Medical Terminology Fundamentals

Importance of Medical Terminology

• Medical terminology is primarily derived from Greek and Latin.
• It is used as an international language and is necessary for communication among medical personnel.
• A strong vocabulary base in medical terminology is essential for competent communication and providing better patient care.

Medical Abbreviations

• Abbreviations are used to shorten notes or documentation.
• Standard, accepted abbreviations should be used to avoid confusion and errors.

Common Medical Abbreviations

• ABD: Abdomen
• ABX: Antibiotics
• AD: Right Ear
• ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• ADM: Admission/Admitted
• AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
• RX: Prescription
• PX: Patient
• AXR: Abdominal X-ray
• BC: Birth Control
• BID: Twice a day
• BM: Bowel Movement
• BMI: Body Mass Index
• BP: Blood Pressure
• C: Centigrade (Celsius)
• C/F: Chills/Fever
• C/o: Complaints of
• CC: Chief Complaints
• C/S: Cesarean Section
• CA: Cancer
• CAP: Capsule
• CBC: Complete Blood Count
• CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
• CV: Cardiovascular
• CVA: Cerebral Vascular Accident
• CXR: Chest X-Ray
• CHD: Congenital Heart Disease
• CHF: Congestive Heart Failure
• LUQ: Left Upper Quadrant
• D/C: Discontinue, Discharge
• DNR: Do Not Resuscitate
• DNI: Do Not Intubate
• Do: Disorder
• DUB: Date of Birth
• DOB: Difficulty of Breathing
• K: Potassium
• DVT: Deep Tendon Reflex
• DX: Diagnose
• DM: Diabetes Mellitus
• DAC: Dilation and Curettage
• EBL: Estimated Blood Loss
• EDC: Estimated Date of Confinement
• EDD: Estimated Date of Delivery
• EGA: Estimated Gestational Age
• ER: Emergency Room
• F: Fahrenheit
• F/C: Fever & chills
• FHR: Fetal Heart Rate
• FM: Fetal Movement
• FT: Full Term
• GSW: Gun Shot Wound
• att: Drops
• h.s: at bedtime
• H/O: History of
• HTN: Hypertension
• I&D: Incision and Drainage
• ICU: Intensive Care Unit
• IM: Intramuscular
• LBP: Lower Back Pain
• LLQ: Lower Left Quadrant
• mg: Milligrams
• M/H: Medical History
• ml: Millilitres
• N/V: Nausea and Vomiting
• Na: Sodium
• NPO: Nothing Per Orem
• P: After meals
• P.D: Per orem; by month
• P-rn: As needed
• g.d: Each day
• g-i-d: Four times a day
• 92h: Every 2 hours
• 9am: Each morning
• qhs: At each bedtime
• R/O: Rule out
• RLQ: Right Lower Quadrant
• RNQ: Right Upper Quadrant
• S/P: Status Post
• SOB: Shortness of Breath
• SQ: Subau Subcutaneous
• ti-d: 2x a day
• tab: Tablet
• NA or n/a: Urinalysis

UTI Abbreviations

• UTI: Urinary Tract Infection
• O: Of
• -: With
• -: The
• qod: Each other day
• -: Without