| A | B |
|---|
| aa | of each |
| Ab | abortion |
| ac | before meals |
| ad lib | as desired |
| AM or a.m. | before noon |
| amt | amount |
| AP | apical pulse |
| approx | approximately |
| appt | appointment |
| ASAP | as soon as possible |
| BA | backache |
| BC | birth control |
| bid | twice a day |
| BM | bowel movement |
| BP | blood pressure |
| BPM | beats per minute |
| BSE | breast self-examination |
| c | with |
| caps | capsules |
| cath | catheter, catheterize |
| CC | chief complaint |
| chemo | chemotherapy |
| CMA (AAMA) | certified medical assistant (American Association of Medical Assistants) |
| c/0 | complaints of |
| CS | cesarean section |
| Cx | cervix |
| d | day |
| /d | per day |
| d/c | discontinue |
| dish | discharge |
| DNKA | did not keep appointment |
| DOB | date of birth |
| DRE | digital rectal examination |
| DTaP | diphtheria and tetanus toxoids adn acellular pertussis vaccine |
| DVA | distance visual acuity |
| ED | emergency department |
| EDD | expected date of delivery |
| Fe | iron |
| F/U | follow up |
| Fx | fracture |
| GYN | gynecology |
| h or hr | hour |
| H/A | headache |
| HBP | high blood pressure |
| Hep B | hepatitis B vaccine |
| Hg | mercury |
| H2O | water |
| HR | heart rate |
| HRT | hormone replacement therapy |
| ht | height |
| ID | intradermal |
| IM | intramuscular |
| IPV | inactivated polio vaccine |
| IV | intravenous |
| lab | laboratory |
| lac | laceration |
| lat | lateral |
| lax | laxative |
| liq | liquid |
| LMP | last menstrual period |
| med, meds | medication, medications |
| min | minute |
| MMR | measles, mumps, and rubella |
| mod | moderate |
| N/A | not applicable |
| neg | negative |
| NICU | newborn intensive care unit |
| NKA | no known allergies |
| NKDA | no known drug allergies |
| noct | nocturnal |
| NS | normal saline |
| N & V | nausea and vomitting |
| NVA | near visual acuity |
| OB | obstetrics |
| occ | occasionally |
| oint | ointment |
| OR | operating room |
| OT | occupational therapy |
| OTC | over the counter |
| OV | office visit |
| P | pulse |
| Pap | Papnicolaou (Pap) Test |
| path | pathology |
| pc | after meals |
| peds | pediatrics |
| per | by or through |
| pharm | pharmacy |
| PM or p.m. | afternoon |
| PMS | premenstrual syndrome |
| po or PO | by mouth |
| pos | positive |
| postop | postoperative |
| preop | preoperative |
| prep | preparation |
| prn | as needed |
| PT | physical therapy, prothrombin time |
| qh | every hour |
| q (2, 3, 4) h | every 2, 3, 4 hours |
| qid | four times a day |
| R | respiration |
| reg | regular |
| rehab | rehabilitation |
| RMA | registered medical assistant |
| Rx | prescription |
| s | without |
| S/E | side effects |
| SOB | short of breath |
| sol | solution |
| spec | specimen |
| STAT | immediately |
| surg | surgery |
| T, temp | temperature |
| tab, tabs | tablet,m tablets |
| tid | three times a day |
| TLC | total lung capacity, tender loving care |
| TPR | temperature, pulse, and respiration |
| tr | trace |
| TSE | testicular self examination |
| VO | verbal order |
| VS | vital signs |
| WNL | within normal limits |
| WO | written order |
| w/o | without |
| wt | weight |
| abd | abdomen |
| EENT | eye, ear, nose, and throat |
| GI | gastrointestinal |
| GU | genitourinary |
| lt or L | left |
| LA | left arm |
| LL | left leg |
| LLQ | lower left quadrant |
| LRQ | lower right quadrant |
| LUQ | left upper quadrant |
| RUQ | right upper quadrant |
| RLQ | right lower quadrant |
| R or rt | right |
| RA | right arm |
| RL | right leg |
| Dx | diagnosis |
| H/O | history of |
| H & P | history and physical |
| Hx | history |
| PE or Px | physical examination |
| Sx | symptoms |
| Tx | treatment |
| BPH | benign prostatic hyperplasia |
| CA | cancer |
| CAD | cornary artery disease |
| CHF | congestive heart failure |
| COPD | chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| CRC | colorectal cancer |
| CVA | cerebrovascular accident |
| DM | diabetes mellitus |
| DVT | deep vein thrombus |
| GC | gonorrhea |
| GDM | gestational diabetes mellitus |
| HTN | hypertension |
| IBS | irritable bowel syndrome |
| MI | myocardial infarction |
| MS | multiple sclerosis |
| OA | osteoarthritis |
| OM | otitis media |
| PID | pelvic inflammatory disease |
| RA | rheumatoid disease |
| RF | rheumatic fever |
| STD STI | sexually transmitted disease, sexually transimitted infection |
| TB | tuberculosis |
| URI | upper respiratory infection |
| UTI | urinary tract infection |
