: Indicates "bathroom privileges," relevant in post-operative care (e.g., "fractured hip patient granted BRP").
C: Abbreviation for "Celsius," a temperature measurement (e.g., "stored at -30 degree C").
- over C: Means "with," used in medication instructions (e.g., "medication - over C water").
cal: Stands for "calorie," critical for dietary planning (e.g., "2400 cal ADA diet recommended").
cath: Abbreviation for "catheter," often used in urinary care (e.g., "ordered urinary cath for retention").
CBR: Means "complete bed rest," indicated for patients with specific conditions (e.g., "myocardial infarction on CBR").
cc: Refers to "cubic centimeter," used to describe volume (e.g., "30cc's of medication PO").
CHF: Stands for "congestive heart failure," a serious heart condition requiring management (e.g., "lasix ordered for CHF").
cm: Abbreviation for "centimeter," often used in measuring physical dimensions (e.g., "infant's abdominal girth 32 cms").
CN: Stands for "charge nurse," a leadership position in nursing (e.g., "CN wanted report on vital signs").
CNS: Refers to "central nervous system," relevant in neurological assessments (e.g., "CNS depression from concussion").
c/o: Abbreviation for "complains of," used to document patient symptoms (e.g., "c/o angina with exertion").
DC: Stands for "discontinue," referring to stopping a treatment or medication (e.g., "IV to be DC'd").
DON: Means "director of nurses," indicating leadership in nursing administration (e.g., "DON preparing staff for visit").
Dr.: Abbreviation for "doctor," indicating the medical professional involved in care (e.g., "doctor in the OR").
DX: Stands for "diagnosis," used in medical evaluations (e.g., "doctor not prepared to offer DX").
F: Indicates "Fahrenheit," another temperature measurement scale (e.g., "oral temperature of 100 F").
fx: Refers to "fracture," related to bone injuries (e.g., "boy fx'd his femur").
GI: Abbreviation for "gastrointestinal," relevant for digestive system issues (e.g., "admitted in GI distress").
gtt: Stands for "drop," used in medication dosage (e.g., "3 gtts of medication for left eye").
GU: Indicates "genitourinary," related to urinary and reproductive systems (e.g., "admitted for GU complications").
h: Stands for "hour," used in time-related orders (e.g., "stay up in the chair for x3h").
H2O: Refers to "water," often mentioned in dietary and hydration contexts (e.g., "tolerated 100 cc's of H2O").
HOB: Means "head of bed," relevant in positioning patients (e.g., "patient in reverse Trendelenberg position").
HOH: Abbreviation for "hard of hearing," important for patient communication (e.g., "patient indicated he was HOH").
HS: Stands for "hour of sleep," used in medication scheduling (e.g., "15mg of restoril @ hs").
I/O: Refers to "intake and output," critical for monitoring fluid balance (e.g., "CHF patient on I/O").
IV: Stands for "intravenous," a common route for medication administration (e.g., "patient's IV was infiltrated").

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Description

Test your knowledge of common medical abbreviations from A through R with this flashcard quiz. Each abbreviation is paired with its definition to help enhance your medical vocabulary. Perfect for medical students and healthcare professionals who want a quick review of essential terms.