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.