List of Common Medical Abbreviations from A to Z

Medical abbreviations play a crucial role in the healthcare industry. Sharing with you a List of Common Medical Abbreviations, These abbreviations are used by medical professionals to communicate efficiently and save valuable time.

However, for patients and individuals outside the medical field, understanding these abbreviations can be challenging.

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive list of common medical abbreviations, their meanings, and how they are used in medical contexts.

In the fast-paced environment of healthcare, medical professionals often rely on abbreviations to quickly and accurately document patient information, communicate with colleagues, and streamline processes. Understanding these abbreviations is essential for effective healthcare delivery.

Importance of Medical Abbreviations

Medical abbreviations provide a standardized way of conveying information in a concise manner. They help reduce errors, improve communication, and facilitate efficient documentation. However, it’s crucial to use medical abbreviations judiciously and ensure their clarity to prevent confusion or misinterpretation.

List of Common Medical Abbreviations

Here is the complete list of some common medical abbreviations with full forms.

General Medical Abbreviations

• Hx: History
• ROS: Review of Systems
• NAD: No Acute Distress
• SOB: Shortness of Breath
• NPO: Nothing by Mouth
• PRN: As Needed
• PO: By Mouth
• QID: Four Times a Day
• BID: Twice a Day
• TID: Three Times a Day
• QD: Every Day
• QOD: Every Other Day

Abbreviations for Medical Specialties

• ENT: Ear, Nose, and Throat
• OB/GYN: Obstetrics and Gynecology
• PEDS: Pediatrics
• ER: Emergency Room
• ICU: Intensive Care Unit
• OR: Operating Room
• PT: Physical Therapy
• OT: Occupational Therapy
• RAD: Radiology

Prescription and Medication Abbreviations

• AC: Before Meals
• PC: After Meals
• BID: Twice a Day
• TID: Three Times a Day
• QID: Four Times a Day
• PRN: As Needed
• PO: By Mouth
• IM: Intramuscular
• IV: Intravenous
• TAB: Tablet
• CAP: Capsule

Laboratory and Diagnostic Test Abbreviations

• CBC: Complete Blood Count
• MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• CT: Computed Tomography
• ECG: Electrocardiogram
• CXR: Chest X-Ray
• UA: Urinalysis
• PCR: Polymerase Chain Reaction
• WBC: White Blood Cell
• RBC: Red Blood Cell
• Hb: Hemoglobin

Medical Equipment Abbreviations

• BP: Blood Pressure
• ECG: Electrocardiogram
• O2: Oxygen
• CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
• MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• CT: Computed Tomography
• IV: Intravenous
• ENT: Ear, Nose, and Throat
• NICU: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• NIC: Neonatal Intensive Care

List of Common Medical Abbreviations From A to Z

A

• a: Before
• AAA: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
• ABG: Arterial Blood Gas
• AC: Ante Cibum (Before Meals)
• ACTH: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
• AD: Right Ear (Auris Dexter)
• ADH: Antidiuretic Hormone
• ADL: Activities of Daily Living
• AF: Atrial Fibrillation
• AIDS: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• AKA: Above Knee Amputation
• ALP: Alkaline Phosphatase
• AMI: Acute Myocardial Infarction
• ANA: Antinuclear Antibody
• AP: Anteroposterior
• ARDS: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
• AS: Left Ear (Auris Sinister)
• ASA: Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin)
• ASAP: As Soon As Possible
• ATN: Acute Tubular Necrosis
• AV: Atrioventricular
• AVM: Arteriovenous Malformation

B

• B: Bilateral
• Ba: Barium
• BE: Barium Enema
• BID: Twice Daily (Bis in Die)
• BM: Bowel Movement
• BP: Blood Pressure
• BRBPR: Bright Red Blood Per Rectum
• BSA: Body Surface Area
• BUN: Blood Urea Nitrogen

C

• CA: Cancer
• CAD: Coronary Artery Disease
• CAP: Community-Acquired Pneumonia
• CBC: Complete Blood Count
• CC: Chief Complaint
• CCU: Coronary Care Unit
• CHF: Congestive Heart Failure
• CK: Creatine Kinase
• CMV: Cytomegalovirus
• CNS: Central Nervous System
• CO: Carbon Monoxide
• COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• CP: Chest Pain
• CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
• CR: Complete Response
• CRF: Chronic Renal Failure
• CRP: C-Reactive Protein
• CSF: Cerebrospinal Fluid
• CT: Computed Tomography
• CV: Cardiovascular
• CVA: Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)
• CXR: Chest X-Ray

Medical Abbreviations D, E, F

• D/C: Discharge or Discontinued
• DNR: Do Not Resuscitate
• DOB: Date of Birth
• DRG: Diagnosis-Related Group
• EC: Enteric Coated
• ED: Emergency Department
• ENT: Ear, Nose, and Throat
• ER: Emergency Room
• ETT: Endotracheal Tube
• EKG/ECG: Electrocardiogram
• FBS: Fasting Blood Sugar
• FDG: Fluorodeoxyglucose
• FM: Family Medicine
• FNP: Family Nurse Practitioner
• FSH: Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
• FUO: Fever of Unknown Origin

Medical Abbreviations G, H, I

• GA: General Anesthesia
• GBS: Guillain-Barré Syndrome
• GERD: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
• GI: Gastrointestinal
• GTT: Glucose Tolerance Test
• GYN: Gynecology
• HbA1c: Hemoglobin A1c
• HBP: High Blood Pressure
• HCT: Hematocrit
• HCV: Hepatitis C Virus
• HD: Hemodialysis
• HF: Heart Failure
• HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus
• H&P: History and Physical
• HR: Heart Rate
• HTN: Hypertension
• ICU: Intensive Care Unit
• I&D: Incision and Drainage
• IBS: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• ICD: Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator
• IM: Intramuscular
• IV: Intravenous
• IVF: In Vitro Fertilization
• IUD: Intrauterine Device
• IUGR: Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Medical Abbreviations J, K, L

• JVD: Jugular Venous Distension
• JVP: Jugular Venous Pressure
• JIA: Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
• JRA: Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
• K: Potassium
• KCl: Potassium Chloride
• KUB: Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder (X-ray)
• kg: Kilogram
• KVO: Keep Vein Open
• LAD: Left Anterior Descending (coronary artery)
• LAP: Laparoscopy
• LBBB: Left Bundle Branch Block
• LBP: Low Back Pain
• LFT: Liver Function Test
• LGA: Large for Gestational Age
• LMP: Last Menstrual Period
• LOC: Loss of Consciousness
• LP: Lumbar Puncture
• LDL: Low-Density Lipoprotein
• LE: Lupus Erythematosus
• LED: Light-Emitting Diode
• Li: Lithium
• LLL: Left Lower Lobe (of the lung)
• LLQ: Left Lower Quadrant
• LMP: Last Menstrual Period
• LP: Lumbar Puncture
• LVEF: Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
• LVH: Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
• LAD: Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency
• LAD: Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase
• LMWH: Low Molecular Weight Heparin
• LUTS: Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
• LCD: Liquid Crystal Display
• LEEP: Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure
• LES: Lower Esophageal Sphincter
• LGA: Large for Gestational Age
• LMA: Laryngeal Mask Airway
• LMP: Last Menstrual Period
• LN: Lymph Node
• LOA: Left Occiput Anterior
• LOS: Length of Stay
• LVEDP: Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Pressure
• LVEDV: Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Volume
• LVESV: Left Ventricular End-Systolic Volume
• LVEF: Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
• LVT: Left Ventricular Thrombus
• LLQ: Left Lower Quadrant
• LUL: Left Upper Lobe
• LUTI: Lower Urinary Tract Infection
• LVD: Left Ventricular Dysfunction
• LM: Licentiate of Medicine
• LPS: Lipopolysaccharide
• LAD: Left Anterior Descending (coronary artery)
• LDL: Low-Density Lipoprotein
• LFT: Liver Function Test
• LIC: Limited Intermittent Catheterization
• LMP: Last Menstrual Period
• LSCS: Lower Segment Cesarean Section
• LVEF: Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
• LE: Lower Extremity
• LAD: Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency
• LAD: Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase
• LIH: Left Inguinal Hernia
• LMO: Licensed Medical Officer
• LMP: Last Menstrual Period

Medical Abbreviations M, N, O

• MA – Mental Age
• MAC – Monitored Anesthesia Care
• MI – Myocardial Infarction
• MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• mL – Milliliter
• mmHg – Millimeters of Mercury
• MCH – Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin
• MCV – Mean Corpuscular Volume
• MODS – Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome
• MS – Multiple Sclerosis
• MD – Doctor of Medicine
• MMR – Measles, Mumps, Rubella
• NPO – Nothing by Mouth
• NG – Nasogastric
• NSAID – Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
• NICU – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• NSTEMI – Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction
• NVD – Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea
• NPO – Nil Per Os (Nothing by Mouth)
• Na – Sodium
• NaCl – Sodium Chloride
• NSTEMI – Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction
• NCV – Nerve Conduction Velocity
• NGT – Nasogastric Tube
• OCD – Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• OTC – Over-the-Counter
• OD – Right Eye (Oculus Dexter)
• OS – Left Eye (Oculus Sinister)
• OU – Both Eyes (Oculus Uterque)
• OT – Occupational Therapy
• OD – Doctor of Optometry
• OTD – Doctor of Occupational Therapy
• OSA – Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• OPD – Outpatient Department
• OR – Operating Room
• OHSS – Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
• OAB – Overactive Bladder
• OCD – Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• OCP – Oral Contraceptive Pill
• OSA – Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• OD – Overdose
• OSA – Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• OT – Occupational Therapy
• PA – Physician Assistant
• PTA – Physical Therapy Assistant
• PT – Physical Therapy
• PT – Prothrombin Time
• PFT – Pulmonary Function Test
• PSA – Prostate-Specific Antigen
• PE – Pulmonary Embolism
• PAC – Premature Atrial Contraction
• PVC – Premature Ventricular Contraction
• PERRLA – Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light, Accommodation
• PRN – As Needed (Pro re nata)
• POD – Postoperative Day
• PO – By Mouth (Per Os)
• PR – Per Rectum
• PTCA – Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty
• PFT – Pulmonary Function Test
• PPI – Proton Pump Inhibitor
• PCP – Primary Care Physician
• PID – Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• PT – Patient
• PIH – Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension
• PUD – Peptic Ulcer Disease
• PALS – Pediatric Advanced Life Support
• PTT – Partial Thromboplastin Time
• PSA – Prostate-Specific Antigen
• PE – Pulmonary Embolism
• PPE – Personal Protective Equipment
• PRBC – Packed Red Blood Cells
• PT – Prothrombin Time
• PTSD – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• PTT – Partial Thromboplastin Time
• PICU – Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
• PAP – Papanicolaou Test
• PET – Positron Emission Tomography
• PPI – Proton Pump Inhibitor
• PMH – Past Medical History
• PAC – Premature Atrial Contraction
• PVC – Premature Ventricular Contraction
• PTT – Partial Thromboplastin Time
• PRBC – Packed Red Blood Cells
• PSA – Prostate-Specific Antigen
• PVR – Postvoid Residual
• RBC – Red Blood Cell
• RCT – Randomized Controlled Trial
• Rx – Prescription
• ROS – Review of Systems
• RA – Rheumatoid Arthritis
• RBBB – Right Bundle Branch Block
• RLQ – Right Lower Quadrant
• RHD – Rheumatic Heart Disease
• RN – Registered Nurse
• ROM – Range of Motion
• RSV – Respiratory Syncytial Virus
• RAI – Radioactive Iodine
• RDW – Red Cell Distribution Width
• RUQ – Right Upper Quadrant
• RV – Right Ventricle

Medical Abbreviations P, Q, R

• P: Pulse
• PAC: Premature Atrial Contraction
• PAH: Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
• PAP: Pulmonary Artery Pressure
• PCP: Primary Care Physician
• PCA: Patient-Controlled Analgesia
• PCT: Procalcitonin
• PD: Parkinson’s Disease
• PE: Pulmonary Embolism
• PET: Positron Emission Tomography
• PID: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• PIP: Proximal Interphalangeal
• PKU: Phenylketonuria
• PMH: Past Medical History
• PND: Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea
• POC: Point of Care
• PR: Per Rectum
• PRBC: Packed Red Blood Cells
• PRN: As Needed
• PSA: Prostate-Specific Antigen
• Q: Every
• QA: Quality Assurance
• QD: Once a Day
• QH: Every Hour
• QID: Four Times a Day
• QL: Quantity Limits
• QNS: Quantity Not Sufficient
• QoL: Quality of Life
• QOL: Quality of Life
• QS: Quantity Sufficient
• RA: Rheumatoid Arthritis
• RAD: Reactive Airway Disease
• RBC: Red Blood Cell
• RDW: Red Cell Distribution Width
• REM: Rapid Eye Movement
• RF: Rheumatoid Factor
• RHD: Rheumatic Heart Disease
• RLE: Right Lower Extremity
• RLQ: Right Lower Quadrant
• RNA: Ribonucleic Acid
• ROS: Review of Systems
• RP: Retinitis Pigmentosa
• RSV: Respiratory Syncytial Virus
• RUQ: Right Upper Quadrant
• RV: Residual Volume
• Rx: Prescription
• RXTX: Treatment

Medical Abbreviations S, T, U

• Sx – Symptoms
• SLE – Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
• S/P – Status Post
• SPECT – Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography
• STD – Sexually Transmitted Disease
• SARS – Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
• SAH – Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
• SOB – Shortness of Breath
• SVO2 – Mixed Venous Oxygen Saturation
• SVC – Superior Vena Cava
• SIADH – Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone
• SGOT – Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase
• SGPT – Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase
• STI – Sexually Transmitted Infection
• Tx – Treatment
• TIA – Transient Ischemic Attack
• TURP – Transurethral Resection of the Prostate
• TPN – Total Parenteral Nutrition
• TB – Tuberculosis
• TURB – Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor
• T3 – Triiodothyronine
• T4 – Thyroxine
• TSH – Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
• TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury
• TUR – Transurethral Resection
• TENS – Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
• TMP-SMX – Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole
• TID – Three Times a Day
• THC – Tetrahydrocannabinol
• UTI – Urinary Tract Infection
• U/S – Ultrasound
• URI – Upper Respiratory Infection
• USG – Ultrasonography
• UA – Urinalysis
• URTI – Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
• UGI – Upper Gastrointestinal
• UV – Ultraviolet
• URT – Upper Respiratory Tract
• UPPP – Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
• US – United States
• UAC – Umbilical Artery Catheterization
• UVC – Umbilical Vein Catheterization
• UC – Ulcerative Colitis
• UGI – Upper Gastrointestinal Series

Medical Abbreviations V, W

• V: Ventilation
• VA: Visual Acuity
• VAD: Ventricular Assist Device
• VAS: Visual Analog Scale
• VD: Venereal Disease
• VDRL: Venereal Disease Research Laboratory
• VF: Visual Field
• VHD: Valvular Heart Disease
• VMA: Vanillylmandelic Acid
• VO2: Oxygen Consumption
• VRE: Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus
• VS: Vital Signs
• VSD: Ventricular Septal Defect
• VTE: Venous Thromboembolism
• VT: Ventricular Tachycardia
• WBC: White Blood Cell
• WC: Wheelchair
• WNL: Within Normal Limits
• WPW: Wolff-Parkinson-White
• WBC: White Blood Cell Count
• WNL: Within Normal Limits
• WNV: West Nile Virus
• WOB: Work of Breathing
• WNV: West Nile Virus
• Wt: Weight
• W/U: Workup
• WBCT: Whole Blood Clotting Time
• WBCs: White Blood Cells
• WDL: Well-Developed and Well-Nourished
• WBCD: White Blood Cell Differential

Medical Abbreviations X, V, Z

• XRT – External Radiation Therapy
• X-ray – Radiography
• VSD – Ventricular Septal Defect
• V/Q – Ventilation/Perfusion
• VT – Ventricular Tachycardia
• VS – Vital Signs
• VR – Virtual Reality
• VRE – Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus
• VMA – Vanillylmandelic Acid
• VLDL – Very Low-Density Lipoprotein
• VLCD – Very Low-Calorie Diet
• VKDB – Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding
• VAD – Ventricular Assist Device
• VAP – Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
• V/Q Scan – Ventilation/Perfusion Scan
• VACTERL – Vertebral Anomalies, Anal Atresia, Cardiac Defects, Tracheoesophageal Fistula, Renal Anomalies, and Limb Abnormalities
• UVC – Umbilical Vein Catheter
• URTI – Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
• URI – Upper Respiratory Infection
• UPPP – Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
• UPPP – Uvulopalatoplasty
• UTI – Urinary Tract Infection
• US – Ultrasound
• USG – Ultrasonography
• USP – United States Pharmacopeia
• USFDA – United States Food and Drug Administration
• URT – Upper Respiratory Tract
• UPC – Urine Protein Creatinine Ratio
• UPC – Urine Protein-to-Creatinine Ratio
• UMN – Upper Motor Neuron
• UGI – Upper Gastrointestinal
• UI – Urinary Incontinence
• U/S – Ultrasound
• TURP – Transurethral Resection of the Prostate
• TTP – Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
• TSS – Toxic Shock Syndrome
• TS – Turner Syndrome
• Trig – Triglycerides
• TPN – Total Parenteral Nutrition
• TPA – Tissue Plasminogen Activator
• TP – Temperature and Pulse
• TIA – Transient Ischemic Attack
• TG – Triglycerides
• TFT – Thyroid Function Test
• TENS – Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
• TEN – Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
• TE – Tracheoesophageal
• TBSA – Total Body Surface Area
• TBG – Thyroxine-Binding Globulin
• TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury
• TB – Tuberculosis
• TA – Temporal Artery
• T&A – Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy
• SVT – Supraventricular Tachycardia
• SVC – Superior Vena Cava
• SUS – Subjective Units of Sensation
• SUI – Stress Urinary Incontinence
• SUA – Serum Uric Acid
• STI – Sexually Transmitted Infection
• STD – Sexually Transmitted Disease
• SSRI – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
• SSI – Surgical Site Infection
• SS – Sjögren’s Syndrome
• SRT – Stereotactic Radiosurgery
• SRS – Stereotactic Radiosurgery
• SROM – Spontaneous Rupture of Membranes
• SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
• SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
• SIBO – Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
• SIADH – Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone
• SHPT – Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
• SHBG – Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
• SGOT – Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase
• SGPT – Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase
• SG – Salivary Gland
• SD – Standard Deviation
• SCLC – Small Cell Lung Cancer
• SBP – Systolic Blood Pressure
• SAH – Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
• SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder
• SAB – Spontaneous Abortion
• SAB – Subarachnoid Block
• RV – Right Ventricle
• RSV – Respiratory Syncytial Virus
• RR – Respiratory Rate
• ROM – Range of Motion
• RICE – Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
• RHD – Rheumatic Heart Disease
• RF – Rheumatoid Factor
• RDW – Red Cell Distribution Width
• RDS – Respiratory Distress Syndrome
• RBC – Red Blood Cell
• RAI – Radioactive Iodine
• RAAS – Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System
• RA – Rheumatoid Arthritis
• PVD – Peripheral Vascular Disease
• PT – Prothrombin Time
• PSA – Prostate-Specific Antigen
• PTSD – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• PTA – Prior to Admission

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Why are medical abbreviations used?
Medical abbreviations are used to facilitate quick and accurate communication in the healthcare industry. They help streamline processes and improve efficiency.

Q2. Are medical abbreviations standardized?
Yes, many medical abbreviations are standardized and widely accepted across the medical field. However, it is essential to use them consistently and clarify their meanings if necessary.

Q3. Can medical abbreviations be confusing for patients?
Yes, medical abbreviations can be confusing for patients and individuals outside the medical field. It is important for healthcare providers to explain and clarify any abbreviations used in patient communication.

Q4. How can I learn more medical abbreviations?
Medical abbreviations are best learned through formal medical education or specialized training programs. However, patients and individuals can ask healthcare providers for explanations or refer to reputable medical resources.

Q5. What should I do if I encounter an unfamiliar medical abbreviation?
If you come across an unfamiliar medical abbreviation, it is important to ask a healthcare professional for clarification. Do not make assumptions or guess the meaning, as it could lead to misunderstandings or errors.