Nursing Medical Abbreviations and Learning Materials

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NURSING NOTES COMMON MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS
• *Rx*= Prescription
• *Hx* = History
1. Number of Bones - 206
• *Dx* = Diagnosis
2. Number of Muscles - 639
• *q* = Every
3. Number of Kidneys - 2
• *qd* = Every day
4. Number of Milk Teeth - 20
• *qod* = Every other day
5. Number of Ribs - 24 (12 pair)
• *qh* = Every Hour
6. Number of Heart Chamber - 4
• *S* = without
7. Largest artery - Aorta
• *SS* = One & half
8. Normal blood pressure - 120/80mmHg
• *C* = With
9. Ph of Blood - 7.4
• *SOS* = If needed
10. Number of vertebrae in the Spine - 33
• *AC* = Before Meals
11. Number of vertebrae in the Neck - 7
• *PC* = After meals
12. Number of Bones in Middle Ear - 6
• *BID* = Twice a Day
13. Number of Bones in Face - 24
• *TID* = Thrice a Day
14. Number of Bones in Skull - 22
• *QID* = Four times a day
15. Number of Bones in Chest - 25
• *OD* = Once a Day
16. Number of Bones in Arms - 6
• *BT* = Bed Time
17. Number of Muscles in Human Arm - 72
• *hs* = Bed Time
18. Number of Pumps in Heart - 2
• *BBF* = Before Breakfast
19. Largest Organ - Skin
• *BD* = Before Dinner
20. Largest gland - Liver
• *Tw* = Twice a week
21. Biggest cell - Female Ovum
• *SQ* = sub cutaneous
22. Smallest cell - Male Sperm
• *IM* = Intramuscular
23. Smallest Bone - Stapes
• *ID* = Intradermal
24. First transplanted Organ - Heart
• *IV* = Intravenous
25. Average length of Small Intestine - 7m
• *Q4H* = (every 4 hours)
26. Average length of Large Intestine 1.5m
• *QOD* = (every other day)
27. Average weight of new Born baby - 2.6kg
• *HS* = (at bedtime)
28. Pulse rate in One Minute - 72 times
• *PRN* = (as needed)
29. Normal body temperature - 37 C° (98.4 F°)
• *PO or "per os"* = (by mouth)
30. Average Blood Volume - 4 to 5 liters
• *Mg* = (milligrams)
31. Life Span of RBC - 120 days
• *Mcg/ug* = (micrograms)
32. Life Span of WBC - 10 to 15 days
• *G or Gm* = (grams)
33. Pregnancy Period - 280 days (40 week)
• *1TSF* (Teaspoon) = 5 ml
34. Number of Bones in Human Foot - 33
• *1 Tablespoonful* = 15ml
35. Number of Bones in Each wrist - 8
• *DDx* = differential Diagnosis
36. Number of Bones in Hand - 27
• *Tx* = Treatment
37. Largest Endocrine gland - Thyroid
• *RTx* = Radiotherapy
38. Largest Lymphatic Organ - Spleen
• *CTx* = Chemotherapy
39. Largest part of Brain - Cerebrum
• *R/O* = rule out
40. Largest & Strongest Bone - Femur
• *s.p* = status post
41. Smallest Muscle - Stapedius (Middle Ear)
• *PMH(x)* = post medical history
41. Number of Chromosome - 46 (23 pair)
• *Px* = Prognosis
42. Number of Bones in new Born baby - 306
• *Ix* = Indication
43. Viscosity of Blood - 4.5 to 5.5
• *CIx* = contraindication
44. Universal Donor Blood Group - O
• *Bx* = biopsy
45. Universal Recipient Blood Group - AB
• *Cx* = complication
46. Largest WBC - Monocyte
47. Smallest WBC - Lymphocyte
48. Increase RBC count called - Polycythemia
49. Blood Bank in the Body is - Spleen
50. Non-Nucleated Blood cell is - RBC
51. RBC produced in the - Bone Marrow
52. River of Life is Called - Blood
53. Normal Blood Cholesterol level - 250mg/dl
54. Fluid part of Blood is - Plasma
 known as?
● KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BLOOD Answer: Hemocytometer
1. Which is known as ‘River of Life’? 21. A decrease in RBC count is known as?
Answer: Blood Answer: Anemia
2. Blood circulation was discovered by? 22. An increase in RBC count is known as?
Answer: William Harvey Answer: Polycythemia
3. The total blood volume in an adult? 23. A high concentration of bilirubin in the blood
Answer: 5-6 Litres causes?
4. The pH value of Human blood? Answer: Jaundice
Answer: 7.35-7.45 24. The disease resistant blood cell?
5. The normal blood cholesterol level? Answer: WBC (leucocytes)
Answer: 150-250 mg/100 ml 25. Which WBC is known as soldiers of the body?
6. The fluid part of blood? Answer: Answer: Neutrophils
Plasma 26. Largest WBC?
7. Plasma protein fibrinogen has an active role in? Answer: Monocytes
Answer: Clotting of blood 27. Smallest WBC?
8. Plasma protein globulins functions as? Answer: Lymphocytes
Answer: Antibodies 28. Antibodies producing WBC?
9. Plasma proteins maintain the blood pH? Answer: Lymphocytes
Answer: Albumins 29. Life span of WBC?
10. Biconcave discs shaped blood cell? Answer: 10-15 days
Answer: RBC (Erythrocytes) 30. Blood cell performs an important role in blood
11. Non nucleated blood cell?* clotting?
Answer: RBC (Erythrocytes) Answer: Thrombocytes
12. Respiratory pigments present in RBC? 31. Vessels is called?
Answer: Hemoglobin Answer: Thrombus
13. Red pigment present in RBC? 32. Anticoagulant present in Blood?
Answer: Hemoglobin Answer: Heparin
14. RBC produced in the? 33. A hereditary bleeding disease?
Answer: Bone marrow Answer: Hemophilia
15. Iron containing pigment of Hemoglobin? 34. Bleeder’s disease?
Answer: Haem Answer: Hemophilia
16. Protein containing pigment of Hemoglobin? 35. Christmas disease?
Answer: Globin Answer: Hemophilia
17. Graveyard of RBC? 36. A type of Anemia with sickle shaped RBC?
Answer: Spleen Answer: Sickle cell anemia
18. Blood bank in the body? 37. Viscosity of Blood?
Answer: Spleen Answer: 4.5 to 5.5
19. Life span of RBC? 38. Instrument used to measure hemoglobin?
Answer: 120 Days Answer: Haemoglobinometer
20. Total count is measured by an instrument 39. Who demonstrated blood groups?
 Answer: Karl Landsteiner
40. Who demonstrated Rh factor?
Answer: Karl Landsteiner ー Here are the suffixes used in medical
41. Blood group which is called Universal donor? terminology. Check out!

Answer: O SUFFIX - MEANINGS

42. Blood group which is called Universal 1. -aemia : Blood
2. -algia : Pain
recipient?
3. -derm : skin
Answer: AB 4. -dynia : pain
5. -ectomy : removal
43. Blood group is most common among the
6. -Itis : inflammation
Asians? 7. -lithiasis : Presence of Stone
8. -malacia : softening
Answer: B
9. -oma : tumour
10. -opia : eye
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY ● 11. -osis : Condition,excess
PREFIX - MEANINGS 12. -otomy : incision of
1. Adeno - Glandular
13. -phobia : fear
2. An - Not
14. -plasty : surgery
3. Anti - Against
15. -plegia : peralysis
4. Aorto - Aorta
16. -ptosis : falling
5. Artho - joint
17. -rhoea : excessive discharge
6. Bleph - Eyelid
18. -rhage : to burst forth
7. Broncho - Bronchi
19. -rhythmia : rhythm.
8. Cardio - Heart
20. -stasis : stoppage of movement
9. Cephal - Head
21. -sthenia : weakness
10. Cerebro - Brain
22. -stomy : outlet
11. Cervico - Cervix
23. -tomy : removal
12. Cholecysto - Gall Bladder
24. -trophy : nourishment
13. Coli - Bowel
25. -uria : urine
14. Colpo - Vagina
15. Entero - Intestine
16. Gastro - Stomach
17. Glosso - Tongue
18. Haema - Blood
19. Hepa - Liver
20. Hystero - Uterus
21. Laryngo - Larynx
22. Leuco - White
23. Metro - Uterus
24. Myelo - Spinal cord
25. Myo - Muscle
26. Nephro - Kidney
27. Neuro - Nerve
28. Odonto - Tooth
29. Orchido - Testis
30. Osteo - Bone
31. Oto - Ear
32. Pharyngo - Pharynx
33. Pio - Pus
34. Pneumo - Lung
35. Ren - Kidney
36. Rhin - Nose
37. Spleno - Spleen
38. Thyro - Thyroid Gland
39. Urethro - Urethra
40. Vesico – Bladder
 50. Leucorrhoea - Whitish vaginal discharge
● COMFOUNDED WORDS - MEANINGS ● 51. Menorrhoea - Menstrual bleeding
1. Anaemia - Deficiency of haemoglobin in the 52. Haemorrhage - Escape of blood from a

blood vessel
2. Analgesic - Medicine which alleviates pain 53. Arrhythmia - Any deviation of normal

3. Arthralgia - Pain in a joint rhythm of heart

4. Cephalalgia - Headache 54. Cholestasis - Diminution in the flow of bile

5. Nephralgia - Pain in the kidney 55. Haemostatis - Arrest of bleeding

6. Neuralgia - Nerve pain 56. Neurasthenia - Nervous debility

7. Myalgia - Muscle pain 57. Cystostomy - Surgical opening made into the

8. Otalgia - Ear ache bladder

58. Cystotomy - Incision into the urinary
9. Gastralgia - Pain in the stomach
bladder
10. Pyoderma - Skin infection with pus

formation 59. Hypertrophy - Increase in the size of tissues

11. Leucoderma - Defective skin pigmentaion 60. Haematuria - Blood in the urine

12. Hysterodynia - Pain in the uterus 61. Glycosuria - Presence of sugar in the urine

13. Hysterectomy - Excision of the uterus 62. Albuminuria - Presence of albumin in the

14. Nephrectomy - Excision of a kidney urine

15. Adenectomy - Excision of a gland
16. Cholecystectomy - Excision of gall bladder
17. Thyroidectomy - Excision of thyroid gland
18. Arthritis - Inflammation of a joint
19. Bronchitis - Inflammation of the bronchi
20. Carditis - Inflammation of the heart
21. Cervicitis - Inflammation of the cervix
22. Colitis - Inflammation of the colon
23. Colpitis - Inflammation of the vagina
24. Cystitis - Inflammation of the urinary

bladder
25. Enteritis - Inflammation of the intestines
26. Gastritis - Inflammation of the stomach
27. Glossitis - Inflammation of the tongue
28. Hepatitis - Inflammation of the liver
29. Laryngitis - Inflammation of the larynx
30. Metritis - Inflammation of the uterus
31. Myelitis - Inflammation of the spinal cord
32. Nephritis - Inflammation of the kidney
33. Pharyngitis - Inflammation of the pharynx
34. Blepharitis - Inflammation of the eyelids
35. Cholelithiasis - Stone in the gall bladder
36. Nephrolithiasis - Stone in the kidney
37. Osteomalacia - Softening of bones through

deficiency of calcium or D vitamin

38. Adenoma -Benign tumour of glandular tissue
39. Myoma - Tumour of muscle
40. Diplopia - Double vision
41. Thrombosis - Formation of a blood clot
42. Pyloromyotomy - Incision of pyloric

sphincter muscle
43. Hedrophobia - Fear of water (Rabies in
humans)
44. Neuroplasty - Surgical repair of nerves
45. Pyloraplasty - Incision of plastic pylorus to

widen passage
46. Hemiplegia - Paralysis of one side of the
body
47. Nephroptosis - Downward displacement of the

kidney
48. Amenorrhoea - Absence of menstrual
discharge
49. Dysmenorrhoea - Painful menstruation
 LETTER C
MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS (A-Z) • C&S: Culture and sensitivity, performed to

detect infection.
• C/O: Complaint of. The patient's expressed
LETTER A
• a.c. : Before meals. As in taking a medicine
concern.
• cap: Capsule.
before meals.
• a/g ratio: Albumin to globulin ratio. • Ca: Cancer; carcinoma. For example, a patient

• ACL: Anterior cruciate ligament. ACL injuries who undergoing treatment for cancer should
are one of the most common ligament injuries assure that they are eating and drinking enough
to the knee. The ACL can be sprained or fluids daily, both during and after treatment.
completely torn from trauma and or • CABG. Coronary artery bypass graft . A

degeneration. surgery involving the heart.

• CBC: Complete blood count.
• Ad lib: At liberty. For example, a patient may be
• CC: Chief complaint. The patient's main
permitted to move out of bed freely and orders
concern.
would, therefore, be for activities to be ad lib. • CDE: Complete dental (oral) evaluation.
• AFR: Acute renal failure
• ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder • cc: Cubic centimeters. For example, the
• ADR: Adverse drug reaction. If a patient is amount of fluid removed from the body is
taking a prescription drug to treat high blood recorded in ccs.
pressure disease • Chem panel: Chemistry panel. A
• AIDS: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome comprehensive screening blood test that
• AKA: Above the knee amputation.
indicates the status of the liver, kidneys, and
• Anuric: Not producing urine. A person who is
electrolytes.
anuric is often critical and may require dialysis . • CPAP: Continuous positive airway
• ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The
pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence
• COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
of disease. • CT: Chemotherapy. A type of treatment
• ADH: Antidiuretic hormone
therapy for cancer.
• ARDS:Acute respiratory distress syndrome.
• ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure • CVA: Cerebrovascular accident (Stroke).
•
• ASCVD: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular

disease. A form of heart disease .

LETTER B
• b.i.d. : Twice daily. As in taking a medicine

twice daily.
• bld: Blood. Blood was visible on the
patient’s scalp .
• Bandemia: Slang for elevated level of band

forms of white blood cells.

• Bibasilar: At the bases of both lungs. For
example, someone with a pneumonia in both
lungs might have abnormal bibasilar breath
sounds.
• BKA: Below the knee amputation.
• BMP: Basic metabolic panel. Electrolytes
(potassium, sodium, carbon dioxide, and
chloride) and creatinine and glucose.
• BP: Blood pressure. Blood pressure is recorded
as part of the physical examination. It is one of
the "vital signs."
• BPD: Borderline personality disorder. A
personality disorder.
• BSO: Bilateral salpingo- oophorectomy. A BSO
is the removal of both of the ovaries and
adjacent Fallopian tubes and often is performed
as part of a total abdominal hysterectomy .
 • LETTER H
• H&H: Hemoglobin and hematocrit.

LETTER D ー When the H & H is low, anemia is present.

• D/C or DC: Discontinue or discharge. For The H&H can be elevated in persons who
example, a doctor will D/C a drug. have lung disease from long term smoking or
ー Alternatively, the doctor might DC a patient from disease, such as polycythemia rubra vera.
from the hospital. • H&P: History and physical examination.

• DCIS: Ductal Carcinoma in Situ. • h.s.: At bedtime.

ー A type of breast cancer. The patient is ー as in taking a medicine at bedtime.

receiving treatment for Ductal Carcinoma In • H/O or h/o: History of.

Situ. ー A past event that occurred.

• DDX: Differential diagnosis.

ー A vari diagnostic possibilities are being • HA: Headache.

considered to diagnose the type of cancer • HRT: Hormone replacement or hormone
present in the patient. replacement therapy.
• DJD: Degenerative joint disease.
• HTN: Hypertension.
ー Another term for osteoarthritis. LETTER I
• DM: Diabetes mellitus.
• I&D: Incision and drainage.
• DNC, D&C, or D and C: Dilation and curettage.
• IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease.
ー Widening the cervix and scrapping with a ー A name for two disorders of the
curette for the purpose of removing tissue gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn’s disease and
lining the inner surface of the womb (uterus). ulcerative colitis.
• DNR: Do not resuscitate.
• ICD: Implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
ー This is a specific order not to revive a • ICU: Intensive care unit.
patient artificially if they succumb to illness. If a ー the patient was moved to the intensive care
patient is given a DNR order, they are not unit.
resuscitated if they are near death and no • IM: Intramuscular.
code blue is called. ー This is a typical notation when noting or
• DOE: Dyspnea on exertion.
ordering an injection (shot) given into muscle,
ー Shortness of breath with activity. such as with B12 for pernicious anemia.
• DTR: Deep tendon reflexes. • IMP: Impression.
ー These are reflexes that the doctor tests by ー This is the summary conclusion of the
banging on the tendons with a rubber hammer. patient's condition by the healthcare
• DVT: Deep venous thrombosis (blood clot in professional at that particular date and time.
large vein). • ITU: Intensive therapy unit
• in vitro: In the laboratory

LETTER E • in vivo: In the body

• ETOH: Alcohol. ETOH intake history is often • IPF: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

recorded as part of a patient history. ー A type of lung disease.

• ECT: Electro conclusive therapy.
• IU: International units.
ー A procedure used to control seizures
(convulsions). LETTER J
• JT: Joint.
LETTER F
• FX: Fracture. LETTER K
• K: Potassium.
LETTER G ー an essential electrolyte frequently monitored
• g: gram, a unit of weight. regularly in intensive care.
ー the cream is available in both 30- and 60- • KCL: Potassium chloride.
gram tubes.
• GOMER: Slang for "Get Out of My Emergency

Room."
• GvHD: Graft vs. host disease.
ー It is complicated by the syndromes of acute
and chronic graft-vs-host disease (GVHD).
• gtt: Drops.
 • ORIF: Open reduction and internal fixation,
such as with the orthopedic repair of a hip
fracture.
LETTER L
• LCIS: Lobular Carcinoma in Situ. LETTER P
• P: Pulse. Pulse is recorded as part of the
ー A type of cancer of the breast. The patient is
receiving treatment for Lobular Carcinoma In physical examination.
ー It is one of the "vital signs."
Situ. • p¯ : After meals. As in take two tablets after
• LBP: Low back pain.
meals.
ー LBP is one of most common medical • p.o.: By mouth.
complaints. ー From the Latin terminology per os.
• LLQ: Left lower quadrant. • p.r.n.: As needed.
ー Diverticulitis pain is often in the LLQ of the ー So that it is not always done, but done only
abdomen. when the situation calls for it (or example,
• LUQ: Left upper quadrant. taking a pain medication only when having pain
ー the spleen is located in the LUQ of the and not without pain).
abdomen. • PCL: Posterior cruciate ligament.

• Lytes: Electrolytes (potassium, sodium, • PD: Progressive disease.

carbon dioxide, and chloride). ー Patients at risk of developing progressive

disease of the kidneys include those with
LETTER M proteinuria or hematuria.
• MCL: Medial collateral ligament. • PERRLA: Pupils equal, round, and reactive to
• mg: Milligrams. light and accommodation.
• M/H: Medical history • PFT: Pulmonary function test. A test to

• ml: Milliliters. evaluate the how well the lungs are functioning.
• PERRLA: Pupils equal, round, and reactive
• MVP: Mitral valve prolapse.
to light and accommodation.
• Plt: Platelets, one of the bloods forming
LETTER N elements along with the white and red blood
• N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
cells.
• Na: Sodium. • PMI: Point of maximum impulse of the heart
ー an essential electrolyte frequently monitored when felt during examination, as in beats
regularly in intensive care. against the chest.
• NCP: Nursing care plan. • PMS: Premenstrual syndrome
• npo: Nothing by mouth. • PT: Physical therapy

ー for example, if a patient was about to • PTH: Parathyroid hormone

undergo a surgical operation requiring general • PTSD: Post-traumatic stress syndrome

anesthesia, they may be required to avoid food • PUD: Peptic ulcer disease. A type of ulcer of

or beverage prior to the procedure. the stomach.

• NSR: Normal sinus rhythm of the heart
LETTER Q
• q.d.: Each day.
LETTER O
• O&P: Ova and parasites.
ー as in taking a medicine daily.
• q.i.d.: Four times daily.
ー Stool O & P is tested in the laboratory to
detect parasitic infection in persons with chronic ー as in taking a medicine four times daily.
• q2h: Every 2 hours.
diarrhea.
• O.D.: Right eye. ー as in taking a medicine every 2 hours.
• O.S.: Left eye. • q3h: Every 3 hours.

• O.U.: Both eyes. ー as in taking a medicine every 3 hours.

• qAM: Each morning.

ー as in taking a medicine each morning.

• qhs: At each bedtime.

ー as in taking a medicine each bedtime.

• qod: Every other day.

ー as in taking a medicine every other

• day.
• qPM: Each evening.

ー as in taking a medicine each evening.

 LETTER T
LETTER R • T: Temperature.

• RA: Rheumatoid arthritis. ー Temperature is recorded as part of the

ー A type of joint disease. physical examination. It is one of the "vital
• RDS: Respiratory distress syndrome. signs."
• R/O: Rule out. • T&A: Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
• t.i.d.: Three times daily.
ー Doctors frequently will rule out various
possible diagnoses when figuring out the ー as in taking a medicine three times daily.
correct diagnosis. • tab: Tablet.

• REB: Rebound, as in rebound tenderness of • TAH: Total abdominal hysterectomy.

• TAH: Total abdominal hysterectomy.
the abdomen when pushed in and then
released. ー A type of surgery to remove a woman’s
• RLQ: Right lower quadrant. uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
ー the appendix is located in the • THR: Total hip replacement.
• RLQ of the abdomen. • TKR: Total knee replacement.
• ROS: Review of systems. • TMJ: Tempo mandibular joint.

ー an overall review concerns relating to the

organ systems, such as the respiratory, LETTER U
cardiovascular, and neurologic systems. • UA or u/a: Urinalysis.

• RUQ: Right upper quadrant. ー A UA is a typical part of a comprehensive

ー the liver is located in the RUQ of the physical examination.
abdomen. • U or u**: Unit. Mistaken as the number 0 or 4,

causing a 10- fold overdose or greater (for

LETTER S example, 4U seen as "40" or 4useen as
• s/p: Status post. For example, a person who
"44"); mistaken as "cc" so the dose is given in
had a knee operation would be s/p a knee volume instead of units (for example, 4u seen
operation. as 4cc).
• ULN: Upper limits of normal.
• SAD: Season affective disorder.
• URI: Upper respiratory infection, such as
ー A type of depression that occurs during the
sinusitis or the common cold.
winter months when there is little light. • ut dict: As directed.
• SOB: Shortness of breath.
• SQ: Subcutaneous.
ー as in taking a medicine according to the
ー This is a typical notation when noting or instructions that the health care professional
gave in the office or in the past
ordering an injection (shot) given into the fatty
• UTI: Urinary tract infection.
tissue under the skin, such as with insulin for
LETTER V
diabetesmellitus.
• VSS: Vital signs are stable.

ー This notation means that from the

standpoint of the temperature, blood pressure,
and pulse, the patient is doing well.

LETTER W
• Wt: Weight.

ー Body weight is often recorded as part of the

physical examination.

LETTER X
• XRT: Radiotherapy (external).

ー A type of treatment that uses radiation.