(A)

@ at

aa affected area

AA Alcoholics Anonymous

AAL anterior axillary line

Ab antibiotic

AB armband

abd abdomen

ABL anticonvulsive blood level

AC before meals

acid phos acid phosphatase

ACM anticonvulsant medications

ACTH adrenocorticotrophic hormone

A&D alcohol and drug

ADD attention deficit disorder

ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ADL activities of daily living

ad lib at pleasure, at discretion, freely as desired

adm admission

admin administration

AEB as evidenced by

AED automated external defibrillator

AF African-American

A-Fib atrial fibrillation

AFB acid fast bacilli

amal amalgam

A/G albumin globulin ratio

AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome

AIMS Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale

AJ ankle jerk

AKA also known as

alb albumin

alg alginate

alk phos alkaline phosphatase

ALL acute lymphocytic leukemia

ALS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

ALT aspartate aminotransferase

AMA against medical advice

AMH1 Adult Mental Health 1

AMH2 Adult Mental Health 2

AM A.M. before noon

amb ambulatory

AML acute myelogenous leukemia

amt amount

ANC absolute neutrophil count

A&O alert and oriented

AODM adult onset diabetes mellitus

A-P anterioposterior

A-P & Lat anterioposterior and lateral

A&P auscultation and percussion

APC atrial premature complexes

appt appointment

Apr April

ARDS adult respiratory distress syndrome

ARF acute renal failure

AROM active range of motion

ASAP as soon as possible

AMAP as much as possible

ASA aspirin

ASD atrial septal defect

ASHD arteriosclerotic heart disease

ASCVD arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Asst assistant

AST alanine aminotransferase

A/T activity therapy

Au gold

AU each ear

Aug August

A/V auditory / visual

A-V atrioventricular

AWOL absent without leave

1

(B)

B buccal

Bact bacterium

BAL blood alcohol level

baso basophil

BE barium enema

BEAP brainstem evoked auditory potential

Beh Sp Behavior Specialist

Beh Tech Behavior Technician

B/F black female

BHIS Behavioral Health Information System

BHL Behavioral Health Link

BID twice a day

bld blood

bl cult blood culture

BLT borderline tracing

B/M black male

BM bowel movement

BM/E bowel movement with enema

BMR basal metabolic rate

b/o because of

BOP blood, ova, parasites

BP blood pressure

BPH benign prostate hypertrophy

BPRS Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale

BRBPR bright red blood per rectum

br sounds breath sounds

BR bathroom

BRP bathroom privileges

BS bowel sounds

BTL bilateral tubal ligation

BTU British Thermal Units

BUN blood urea nitrogen

BW birth weight

BWX bite wing radiograph, bite wing x-ray

BZD benzodiazepine

(C)

C centigrade

C1, C2, etc. cervical vertebrae

Ca calcium

CA carcinoma, cancer

CABG coronary artery bypass graft

CAD coronary artery disease

CAL calorie

Calc calculus

cap capsule

cath catheter

CBC complete blood count

CBP Comprehensive Behavior Plan

CBZ carbamazepine (Tegretol)

cc cubic centimeter

CC chief complaint

CCT chronic catatonic type (schizophrenia)

CDT chronic disorganized type (schizophrenia)

CF cystic fibrosis

CHD congenital heart disease

CHF congestive heart failure

CHI closed head injury

CHO carbohydrate

Cl chloride

CL clinic

CLD complete lower denture

cldy cloudy

cm centimeter

CM continuous murmur

CMHC Community Mental Health Center

CN cranial nerve

CNA Certified Nursing Assistant

CNS central nervous system

C/O complaint of

col ct colony count

CO2 carbon dioxide

2

comp complete

cont continue

COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CP&PD chest percussion and postural drainage

CPT chronic paranoid type (schizophrenia)

CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Cr creatinine

CR conditional release

CRF chronic renal failure

Cr Cl creatinine clearance

CRT chronic residual type (schizophrenia)

CRU Consumer Resource Unit

C&S culture and sensitivity

CSH Central State Hospital

C-Section cesarean

CSF cerebrospinal fluid

CT computerized axial tomography

CWR cottage weight reduction

CUD complete upper denture

CULD complete upper and lower dentures

CUT chronic undifferentiated type

CVA cerebral vascular accident

CXR chest x-ray

CZP clonazepam (Klonopin)

(D)

D day

DBW desirable body weight

D&C dilation and curettage

D/C discontinue

Derm dermatology

DD developmental disabilities

DDS Doctor of Dental Surgery

Dec December

Den dental

DFCS Department of Family and Children

Services

DI diabetes insipidus

diff differential

DIP distal interphalangeal (joint)

Disp dispense (usually medication)

D/O disorder

DOA dead on arrival

DOB date of birth

DON Director of Nursing

DPT Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids with

pertussis

DSM-IV Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fourth

Edition

D/T diphtheria/tetanus toxoid

DTR deep tendon reflexes

DT’s delirium tremens

DVT deep vein thrombosis

DWR desirable weight range

Dx diagnosis

(E)

3

EAC external auditory canal

ECHO ultrasound cardiogram

ECT electroconvulsive therapy

ECRH East Central Regional Hospital

EDC estimated date of confinement

EEG electroencephalogram

EENT eyes, ears, nose, and throat

eg for example

EKG electrocardiogram

Elix elixir

EMG electromyogram

Endo endodontics

EMT Emergency Medical Technician

ENT ears, nose, and throat

EOE extraoral exam

EOM extraocular movement (or muscle)

EOMI EOM intact

eos eosinophil

epi epinephrine

EPS extrapyramidal symptoms

ER emergency room

ESRD end-stage renal disease

ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate

esp especially

EST exercise stress test

et and

ETOH alcohol

ext extraction

(F)

F female

FB foreign body

FBS&2hPP fasting blood sugar and 2-hour post

prandial

FBR full body restraint

FBS fasting blood sugar

Feb February

FH family history

fl tr fluoride treatment

fluoro fluoroscopy

FM full mouth

FMX full mouth x-ray

FOI flight of ideas

FPD fixed partial denture (dental bridge)

Fri Friday

FS fever scan (forehead thermometer)

FSH follicle stimulating hormone

FSIQ Full Scale Intelligence Quotient

FROM full range of motion

FST Forensic Technician

F/U follow up

FUO fever of undetermined origin

Fx fracture

(G)

4

GA general anesthesia

GAD generalized anxiety disorder

G6PD glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase

GB gallbladder

GBMI guilty but mentally ill

GBP gabapentin (Neurontin)

GC gonorrhea, gonococcus, gonococcal

GE gastroesophageal

GED general education development test

GERD gastroesophageal reflux disease

GFR glomerular filtration rate

GF grandfather

GGT gamma glutamyl transpeptidase

GI gastrointestinal

gm gram

GM grandmother

gm% grams per hundred milliliters of serum or

blood as specified

GSW gunshot wound

GSSH Gracewood State School and Hospital

GTube gastrointestinal tube

GTC generalized tonic-clonic (seizures)

gtt drop

GTT glucose tolerance test

GU genitourinary

Gyn gynecology

(H)

H hour

H/A headache

HBcAb type B hepatitis core antibody

HBsAb type B hepatitis surface antibody

HBsAg type B hepatitis surface antigen

HBP high blood pressure

HC hydrocortisone

Hct hematocrit

HCP Health Care Plan

HCTZ hydrochlorothiazide

HEENT head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat

Hgb hemoglobin

HHC home health care

HI homicidal ideation

histo histoplasmosis

HIV human immunodeficiency virus

HJR hepatojugular reflux

h/o history of

HO hold order

HOB head of bed

Hosp hospital

H&P history and physical

hpf high powered field (used only in describing

urine sediments)

HPI history of present illness

HRT hormone replacement therapy

HS at bedtime

HST Health Service Technician

HSV herpes simplex virus

ht height

HTN hypertension

Hx history

hyg hygiene

H2O water

H202 hydrogen peroxide

(I)

I incisal I&D incision and drainage

5

I&O intake and output

IBW ideal body weight

ICCE intracapsular cataract extraction

ICF/MR Intermediate Care Facility/Mental

ICS intercostal space

I131 radioactive iodine

ID intradermal

IDT interdisciplinary team

ie that is

Imp impression

INH isoniazid

In Pt in patient

IOE intraoral exam

IOP intraocular pressure

IQ intelligence quotient

IRM (Caulk's) intermediate restorative material

IM intramuscular

ISP individual service plan

IST incompetent to stand trial

ITP idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura

IUD intrauterine device

IUP intrauterine pregnancy

IV intravenous

IVDA IV drug abuse

IVF intravenous fluids

IVC inferior vena cava

IVP intravenous pyelogram

IWR ideal weight rang

(J)

Jan January

J&J Johnson and Johnson (i.e., Baby

Shampoo)

JMS Junior Medical Student

JMS PN Junior Medical Student progress note

JODM juvenile onset diabetes mellitus

July July

June June

(K)

k potassium

kg kilogram

KJ knee jerk

KUB kidney, ureter, bladder

KVO keep vein open

(L)

L left (side)

l liter

L1, L2 1st lumbar vertebra, etc.

L/A living area

LA long acting

lab laboratory

lac laceration

LAC living area clinic

LAD left axis deviation

LAE left atrial enlargement

LAH left atrial hypertrophy

Lat lateral

lax laxative

lb pound

LBBB left bundle branch block

LBP lower back pain

LCM left costal margin

LDH lactate dehydrogenase

L-DOPA levadopamine

LE lower extremity

LE prep lupus erythematosus cell preparation

LFT liver function tests

lg large

6

LiCo3 lithium carbonate

lido lidocaine

Liq liquid

LJX lateral jaw x-ray

LLE left lower extremity

LLL left lower lobe - lung

LLQ left lower quadrant - abdomen

LLSB left lower sternal border

LM land mark

LMD local medical doctor

LMG lamotrigine (Lamictal)

LMP last menstrual period

LN lymph node

LOA looseness of association

LOC loss of consciousness

LOS line of sight

LP lumbar puncture

LPN Licensed Practical Nurse

LPC Licensed Professional Counselor

LR light reflex

L-S lumbosacral

LSB left sternal border

LUE left upper extremity

LUL left upper lobe - lung

LUQ left upper quadrant - abdomen

LV left ventricle

LVE left ventricle enlargement

LVH left ventricle hypertrophy

LVT levetiracetam (Keppra)

lymphs lymphocytes

(M)

m male

m murmur (cardiac)

Mar March

mand mandibular max maximum

MGF maternal grandfather

MGM maternal grandmother

MH mental health

MHC mental health center

MI myocardial infarction

MIC minimum inhibitory concentrations

Misc miscellaneous

ml milliliter or milliliters

mm millimeter

mM millimole

MMG mammogram

MMR measles/mumps/rubella

MMSE Mini-Mental Status Exam

mn midnight

mo month

m/o month old

mos months

MOD Medical Officer of the Day

MOM milk of magnesia

Mon Monday

MP mouth prop

MR mental retardation

MRE most recent episode

MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRSA methicillin resistant staph aureus

MSE mental status exam

MSL midsternal line

MTP joint metatarsophalangeal joint

MTP minor treatment protocol

MVA motor vehicle accident

MVP mitral valve prolapse

MX maxillary

(N)

NAD no acute distress N/A not applicable

7

NA Nurse Administrator

Na sodium

neg negative

NeuroSurg neurosurgery

Neuro neurology

NG nasogastric

NGRI not guilty by reason of insanity

NH nursing home

nl normal

NOS not otherwise specified

N20/02 nitrous oxide and oxygen

Nov November

NPN nonprotein nitrogen

NPO nothing by mouth

NS normal saline

NSAID nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

NSDO neurosurgery danger orders

NSR normal sinus rhythm

NSVD normal spontaneous vaginal delivery

NKA no known allergies

NKDA no known drug allergies

noc night

N/V nausea and vomiting

N/V/D nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

(O)

O occlusal (surface of tooth)

, Ō none

O2 oxygen

O2 cap oxygen capacity

O2Sat oxygen saturation

OB obstetrics

obl oblique

obs observation

OCD obsessive compulsive disorder

OCBZ oxycarbazepine (Trileptal)

Oct October

OCV off campus

ODD oppositional defiant disorder

OD right eye

OE otitis externa

OH oral hygiene

OHD organic heart disease

OM otitis media

OOB out of bed

Op operation

Out Pt outpatient

OPC outpatient clinic

OPV oral polio vaccine

OR operating room

OTR Occupational Therapist, Registered

Ortho orthopedic

OS left eye

OU both eyes

OTC over the counter

O/T occupational therapy

oz ounce

(P)

p after

P pulse

P2 pulmonic second sound

PA Physician’s Assistant

8

P-A posteroanterior

PA-C Physician’s Assistant - Certified

PAL posterior axillary line

PANSS Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale

PAP papanicolaou's smear

PAT paroxysmal atrial tachycardia

path pathology

PAX periapical x-ray

PB phenobarbital

PBI protein bound iodine

PC after meals, post prandial

PCN penicillin

PCH personal care home

PCV packed cell volume

PDA patient ductus arteriostosis

PDL periodontal ligament

PE physical examination

PEG percutaneous gastrostomy

PEJ percutaneous jejunostony

per through or by

perio periodontal

PERL pupils equal and reactive to light

PERRLA pupils equal, round, reactive to light and

accommodation

PFE Patient & Family Education

PFM porcelain fused to metal (crown)

PGF paternal grandfather

PGM paternal grandmother

pH hydrogen ion concentration

PH past history

PHR periodic health review

phos phosphorus

PI pulmonary insufficiency

PID pelvic inflammatory disease

PIP proximal interphalangeal (joint)

PJC porcelain jacket crown

PKU phenylketonuria

pl ct platelet count

PM afternoon

PMH past medical history

PMI plea of mental incompetence

PMS premenstrual syndrome

PND paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

PO by mouth

polys polymorphonuclear leucocytes

(neutrophils)

post after

Post-op postoperative

PPD purified protein derivative

PR per rectum

PPVT-R Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised

pre-op pre-operative

prep prepare for, preparation for

PRN as necessary, as needed

Prog prognosis

PROM passive range of motion

Prophy dental prophylaxis

psych psychiatric

PSA prostate specific antigen

PT prothrombin time

P/T physical therapy

pt patient

PTA prior to admission

PTE pretrial evaluation

PTN phenytoin (Dilantin)

PTSD posttraumatic stress disorder

PTT partial thromboplastin time

PUD peptic ulcer disease

PUD w/GOO peptic ulcer disease with gastric outlet

obstruction

PVC premature ventricular contractions

PVD peripheral vascular disease

(Q)

Q every; each QAM every morning

9

Q(x)H every (x) hours

QH every hour

QHS every night at bedtime

QID four times per day

QMRP Qualified Mental Retardation Professional

QPM every afternoon

QSHIFT every shift

(R)

R right

RA rheumatoid arthritis

RAD right axis deviation

RAE right atrial enlargement

RAH right atrial hypertrophy

RAN resident admission note

RBBB right bundle branch block

RBC red blood cell

RBI rubber base impression

RCM right costal margin

RCSD Richmond County Sheriff’s Department

RCT root canal therapy

RDH Registered Dental Hygienist

re regarding

readm readmission

rehab rehabilitation

resp respiration

retic(s) reticulocyte(s)

RF rheumatoid factor

Rh rhesus blood factor

RHD rheumatic heart disease

RLE right lower extremity

RLL right lower lobe

RLQ right lower quadrant

RML right middle lobe – lung

RN Registered Nurse

R/O rule out

ROM range of movement

ROS review of systems

RPD removable partial denture

RPR rapid plasma reagent

RR respiratory rate

RRR regular rate and rhythm

R/T related to

RTC return to clinic

RUE right upper extremity

RUL right upper lobe - lung

RUQ right upper quadrant

RV right ventricle

RVE right ventricular enlargement

RVH right ventricular hypertrophy

Rx prescription, treatment

(S)

S sign

S1 & S2 first and second heart sounds

S3 & S4 heart sounds (physiological)

Sz D/O seizure disorder

Sat Saturday

SBE subacute bacterial endocarditis

10

SC Anemia sickle cell anemia

SC Trait sickle cell trait

SE side effects

sed sedation

segs segmented neutrophils

SEM systolic ejection murmur

Sept September

SGOT serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase

SGPT serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase

SH social history

SHAPA Social History and Psychosocial

Assessment

SI suicidal ideation

SIADH inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic

hormone

SIB self-injurious behavior

sib(s) sibling(s)

sig: directions for use, label

SI joint sacroiliac joint

SI/HI suicidal/homicidal ideation

sl slight; slightly

SLE systemic lupus erythematous

SLH supportive living home

SLR straight leg raise

sm small

S-M sensorimotor

SMS senior medical student

SNF Skilled Nursing Facility

SOAP Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan

SOB shortness of breath

SOC social

sol’n solution

SOM serous otitis media

SP suicide precaution(s)

S/P status-post

SPF sun protection factor

sp gr specific gravity

SQ subcutaneous

SS Social Security

SSC stainless steel crown

SSD Social Security Disability

ss enema soapsuds enema

SSI supplemental security income

Staph staphylococcus

STAT immediately; at once

STD sexually transmitted disease

Strep streptococcus

subg subgingival

Sun Sunday

Supp suppository

Surg surgery; surgical

susp suspension

SVT supra-ventricular tachycardia

S/Sx signs/symptoms

Sx symptoms

Sz seizure

SZAF schizoaffective

(T)

T temperature

T1, T2, etc. 1st thoracic vertebra, etc.

T/A tooth ache

T&A tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy

TAC triamcinolone cream

TAT Thematic Apperception Test

11

tab or tabs tablet (tablets)

TAH total abdominal hysterectomy

TAH & BSO total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral

salpingo oophorectomy

TB tuberculosis

Tbsp tablespoon

Td tetanus/diptheria toxoid

TD tardive dyskinesia

temp temporary

Temp Flg temporary filling

TFT thyroid function test

TGB tiagabine (Gabatril)

Thurs Thursday

TIA transient ischemic attack

TID three times daily

T-L thoracolumbar

TL temporary leave

TLC tender loving care

TM tympanic membrane

TMJ temporomandibular joint

TOF tetralogy of fallot

Toxo toxoplasmosis

trach tracheostomy

Trich trichomonas

TPM topiramate (Topamax)

TPR temperature, pulse, respiration

tsp teaspoon

TT tetanus toxoid

Tues Tuesday

TURP transurethral resection of prostate

TV trial visit

TVH total vaginal hysterectomy

tx treatment

tx plan treatment plan

(U)

UA urinalysis

UBR upper body restraints

UDS urine drug screen

UE upper extremity

UGI upper gastrointestinal

UGI w/SBFT upper gastrointestinal series with small

bowel follow through

UH University Hospital

UHBH University Hospital Behavioral Health

UHER University Hospital Emergency Room

UP ureteropelvic

URI upper respiratory infection

US ultra-sound

USP United States Pharmacopoeia

UTI urinary tract infection

UV ultraviolet

(V)

VA Veterans Administration

V/A visual acuity

VAMC Veterans Administration Medical Center

VCU voiding cystourethrogram

12

VD venereal disease

VDO vertical dimension of occlusion

VDR vertical dime

VDRL venereal disease research laboratory

VEP visual evoked potential

Vit vitamin when followed by a specific letter,

i.e., Vit. A

Vol volume

VO verbal order

VPA valproic acid

VPC ventricular premature complexes

V-P ventriculo-peritoneal (shunt)

VRE vancomycin resistant enterococcus

VS vital signs

VSD ventricular septal defect

VSS vital signs stable

V Tach ventricular tachycardia

(W)

w/ with

WAIS-R Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised

WBC white blood count

w/c wheelchair

WD well-developed

WD/WN well-developed and well-nourished

Wed Wednesday

W/F white female

W/M white male

WN well-nourished

WNL within normal limits

w/o without

wt weight

WTR within therapeutic range

(X)

X times, i.e., X2 = 2 times

(Y)

y/o year old

yr(s) year(s)

(Z)

ZOE zinc oxide and eugenol

ZSM zonisamide (Zonegran)

SYMBOLS

o degree

- negative

c with; together

s without

increase

13

decrease

+ positive

< less than

< less than or equal to

> greater than - use greater than

> greater than or equal to

/ separates two doses or indicates “per” as

in 5X/D= five times per day

x except for; with the exception of

= equal to; equals

delta (change)

1o primary

2o secondary

check

re recheck

? questionable

& and

@ at

... therefore

14

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T

O V W X Y Z

ABBREVIATIONS

SYMBOLS

MEDICAL TERMS

Submitted by:

Romatho, Rainida Catherine B.

Level 1 – Ff

Submitted to:

Ms. Sohaynee Moslem, RN

March 2010

15

16