Medical science is a branch of science, which deals with human body and maintenance of health. As in any other field, it has an extensive range of vocabulary and terminology. There are a lot of usual medical words that we need to understand and keep track of as a medical professional and in daily life. The amount of medical words and abbreviations keeps on increasing with the advent of new techniques and advancements in field of medical science. It is also necessary to keep up to date with the latest medical terms, abbreviations, and symbols in order to understand the methods used in the treatment of the patient. It also helps one become aware and understand the common medical terms used in treatment of common diseases and disorders. Understanding the medical jargon thus becomes essential in the treatment process and follow-up procedures. Here is a list of common medical terms and abbreviations used in medical practice.
Abbreviation Medical Term
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
< less
than
> greater
than
≤ less
than or equal to
≥ greater
than or equal to
125-dihydroxy 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D
125-dihydroxy 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D
17-KGS 17-ketogenic steriods
17-KS 17-ketosteroids
17-OHCS 17-hydroxcorticosteroids
A1c Hemoglobin A1c
A&P Auscultation
and percussion
A&P Anterior
and posterior
A-fib Atrial
fibrillation
a.c. before
meals or food
A/a Alveolar-arterial
oxygen gradient
aa of
each
AA Alcoholics
Anonymous
AAA Abdominal
aortic aneurysm
AB / ab Abortion
ABCs Airway,
breathing, circulation
ABG arterial
blood gases
ABO A
system of classifying blood groups
AC Acromioclavicular
AC Abdominal
Circumference
ACA Adult
Children of Alcoholics
ACE Angiotensin
converting enzyme
ACL Anterior
cruciate ligament
ACLS advanced
cardiac life support
ACTH Adrenocorticotropic
hormone, corticotrophin
AD Alzheimer's
dementia or disease
ad lib As
desired, at
pleasure
ad to,
up to
a.d. right
ear
ADH Antidiuretic
hormone
ADHD attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder
ADL activities
of daily living
AFB Acid-fast
bacilli
AFL Atrial
flutter
AFP Alpha-fetoprotein
AFV Amniotic
fluid volume
AI Aortic insufficiency
AI Aortic insufficiency
AI Artificial
Insemination
AI Amnioinfusion
AIDS acquired
immune deficiency syndrome
AKA Above
knee amputation
ALL Acute
lymphocytic leukemia
AI Aortic insufficiency
AI Aortic insufficiency
AIMS Abnormal
Involuntary Movement Scale
a.l. left
ear
ALS amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis
ALT Alanine
aminotransferase
AM morning
AMA against
medical advice
amp ampule
amt amount
ANA Antinuclear
antibody
AP Anteroposterior
Appy Appendectomy
APTT Activated
partial thromboplastin
aq water
aq. dest. distilled
water
ARC AIDS-related
complex
ARDS adult
respiratory distress syndrome
ARF acute
renal failure
a.s. left
ear
ASAP as
soon as possible
ASHD Atherosclerotic
heart disease
ASO Antistreptolysin-O
AST Aspartate
aminotransferase
ATN Acute
tubular necrosis
ATNC Atraumatic,
normocephalic
a.u. each
ear
AUC area
under the curve
AV Arteriovenous,
atrioventricular
AVB Atrioventricular
block
AVM Arteriovenous
malformation
AVN Atrioventricular
node
AVR Aortic
valve replacement
b.i.d. Twice
a day
B12 Vitamin
B12
Bact Bacteriology
BBT Basal
body temperature
BDI Beck
Depression Inventory
BE Barium
enema
BHCG Beta
human chorionic gonadotropin
b.i.d. twice
daily
BiPAP Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure
BiPAP Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure
BKA Below
knee amputation
BLS basic
life support
Bm bowel
movement
BMP basic metabolic panel
BMP basic metabolic panel
BMR Basal
metabolic rate
BMI body
mass index
BP blood
pressure
BPAD Bipolar
affective disorder
BPD Biparietal
diameter
BPH benign
prostatic hyperplasia
BPRS Brief
Psychiatric Rating Scale
Bpm Beats
per minute
BSA body
surface area
BSO Bilateral
salpingo-oophorectomy
BUN Blood
urea nitrogen
BV Bacterial
vaginosis
BVH Biventricular
hypertrophy
BX, Bx Biopsy
C Celsius,
centigrade, complement
C. diff Clostridium difficile
C. diff Clostridium difficile
c a
gallon, with
C&S Culture
and sensitivity
c* With
C-section Cesarean
section
C-spine Cervical
spine
c/w Consistent
with
C1-9 Cervical
vertebrae 1-9
Ca Calcium
CA, Ca, ca Cancer, carcinoma
CAB Coronary
artery bypass
CABG coronary
artery bypass grafting
CAD coronary
artery disease
cal calorie
Caps Capsules
CAM Walker Controlled ankle movement walker
CAM Walker Controlled ankle movement walker
CAT Computerized
axial tomography (CAT Scan)
CAV Cytoxan,
adrimycin, and vincristine
CBC Complete
blood count
CBT cognitive
behavioral therapy
cc cubic
centimeter
CC, C.C. Chief
complaint
CCE Clubbing,
cyanosis, or edema
CCL creatinine
clearance
CCU Coronary
care unit
CDC Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention
CEA Carcinoembryonic
antigen
CF cystic
fibrosis
cg Centigram
CHF Congestive
heart failure
CGI Clinical
Global Impression
Chol Cholesterol
CK Creatine
kinase
Cl Chloride,
chlorine
CLL Chronic
lymphocytic leukemia
CIE chemotherapy-induced
emesis
CIV continuous
I.V. infusion
cm Centimeter
CMC Carpometacarpal
CMG Cystometrogram
CMV Cytomegalovirus
CNS central
nervous system
CO Carbon
monoxide, cardiac output
CO2 Carbon
dioxide
COMP Compound
cont continue
COPD chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease
CPAP Continuous
positive airway pressure
CPD Cephalopelvic
disproportion
CPE complete physical exam
CPE complete physical exam
CPK Creatine
phosphokinase
CPM Continuous
passive motion
CPR Cardiopulmonary
resuscitation, C-reactive protein
Cr Creatinine
CRF chronic
renal failure
CRP C-reactive
protein
CSF Cerebrospinal
fluid
CT computed
tomography
CTAB clear to auscultation bilaterally
CTAB clear to auscultation bilaterally
CTR Carpal
tunnel release
CTS Carpal
tunnel syndrome
cu Cubic
CV Cardiovascular
CVA Cerebrovascular
accident
CVA Costovertabral
angle
CVD Cerebrovascular
disease
CVP Central
venous pressure
CVS Cardiovascular
system
CXR Chest
x-ray film or radiograph
d day
d/c discontinue
D&C Dilatation
and curettage
D/W Dextrose
in water
DBP Diastolic
blood pressure
DC Discontinue
DC Discharge
DDD Degenerative
disc disease
DDI, ddI Dideoxyinosine,
didanosine
Defib Defibrillation
DIC Disseminated
intravascular coagulation
DIFF, diff Differential
blood count
DIP Distal
interphalangeal
DISH Diffuse
idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis
dil dilute
disp dispense
div divide
DJD Degenerative
joint disease
dl Decliter
(100 ml)
DM Diabetes
mellitus
DNA Deoxyribonucleic
acid
DO Doctor
of osteopathy
DOB Date
of birth
DOE dyspnea
on exertion
DP Dorsalis
pedis
DPT Diphtheria,
pertussis, and tetanus (toxoids/vaccine)
DS Double
strength
DSA Digital
subtraction angiography
DSM-IV Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual
DT Delirium
tremens
dtd give
of such a dose
DTR Deep
tendon reflex
DVT Deep
venous thrombosis
DX, Dx, dx Diagnosis
EBL Estimated
blood loss
ECF Extracellular
fluid
ECG Electrocardiogram
ECHO Echocardiogram
ECT electroconvulsive
therapy
ED Emergency
department
EMR Emergency
room
EMT Emergency Medical Technician
EMT Emergency Medical Technician
EDC Estimated
date of confinement
EEG Electroencephalogram
elix, el elixir
EF Ejection
fraction
EFW Estimated
fetal weight
EGA Estimated
gestational age
EGD Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
EGD Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
EKG Electrocardiogram
EMG Electromyogram
ENT Ear,
nose, and throat
EOM Extraocular muscle
EOM Extraocular muscle
EOMI Extraocular
muscles intact
emp as
directed
ESR Erythrocyte
sedimentation rate
EST Electroshock therapy
EST Electroshock therapy
EPS extrapyramidal
side effects
ET Endotracheal
ER Emergency room
ERA Estroadiol
receptor assay
ERCP Endoscopic
retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ESRD end
stage renal disease
et and
EtOH alcohol
Exc Excision
ex aq in
water
F Fahrenheit
f, ft make,
let be made
F/U Follow-up
(study, exam, test, care)
FB Foreign
body
FBS Fasting
blood sugar
FCD Fibrocystic
disease
FDA Food
and Drug Administration
Fe Iron
FEF Forced
expiratory flow
FFP Fresh
frozen plasma
FH Family
history
FHR Fetal
heart rate
FL Femur
length
FMS fibromyalgia
syndrome
FMLA Family and Medical Leave Act
FMLA Family and Medical Leave Act
FSH Follicle-stimulating
hormone
Ft Foot,
feet, (measure)
FUO Fever
of undetermined origin
g, gm Gram
G Gravida
G6PD Glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase
gastroc Gastrocnemius
GA Gamblers
Anonymous
GABA gamma-aminobutyric
acid
GAD generalized
anxiety disorder
GAF Global
Assessment of Functioning Scale
GBS Group B
Streptococcus bacteria, or group B streptococcal infection
GC Gonococcus
GCS Glasgow Coma Scale
GCT Glucose
challenge test
GDM Gestational
diabetes mellitus
GE Gastroesophageal
GE Gastroenterology
GERD gastroesophageal
reflux disease
GFR glomerular
filtration rate
GI Gastrointestinal
GITS gastrointestinal
therapeutic system
GP General
practitioner
Gr Grain
gt, gtt Drop,
drops
GTT Glucose
tolerance test
GU Genitourinary
GVHD graft
versus host disease
GXT Graded
exercise stress test
GYN, gyn Gynecology
H&H Hemoglobin
and hematocrit
H&P History
and physical
h hour
h.s. At
bedtime, hour of sleep
h/o History
of
HAM-A Hamilton Anxiety Scale
HAM-D Hamilton Depression Scale
Hb Hemoglobin
HCG Human
chorionic gonadotropin
HCI Hydrochloric
acid, hydrochloride
HCO3 Bicarbonate
HCT Hematocrit
HCM Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
HCM Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
HDL High-density
lipoprotein
HDN Hemolytic
disease of the newborn
HC Head circumference
HC Head circumference
HEENT Head,
eyes, ears, nose, and throat
Hg Mercury
Hgb Hemoglobin
HGH Human
growth hormone
HI Hemagglutination
inhibition
HIT Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
HIT Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
HIDA Hepato-iminodiacetic
acid
IV Human
immunodeficiency virus
HJR Hepatojugular
reflex
HLA Human
leukocyte antigen
HMD Hyaline
membrane disease
HMG Human
menopausal gonadotropin
HNP Herniated
nucleus pulposus
HPI History
of present illness
HR Heart
rate
Hr Hour
HRT Hormone
replacement therapy
HSV herpes
simplex virus
ht, Ht Height
HTN hypertension
Hx History
Hz Hertz
(cycles per second)
I&D Incision
and drainage
I&O Intake
and output
I.V. Intravenous
IABP Intra-aortic
balloon pump
IAC Internal
auditory canal
IBD inflammatory
bowel disease
IBS irritable
bowel syndrome
ICH intracranial
hemorrhage
ICF Intracellular
fluid
ICP Intracranial
pressure
ICS Intercostal
space
ICU Intensive
care unit
ID Infectious
disease
IDDM Insulin
dependent diabetes mellitus
IgA Immunoglobulin
A
IgD Immunoglobulin
D
IgE Immunoglobulin
E
IgG Immunoglobulin
G
IgM Immunoglobulin
M
IHSS Idiopathic
hypertrophic subaortic stenosis
IJ Internal
jugular
ILD Interstitial
lung disease
IM Intramuscular
IN Intranasally
Inf Inferior
Inj Inject
IO Intraosseous
IOP intraocular
pressure
IP Interphalangeal
IPPB Intermittent
positive-pressure breathing
IT Iliotibial
IU International
unit
IUD Intrauterine
device
IUGR Intrauterine
growth retardation
IUP Intrauterine
pregnancy
IV intravenous
IVIG Intravenous immunoglobulin
IVIG Intravenous immunoglobulin
IVP Intravenous
pyelogram
IVU Intravenous
urography
JRA Juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis
JVD Jugular
venous distention
JVP Jugular
venous pressure
K, K1 Potassium
K-wire Kirschner
wire
kcal kilocalorie
kg kilogram
KIU kallikrein
inhibitor unit
L liter
LAD Left Anterior Descending (anatomical location of coronary artery)
LAE Left Atrial Enlargement
LAD Left Anterior Descending (anatomical location of coronary artery)
LAE Left Atrial Enlargement
LAMM L-α-acetyl
methadol
KO Keep
open
KOH Potassium
hydroxid
KS Kaposi's
sarcoma
KUB Kidneys,
ureters, and bladder
l Liter
L-spine Lumbar
spine
L/S Lecithin-to-sphingomyelin
(ratio)
L1-5 Lumbar
vertebrae 1-5
LAD Left
anterior descending (coronary artery)
LAO Left
anterior oblique
lap Laparotomy
/ laparoscopic
lat Lateral
lb Pound
LBBB Left
bundle branch block
LCA Left
coronary artery
LDH Lactate
dyhdrogenase
LDL Low-density
lipoprotein
LE Lupus
erythematosus
LFT Liver
function test
LGA Large
for gestational age
LGI Lower
GI (gastrointestinal)
LH Luteinizing
hormone
liq a
liquor, solution
LICA Left
internal carotid artery
LIMA Left
internal mammary artery
LLL Left
lower lobe
LLQ Left
lower quadrant
LMP Last
menstrual period
LOC Loss
of consciousness
LP Lumbar
puncture
LPA Left
pulmonary artery
LR Lactated
Ringer's
LS Lumbosacral
lt Left
LUQ Left
upper quadrant
LUTS Lower urinary tract symptoms
LUTS Lower urinary tract symptoms
LV Left
ventricle
LVH left
ventricular hypertrophy
m Micron
M mix;
Molar
m Meter,
minim
m l Microliter
m m Micrometer,
micron
m mol Micromole
m Osm Micro-osmole
MAO Monoamine
oxidase
MAOIs monamine
oxidase inhibitors
MADRS Montgomery Asbery
Depression Rating Scale
m. dict as
directed
mcg microgram
MCH Mean
corpuscular hemoglobin
MCHC Meancorpuscular
hemoglobin concentration
mCi Millicurie
MCP Metacarpophalangeal
MCV Mean
corpuscular volume
MD Medical
doctor, muscular dystrophy
MDD Major depressive disorder
MDD maximum daily dose
MDD maximum daily dose
MDI Metered
dose inhaler
MDI Mental Developmental Index
MDI Mental Developmental Index
MDEA 3,4-methylene-dioxy
amphetamine
MDMA 3,4-methylene-dioxy
methamphetamine
MEE Middle
ear effusion
mEq milliequivalent
mg milligram
mixt a
mixture
mL milliliter
mm millimeter
mM millimolar
Mg Magnesium
MI Myocardial
infarction
min Minute
ml Milliliter
mm Millimeter
mM Millimole
mm Millimicron
(nanometer)
mmol Millimole
MMR Measles-mumps-rubella
(vaccine)
MMSE mini-mental status examination
MMSE score Mini-mental state exam score
MMSE score Mini-mental state exam score
mo Month
mol wt Molecular
weight
mOsm Milliosmole
MOM Milk of Magnesia
MOM Milk of Magnesia
MPPP l-methyl-4-proprionoxy-4-phenyl
pyridine
MR mental
retardation, mitral regurgitation
MRI magnetic
resonance imaging
MRI Magnetic
resonance imaging
MRSA Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MRSA Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MS Multiple
sclerosis, morphine sulfate
MSAFP Maternal
serum alpha fetoprotein
MSH Melanocyte-stimulating
hormone
MTP Metatarsaophalangeal
MUGA Multigated
acquisition (scanning)
MVP Mitral
valve prolaspe
N Nitrogen,
normal (strength of solution)
N&V Nausea
and vomiting
NAS diet No added salt diet
NAS diet No added salt diet
Na Sodium
NaCl Sodium
chloride
NAD No
acute distress
NCAT Normocephalic,
atraumatic
NCS diet No Concentrated Sweets diet
NCS diet No Concentrated Sweets diet
NG Nasogastric
ng Nanogram
(millimmicron)
NGT Nasogastric
tube
NHL Non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma
NICU Neonatal
intensive care unit
NIDDM Non-insulin
dependent diabetes mellitus
NKDA No
known drug allergies
NPO Nothing
by mouth
NSAID Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drug
NSVD Normal spontaneous vaginal delivery
NTD Neural
tube defect
NTG Nitroglycerin
NF National
Formulary
NKA no
known allergies
NMS neuroleptic
malignant syndrome
no. number
noc in
the night
NOS Not otherwise specified
NOS Not otherwise specified
non rep do
not repeat, no refills
NPO nothing
by mouth
NSAID nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drug
NV nausea
and vomiting
O, Oct a
pint
O&P Ova and parasites
OA osteoarthritis
OCD obsessive-compulsive
disorder
o.d. right
eye
o.s. left
eye
o.l. left
eye
o.u. each
eye
O2 Oxygen
OA Osteoarthritis
OB Obstetrics
Ob-GYN Obstetrics
and gynecology
OCD Obsessive-compulsive
disorder
OCG Oral
cholecystogram
OCP Oral
contraceptive pill
OSA Obstructive sleep apnea
OSA Obstructive sleep apnea
OM Otitis media
OMB Obtuse
marginal branch
OPV Oral
poliovirus
OR Operating
room
ORIF Open
reduction, internal fixation
OT Occupational
therapy
OTC Over
the counter (drug that requires no prescription)
oz Ounce
P Phosphorus,
pressure, pulse, para
p.c. After
meals
P.O. By
mouth
p.r.n. As
needed, whenever necessary
PA Posteroanterior
PAC Premature
atrial contraction
PAD Peripheral artery disease
PAD Peripheral artery disease
PANSS Positive
and Negative Symptom Scale
PAT paroxysmal
artrial tachycardia
PaCO2 Partial
pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood
PaO2 Partial
pressure of oxygen in arterial blood
Pap Papanicolaou
smear
PCL Posterior
cruciate ligament
PCN Penicillin
PCO2 Partial
pressure of carbon dioxide
pc, post cib after
meals
PCP Pneumocystis
pneumonia
PCP phencyclidine
PD Parkinson's
disease
PE Pulmonary
embolism
PE Physical
examination
per through
or by
peds Pediatrics
PEFR Peak
expiratory flow rate
Perrla Puplis
equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation
PFTs Pulmonary function tests
pg Picogram
(micromicrogram)
pH Hydrogen ion
concentration
PICU Pediatric
intensive care unit
PID pelvic
inflammatory disease
PIH Pregnancy-induced
hypertension
PIP Proximal
interphalangeal
PKU Phenylketonuria
plt Platelet
PM afternoon
or evening
PMI Point
of maximal impulse
PMS Premenstrual
syndrome
PND Paroxyomal
nocturnal dyspnea
p.o. by
mouth
PO2 Partial
pressure of oxygen
POD Postoperative
day
PONV postoperative
nausea and vomiting
PPD Purified
protein derivative (of tuberculin)
Ppm Parts
per million
PR Per
rectum
Pro time Prothrombin
time
P.R. rectally
p.r.n. as
needed
PSA Prostate
specific antigen
psi Pounds
per square inch
PSVT paroxysmal
supraventricular tachycardia
PT Physical
therapy / prothrombin time
PTA prior
to admission
PTCA Percutaneous
transluminal coronary angioplasty
PTH Parathyroid
horomone
PTL Premature
labor
PTSD Post-traumatic
stress disorder
PTT Partial
thromboplastin time
PTFE graftPolytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) graft
PTFE graftPolytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) graft
PUD peptic
ulcer disease
Pulv a
powder
PVC Premature
ventricular contraction
PVD peripheral
vascular disease
q every
q.a.d. every
other day
q.d. Every
day
q. day every day,
daily
q. h. every
hour
q2h Every
2 hours
q4h Every
4 hours
q.i.d. four
times a day
q.o.d. Every
other day (tertio quoque die)
q.s. a
sufficient quantity
q.s. ad a
sufficient quantity to make
qty quantity
QTc Q-T Corrected (corrected Q-T interval)
QTc Q-T Corrected (corrected Q-T interval)
qv as
much as you wish
R Respirations,
roentgen
R/O Rule
out
RA rheumatoid
arthritis
RAD Right
anterior descending
RAIU Radioactive
iodine uptake
RAO Right
anterior oblique
RBBB Right
bundle branch block
RBC Red
blood cell
RCA Right
coronary artery
REM rapid
eye movement
rep let
it be repeated
RF Renal
failure
RF Rheumatic
fever, rheumatoid factor
RFI Renal
failure index
Rh Rhesus
blood factor
Rh neg. (Rh-) Rhesus
factor negative
Rh pos. (Rh+) Rhesus
factor positive
RIND Reversible
ischemic neurologic deficit
RLQ Right
lower quadrant
RMSF Rocky
Mountain spotted fever
RN Registered
nurse
RNA Ribonucleic
acid
ROM Range
of motion (of joint)
RPR rapid plasma reagin
RRR Regular rate and rhythm
RPR rapid plasma reagin
RRR Regular rate and rhythm
RSD Reflex
sympathetic dystrophy
RSI Rapid-sequence
intubation
RSV Respiratory
syncytial virus
RTO Return to office
RTO Return to office
RUQ Right
uper quadrant
RVMI Right
ventricular myocardial infarction
Rx take,
a recipe, Prescription
s without
S&S Signs
and symptoms
s* Without
S.C., SQ, subq Subcutaneous
sa according
to art
SAB Spontaneous
abortion
SAH Subarachnoid
hemorrhage
SaO2 Systemic
arterial oxygen saturation (%)
SBE Subacute
bacterial endocarditis
SBP Systolic
blood pressure
sec Second
sed rate Sedimentation
rate
SG Swan-Ganz
catheter
SGA Small
for gestational age
SGOT Serum
glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase
SGPT Serum
glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
SHEENT Skin,
head, eyes, ears, nose, & throat
SI Sacroiliac
SI International
System of Units
SIADH Syndrome
of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
SICU Surgical
intensive care unit
SIDS Sudden
infant death syndrome
SK Streptokinase
SL Sublingual
SAH subarachnoid
hemorrhage
sat saturated
SBE subacute
bacterial endocarditis
SBP systolic
blood pressure
SIADH syndrome
of inappropriate antidiuretichormone secretion
sig label,
or let it be printed
SLE systemic
lupus erythematosus
sol solution
solv dissolve
ss, ss one-half
sos if
there is need
SOB shortness
of breath
sp gr Specific
gravity
SPEP Serum protein electrophoresis
SPEP Serum protein electrophoresis
spec Specimen
SHPT Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
SHPT Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
SQ Subcutaneous
SR Slow
release
ss* One-half
SS Single
strength
SSKI saturated
solution of potassium iodide
SSRIs selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors
stat at
once, Immediately
STD Sexually
transmitted disease
SubQ Subcutaneous
supp suppository
SVC Superior vena cava
SVT supraventricular
tachycardia
sx Symptoms
syr syrup
T Temperature
T3 Triiodothyronine
T3 Triiodothyronine
T4 thyroxine
T&A Tonsillectomy
and adenoidectomy
T&C Type
and crossmatch
T-spine Thoracic
spine
t.i.d. Three
times a day
T1-12 Thoracic
vertebrae 1-12
tal such
TAB Therapeutic
abortion
tab Tablets
TAH Total
abdominal hysterectomy
TAH-BSO Total abdominal
hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
TB Tuberculosis
TBSA Total body
surface area
TCA tricyclic
antidepressant
TD tardive
dyskinesia
TEE Transesophageal
echocardiography
temp. Temperature
TENS Transcutaneous
electrical nerve stimulation
TFT Thyroid
function test
TG Triglycerides
TIA Transient
ischemic attach
TIBS Total
iron-binding capacity
TKA Total
knee arthroplasty
TKO to
keep open
TM Tympanic
membrane
TMJ Temporomandibular
joint
TMG Trimethylglycine
TMG Trimethylglycine
TORCHS Toxoplasmosis,
rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, syphilis (infection)
TPA Tissue
plasminogen activator
TPN Total
parenteral nutrition
TPR Temperature,
pulse, respirations
TRH Thyrotropin-releasing
hormone
tr, tinct tincture
trit triturate
tsp teaspoonful
TSH Thyroid-stimulating
hormone
TSAT Transferrin Saturation
TSAT Transferrin Saturation
tsp Teaspoon
TTP Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
TTP Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
TURB Transurethral
resection of the bladder
TURP Transurethral
resection of the prostate
TVH Total
vaginal hysterectomy
Tx treatment
U/P Urine-to-plasma
ratio
U/S Ultrasound,
ultrasonogram, ultrasonography
u.d., ut dict as
directed
UA Urinalysis
UC Ulcerative
colitis
UGI Upper
gastrointestinal (tract)
ULN upper
limits of normal
ung Ointment
UPJ Ureteropelvic
junction
UPEP Urine protein electrophoresis
UPEP Urine protein electrophoresis
URI Upper
respiratory infection
URR Urea Reduction Ratio
URR Urea Reduction Ratio
USAN United States
Adopted Names
USP United States
Pharmacopeia
USPHS United States
Public Health Service
UTI Urinary
tract infection
UV Ultraviolet
(radiation); B refers to the shorter-wave, more damaging range
V-fib Ventricular
fibrillation
V-tach Ventricular
tachycardia
v.o. verbal order
v.o. verbal order
VBAC Vaginal
birth after cesarean
VCUG Voiding cystourethrogram
VDRL Veneral
Disease Research Laboratory
VP Ventriculoperitoneal
VRE vancomycin-resistant enterococci
VRE vancomycin-resistant enterococci
VS Vital signs
VSD Ventricular
septal defect
VTE venous
thromboembolism
VT Ventricular
septal defect
VT Ventricular
tachycardia
VZV varicella zoster virus
VZV varicella zoster virus
w.a. while
awake
WBC White blood
cell
WHO World Health
Organization
Wt Weight
x3 3
times
x4 4
times
YBOC Yale
Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale
YMRS Young
Mania Rating Scale
