Medical Abbreviations Quiz

Common Medical Abbreviations

• A.c: Indicates medication or treatment should be administered before meals.
• Abd: Refers to the abdomen, the body region housing digestive organs.
• Ad lib: Used to denote instructions allowing actions "as desired" by the patient.
• ADLs: Represents activities of daily living, essential tasks like bathing and dressing.
• AED: Stands for automatic external defibrillator, a device used to treat cardiac arrest.
• AKA: Abbreviation for above knee amputation, a surgical procedure involving removal of the limb above the knee.
• Amb: Short for ambulation, the act of walking or moving.
• As Tol: Indicates actions should be taken "as tolerated" by the patient.
• AROM: Refers to active range of motion, exercises involving voluntary movement by the patient.
• B&B: Stands for bowel and bladder, important for monitoring patient recovery.
• BID: Denotes "twice per day" for dosing medications.
• BKA: Stands for below knee amputation, removing a part of the leg below the knee.
• BM: Can refer to bowel movement, bone marrow, or breast milk, context-dependent.
• BP: Abbreviation for blood pressure, a critical vital sign.
• BRP: Indicates bathroom privileges, allowing patients to use the restroom.
• BSC: Stands for bedside commode, a portable toilet for patient convenience.
• C: Used to mean "with" in medical terms.
• cc: Denotes cubic centimeters, a unit of measurement often used for fluid volume.
• CHF: Stands for congestive heart failure, a chronic condition where the heart struggles to pump blood.
• CNA: Refers to certified nursing assistant, a professional who assists patients with daily activities.
• C/O: Means "complains of," often used when documenting patient concerns.
• CPR: Stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, an emergency procedure to restore breathing and circulation.
• CVA: Refers to a cerebral vascular accident, commonly known as a stroke.
• D/C: Indicates to "discontinue" or "discharge" a patient from care.
• DNR: Stands for do not resuscitate, a medical order indicating that a patient should not receive CPR.
• DOB: Refers to date of birth, important for patient records.
• Dx: Abbreviation for diagnosis, identifying the condition affecting the patient.
• FF: Stands for force fluids, indicating increased fluid intake.
• Fx: Denotes a fracture, a break in the bone.
• H or hr: Abbreviation for hour.
• HAI: Refers to a hospital-acquired infection, infections contracted during hospital stays.
• H.s. or hs: Stands for hours of sleep, typically indicating bedtime dosing.
• HOB: Means head of bed, referring to the position of a patient’s upper body.
• Ht: Abbreviation for height, essential in assessing patient growth and health.
• HTN: Stands for hypertension, a condition of elevated blood pressure.
• I&O: Refers to intake and output, assessing fluid balance in patients.
• IV: Denotes intravenous, a method of delivering fluids or medications directly into a vein.
• N&V or n/v: Stands for nausea and vomiting, common symptoms observed in patients.
• NPO: Means nothing by mouth, a directive preventing patients from eating or drinking.
• O2: Refers to oxygen, critical for patient respiration.
• OJ: Stands for orange juice, a common nutritional supplement.
• OOB: Means out of bed, indicating a patient should get up.
• oz: Denotes ounce, a unit of weight or volume.
• p.c: Indicates medication or treatment should be given after meals.
• PO: Stands for by mouth, referring to oral administration of medications.
• PPE: Refers to personal protective equipment, necessary for healthcare safety.
• PRN or prn: Means "when needed," a directive for non-regular medication.
• PROM: Stands for passive range of motion, exercises done by a caregiver.
• PT: Indicates physical therapy, treatment aimed at improving movement.
• q: Represents "every," used in dosing schedules.
• q.d.: Means every day for medication administration.
• q.i.d.: Denotes four times each day for dosing.
• q.o.d.: Means every other day in medication schedules.
• q.h.: Stands for every hour dosing.
• q2h: Indicates every 2 hours medication or attention.
• q3h: Means every 3 hours.
• q4h: Refers to every 4 hours.
• QHS: Means every hour of sleep, typically for night time medications.
• ROM: Stands for range of motion, an important aspect of physical therapy.
• Rx: Abbreviation for prescription, a directive for medications.
• S: Indicates "without" in medical terminology.
• SOB: Refers to shortness of breath, a critical symptom.
• Stat: Means immediately, indicating urgency in medical care.
• Sx: Stands for symptoms, signs of medical conditions.
• TID: Means three times a day for medication dosing.
• TIA: Refers to transient ischemic attack, a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain.
• TPR: Stands for temperature, pulse, respirations, vital signs indicating physiological status.
• Tx: Indicates treatment, the management of a medical condition.
• UA: Refers to urinalysis, a test of urine for health assessment.
• URI: Stands for upper respiratory infection, common illnesses affecting the respiratory system.
• UTI: Refers to urinary tract infection, an infection in the urinary system.
• VS: Refers to vital signs, key indicators of health status.
• W/C: Stands for wheelchair, a mobility aid for individuals with difficulty walking.
• WNL: Means within normal limits, indicating normal test results.
• Wt: Abbreviation for weight, an essential health measurement.