HPI Abbreviations Flashcards

Study Notes

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.

Description

Test your knowledge of commonly used abbreviations in medical history taking with these flashcards. Each card includes an abbreviation and its definition, helping you master key terms such as CC, Dx, and Sx.