COMMON MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS 5. The normal blood cholesterol level?

• *Rx*= Prescription ー Answer: 150-250 mg/100 ml

• *Hx* = History 6. The fluid part of blood?
• *Dx* = Diagnosis ー Answer: Plasma
• *q* = Every 7. Plasma protein fibrinogen has an active
• *qd* = Every day role in?
• *qod* = Every other day ー Answer: Clotting of blood
• *qh* = Every Hour 8. Plasma protein globulins functions as?
• *S* = without ー Answer: Antibodies
• *SS* = One & half 9. Plasma proteins maintain the blood pH?
• *C* = With ー Answer: Albumins
• *SOS* = If needed 10. Biconcave disk shaped blood cell?
• *AC* = Before Meals ー Answer: RBC (Erythrocytes)
• *PC* = After meals 11. Non nucleated blood cell?*
• *BID* = Twice a Day ー Answer: RBC (Erythrocytes)
• *TID* = Thrice a Day 12. Respiratory pigments present in RBC?
• *QID* = Four times a day ー Answer: Haemoglobin
• *OD* = Once a Day 13. Red pigment present in RBC?
• *BT* = Bed Time ー Answer: Haemoglobin
• *hs* = Bed Time 14. RBC produced in the?
• *BBF* = Before Breakfast ー Answer: Bone marrow
• *BD* = Before Dinner 15. Iron containing pigment of
• *Tw* = Twice a week Haemoglobin?
• *SQ* = subcutaneous ー Answer: Haem
• *IM* = Intramuscular 16. Protein containing pigment of
• *ID* = Intradermal Haemoglobin?
• *IV* = Intravenous ー Answer: Globin
• *Q4H* = (every 4 hours) 17. Graveyard of RBC?
• *QOD* = (every other day) ー Answer: Spleen
• *HS* = (at bedtime) 18. Blood bank in the body?
• *PRN* = (as needed) ー Answer: Spleen
• *PO or "per os"* (by mouth) 19. Lifespan of RBC?
• *Mg* = (milligrams) ー Answer: 120 Days
• *Mcg/ug* = (micrograms) 20. Total count is measured by an
• *G or Gm* = (grams) instrument known as?
• *1TSF* (Teaspoon) = 5 ml ー Answer: Haemocytometer
• *1 Tablespoonful* = 15ml 21. A decrease in RBC count is known as?
• *DDx* =differential Diagnosis ー Answer: Anemia
• *Tx* = Treatment 22. An increase in RBC count is known as?
• *RTx* = Radiotherapy ー Answer: Polycythemia
• *CTx* = Chemotherapy 23. A high concentration of bilirubin in the
• *R/O* = rule out blood causes?
• *s.p* = status post ー Answer: Jaundice
• *PMH(x)* = post medical history 24. The disease resistant blood cell?
• *Px* = Prognosis ー Answer: WBC (leucocytes)
• *Ix* = Indication 25. Which WBC is known as soldiers of the
• *CIx* = contraindication body?
• *Bx* = biopsy ー Answer: Neutrophils
• *Cx* = complication... 26. Largest WBC?
ー Answer: Monocytes
● KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BLOOD ● 27. Smallest WBC?
1. Which is known as ‘River of Life’? ー Answer: Lymphocytes
ー Answer: Blood 28. Antibodies producing WBC?
2. Blood circulation was discovered by? ー Answer: Lymphocytes
ー Answer: William Harvey 29. Life span of WBC?
3. The total blood volume in an adult? ー Answer: 10-15 days
ー Answer: 5-6 Litres 30. Blood cells perform an important role in
4. The pH value of Human blood? blood clotting?
ー Answer: 7.35-7.45 ー Answer: Thrombocytes (Platelets)
31. Vessels are called? 12. Cholecysto - Gallbladder
ー Answer: Thrombus 13. Coli - Bowel
32. Anticoagulant present in Blood? 14. Colpo - Vagina
ー Answer: Heparin 15. Entero - Intestine
33. A hereditary bleeding disease? 16. Gastro - Stomach
ー Answer: Haemophilia 17. Glosso - Tongue
34. Bleeder’s disease? 18. Haema - Blood
ー Answer: Haemophilia 19. Hepa - Liver
35. Christmas disease? 20. Hystero - Uterus
ー Answer: Haemophilia 21. Laryngo - Larynx
36. A type of Anemia with sickle shaped 22. Leuco - White
RBC? 23. Metro - Uterus
ー Answer: Sickle cell anemia 24. Myelo - Spinal cord
37. Viscosity of Blood? 25. Myo - Muscle
ー Answer: 4.5 to 5.5 26. Nephro - Kidney
38. Instrument used to measure 27. Neuro - Nerve
haemoglobin? 28. Odonto - Tooth
ー Answer: Haemoglobinometer 29. Orchido - Testis
39. Who demonstrated blood groups? 30. Osteo - Bone
ー Answer: Karl Landsteiner 31. Oto - Ear
40. Who demonstrated Rh factor? 32. Pharyngo - Pharynx
ー Answer: Karl Landsteiner 33. Pio - Pus
41. Blood group which is called Universal 34. Pneumo - Lung
donor? 35. Ren - Kidney
ー Answer: O 36. Rhin - Nose
42. Blood group which is called Universal 37. Spleno - Spleen
recipient? 38. Thyro - Thyroid Gland
ー Answer: AB 39. Urethro - Urethra
43. Blood group is most common among the 40. Vesico – Bladder
Asians?
ー Answer: B ー Here are the suffixes used in Medical
terminology. Check out!
● MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY ●
ー Everybody should know the basic SUFFIX - MEANINGS
functioning of Human Body and its main 1. -aemia : Blood
parts in order to express and explain their 2. -algia : Pain
ailment to the Doctor and at the same time 3. -derm : skin
one should be able to understand the 4. -dynia : pain
diagnosis expressed by the Doctor in the 5. -ectomy : removal
medical terminology. For easy recognition of 6. -Itis : inflammation
the Compounded Words used in the 7. -lithiasis : Presence of Stone
Medical Terminology for naming the 8. -malacia : softening
disease, Suffixes are added to Prefixes. For 9. -oma : tumour
this hereunder giving you a few such 10. -opia : eye
prefixes for your ready reference and 11. -osis : Condition,excess
understanding. 12. -otomy : incision of
13. -phobia : fear
PREFIX - MEANINGS 14. -plasty : surgery
1. Adeno - Glandular 15. -plegia : peralysis
2. An - Not 16. -ptosis : falling
3. Anti - Against 17. -rhoea : excessive discharge
4. Aorto - Aorta 18. -rhage : to burst forth
5. Artho - joint 19. -rhythmia : rhythm.
6. Bleph - Eyelid 20. -stasis : stoppage of movement
7. Broncho - Bronchi 21. -sthenia : weakness
8. Cardio - Heart 22. -stomy : outlet
9. Cephal - Head 23. -tomy : removal
10. Cerebro - Brain 24. -trophy : nourishment
11. Cervico - Cervix 25. -uria : urine
45. Pyloraplasty - Incision of plastic pylorus
● CONFOUNDED WORDS - MEANINGS to widen passage
46. Hemiplegia - Paralysis of one side of the
1. Anaemia - Deficiency of haemoglobin in body
the blood 47. Nephroptosis - Downward displacement
2. Analgesic - Medicine which alleviates of the kidney
pain 48. Amenorrhoea - Absence of menstrual
3. Arthralgia - Pain in a joint discharge
4. Cephalalgia - Headache 49. Dysmenorrhoea - Painful menstruation
5. Nephralgia - Pain in the kidney 50. Leucorrhoea - Whitish vaginal discharge
6. Neuralgia - Nerve pain 51. Menorrhoea - Menstrual bleeding
7. Myalgia - Muscle pain 52. Haemorrhage - Escape of blood from a
8. Otalgia - Ear ache vessel
9. Gastralgia - Pain in the stomach 53. Arrhythmia - Any deviation of normal
10. Pyoderma - Skin infection with pus rhythm of heart
formation 54. Cholestasis - Diminution in the flow of
11. Leucoderma - Defective skin bile
pigmentation 55. Haemostatis - Arrest of bleeding
12. Hysterodynia - Pain in the uterus 56. Neurasthenia - Nervous debility
13. Hysterectomy - Excision of the uterus 57. Cystostomy - Surgical opening made
14. Nephrectomy - Excision of a kidney into the bladder
15. Adenectomy - Excision of a gland 58. Cystotomy - Incision into the urinary
16. Cholecystectomy - Excision of bladder
gallbladder 59. Hypertrophy - Increase in the size of
17. Thyroidectomy - Excision of thyroid tissues
gland 60. Haematuria - Blood in the urine
18. Arthritis - Inflammation of a joint 61. Glycosuria - Presence of sugar in the
19. Bronchitis - Inflammation of the bronchi urine
20. Carditis - Inflammation of the heart 62. Albuminuria - Presence of albumin in
21. Cervicitis - Inflammation of the cervix the urine
22. Colitis - Inflammation of the colon
23. Colpitis - Inflammation of the vagina EVERY NURSING STUDENT SHOULD
24. Cystitis - Inflammation of the urinary KNOW THESE:
bladder
25. Enteritis - Inflammation of the intestines 1. Number of Bones - 206
26. Gastritis - Inflammation of the stomach 2. Number of Muscles - 639
27. Glossitis - Inflammation of the tongue 3. Number of Kidneys - 2
28. Hepatitis - Inflammation of the liver 4. Number of Milk Teeth - 20
29. Laryngitis - Inflammation of the larynx 5. Number of Ribs - 24 (12 pair)
30. Metritis - Inflammation of the uterus 6. Number of Heart Chamber - 4
31. Myelitis - Inflammation of the spinal cord 7. Largest artery - Aorta
32. Nephritis - Inflammation of the kidney 8. Normal blood pressure - 120/80mmHg
33. Pharyngitis - Inflammation of the 9. Ph of Blood - 7.4
pharynx 10. Number of vertebrae in the Spine - 33
34. Blepharitis - Inflammation of the eyelids 11. Number of vertebrae in the Neck - 7
35. Cholelithiasis - Stone in the gallbladder 12. Number of Bones in Middle Ear - 6
36. Nephrolithiasis - Stone in the kidney 13. Number of Bones in Face - 24
37. Osteomalacia - Softening of bones 14. Number of Bones in Skull - 22
through deficiency of calcium or D vitamin 15. Number of Bones in Chest - 25
38. Adenoma -Benign tumors of glandular 16. Number of Bones in Arms - 6
tissue 17. Number of Muscles in Human Arm - 72
39. Myoma - Tumour of muscle 18. Number of Pumps in Heart - 2
40. Diplopia - Double vision 19. Largest Organ - Skin
41. Thrombosis - Formation of a blood clot 20. Largest gland - Liver
42. Pyloromyotomy - Incision of pyloric 21. Biggest cell - Female Ovum
sphincter muscle 22. Smallest cell - Male Sperm
43. Hydrophobia - Fear of water (Rabies in 23. Smallest Bone - Stapes
humans) 24. First transplanted Organ - Heart
44. Neuroplasty - Surgical repair of nerves 25. Average length of Small Intestine - 7m
26. Average length of Large Intestine - 1.5m • AIDS: Acquired immune deficiency
27. Average weight of new Born baby - syndrome
2.6kg • AKA: Above the knee amputation.
28. Pulse rate in One Minute - 72 times • Anuric: Not producing urine. A person who
29. Normal body temperature - 37 C° (98.4 is anuric is often critical and may require
F°) dialysis .
30. Average Blood Volume - 4 to 5 liters • ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The
31. Life Span of RBC - 120 days patient arrived in the ER alive with no
32. Life Span of WBC - 10 to 15 days evidence of disease.
33. Pregnancy Period - 280 days (40 week) • ADH: Antidiuretic hormone
34. Number of Bones in Human Foot - 33 • ARDS: Acute respiratory distress
35. Number of Bones in Each wrist - 8 syndrome .
36. Number of Bones in Hand - 27 • ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
37. Largest Endocrine gland - Thyroid • ASCVD: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular
38. Largest Lymphatic Organ - Spleen disease . A form of heart disease .
39. Largest part of Brain - Cerebrum
40. Largest & Strongest Bone - Femur LETTER B
41. Smallest Muscle - Stapedius (Middle • b.i.d.: Twice daily. As in taking medicine
Ear) twice daily.
41. Number of Chromosome - 46 (23 pair) • bld: Blood. Blood was visible on the
42. Number of Bones in new Born baby - patient’s scalp .
306 • Bandemia: Slang for elevated level of
43. Viscosity of Blood - 4.5 to 5.5 band forms of white blood cells.
44. Universal Donor Blood Group - O • Bibasilar: At the bases of both lungs. For
45. Universal Recipient Blood Group - AB example, someone with pneumonia in both
46. Largest WBC - Monocyte lungs might have abnormal bibasilar breath
47. Smallest WBC - Lymphocyte sounds.
48. Increase RBC count called - • BKA: Below the knee amputation.
Polycythemia • BMP: Basic metabolic panel. Electrolytes
49. Blood Bank in the Body is - Spleen (potassium, sodium, carbon dioxide, and
50. Non Nucleated Blood cell is - RBC chloride) and creatinine and glucose.
51. RBC produced in the - Bone Marrow • BP: Blood pressure . Blood pressure is
52. River of Life is Called - Blood recorded as part of the physical
53. Normal Blood Cholesterol level - examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
250mg/dl • BPD: Borderline personality disorder . A
54. Fluid part of Blood is - Plasma personality disorder.
• BSO: Bilateral salpingo- oophorectomy . A
BSO is the removal of both of the ovaries
MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS (A-Z) and adjacent Fallopian tubes and often is
performed as part of a total abdominal
LETTER A hysterectomy .
• a.c.: Before meals. As in taking medicine
before meals.
• a/g ratio: Albumin to globulin ratio.
• ACL: Anterior cruciate ligament. ACL LETTER C
injuries are one of the most common • C&S: Culture and sensitivity, performed to
ligament injuries to the knee. The ACL can detect infection.
be sprained or completely torn from trauma • C/O: Complaint of. The patient's
and or degeneration. expressed concern.
• Ad lib: At liberty. For example, a patient cap: Capsule.
may be permitted to move out of bed freely • Ca: Cancer ; carcinoma . For example, a
and orders would, therefore, be for activities patient who is undergoing treatment for
to be ad lib. cancer should assure that they are eating
• AFR: Acute renal failure and drinking enough fluids daily, both during
• ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity and after treatment.
disorder • CABG. Coronary artery bypass graft . A
• ADR: Adverse drug reaction. If a patient is surgery involving the heart.
taking a prescription drug to treat high blood • CBC: Complete blood count.
pressure disease
• CC: Chief complaint. The patient's main ー A procedure used to control seizures
concern. (convulsions).
• CDE: Complete dental (oral) evaluation.
• cc: Cubic centimeters. For example, the LETTER F
amount of fluid removed from the body is • FX: Fracture.
recorded in ccs.
• Chem panel: Chemistry panel. A LETTER G
comprehensive screening blood test that • g: gram, a unit of weight.
indicates the status of the liver, kidneys, and ー The cream is available in both 30 and 60
electrolytes. gram tubes.
• CPAP: Continuous positive airway • GOMER: Slang for "Get Out of My
pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea. Emergency Room."
• COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary • GvHD: Graft vs. host disease.
disease. ー It is complicated by the syndromes of
• CT: Chemotherapy . A type of treatment acute and chronic graft-vs-host disease
therapy for cancer. (GVHD).
• CVA: Cerebrovascular accident (Stroke). • gtt: Drops.

LETTER D LETTER H
• D/C or DC: Discontinue or discharge. For • H&H: Hemoglobin and hematocrit.
example, a doctor will D/C a drug. ー When the H & H is low, anemia is
ー Alternatively, the doctor might DC a present. The H&H can be elevated in
patient from the hospital. persons who have lung disease from long
• DCIS: Ductal Carcinoma In Situ. term smoking or from disease,
ー A type of breast cancer. The patient is such as polycythemia rubra vera .
receiving treatment for Ductal Carcinoma In • H&P: History and physical examination.
Situ. • h.s.: At bedtime.
• DDX: Differential diagnosis. ー As in taking medicine at bedtime.
ー A vari diagnostic possibilities are being • H/O or h/o: History of.
considered to diagnose the type of cancer ー A past event that occurred.
present in the patient. • HA: Headache.
• DJD: Degenerative joint disease. • HRT: Hormone replacement or hormone
ー Another term for osteoarthritis . replacement therapy.
• DM: Diabetes mellitus. • HTN: Hypertension.
• DNC, D&C, or D and C: Dilation and
curettage. LETTER I
ー Widening the cervix and scraping with a • I&D: Incision and drainage.
curette for the purpose of removing tissue • IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease .
lining the inner surface of the womb ー A name for two disorders of the
(uterus). gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn’s disease
• DNR: Do not resuscitate. and ulcerative colitis.
ー This is a specific order not to revive a • ICD: Implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
patient artificially if they succumb to illness. • ICU: Intensive care unit.
If a patient is given a DNR order, they are ー The patient was moved to the intensive
not resuscitated if they are near death and care unit.
no code blue is called. • IM: Intramuscular.
• DOE: Dyspnea on exertion. ー This is a typical notation when noting or
ー Shortness of breath with activity. ordering an injection (shot) given into
• DTR: Deep tendon reflexes. muscle, such as with B12 for pernicious
ー These are reflexes that the doctor tests anemia.
by banging on the tendons with a rubber • IMP: Impression.
hammer. ー This is the summary conclusion of the
• DVT: Deep venous thrombosis (blood clot patient's condition by the healthcare
in large vein). professional at that particular date and time.
• ITU: Intensive therapy unit
LETTER E • in vitro: In the laboratory
• ETOH: Alcohol. ETOH intake history is • in vivo: In the body
often recorded as part of a patient history. • IPF: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
• ECT: Electroconvulsive therapy. ー A type of lung disease.
• IU: International units. • ORIF: Open reduction and internal fixation,
such as with the orthopedic repair of a hip
● LETTER J fracture .
• JT: Joint.
● LETTER P
● LETTER K • P: Pulse. Pulse is recorded as part of the
• K: Potassium. physical examination.
ー An essential electrolyte frequently ー It is one of the "vital signs."
monitored regularly in intensive care. • p¯: After meals. As in, take two tablets
• KCL: Potassium chloride . after meals.
• p.o. : By mouth.
LETTER L ー From the Latin terminology per os.
• LCIS: Lobular Carcinoma In Situ. • p.r.n. : As needed.
ー A type of cancer of the breast. The ー So that it is not always done, but done
patient is receiving treatment for Lobular only when the situation calls for it (or
Carcinoma In Situ. example, taking a pain medication only
• LBP: Low back pain. when having pain and not without pain).
ー LBP is one of most common medical • PCL: Posterior cruciate ligament.
complaints. • PD: Progressive disease.
• LLQ: Left lower quadrant. ー Patients at risk of developing progressive
ー Diverticulitis pain is often in the LLQ of disease of the kidneys include those with
the abdomen. proteinuria or hematuria .
• LUQ: Left upper quadrant. • PERRLA: Pupils equal, round, and
ー The spleen is located in the LUQ reactive to light and accommodation.
of the abdomen. • PFT: Pulmonary function test. A test to
• Lytes: Electrolytes (potassium, sodium, evaluate how well the lungs are functioning.
carbon dioxide, and chloride). • PERRLA: Pupils equal, round, and
reactive to light and accommodation.
● LETTER M Plt: Platelets, one of the blood forming
• MCL: Medial collateral ligament. elements along with the white and red blood
• mg: Milligrams. cells.
• M/H: Medical history • PMI: Point of maximum impulse of the
• ml: Milliliters. heart when felt during examination, as in
• MVP: Mitral valve prolapse . beats against the chest.
• PMS: Premenstrual syndrome
● LETTER N • PT: Physical therapy
• N/V: Nausea or vomiting. • PTH: Parathyroid hormone
• Na: Sodium. • PTSD: Post-traumatic stress syndrome
ー An essential electrolyte frequently • PUD: Peptic ulcer disease. A type of ulcer
monitored regularly in intensive care. of the stomach.
• NCP: Nursing care plan.
• npo: Nothing by mouth. ● LETTER Q
ー For example, if a patient was about to • q.d.: Each day.
undergo a surgical operation requiring ー As in taking medicine daily.
general anesthesia, they may be required to • q.i.d.: Four times daily.
avoid food or beverage prior to the ー As in taking medicine four times daily.
procedure. • q2h: Every 2 hours.
• NSR: Normal sinus rhythm of the heart ー As in taking medicine every 2 hours.
• q3h: Every 3 hours.
● LETTER O ー As in taking medicine every 3 hours.
• O&P: Ova and parasites. • qAM: Each morning.
ー Stool O & P is tested in the laboratory to ー As in taking medicine each morning.
detect parasitic infection in persons with • qhs: At each bedtime.
chronic diarrhea . ー As in taking medicine each bedtime.
• O.D.: Right eye. • qod: Every other day.
• O.S.: Left eye. ー As in taking a medicine every other
• O.U.: Both eyes. day.
• qPM: Each evening.
ー As in taking medicine each evening.
• U or u**: Unit. Mistaken as the number 0
● LETTER R or 4, causing a 10- fold overdose or greater
• RA: Rheumatoid arthritis. (for example, 4U seen as "40" or 4useen as
ー A type of joint disease. "44"); mistaken as "cc" so the dose is given
• RDS: Respiratory distress syndrome. in volume instead of units (for example, 4u
• R/O: Rule out. seen as 4cc).
ー Doctors frequently will rule out various • ULN: Upper limits of normal.
possible diagnoses when figuring out the • URI: Upper respiratory infection, such as
correct diagnosis. sinusitis or the common cold.
• REB: Rebound, as in rebound tenderness • ut dict: As directed.
of the abdomen when pushed in and then ー As in taking a medicine according to the
released. instructions that the health care professional
• RLQ: Right lower quadrant. gave in the office or in the past
ー The appendix is located in the • UTI: Urinary tract infection.
• RLQ of the abdomen.
• ROS: Review of systems. ● LETTER V
ー An overall review concerns relating to the • VSS: Vital signs are stable.
organ systems, such as the respiratory, ー This notation means that from the
cardiovascular, and neurologic systems. standpoint of the temperature, blood
• RUQ: Right upper quadrant. pressure, and pulse, the patient is doing
ー The liver is located in the RUQ of the well.
abdomen.
● LETTER W
● LETTER S • Wt: Weight.
• s/p: Status post. For example, a person ー Body weight is often recorded as part of
who had a knee operation would be s/p a the physical examination.
knee operation.
• SAD: Seasonal affective disorder. ● LETTER X
ー A type of depression that occurs during • XRT: Radiotherapy (external).
the winter months when there is little light. ー A type of treatment that uses radiation.
• SOB: Shortness of breath.
• SQ: Subcutaneous.
ー This is a typical notation when noting or
ordering an injection (shot) given into the
fatty tissue under the skin, such as with
insulin for diabetes mellitus.

● LETTER T
• T: Temperature.
ー Temperature is recorded as part of the
physical examination. It is one of the "vital
signs."
• T&A: Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
• t.i.d. : Three times daily.
ー As in taking medicine three times daily.
• tab: Tablet.
• TAH: Total abdominal hysterectomy.
• TAH: Total abdominal hysterectomy.
ー A type of surgery to remove a woman’s
uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
• THR: Total hip replacement.
• TKR: Total knee replacement.
• TMJ : Temporomandibular joint.

● LETTER U
• UA or u/a: Urinalysis.
ー A UA is a typical part of a comprehensive
physical examination.