Medical Abbreviations Flashcards

Medical Abbreviations and Their Meanings

• B/P: Blood Pressure; essential vital sign indicating the force of blood against artery walls.
• CC: Chief Complaint; primary reason for a patient's visit to a healthcare provider.
• dx: Diagnosis; the identification of a disease based on patient symptoms and information.
• GYN: Gynecology; branch of medicine dealing with female reproductive health.
• MI: Myocardial Infarction; commonly known as a heart attack, it occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked.
• OR: Operating Room; a facility within a hospital where surgical procedures are performed.
• PERRLA: Pupils Equal Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation; a neurological assessment tool for pupil response.
• ROM: Range of Motion; measures the full movement potential of a joint.
• SOB: Shortness of Breath; a symptom indicating difficulty in breathing, often associated with respiratory ailments.
• T & A: Tonsillectomy & Adenoidectomy; surgical procedures to remove the tonsils and adenoids.
• UTI: Urinary Tract Infections; infections that occur in any part of the urinary system.
• XR: X-ray; a type of imaging that uses radiation to view the inside of the body.
• DTR: Deep Tendon Reflex; a clinical test for assessing nerve function and reflex integrity.
• H&P: History and Physical; comprehensive documentation of a patient's medical history and physical examination.
• R/O: Rule Out; the process of eliminating possible diagnoses for a patient's condition.
• UCHD: Usual Childhood Diseases; common ailments typically seen in children.
• Ax: Axillary; refers to the armpit area, commonly associated with temperature measurements.
• Etoh: Alcohol; often noted in medical records to indicate consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• NKDA: No Known Drug Allergies; vital information indicating that a patient has no adverse reactions to medications.
• NVD: Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea; a cluster of gastrointestinal symptoms indicating illness.
• Tym: Tympanic; refers to the eardrum or tympanic membrane; often assessed in ear examinations.
• VSS: Vital Signs Stable; indicates that a patient's vital signs fall within normal parameters.
• Wt.: Weight; a critical measurement often used for dosage calculations and health assessments.
• CBC: Complete Blood Count; a blood test used to evaluate overall health and detect disorders.
• D&C: Dilatation & Curettage; a surgical procedure to remove tissue from the inside of the uterus.
• GI: Gastrointestinal; pertains to the stomach and intestines, involved in digestion.
• HEENT: Head, Ears, Eyes, Nose, Throat; a common examination area in clinical practice.
• N&V: Nausea & Vomiting; indicative of various medical conditions or side effects.
• P: Pulse; a vital sign representing the heartbeat rate.
• PT: Physical Therapy; rehabilitation service aimed at improving mobility and function.

Additional Important Abbreviations

• SOAP: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan; a method for organization in patient medical records.
• T: Temperature; a vital sign that reflects the body's heat.
• URI: Upper Respiratory Infections; infections affecting the nasal passages and throat.
• WNL: Within Normal Limits; indicates that test results or findings are normal.
• HPI: History of Present Illness; detailed account of the current health issue a patient is facing.
• PI: Present Illness; summary of the patient's ongoing health problems.
• In: Inch; a unit of measurement often used for height or wound dimensions.
• Ht: Height; a vital measurement, usually recorded along with weight.
• Ft: Feet; typical measurement in body height.
• c/o: Complains Of; noting symptoms that the patient reports to the clinician.
• OTC: Over the Counter; referring to medications available without a prescription.
• kg: Kilogram; a weight measurement commonly used in medical settings.
• cm: Centimeter; another unit of measurement used in various medical assessments.
• FH: Family History; relevant familial health information that may influence patient care.
• EKG or ECG: Electrocardiogram; a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart.
• lbs: Pounds; a weight measurement frequently recorded in medical evaluations.
• PMH: Past Medical History; significant previous health issues that may affect current care.
• ER: Emergency Room; a hospital department for urgent medical needs.
• CPE: Complete Physical Exam; thorough examination of a patient's overall health.
• I&D: Incision and Drainage; a surgical technique for draining abscesses or collections of pus.
• 1/2 NS: 1/2 Normal Saline; a type of intravenous fluid used in hydration.
• HBIG: Hepatitis B Immune Globulin; a treatment for exposure to Hepatitis B.
• ID: Intradermal; refers to a method of delivering medication beneath the skin.
• Ig: Immunoglobulins; antibodies produced by the immune system.
• IM: Intramuscular; a method of medication administration into a muscle.
• IV: Intravenous; administration of fluids or medications directly into a vein.
• IVP: Intravenous Push or Intravenous Pyelogram; methods of introducing fluids or imaging.
• IVPB: Intravenous Piggyback; a method of delivering additional IV medications.
• mL: Milliliters; a volume measurement used in dosing medications.
• subQ: Subcutaneous; administration of medication beneath the skin.
• SWI or SWFI: Sterile Water for Injection; used in preparing medications.
• TB: Tuberculosis; a contagious bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs.
• ac: Before meals; often used in medication instructions.
• am: Morning; indicates timing, often used in medication schedules.
• AD, AS, AU: Right ear, Left ear, Both ears; often directed in medications or assessments.
• BID: Twice daily; medication dosing schedule.
• c (with a line over it): With; indicates the inclusion of accompanying instructions or substances.
• cap: Capsule; a form of medication delivery.
• DAW: Dispense as Written; ensuring a specific prescription is filled exactly as written.
• NPO: Nothing by mouth; indicates that the patient should not take anything orally.
• OD, OS, OU: Right eye, Left eye, Both eyes; related to eye medications or examinations.
• pc: After meals; indicates timing for medication administration.
• PO: By mouth; method of medication administration.
• PR: Per rectum; a method of administering medications.
• prn: As needed; instructions for medication use based on patient symptoms.
• qs: Quantity sufficient; indicates the required amount of medication or solution.
• SL: Sublingual; refers to placing medication under the tongue for absorption.
• stat: Immediately; urgent medical orders.
• AF or AFib: Atrial Fibrillation; a type of irregular heartbeat leading to potential complications.
• tab: Tablet; a common form of medication dosage.
• TID: Three times daily; specifies frequency of medication intake.
• top: Topically; referring to medications intended for application on the skin.
• ABG: Arterial Blood Gases; tests measuring oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
• A&P: Auscultation and Percussion; techniques used in physical examinations.
• co2: Carbon Dioxide; a waste product from metabolism, relevant in respiratory assessments.
• DOE: Dyspnea on exertion; shortness of breath during physical activity.
• ENT: Ear, Nose, Throat; medical specialty focusing on these areas.
• FEV: Forced Expiratory Volume; measurement related to lung function.
• FVC: Forced Vital Capacity; another measurement vital for assessing lung health.
• LLL, LUL, RLL: Left Lower Lobe, Left Upper Lobe, Right Lower Lobe; specific regions of the lungs.
• o2: Oxygen; critical for survival, commonly monitored in clinical settings.
• PFT: Pulmonary Function Test; assesses lung function and capacity.
• Pox/Pulseox: Pulse Oximetry; non-invasive method to measure oxygen saturation in the blood.

Test your knowledge of common medical abbreviations with this set of flashcards. Each card features a key term along with its definition, helping you familiarize yourself with essential terminology in the medical field. Perfect for CMA students and healthcare professionals!