HPI Abbreviations Flashcards

Common Abbreviations in Medical Context

• y/o or y.o.: Indicates age in years; useful for patient demographic documentation.
• h/o or Hx: Refers to a patient's medical history or specific history of a condition.
• CC: Stands for chief complaint; identifies the primary reason for the patient's visit.
• C/O: Denotes "complains of," leading to important notes on patient-reported symptoms.
• Dx: Abbreviation for diagnosis, crucial in patient documentation and treatment planning.
• Sx: Represents symptoms; essential for understanding patient conditions.
• PTA: Refers to "prior to admission," marking important pre-hospitalization incidents.
• S/P: Stands for "status post," often used when discussing events that occurred after a procedure or treatment.
• SOB: Shortness of breath, a common symptom that may indicate various health issues.
• DOE: Dyspnea on exertion; indicates difficulty breathing during physical activity or exertion.
• PND: Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea; represents episodes of severe shortness of breath at night, affecting sleep quality.
• Nocturia x 3: Describes the need to urinate three times during the night, which can indicate underlying health problems.
• n/v: Nausea and vomiting; often signals gastrointestinal issues or adverse reactions to medication.
• n/v/d: Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; represents a combination of symptoms, often associated with infections or toxicity.
• CP or C/P: Indicates chest pain, a critical symptom needing immediate attention and evaluation.
• HA or H/A: Refers to headache, a frequent complaint that can range from mild to severe.
• tx: Short for treatment; essential for outlining the management plan for a patient's condition.
• (-)/(+): Denotes negative or absent (e.g., a test result) and positive or present findings.
• ?: Indicates something questionable or uncertain in patient evaluation, prompting further investigation.