Medical Abbreviations Quiz

Medical Abbreviations Study Notes

• PP: Stands for postpartum, referring to the period after childbirth.

• PPE: Refers to personal protective equipment used to ensure safety in medical environments.

• PPO: Abbreviation for preferred provider organization, a type of managed care health insurance plan.

• Pre-op: Indicates actions or preparations before an operation.

• prep: Short for prepare, often used in medical context to denote readiness for procedures.

• prn: Abbreviation meaning "as needed," indicating medication or actions taken based on necessity.

• psy: Short for psychology and psychiatry, fields focusing on mental processes and behaviors.

• pt: Represents prothrombin time, a measure of how long it takes blood to clot.

• PT: Stands for physical therapy or therapist, professionals assisting in rehabilitation.

• PTT: Refers to partial thromboplastin time, a test to measure blood clotting.

• PVC: Abbreviation for premature ventricular contraction, a type of irregular heartbeat.

• PVD: Stands for peripheral vascular disease, affecting blood circulation outside the heart and brain.

• Px: Abbreviation denoting prognosis or physical examination.

• q: Used to mean "every," often in terms of medication frequency.

• qd: Means "every day," indicating daily medication.

• qh: Stands for "every hour," often used for medication schedules.

• q2h: Indicates medication or tasks to be done every two hours.

• q3h: Means to perform an action every three hours.

• q4h: Refers to activities or doses occurring every four hours.

• qhs: Indicates taking a medication every night at bedtime.

• qid: Stands for "four times a day," specifying frequency of medication.

• qns: Abbreviation meaning "quantity not sufficient," referring to inadequate amounts.

• qod: Refers to "every other day," often used in medication schedules.

• qol: Abbreviation for quality of life, measuring general well-being.

• qs: Stands for "quantity sufficient," indicating adequate amounts.

• qt: Abbreviation for quart, a unit of measurement for volume.

• R: Denotes respiration or rectal, used in various medical contexts.

• Rt: Stands for right, frequently used for directional purposes in anatomy.

• Ra: Represents radium, an element used in some treatments.

• RBC: Stands for red blood count, a measure of the number of red blood cells.

• RDA: Refers to recommended daily allowance, the daily intake level of a nutrient.

• REM: Indicates rapid eye movement, a phase of sleep associated with dreaming.

• RHD: Abbreviation for rheumatic heart disease, a condition resulting from rheumatic fever.

• RLQ: Denotes the right lower quadrant, part of the abdomen.

• RN: Stands for registered nurse, a licensed healthcare professional.

• RNA: Refers to ribonucleic acid, essential for various biological roles.

• R/O: Abbreviation meaning "rule out," used in diagnostics to eliminate possibilities.

• RO: Indicates reality orientation, a technique for helping patients with disorientation.

• ROM: Stands for range of motion, referring to the movement capability of a joint.

• RR: Refers to recovery room, where patients go post-anesthesia.

• RRT: Stands for registered respiratory therapist or registered radiologic technologist.

• RT: Indicates respiratory therapy or therapist, specializing in lung care.

• RUQ: Denotes the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.

• Rx: Represents prescription, signifying a treatment or medication direction.

• S: Abbreviation for several.

• S&A: Stands for sugar and acetone, indicating tests or observations regarding these substances.

• w/o: Means without, often used in medical documentation.

• SA: Refers to sinoatrial, pertaining to the heart's natural pacemaker.

• SC, sc: Indicate subcutaneous, relating to injections beneath the skin.

• SGOT, SGPT: Refers to transaminase tests used to assess liver function.

• SICU: Stands for surgical intensive care unit, a specialized area for post-operative patients.

• SIDS: Abbreviation for sudden infant death syndrome, a serious condition affecting infants.

• Sig: Abbreviation meaning "give the following directions" in prescriptions.

• sm: Stands for small, typically used in sizes or measurements.

• SOB: Indicates short of breath, a symptom significant in assessments.

• sol: Refers to solution, often in pharmacology and treatments.

• sos: Abbreviation meaning "if necessary."

• spec: Stands for specimen, typically in lab tests.

• spGr, spgr: Abbreviation for specific gravity, a measure of liquid density.

• SPN: Represents student practical nurse, a nurse in training.

• spt: Stands for spirits or liquor in medical contexts.

• ss: Abbreviation meaning one half.

• S/S, S&S: Stands for signs and symptoms, used to describe clinical presentations.

• SSE: Indicates soap solution enema, used for bowel preparation.

• staph: Refers to staphylococcus infection, a common type of bacterial infection.

• stat: Means immediately or at once, indicating urgency.

• STD: Stands for sexually transmitted disease.

• STH: Abbreviation for somatotropic hormone, involved in growth and metabolism.

• strep: Refers to streptococcus infection, another type of bacterial infection.

• supp: Abbreviation for suppository, a form of medication administered rectally.

• Surg: Indicates surgery or surgical procedures.

• susp: Refers to suspension, typically in relation to medication formulations.

• Sx: Stands for symptom or sign, commonly used in clinical evaluations.

• syp: Abbreviation for syrup, often in medication forms.

• T&A: Refers to tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, surgical procedures for removing tonsils and adenoids.

Test your knowledge of common medical abbreviations with this engaging quiz. It covers terms used frequently in healthcare settings, ensuring you understand their meanings and applications. Perfect for students and professionals in the medical field.