Medical Terminology Abbreviations

• Medical terminology provides a standardized language for healthcare professionals.

Common Medical Abbreviations

• Cardiac/Cardio pertains to the heart.
• Megaly refers to enlargement.
• Q indicates frequency or "every," as in Q1 (every hour), Q15 (every 15 minutes), or Q8 (every 8 hours).
• A.c. (Antecebum) means before meals, indicating when to take medication.
• P.c. (Postcebum) means after meals when medication should be taken.
• A/g ratio is the albumin to globulin ratio.
• AKA stands for Above Knee Amputation.
• BKA stands for Below Knee Amputation.
• b.i.d. means twice daily, referring to medication frequency.
• t.i.d. means thrice daily, or three times a day.
• q.i.d. means four times a day.
• o.d. means once daily.
• BP is Blood Pressure.
• BSO (Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy) is the removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes, often during a total abdominal hysterectomy.
  • Oo refers to ovaries.
  • Phor refers to fallopian tubes.
  • Ectomy refers to removal.
• C&S (Culture and sensitivity) is performed to detect infection.
• Cap stands for capsule.
• Tab stands for tablet.
• CBC is a Complete Blood Count.
• CC (Chief Complaint) is the patient’s main concern.
• cc means cubic centimeters.
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a lung condition.
• CVA (Cerebrovascular Accident) is a stroke.
• D/C means discontinue.
• DC means discharge.
• DDX stands for Differential diagnosis.
• PT means Patient.
• Rx means Prescription.
• Dx means Diagnosis.
• Hx means History.
• DM is Diabetes Mellitus.
• DNC, D&C, or D and C (Dilation and Curettage) involves widening the cervix and scraping uterine tissue.
• DNR means Do Not Resuscitate.
• DTR is Deep Tendon Reflex.
• DVT (Deep Venous Thrombosis) is a blood clot in a deep vein.
• Fx means Fracture.
• gtt/s means drop/s.
• ugtt/s means microdrop/s.
• h.s. means at bedtime.
• ODHS means Once a day at bedtime.
• HA is Headache.
• HTN is Hypertension.
• I&D (Incision and Drainage) is a procedure to release pus or pressure.
• MGH means May Go Home.
• CBR means Complete Bed Rest.
• BRP means Bathroom Privileges.
• IM means Intramuscular.
• IV means Intravenous.
• IO means Intraosseous.
• SQ or SC means Subcutaneous.
• IMP means Impression.
• In vitro means in the laboratory.
• In vivo means in the body.
• IU means International units.
• JT is Joint.
• K is Potassium.
• KCL is Potassium Chloride.
• LBP is Low Back Pain.
• LLQ is Left Lower Quadrant.
• mg means milligrams.
• ml means milliliters.
• MVP (Mitral Valve Prolapse) is a heart valve issue.
• N/V means Nausea or Vomiting.
• Na is Sodium.
• NPO means Nothing by mouth.
• O&P (Ova and parasites) tests for parasites in stool.
• LBM means Loose bowel movement.
• O.D. refers to the Right eye.
• O.S. refers to the Left eye.
• O.U. refers to Both eyes.
• ORIF (Open reduction and internal fixation) is a surgical repair of a fracture.
• P is Pulse.
• PR is Pulse Rate.
• p.o. means By mouth (Per Orem).
• p.r.n. (Pro Re Nata) means As Needed.
• PERRLA (Pupils Equally Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation) is a neurological assessment.
• qhd means At bedtime.
• qod means Every other day.
• QD means Daily.
• qAM means Each morning.
• qPM means Each evening.
• RA is Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• R/O means Rule out.
• s/p means Status post.
• T/C means To consider.
• SOB means Shortness of breath.
• DOB means Difficulty in breathing.
• STAT means Now.
• T is Temperature.
• Tab stands for Tablet.
• TAH (Total abdominal hysterectomy) is the removal of the uterus.
• UA or u/a is Urinalysis.
• URI (Upper Respiratory Infection) is a respiratory illness.
• UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) is an infection in the urinary system.
• DAT means Diet as tolerated.

Prefixes

• A- means without.
• Ambi- means both.
• Ante- means before.
• Anti- means against.
• Bi- means twice.
• Circum- means around or about (circumflex).
• Contra- means against.
• Dys- means bad or difficulty.
• Ecto- means on the outer side.
• Endo- means within.
• Exo means outside.
• Hyper means excessive, over, or above.
• Hypo means under or below.
• Tachy means fast.
• Brady means slow.
• Intra means within.
• Para means beside or beyond.
• Peri means around.
• Post means after.
• Pre means before.
• Retro means backward or behind.
• Trans means across, through, or beyond.

Suffixes

• -algia: Pain
• -cardia: Heart condition

Symbols

• x̄ means "for."
• c̄ means "with."
• s̄ means "without."

Important Note on Dosage Intervals:

• QID (four times a day) is based on the hospital's policy, whereas Q6 (every 6 hours) means medication is administered every 6 hours.