Medical Terminology Flashcards

Medical Terminology and Abbreviations

• NWB: Stands for Non-Weight Bearing; the extremity is not allowed to carry any weight.

• TTWB/TDWB/FFWB: Refers to Toe-Touch/Touchdown/Footflat Weight Bearing; extremity can rest on the floor to aid balance without putting weight on it.

• PWB: Partial Weight Bearing; a specified percentage of body weight can be supported on the affected leg.

• WBAT: Weight Bearing As Tolerated; patients can place as much weight as they can tolerate without experiencing pain.

• FWB: Full Weight Bearing; refers to the ability to bear 100% of body weight on the affected limb.

• Assistance/Assessment (A): Indicates need for help or evaluation in medical contexts.

• "a" (with a line above): Denotes 'before' in medical terminology.

• AAL: Abbreviation for Anterior Axillary Line, a reference line on the body.

• AEA: Above Elbow Amputation; procedure involving removal of the arm above the elbow joint.

• AKA: Above Knee Amputation; surgical removal of the leg above the knee joint.

• AVN: Stands for Avascular Necrosis; refers to death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply.

• AVS: Arteriovenous Shunt; a connection between an artery and a vein.

• B: Indicates Bilateral, referring to both sides of the body.

• BBFA: Both Bone Forearm Fracture; fractures of both radius and ulna bones in the forearm.

• BEA: Below Elbow Amputation; involves removal of the arm below the elbow joint.

• BKA: Below Knee Amputation; surgical removal of the leg below the knee joint.

• BPD: Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia; a serious lung condition affecting premature infants.

• BPF: Bronchopleural Fistula; an abnormal connection between the bronchial tubes and pleural space.

• "c" (with a line above): Represents 'with' in medical context.

• C&DB: Cough and Deep Breathing; encourages respiratory health post-surgery or illness.

• CHD: Congenital Hip Dysplasia/Dislocation; a condition affecting hip joint development.

• CHI: Closed Head Injury; trauma to the head without penetrating the skull.

• CN: Refers to Cranial Nerve; nerves that emerge directly from the brain.

• CPT: Chest Physical Therapy; a treatment technique to improve respiratory function.

• CPM: Continuous Passive Motion; device used to facilitate joint rehabilitation.

• CVA: Cerebral Vascular Accident; commonly known as a stroke, resulting from interrupted blood supply to the brain.

• D/C: Discharged/Discontinued; indicates end of treatment or hospitalization.

• DIC: Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy; a serious disorder affecting blood clotting.

• DOA: Dead On Arrival; describing a patient who is deceased upon arrival at a medical facility.

• DSD: Dry Sterile Dressing; a type of wound dressing to prevent infection.

• ECR: Extensor Carpi Radialis; a muscle in the forearm involved in wrist movement.

• ECU: Extensor Carpi Ulnaris; another muscle in the forearm affecting wrist motion.

• ETT: Endotracheal Tube; a tube placed in the trachea to maintain open airway.

• Ex/EX: Abbreviation for Exercise; common term in rehabilitation settings.

• FCU: Flexor Carpi Ulnaris; a muscle responsible for bending the wrist.

• FCR: Flexor Carpi Radialis; another muscle involved in wrist flexion.

• FIO: Fraction of Inspired Oxygen; the concentration of oxygen in inhaled air.

• FTSG: Full Thickness Skin Graft; surgical technique to repair extensive wounds.

• GCB: Glasgow Coma Scale; a scale used to assess consciousness and neurological function.

• h/hr: Represents hour; a standard unit of time used in medical documentation.

• HBP: High Blood Pressure; a condition that can lead to cardiovascular disease.

• Hemi: Abbreviation for Hemiplegic; indicating paralysis affecting one side of the body.

• h/o: Stands for History Of; referencing past medical history in patients.

• HO: Heterotropic Ossification; abnormal bone formation in non-bony tissues.

• HWR: Hardware Removal; surgical procedure to take out surgical implants.

• I: Independent; refers to a patient’s ability to perform activities without assistance.

• ICBG: Iliac Crest Bone Graft; a surgical procedure using bone from the hip for grafting purposes.

• ICH: Intracranial Hemorrhage; bleeding within the skull, can cause brain damage.

• I/E ratio: Inspiratory/Expiratory Ratio; ratio of inhalation to exhalation in breathing.

• ILV: Independent Lung Ventilation; ventilation method for patients with lung issues.

• IMV: Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation; a type of mechanical ventilation.

• LBQC: Large Based Quad Cane; mobility aid with a broad base for stability.

• LLC: Long Leg Cast; a cast that extends from the thigh to the foot.

• LLE: Left Lower Extremity; refers to the left leg in medical assessments.

• LLL: Left Lower Lobe; part of the left lung, relevant in respiratory evaluations.

• LTG: Long-Term Goal; objectives aimed at achieving over an extended time.

• LTM: Long-Term Memory; memory of experiences over a long timespan.

• LUE: Left Upper Extremity; refers to the left arm in medical documentation.

• LUL: Left Upper Lobe; another reference to part of the left lung in medical assessments.

• MCA: Motor Cycle Accident; describes injuries sustained from motorcycle-related incidents.

• n/a: Not Applicable; indicating that a particular category or condition does not apply.

• NAD: No Acute Distress; a term indicating the absence of urgent health issues.

• NIF: Negative Inspiratory Force; measurement reflecting respiratory muscle strength.

• NKA: No Known Allergy; denotes that a patient has no recorded allergies.

• nl: Represents Normal; indicates standard or usual conditions.

• NTT: Nasotracheal Tube; a flexible tube inserted through the nose into the trachea.

• OGT: Orogastric Tube; tube placed through the mouth into the stomach for feeding or suction.

• PC: Pressure Control; a setting used in mechanical ventilation to manage airway pressure.

Test your knowledge of important medical abbreviations and terminology with this flashcard quiz. Each card provides a term along with its definition, helping you learn key concepts in the medical field.