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Edward G. Miner Library

URMC / Libraries / Edward G. Miner Library / Resources / Abbreviation Glossary

Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Symbols

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Abbreviation/Acronym/Symbol
Definition
  • α
    alpha
    ; first in a series
  • A
    accommodation
    ; acetum; anode; anterior
  • a
    artery
    ; before; absorption; acidity; area; arterial; asymmetric
  • A2
    aortic second sound
  • Å
    angstrom
    unit
  • A-a gradient
    alveolar
    to arterial gradient
  • α-h
    right
    handed helical form assumed by many proteins
  • αΤα
    tocopherol (Vitamin E)
  • aa
    of each; arteries
  • AA
    amino acid
  • AAA
    abdominal aortic aneurysm
  • A&O
    alert and oriented
  • AAS
    acute abdominal series
  • AB
    antibody; abortion
  • AAD
    antibiotic-associated
    diarrhea
  • AAO
    alert
    , awake, and oriented
  • Ab
    antibody
  • AB
    abortion
  • abd
    abdominal/abdomen
  • ABG
    arterial blood gas
  • ABI
    ankle-brachial index
  • abl
    Abelson murine leukemia virus
  • ABLB
    alternate binaural loudness balance (test)
  • ABO
    three basic blood groups
  • ABPA
    allergic
    broncho pulmonary aspergillosis
  • ABR
    abortus
    Bang ring (test); auditory brainstem response
  • ABVD
    adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine
  • ABX
    antibiotics
  • AC
    adrenal cortex; air conduction; alternating current; axiocervical
  • a.c., ac
    ante cibum, before a meal
  • ac
    aceytl
  • acc.
    accommodation
  • A/CA
    accommodative/convergence accommodation ratio
  • ACE
    angiotensin-converting enzyme
  • ACEI
    angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor
  • AcG
    accelerator globulin
  • ACh
    acetylcholine
  • AChE
    acetylcholinesterase
  • AChR
    acetylcholine receptor
  • ACL
    anterior cruciate ligament
  • ACLS
    advanced cardiac life support
  • ACP
    acyl carrier protein
  • ACS
    acute coronary syndrome
  • ACTH
    adrenocorticotropic hormone
  • AD
    advance directive
  • ad
    to; up to
  • ADA
    American Diabetes Association
  • ADD
    Attention Deficit Disorder
  • ADE
    adverse drug effect
  • ADH
    antidiuretic hormone
  • ADHD
    attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder
  • ADL, ADLs
    activities of daily living
  • ad lib.
    freely; as desired
  • admov.
    apply
  • ADP
    adenosine 5' diphosphate
  • ADR
    adverse drug reaction
  • ad sat.
    to saturation
  • ADTP
    alcohol and drug treatment program
  • AE
    above the elbow (amputation)
  • AECB
    acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis
  • AED
    antiepileptic drug; automated external defibrillator
  • AF
    atrial fibrillation
  • AFB
    acid-fast bacillus
  • AFP
    alpha-fetoprotein
  • AFO
    ankle foot orthosis
  • A/G; A-G
    albumin/globulin ratio
  • Ag
    silver; antigen
  • AGC
    atypical glandular cells
  • AgNO3
    silver nitrate
  • ah
    hypermetropic astigmatism
  • AHF
    antihemophilic factor
  • AHG
    antihemophilic globulin
  • AI
    aortic incompetence; aortic insufficiency
  • AICD
    automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator
  • AID
    artificial insemination donor
  • AIDS
    acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
  • AIH
    artificial insemination by husband
  • AK
    above the knee
  • AKA
    above knee amputation
  • Al
    aluminum
  • Ala
    alanine
  • Alb
    albumin
  • ALA
    aminolevulinic acid
  • ALD
    alcoholic liver disease
  • ALL
    acute lymphocytic leukemia
  • ALP
    alkaline phosphatase
  • ALS
    amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • ALT
    alanine aminotransferase
  • alt. dieb.
    every other day
  • alt. hor.
    every other hour
  • alt. noc.
    every other night
  • AM
    morning
  • Am
    mixed astigmatism
  • a.m.a.
    against medical advice
  • amb
    ambulate
  • AMD
    aging macular degeneration
  • AMI
    acute myocardial infarction
  • AML
    acute myelogenous (myeloblastic) leukemia
  • AMLS
    Advanced Medical Life Support
  • AMP
    adenosine monophosphate (adenylic acid)
  • amp
    ampule; amputation
  • AMS
    altered mental status; acute mountain sickness
  • ANA
    antinuclear antibody
  • anat
    anatomy or anatomic
  • ANC
    absolute neutrophil count
  • AND
    axillary node dissection
  • ANF
    antinuclear factor
  • ANGIO
    angiography
  • ANNA
    anti-neuronal nuclear antibody
  • ANOVA
    anaylsis of variance
  • anuric
    not producing urine
  • ANP
    atrial natriuretic peptide
  • ANS
    autonomic nervous system
  • ant.
    anterior
  • anti-CCP
    anticyclic citrullinated peptide
  • ANUG
    acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
  • Ao.
    aorta
  • AOB
    alcohol on breath
  • AODM
    adult onset diabetes mellitus
  • A-P
    anterior-posterior; abdominal-perineal
  • A&P
    auscultation and percussion
  • ap
    before dinner
  • APA
    antipernicious anemia (factor)
  • APAP
    acetaminophen
  • APC
    atrial premature contraction; antigen presenting cell
  • A-P-C
    adenoidal pharyngeal conjunctival (virus)
  • APD
    afferent pupillary defect
  • APPY
    appendectomy
  • APS
    adult protective services; antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
  • aPTT
    activated partial thromboplastin
  • AQ, aq
    water
  • aq. dest.
    distilled water
  • aq. frig.
    cold water
  • ar
    argon
  • ARB
    angiotensin receptor blocker
  • ARC AIDS
    related complex
  • ARDS
    acute respiratory distress syndrome
  • ARF
    acute renal failure
  • Arg
    arginine
  • ARMD
    age-related macular degeneration
  • AROM
    active range of motion
  • AS
    ankylosing spondylitis; aortic stenosis; auris sinistra (left ear)
  • As.
    astigmatism; arsenic
  • ASA
    acetylsalicylic acid
  • ASAP
    as soon as possible
  • ASC
    atypical squamous cells
  • asc.
    ascending
  • ASCA
    anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody
  • ASC-US
    atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance
  • ASCVD
    atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
  • ASD
    atrial septal defect
  • AsH
    hypermetropic astigmatism
  • ASHD
    arteriosclerotic heart disease
  • ASIA
    American Spinal Injury Association
  • AsM
    myopic astigmatism
  • Asn
    asparagine
  • AST
    aspartate aminotransferase
  • Ast
    astigmatism
  • ASU
    ambulatory surgery unit
  • At
    astatine
  • ATCC
    American Type Culture Collection
  • at. wt.
    atomic weight
  • ATFL
    anterior talofibular ligament
  • ATL
    adult T cell leukemia; adult T cell lymphoma
  • atm
    atmosphere
  • ATN
    acute tubular necrosis
  • ATP
    adenosine 5' triphosphate
  • ATPD
    ambient temperature and pressure, dry
  • ATPS
    ambient temperature and pressure, saturated
  • Au
    gold
  • AUC
    area under the curve
  • A-V; AV; A/V
    arteriovenous; atrioventricular
  • av.
    avoirdupois
  • AVM
    arteriovenous malformation
  • AVN
    avascular necrosis; atrio-ventricular
  • AV02
    arteriovenous oxygen
  • AVP
    arginine vasopressin
  • AVR
    aortic valve replacement
  • AVSS
    afebrile, vital signs stable
  • AW
    atomic weight
  • ax
    axis
  • AZP
    azidothymidine (zidovudine)
  • B
    boron; bacillus; bilateral; barometric
  • �
    second in a series
  • b
    blood; bone
  • B&C
    board and care
  • Ba
    barium
  • BAC
    blood alcohol concentration
  • bandemia
    slang for elevated level of band forms of white blood cells
  • BADLs
    basic activities of daily living
  • BAE
    barium enema
  • BAER
    brainstem auditory evoked response
  • BAL
    bronchoalveolar lavage
  • BALB
    binaural alternate
  • BBB
    blood-brain barrier; bundle branch block
  • BCC
    basal cell carcinoma
  • BBT
    basal body temperature
  • BC
    bowel care
  • BCAA
    branched chain amino acids
  • BCG
    bacille Calmette-Gu�rin
  • BCLS
    basic cardiac life support
  • BCP
    birth control pills
  • BD
    Buerger disease
  • BDR
    background diabetic retinopathy
  • BE
    bacterial endocarditis; barium enema
  • Be
    beryllium
  • BEE
    basal energy expenditure
  • BET
    benign essential tremor
  • BHS
    beta-hemolytic streptococci
  • Bi
    bismuth
  • BIB
    brought in by
  • bib.
    drink
  • bibasilar
    at the bases of both lungs
  • b.i.d., bid
    twice a day
  • BIDS
    brittle hair, impaired intelligence, decreased fertility, and short stature
  • bilat.
    bilateral
  • b.i.n.
    twice a night
  • bipap
    bilevel positive airway pressure
  • BIVAD
    bi-ventribular assist device
  • BK
    below the knee; berkelium
  • BKA
    below the knee amputation
  • BL CX
    blood culture
  • BLS
    basic life support
  • BM
    bone marrow; bowel movement
  • BMD
    bone mineral density
  • BMI
    body mass index
  • BMR
    basal metabolic rate
  • BMS
    bone marrow suppression
  • BMP
    basic metabolic panel
  • BMT
    bone marrow transplantation
  • BNEd
    Bachelor of Nursing Education
  • BNP
    brain natriuretic peptide
  • BNSc
    Bachelor of Nursing Science
  • bol.
    pill
  • BOM
    bilateral otis media
  • BP
    blood pressure; base pair
  • B.P.
    British Pharmacopeia
  • BPD
    borderline personality disorder; bi-polar disorder; broncho-pulmonary dysplasia
  • BPF
    Bachelor of Public Health
  • BPH
    benign prostatic hyperplasia
  • bpm
    beats per minute
  • BPV
    benign positional vertigo
  • BR
    bed rest; bromine
  • BRAO
    branch retinal artery occlusion
  • BRAT (diet)
    banana, rice cereal, applesauce, toast
  • BRB
    bright red blood
  • BRBPR
    bright red blood per rectum
  • BRM
    biologic response modifier
  • BROW
    barley, rye, oats, and wheat
  • BRP
    bathroom privileges
  • BRVO
    branch retinal vein occlusion
  • BS
    bowel or breath sounds; Bachelor of Science
  • BSA
    body surface area
  • BSE
    breast self-examination
  • BSER
    brainstem evoked response
  • BSN
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • BSO
    bilateral salpingo oophorectomy - removal of both ovaries and Fallopian tubes
  • BT
    bleeding time
  • BTPS
    body temperature, ambient pressure, saturated (with water vapor)
  • BTU
    British thermal unit
  • BTX
    botulinum toxin
  • BUN
    blood urea nitrogen
  • BUS
    Bartholin glands, urethra, Skene glands
  • BW
    birth weight; body weight
  • Bx
    biopsy
  • C
    Calorie (kilocalorie); Celsius
  • c
    calorie (small calorie)
  • c
    with
  • CA
    coronary artery; cancer; carcinoma; cardiac arrest; contrast angiography
  • Ca
    calcium
  • ca.
    about; approximately; cancer
  • c-a
    cardioarterial
  • CAA
    crystalline amino acids
  • CABG
    coronary artery bypass graft
  • CaCO3
    calcium carbonate
  • CAD
    coronary artery disease
  • CAH
    chronic active hepatitis
  • Cal
    large calorie
  • CAM
    complimentary and alternative medicine
  • cAMP
    cyclic adenosine monophosphate
  • CAO
    conscious, alert, and oriented
  • CAP
    catabolite (gene) activator protein; community acquired pneumonia
  • cap.
    capsule
  • CAPD
    continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
  • CARDS
    cardiology
  • C&S
    culture and sensitivity, performed to detect infection
  • CAT
    computerized axial tomography; cataract
  • cath
    catheter
  • CB
    cerebellar
  • C/B
    complicated by
  • CBC
    complete blood count
  • CBD
    common bile duct; closed bag drainage
  • CBG
    capillary blood gas; corticosteroid binding globulin
  • CBI
    continuous bladder irrigation
  • CBRNE
    chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive agents
  • CBT
    cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Cbz
    carbobenzoxy (chloride)
  • CC
    chief complaint
  • cc
    cubic centimeter
  • CCB
    calcium channel blocker
  • CCC
    central corneal clouding
  • CCE
    clubbing, cyanosis, edema
  • CCl 4
    carbon tetrachloride
  • CCK
    cholycystectomy
  • CCNU
    chloroethylcyclo-hexylnitrosourea (lomustine)
  • CCU
    coronary care unit; critical care unit
  • CCV
    critical closing volume
  • cd
    candela
  • Cd
    cadmium
  • CD
    compact disc
  • C/D
    cup to disk ratio
  • CD4 T
    helper cells
  • CD8
    cytotoxic cells
  • CDC
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • CDI
    clean dry intact
  • Cdif
    clostridium difficile
  • cDNA
    complimentary DNA
  • CDP
    cytidine 5' diphosphate
  • Ce
    cerium
  • CEA
    carcinoembryonic antigen
  • CELO
    chicken embryo lethal orphan (virus)
  • CEP
    congenital erythropoietic porphyria
  • CEU
    continuing education unit
  • Cf
    calfornium
  • CF
    cystic fibrosis; complement fixation; coupling factor; Christmas factor
  • CFTR
    cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator
  • cg
    centigram
  • CG
    chorionic gonadotropin
  • CGA
    catabolite gene activator
  • CGL
    chronic granulocytic leukemia
  • cGMP
    cyclic guanosine monophosphate
  • Ch1
    Christchurch (chromosome)
  • ChB
    Bachelor of Surgery
  • ChD
    Doctor of Surgery
  • CHD
    congenital heart disease; coronary heart disease
  • ChE
    cholinesterase
  • chem panel
    chemistry panel, a comprehensive screening blood test that indicates status of liver, kidneys, and electrolytes
  • chemo
    chemotherapy
  • CHF
    congestive heart failure
  • CHI
    closed head injury
  • ChM
    Master of Surgery
  • CHO
    carbohydrate
  • CI
    cardiac index; color index; confidence interval
  • Ci
    curie
  • CIC
    clean intermittent catheterization
  • CIDP
    chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
  • CIE
    counterimmunoelectrophoresis
  • CIN
    cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
  • CIQ
    cognitive laterality quotient
  • CIU
    chronic idiopathic urticaria
  • CIS
    carcinoma in situ
  • CJD
    Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
  • CK
    creatine kinase
  • CK-MB
    serum creatine kinase, myocardial-bound
  • Cl
    chlorine
  • CL
    cardiolipin
  • CLA
    clinical laboratory assistant
  • CLIA
    Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments
  • CLL
    chronic lymphocytic leukemia
  • cm
    centimeter
  • cM
    centimorgan
  • CM
    cardiomegaly
  • Cm
    curium
  • CMA
    Certified Medical Assistant
  • CMC
    carpometacarpal
  • CME
    continuing medical education
  • CMI
    cell mediated immunity
  • CML
    chronic myelogenous leukemia
  • CMO
    Chief Medical Officer
  • CMP
    cardiomyopathy; cytidine 5' phosphate
  • CMR
    chief medical resident
  • c.m.s.
    to be taken tomorrow morning
  • CMT
    certified medication technician; certified medical transcriptionist
  • CMV
    cytomegalovirus; controlled mechanical ventilation
  • c.n.
    tomorrow night
  • CN
    cranial nerves
  • CNIS
    carotid non-invasive study
  • CNM
    Certified Nurse Midwife
  • CNP
    Community Nurse Practitioner
  • CNS
    central nervous system
  • c.n.s.
    to be taken tomorrow night
  • CO
    carbon monoxide; cardiac output
  • CO2
    carbon dioxide
  • Co
    cobalt
  • c/o
    complains of
  • CoA
    coenzyme A
  • COG
    center of gravity
  • COLD
    chronic obstructive lung disease
  • comp.
    compound; compounded of
  • COMT
    catechol-O-methyltransferase
  • conA
    concanavalin A
  • COPD
    chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • COS
    Chief of Staff
  • COX-2
    cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors
  • CP
    cerebral palsy; cleft palate; chest pain; costophrenic
  • CPAP
    continuous positive airway pressure
  • CPC
    clinicopathologic conference
  • CPD
    cephalopelvic disproportion
  • CPHSS
    Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale
  • CPK
    creatine phosphokinase
  • CPM
    continuous passive motion
  • CPP
    cerebral perfusion pressure
  • CPPB
    continuous (or constant) positive pressure breathing
  • CPPD
    calcium pyrophosphate disease
  • CPPV
    continuous positive pressure ventilation
  • CPR
    cardiopulmonary resuscitation
  • cps
    cycles per second
  • CPS
    child protective services
  • CPT
    current procedureal terminology
  • CPU
    chest pain unit
  • Cr
    chromium; creatinine
  • CR
    Chief Resident; conditioned reflex; controlled release; crown-rump length
  • CRAO
    central retinal artery occlusion
  • CRCL
    creatinine clearance
  • CRD
    chronic respiratory disease
  • CREST
    calcinosis, Raynaud phenomenon, esophageal dysfunction, sclerodactyly, telangiectasia (cluster of features of systemic sclerosis scleroderma)
  • CRF
    chronic renal failure
  • CRFs
    cardiac risk factors
  • CRH
    corticotropin releasing hormone
  • CRI
    chronic renal insufficiency
  • CRNA
    Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
  • CRNP
    Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner
  • CRP
    c. reactive protein
  • CRS-R
    Conners Rating Scales-Revised
  • CRST
    calcinosis cutis, Raynaud phenomenon, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia (syndrome)
  • CRT
    Certified Respiratory Therapist
  • CRTS
    Certified Recreational Therapy Specialist
  • CRVO
    central retinal vein occlusion
  • Cs
    cesium
  • CS
    cardiogenic shock; cesarean section; culture and sensitivity; Chief of Staff
  • CSD
    catscratch disease
  • CSF
    cerebrospinal fluid; colony-stimulating factor
  • CSH
    combat support hospital
  • CSW
    certified social worker
  • CT
    computed/computerized tomography
  • CTP
    cytidine 5' triphosphate
  • CTR
    cardiothoracic ratio
  • Cu
    copper
  • CV
    cardiovascular
  • CVA
    cardiovascular accident; cerebrovascular accident (stroke); costovertebral angle
  • CVAT
    CVA tenderness
  • CVC
    central venous catheter
  • CVP
    central venous pressure
  • CVRB
    critical value read back
  • CVS
    cardiovascular system; chorionic villi sampling
  • c/w
    consistent with; compared with
  • CX
    culture
  • CXR
    chest x-ray
  • Cyd
    cytidine
  • cyl
    cylinder; cylindric (lens)
  • CYP
    cytochrome P-450 (enzyme)
  • Cys
    cysteine
  • Cyt
    cytosine
  • Δ
    delta; change; heat
  • δ
    delta; heavy chain class corresponding to IgD
  • D
    diopter; dose; diarrhea; disk; Dalton; deuterium; vitamin D potency of cod liver oil
  • D5/0.9 NaCl 5%
    dextrose and normal saline solution (0.9% NaCl)
  • D5/� /NS 5%
    dextrose and half-normal saline solution (0.45% NaCl)
  • D5W 5%
    dextrose in water
  • d
    density; right; deci-; day
  • /d
    per day
  • da
    deca
  • dA; dAdo
    deoxyadenosine
  • Da
    Dalton
  • DA
    developmental age
  • D & C
    dilatation and curettage
  • D&E
    dilatation and evacuation
  • daMP
    deoxyadenylic acid
  • DANS
    1-dimethylaminonaphthalene 5 sulfonic acid
  • DAT
    diet as tolerated
  • DAW
    dispense as written
  • dB
    decibel
  • DB
    direct bilirubin
  • DBP
    diastolic blood pressure
  • DC
    direct current; Doctor of Chiropractic
  • dc
    discontinue; discharge
  • DCG
    dacryocystography
  • DCh
    Doctor of Surgery
  • DCIS
    ductal carcinoma in situ
  • dCMP
    deoxycytidylic acid
  • DDS
    Doctor of Dental Surgery
  • DDx
    differential diagnosis
  • DDT
    dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (chlorophenothane)
  • def
    decayed, extracted, or filled (deciduous teeth)
  • Derm
    dermatology
  • DES
    diethylstibestrol
  • det.
    let it be given
  • DET
    diethyltryptamine
  • DEV
    duck embryo vaccine; duck embryo virus
  • DEXA
    dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry
  • df
    decayed and filled (deciduous teeth)
  • DF
    dorsiflexion; decayed and filled (permanent teeth)
  • Df
    deficiency
  • DFA
    direct fluorescent antibody
  • DFE
    dilated fundus examination
  • DFV
    Doppler flow velocimetry
  • dGMP
    deoxyguanosine monophosphate
  • DH
    Dental Hygienist
  • DHEA
    dehydro-3-epiandrosterone
  • DHT
    dihydrotestosterone
  • DI
    diabetes insipidus
  • DIC
    disseminated intravascular coagulation
  • dieb. alt.
    every other day
  • dieb. tert.
    every third day
  • DIF
    differential; direct immunofluorescence
  • dil.
    dilute; diluted
  • dim.
    halved
  • DIP
    distal interphalangeal joint; desquamative interstitial pneumonia
  • DISIDA
    (scan) diisopropyl iminodiacetic acid (cholescintigraphy)
  • DJD
    degenerative joint disease
  • dk
    deca-, deka
  • DKA
    diabetic ketoacidosis
  • dL
    deciliter
  • DM
    diabetes mellitus
  • DMARD
    disease-modulating antirheumatic drug
  • DMD
    Doctor of Dental Medicine; Duchenne muscular dystrophy
  • DME
    Director of Medical Education
  • dmf
    decayed, missing, or filled (deciduous teeth)
  • DMSO
    dimethyl sulfoxide
  • DMT
    dimethyltryptamine
  • DN
    dibucaine number
  • DNA
    deoxyribonucleic acid
  • DNB
    Diplomate of the National Board (of Medical Examiners)
  • DNC
    dilation and curettage
  • DNE
    Director of Nursing Education; Doctor of Nursing Education
  • DNH
    do not hospitalize
  • DNI
    do not intubate
  • DNP
    deoxyribonucleoprotein; 2,4 dinitrophenol
  • DNR
    do not resuscitate
  • DNS
    Director of Nursing Service
  • DO
    Doctor of Osteopathy
  • D/O
    disorder
  • DOA
    dead on arrival
  • DOB
    date of birth
  • DOC
    deoxycholic acid; deoxycorticosterone
  • DOE
    dyspnea on exertion
  • DOM
    2,5 dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine
  • DON
    Director of Nursing
  • DOT
    directly observed therapy
  • DOU
    direct observation unit
  • DP
    dorsalis pedis; Doctor of Pharmacy; Doctor of Podiatry
  • Dp
    duplication of a gene or chromosomal segment
  • DPat
    diphtheria-acellular pertussis tetanus (vaccine)
  • DPH
    Doctor of Public Health; Doctor of Public Hygiene
  • Dpharm
    Doctor of Pharmacy
  • DPI
    dry powder inhaler
  • DPL
    diagnositc peritoneal lavage
  • DPM
    Doctor of Physical Medicine; Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
  • DPN
    diphosphopyridine nucleotide
  • DPOA
    durable power of attorney
  • DPT
    diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (vaccine)
  • DR
    diabetic retinopathy; degeneration reaction, reaction of degeneration
  • dr.
    dram
  • Dr. Med
    Doctor of Medicine
  • DRE
    digital rectal examination
  • DRG
    diagnosis-related group
  • DrPH
    Doctor of Public Health; Doctor of Public Hygiene
  • DRVVT
    dilute Russell viper venom test
  • DSM-IV-TR
    Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision
  • D-S
    Doerfler Stewart (test)
  • DSA
    digital subtraction angiography
  • DSc
    Doctor of Science
  • DSD
    dry sterile dressing
  • dsDNA
    double-stranded DNA
  • D/T
    due to
  • dTDP
    deoxythymidine 5 diphosphate
  • dThd
    thymidine
  • DTIC
    dimethyltrizenoimidazole carboxamide (dacarbazine)
  • dTMP
    deoxythymidylic acid
  • DTP
    diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine; distal tingling on percussion (Tingel sign)
  • DTPA
    diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid
  • DTR
    deep tendon reflex(es)
  • DTs
    delirium tremens
  • dTTP
    deoxythymidine 5� triphosphate
  • dT
    deoxythymidine
  • DU
    duodenal ulcer
  • dur.
    dolor while pain lasts
  • DVM
    Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
  • DVT
    deep vein thrombosis
  • D5W
    dextrose 5% in water
  • DWI
    driving while intoxicated
  • Dx
    diagnosis
  • Dy
    dysprosium
  • e
    epsilon; molar absorption coefficient; heavy chain class corresponding to IgE
  • E
    eye; Escherichia; exa; extraction (ratio)
  • EAA
    essential amino acids
  • EB
    Epstein-Barr virus
  • EBL
    estimated blood loss
  • EBM
    evidence-based medicine
  • EBRT
    external beam radiation therapy
  • EBV
    Epstein-Barr virus
  • ECD
    external continence device
  • ECF
    extended care facility; extracellular fluid
  • ECF-A
    eosinophilic chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis
  • ECG
    electrocardiogram, electrocardiograph
  • ECHO
    echocardiography
  • ECM
    erythema chronicum migrans
  • ECMO
    extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
  • ECS
    electrocerebral silence
  • ECT
    electroconvulsive therapy
  • ED
    emergency department; effective dose; erythema dose; erectile dysfunction; eating disorder
  • EDC
    expected date of confinement; (the first word on a prescription), take; prescription; treatment
  • EDD
    estimated date of delivery (formerly EDC: estimated date of confinement)
  • EDTA
    ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (edathamil, editic acid)
  • EEG
    electroencephalogram
  • EENT
    eye, ear, nose, and throat
  • EF
    ejection fraction
  • EFAD
    essential fatty acid deficiency
  • EGD
    esophagogastroduodenoscopy
  • EIA
    enzyme immunosorbent assay
  • EIC
    epidermal inclusion cyst
  • EJ
    external jugular
  • EKG
    electrocardiogram; electrocardiograph
  • EKY
    electrokymogram
  • ELISA
    enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
  • elix.
    elixir
  • Em
    emmetropia; electron microscopy
  • EMA
    IgA immunoglobulin A antiendomysial
  • EMC
    encephalomyocarditis
  • EMF
    electromotive force
  • EMG
    electromyogram, electromyography; exomphalos, macroglossia, and gigantism (syndrome)
  • EMS
    emergency medical service; eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome
  • EMT
    Emergency Medical Technician
  • EMV
    eyes, motor, verbal response (Glasgow coma scale)
  • Endo
    endocrine
  • ENG
    electronystagmography
  • ENT
    ear, nose, and throat
  • E/O
    evidence of
  • EOG
    electrooculography
  • Eos
    eosinophils
  • EOM
    extraocular muscles
  • EP
    extrapyramidal
  • EPAP
    expiratory positive airway pressure
  • EPO
    erythropoeitin
  • EPS
    extrapyramidal symptoms
  • ER
    Emergency Room; extended-release; endoplasmic reticulum
  • Er
    erbium
  • ERBP
    effective renal blood flow
  • ERCP
    endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
  • ERG
    electroretinogram
  • ERPF
    effective renal plasma flow
  • ERT
    estrogen replacement therapy
  • ERV
    expiratory reserve volume
  • Es
    einsteinium
  • ESEP
    extreme somatosensory evoked potential
  • ESI
    epidural steroid injection
  • ESLD
    end stage liver disease
  • ESP
    extrasensory perception
  • ESR
    erythrocyte sedimentation rate; electron spin resonance
  • ESRD
    end-stage renal disease
  • EST
    electroshock therapy
  • ESWL
    extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
  • ET
    endotracheal
  • ETT
    endotracheal tube
  • ET-1
    endothelin-1
  • ETOH, EtOH
    ethyl alcohol
  • Eu
    europium
  • EUA
    examination under anesthesia
  • ev; eV
    electron volt
  • EWCL
    extended wear contact lens
  • EX FIX
    external fixation
  • EX LAP
    exploratory laparotomy
  • ext.
    extensor; external; extremities
  • F
    Fahrenheit; faraday (constant); fertility (factor); field (of vision) flourine
  • f
    female; frequency
  • F1
    first filial generation
  • F1.2
    (prothrombin) fragment 1.2
  • FA
    fatty acid
  • FAAN
    Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing
  • Fab
    fragment of antibody molecule involved in antigen binding
  • FACA
    Fellow of the American College of Anesthesiology
  • FACAL
    Fellow of the American College of Allergy
  • FACC
    Fellow of the American College of Cardiologists
  • FACD
    Fellow of the American College of Dentists
  • FACFP
    Fellow of the American College of Family Physicians
  • FACO
    Fellow of the American College of Otolaryngology
  • FACOG
    Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  • FACOS
    Fellow of the American College of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • FACP
    Fellow of the American College of Physicians
  • FACR
    Fellow of the American College of Radiology
  • FACS
    Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
  • FAD
    Flavine adenine dinucleotide; familial Alzheimer disease
  • F & E
    fluid and electrolyte
  • FAMA
    Fellow of the American Medical Association
  • FANA
    flourescent antinuclear antibody (test)
  • F&N
    febrile and neutropenic
  • FAP
    familial adenomatous polyposis
  • FB
    foreign body
  • F/B
    followed by
  • FBS
    fasting blood sugar
  • Fc
    constant fragment of an antibody molecule
  • FD
    fatal dose; focal distance
  • FDA
    (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration
  • Fe
    iron
  • FEF
    forced expiratory flow
  • FEM
    femoral
  • FENA
    fractional excretion of sodium
  • FES
    functional electrical stimulation
  • FET
    forced expiratory time
  • FEV
    forced expiratory volume
  • FF
    filtration fraction
  • FFD
    focus film distance
  • FFP
    fresh frozen plasma
  • FHR
    fetal heart rate
  • FHT
    fetal heart tone
  • FIA
    flourescent immunoassay
  • FISH
    fluorescence in situ hybridization
  • fl.
    flexor
  • Fld
    fluid
  • flex sig
    flexible sigmoidoscopy
  • FLU
    influenza
  • Fm
    fermium
  • FMG
    foreign medical graduate
  • FMN
    flavin(e) mononucleotide
  • FNA
    fine needle aspiration
  • FOBT
    fecal occult blood test
  • FOS
    full of stool; force of stream
  • FP
    family practice; family practitioner
  • fps; FPS
    foot pound second (system, unit)
  • Fr
    francium; French (gauge scale)
  • FRC
    functional residual capacity
  • French
    (catheter gauge)
  • FRF
    follicle stimulating hormone releasing factor
  • FRS
    first rank symptom
  • Fru
    fructose
  • FSG
    finger stick glucose
  • FSH
    follicle-stimulating hormone
  • FSH-RF
    follicle stimulating hormone releasing factor
  • FSH-RH
    follicle stimulating hormone releasing hormone
  • FTA-ABS
    fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (test)
  • FTT
    failure to thrive
  • FU; F/U
    fluorouracil; follow-up
  • FUO
    fever of unknown origin
  • FVC
    forced vital capacity
  • Fx
    fracture
  • γ
    gamma; Ostwald solubility coefficient; the third in a series; heavy chain class corresponding to IgG
  • G, g, gm
    giga; gram; glucose; gravitation (newtonian constant of)
  • G
    guaiac (followed by + or -)
  • G 1
    gap 1
  • G 2
    gap 2
  • G6P
    glucose 6 phosphate
  • GA
    general anesthesia
  • Ga
    gallium
  • GABA
    gamma-aminobutyric acid
  • GABAB
    gamma-aminobutyric acid type B
  • GABHS
    group- �-hemolytic Streptococcus
  • GABRB3
    GABAA receptor gene
  • GAD
    generalized anxiety disorder
  • garg
    gargle
  • Gal
    galactose
  • GAS
    group A Strep; guaiac all stools
  • GB
    gallbladder; Guillain-Barr�
  • GBM
    glioblastoma multiforme
  • GBS
    group B Strep
  • GC
    gonococcus or gonorrheal
  • GCS
    Glasgow coma scale
  • GCSF
    granulocyte colony stimulating factor
  • GDM
    gestational diabetes mellitus
  • GDP
    mannose 1 phosphate guanylyltransferase
  • GDS
    Geriatric Depression Scale
  • Ge
    germanium
  • GERD
    gastroesophageal reflux disease
  • GERI
    geriatrics
  • GETT
    general by endotracheal tube
  • GFR
    glomerular filtration rate
  • GGT
    gamma-glutamyl transferase
  • GH
    growth hormone
  • GHB
    gamma hydroxybutyrate
  • GHRF; GH-RF
    growth hormone releasing factor
  • GHRH; GH-RH
    growth hormone releasing hormone
  • GI
    gastrointestinal; Gingival Index
  • GIB
    gastrointestinal bleeding
  • GIP
    gastric inhibitory polypeptide
  • GLC
    glaucoma; glass liquid chromatography
  • Gln
    glutamine; glutaminyl
  • Glu
    glutamicacid; glutamyl
  • Gly
    glycine; glycyl
  • GMO
    General Medical Officer
  • GMP
    guanosine monophosphate (guanylic acid)
  • GMR
    gallups, murmurs, rubs
  • GMS
    Gomori (or Grocott) methenamine silver (stain)
  • GN
    glomerulonephritis; Graduate Nurse
  • GNR
    gram negative rod
  • GnRH
    gonadotropin-releasing hormone
  • GOO
    gastric outlet obstruction
  • GOT
    glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (aspartate aminotransferase)
  • GP
    general practitioner
  • GPI
    Gingival Periodontal Index
  • G#P#
    gravida# para#
  • GP 2b3a
    glycoprotein 2b/3a inhibitor
  • GPC
    gram positive coccus
  • G6PD
    glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
  • gr
    grain; 1 grain = 65mg
  • grad
    by degrees
  • GRAS
    generally recognized as safe
  • GS
    gram stain
  • GSH
    reduced glutathione
  • GSR
    galvanic skin response
  • GSSG
    oxidized glutathione
  • GSW
    gunshot wound
  • GTP
    guanosine5' triphosphate
  • GTT
    glucose tolerance test
  • Gt, gtt
    drops
  • G-tube
    gastric feeding tube
  • GU
    genitourinary; gastric ulcer
  • Guo
    guanosine
  • guttat.
    drop by drop
  • GVHD
    graft-versus-host disease
  • GXT
    graded exercise tolerance (Stress test)
  • Gy
    gray (unit of absorbed dose of ionizing radiation)
  • GYN
    gynecology
  • h
    hecto
  • h
    Planck constant
  • 1H
    hydrogen-1 (protium, light hydrogen)
  • 2H
    hydrogen-2 (deuterium, heavy hydrogen)
  • 3H
    hydrogen-3 (tritium, radioactive hydrogen)
  • H
    hydrogen; henry; hyperopia; hyperopic
  • H+
    hydrogen ion
  • h, hr
    hour
  • Ha
    hahnium
  • HA
    hyaluronic acid; hemogglutinin
  • H&E
    hematoxylin and eosin
  • H&H
    hematocrit and hemoglobin
  • H&P
    history and physical examination
  • H1N1
    hemagglutinin type 1 and neuraminidase type 1
  • H2
    histamine 2
  • H flu
    haemophilus influenza
  • HAART
    highly active antiretroviral therapy
  • HA
    headache
  • HACE
    high altitude cerebral edema
  • HAV
    hepatitis A virus
  • HAPE
    high altitude pulmonary edema
  • HbA
    adult hemoglobin
  • HbA1
    major component of adult hemoglobin
  • HbA2
    minor fraction of adult hemoglobin
  • HbAS
    heterozygosity for hemoglobin A and hemoglobin S (sickle cell trait)
  • HBcAg
    Hepatitis B core antigen
  • HbCO
    carboxyhemoglobin
  • HBc
    Hepatitis B early antigen
  • HBcAb
    Hepatitis B early antibody
  • HBcAg
    Hepatitis B early antigen
  • HbF
    fetal hemoglobin
  • Hbg
    hemoglobin
  • HBIG
    hepatitis B immune globulin
  • HBO
    hyperbaric oxygen
  • HbO2
    oxyhemoglobin, oxygenated hemoglobin
  • HbS
    sicle cell hemoglobin
  • HBsAb
    hepatitis B surface antibody
  • HBsAg
    hepatitis B surface antigen
  • HBP
    high blood pressure
  • HBV
    hepatitis B virus
  • HCC
    hepatocellular carcinoma
  • HCFA
    Health Care Financing Administration
  • HCG
    human chorionic gonadotropin
  • HCI
    hydrochloric acid; hydrochloride
  • HCL
    hard contact lens
  • HCM
    health care maintenance
  • HCP
    health care professional
  • HCS
    human chorionic somatomammotropin
  • HCT, Hct
    hematocrit
  • HCV
    hepatitis C virus
  • h.d.
    at bedtime
  • HD
    hearing distance
  • HDL
    high-density lipoprotein
  • HDRV
    human diploid (cell strain) rabies vaccine
  • HDV
    hepatitis D
  • He
    helium
  • HEENT
    head, eye, ear, nose, and throat
  • HELLP
    hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets
  • HEME/ONC
    hematology/oncology
  • HEMPAS
    hereditary erythroblastic multinuclearity associated with positive acidified serum
  • HEPA
    high-efficiency particulate air
  • HER2
    human EGF (epidermal growth factor) receptor 2
  • HEV
    hepatitis E
  • HF
    hafnium
  • HF
    heart failure
  • HFJV
    high frequency jet ventilation
  • Hg
    mercury
  • hgb
    hemoglobin
  • HE
    human granulocytic ehrlichiosis
  • HGH
    human (pituitary) growth hormone
  • HGSIL
    high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
  • H/H
    Henderson-Hasselbach equation or hemoglobin/hematocrit
  • HI
    homicidal ideation; hemagglutination inhibition (test, titer)
  • 5-HIAA
    hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (scan)
  • Hib
    Haemophilus influenzae type B
  • HIDA
    hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (cholescintigraphy)
  • HIPAA
    Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
  • His; -His; His-
    histidine; histidino; histidyl
  • HIT
    heparin induced thrombocytopenia
  • HIV
    human immunodeficiency virus
  • HJR
    hepatojugular reflex
  • HL
    heparin lock; hyperopia latent
  • HLA
    human leukocyteantigen; histocompatibility locus antigen
  • Hm
    hyperopia, manifest (hypermetropia)
  • HME
    human monocytic ehrlichiosis
  • HMG
    CoA 3 hydroxy 3 methylglutaryl coenzyme A
  • HMO
    Health Maintenance Organization
  • HMWK
    high molecular weight kininogen (Fletcher factor)
  • ho
    holmium
  • h/o
    history of
  • HOB
    head of bed
  • HOCM
    hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
  • HOH
    hard of hearing
  • HONK
    hyperosmolar non-ketotic state
  • H2O
    water
  • H2O2
    hydrogen peroxide
  • hor. decub.
    bedtime
  • hor. som, h.s.
    bedtime
  • HPF
    high power field
  • HPI
    history of present illness
  • HPL
    human placental lactogen
  • HPLC
    high performance liquid chromatography
  • HPV
    human papillomavirus
  • HR
    heart rate
  • HRCT
    high-resolution computed tomography
  • HRT
    hormone replacement therapy
  • HS
    at bedtime
  • HSIL
    high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
  • HSM
    hepatosplenomegaly
  • HSV
    herpes simplex virus
  • 5-HT
    5-hydroxytryptamine (seratonin)
  • Ht
    hyperopia, total
  • HTLV-III
    human T lymphotropic virus type III
  • HTN
    hypertension
  • HU
    holding unit
  • HUS
    hemolytic uremic syndrome
  • HVL
    half value layer
  • hx, Hx
    history
  • Hy
    hyperopia
  • Hyp
    hydroxyproline
  • Hz
    hertz (cycles per second)
  • I
    iodine
  • I+
    with ionic contrast (in reference to a CAT scan)
  • I-
    without ionic contrast (in reference to a CAT scan)
  • 131I
    radioactive isotope of iodine (atomic weight 131)
  • 132I
    radioactive isotope of iodine (atomic weight 132)
  • IA
    intra-articular
  • I&D
    incision and drainage
  • I&O
    intake and output
  • IABP
    intra-aortic balloon pump
  • IADLs
    instrumental activities of daily living
  • IAP
    intermittent acute porphyria
  • IBD
    inflamatory bowel disease
  • IBS
    inflamatory bowel syndrome
  • IBW
    ideal body weight
  • IC
    inspiratory capacity
  • ICA
    internal carotid artery
  • ICD
    implantable cardioverter defibrillator; International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization
  • ICDA
    International Classification of Diseases Adapted for use in the United States
  • ICF
    intracellular fluid
  • ICH
    intracranial hemorrhage
  • ICP
    intracranial pressure
  • ICS
    intercostal space
  • ICSH
    interstitial cell-stimulating hormone
  • ICU
    intensive care unit
  • Id.
    the same
  • ID
    infectious disease or identification
  • IDDM
    insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
  • IDM
    infants of diabetic mothers
  • IDU
    idoxuridine; injection/injection drug user
  • IED
    improvised explosive device
  • IF
    initiation factor; intrinsic factor
  • IFN
    interferon
  • Ig
    immunoglobulin
  • IgE
    immunoglobulin E
  • IGF
    insulinlike growth factor
  • IgG
    immunoglobulin G
  • IH
    inguinal hernia (usually preceded by L or R)
  • IHSS
    idiopathic hypertropic subaortic stenosis
  • IJ
    internal jugular
  • IL
    interleukin; indirect laryngoscopy
  • IL-1
    interleukin 1
  • IL-8
    interleukin 8
  • ILA
    insulinlike activity
  • ILD
    interstitial lung disease
  • Ile
    isoleucine
  • IM
    intramuscular; internal medicine; infectious mononucleosis
  • IMI
    inferior myocardial infarction
  • IMP
    impression; inosine monophosphate (inosinic acid)
  • IMV
    intermittent mandatory ventilation
  • In
    indium
  • in d.
    daily
  • IND
    investigational new drug
  • INF
    interferon
  • inf.
    inferior
  • inj.
    injection
  • Ino
    inosine
  • INR
    international normalized ratio
  • instill.
    instillation
  • int.
    internal
  • in vitro
    in the laboratory
  • in vivo
    in the body
  • IOL
    intraocular lens
  • IOML
    infraorbitomeatal line
  • IOP
    intraocular pressure
  • IP
    interphalangeal; intraperiotoneal(ly)
  • IPAP
    inspiratory positive airway pressure
  • IPF
    idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
  • IPPB
    intermittent positive pressure breathing
  • IPPV
    intermittent positive pressure ventilation
  • IPV
    inactive poliovirus vaccine
  • IQ
    intelligence quotient
  • Ir
    iridium
  • IR
    interventional radiology; internal rotation
  • IRBBB
    incomplete right bundle branch block
  • IRB
    indications risks benefits; institutional review board
  • IRDM
    insulin resistant diabetes mellitus
  • IRV
    inspiratory reserve volume
  • ISI
    International Sensitivity Index
  • IT
    interthecal; information technology
  • ITP
    idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
  • I.U.
    a international unit
  • IUCD
    intrauterine contraceptive device
  • IUD
    intrauterine device
  • IUFD
    intrauterine fetal death
  • IUP
    intrauterine pregnancy
  • IV
    intravenous
  • IVC
    intravenous cholangiogram or inferior vena cava
  • IVDA
    intravenous drug abuse
  • IVDU
    intravenous drug use
  • IVF
    intravenous fluids; in vitro fertilization
  • IVP
    intravenous pyelogram
  • J
    flux (density)
  • J
    joule
  • JMS
    Junior Medical Student
  • JNC 7
    The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure
  • JODM
    juvenile onset diabetes mellitus
  • JP
    Jackson Pratt drain
  • JRA
    juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
  • jt.
    joint
  • J-tube
    jejunal feeding tube
  • JVD
    jugular venous distention
  • JVP
    jugular venous pressure
  • K
    potassium; kelvin
  • k
    kilo
  • KAFO
    knee ankle foot orthosis
  • kat
    katal
  • kb
    kilobase
  • kc
    kilocycle
  • Kcal
    kilocalories
  • KCL
    potassium chloride
  • KCT
    kaolin clotting time
  • kg
    kilogram
  • KI
    potassium iodine
  • KJ
    knee jerk
  • Km
    Michaelis constant
  • KOH
    potassium hydroxide
  • KOR
    keep open rate
  • KP
    keratic precipitate
  • Kr
    krypton
  • 17-KS
    17-ketosteroid
  • KS
    Kaposi sarcoma
  • KT
    kinesio therapy or kinesiotherapist
  • KUB
    kidney, ureter, and bladder
  • kv
    kilovolt
  • KVO
    keep vein open
  • kVp
    kilovolt peak
  • KW
    Kimmelstiel Wilson (disease); Keith Wagener (retinal changes)
  • L
    liter; left
  • L:S R
    lecithin: spingomyelin ratio
  • La
    lanthanum
  • LA
    left atrium
  • LAD
    left anterior descending (coronary artery)
  • L&D
    labor and delivery
  • lab
    laboratory
  • LAC
    laceration
  • LAD
    left axis deviation or left anterior descending
  • LAE
    left atrial enlargement
  • LAHB
    left anterior hemiblock
  • LAO
    left anterior oblique (coronary artery)
  • LAP
    left atrial pressure; leukocyte alkaline phosphatase; leucine aminopeptidase
  • LAR
    low anterior resection
  • lat
    lateral
  • LATS
    long acting thyroid stimulator
  • lb
    pound
  • LBBB
    left bundle branch block
  • LBO
    large bowel obstruction
  • LBP
    low back pain
  • LBT
    lupus band test
  • LBW
    low birth weight
  • LC
    lethal concentration
  • LCA
    left coronary artery
  • LCAT
    lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase
  • LCL
    lateral collateral ligament
  • LCM
    left costal margin; lymphocytic choriomeningitis (virus)
  • LCX
    left circumflex (coronary artery)
  • LD50
    lethal dose, median
  • LDH
    lactate dehydrogenase
  • LDL
    low-density lipoprotein
  • LE
    lower extremity; lupus erythematosus
  • LEEP
    loop electrosurgical excision procedure
  • LENIS
    lower extremity non-invasive study
  • LES
    lower esophageal sphincter
  • LETS
    large external transformation sensitive (fibronectin)
  • Leu
    leucine
  • LFA
    left frontoanterior (fetal position)
  • LFP
    left frontoposterior (fetal position)
  • LFT
    liver function test
  • LGA
    large for gestational age
  • LGSIL
    low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
  • LGV
    lymphogranuloma venereum
  • LH
    luteinizing hormone
  • LH-RF
    luteinizing hormone releasing factor
  • LH-RH
    luteinizing hormone releasing hormone
  • LHC
    left heart cath
  • Li
    lithium
  • LIH
    left inguinal hernia
  • lig
    ligament
  • LIMA
    left internal mammary artery
  • liq.
    liquid; fluid
  • LLE
    left lower extremity
  • LLL
    left lower lobe
  • LLQ
    left lower quadrant
  • LM
    left main coronary artery
  • LMA
    laryngeal mask airway
  • LMD
    local medical doctor
  • LMN
    lower motor neuron
  • LMP
    last menstrual period
  • LMT
    left mentotransverse (fetal position)
  • LMWH
    low molecular weight heparin
  • LN
    lymph node; liquid nitrogen
  • LND
    lymph node dissection
  • LNMP
    last normal menstrual period
  • LNPF
    lymph node permeability factor
  • LOA
    lysis of adhesions
  • LOC
    level/loss of consciousness
  • LOP
    left occipitoposterior (fetal position)
  • LOT
    left occipitotransverse (fetal position)
  • LP
    lumbar puncture
  • LPF
    low power field
  • LPH
    lipotropic pituitary hormone (lipotropin)
  • LPN
    licensed practical nurse
  • Lr
    lawrencium
  • LR
    lactated Ringer (solution)
  • LRCP
    Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians
  • LRCS
    Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons
  • LRH
    luteinizing hormone releasing hormone
  • LS
    lumbro-sacral
  • LSA
    left sacroanterior (fetal position)
  • LSD
    lysergic acid diethylamide
  • LSIL
    low-grade squamous epithelial lesion
  • LSP
    left sacroposterior (fetal position)
  • LST
    left sacrotransverse (fetal position)
  • LT
    light touch
  • LTD
    lowest tolerated dose
  • LTH
    luteotropic hormone
  • LTM
    long-term memory
  • LTR
    long terminal repeat
  • Lu
    lutetium
  • LUE
    left upper extremity
  • LUL
    left upper lobe
  • LUQ
    left upper quadrant
  • LUTS
    lower urinary tract symptoms
  • LV
    left ventricle
  • LVAD
    left ventricular assist device
  • LVEDP
    left ventricular end diastolic pressure
  • LVEF
    left ventricular ejection fraction
  • LVET
    left ventricular ejection time
  • LV FXN
    left ventricular function
  • LVH
    left ventricular hypertrophy
  • LVN
    licensed vocational nurse
  • Lys
    lysine (or its radicals in peptides)
  • LYTES
    electrolytes
  • �
    mu; micro; heavy chain class corresponding to IgM
  • �Ci
    microcurie
  • �Eq
    microequivalent
  • �g
    microgram
  • �L
    microliter
  • �m
    micrometer
  • ��
    micromicro
  • M
    master; medicine; mega; molar; thousand; muscle; myopic
  • m
    male; mass; meter; minim; mole; meta; muscle
  • M + AM
    compound myopic astigmatism
  • M&M
    morbidity and mortality
  • mA
    milliampere
  • MA
    mental age; Master of Arts; Medical Assistant
  • MAA
    macroaggregated albumin
  • Mab
    monoclonal antibody
  • MAC
    monitored anesthesia care; Mycobacterium avium complex
  • MAI
    Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare
  • MAO
    monoamine oxidase
  • MAOB
    monoamine oxidase-B
  • MAOI
    monoamine oxidase inhibitor
  • man. prim.
    first thing in the morning
  • MAP
    mean arterial pressure; morning after pill
  • mA-S
    milliampere second
  • MAST
    medical/military antishock trousers
  • MAT
    Miller Analogies Test
  • Mb
    myoglobin
  • MBC
    maximum breating capacity
  • MbCO
    carbon monoxided myglobin
  • MBD
    minimal brain dysfunction
  • MbO2
    oxymyoglobin
  • MBT
    maternal blood type
  • mc; mCi
    millicurie
  • MC
    Medical Corp
  • mcg
    microgram
  • MCH
    mean corpuscular hemoglobin
  • MCHC
    mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration
  • MCL
    medial collateral ligament
  • MCP
    metacarpal-phalangeal
  • MCV
    mean corpuscular volume
  • MD
    Doctor of Medicine; muscular dystrophy
  • Md
    mendelevium
  • MDI
    metered-dose inhaler
  • MDR
    multi-drug resistant
  • MDRTB
    multi-drug resistant tuberculosis
  • ME
    Medical Examiner
  • Me
    methyl
  • MED
    minimum effective dose
  • med
    medial
  • Med Tech
    Medical Technician; Medical Technologist
  • MEDLARS
    Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System
  • MEDS
    medicines
  • MELD
    Model for End-Stage Liver Disease
  • mEq
    milliequivalent
  • mEq/L
    milliequivalent per liter
  • ME ratio
    myeloid/erythroid ratio
  • MEP
    maximal expiratory pressure
  • MeSH
    Medical Subject Headings
  • Met
    methionine
  • MET
    metabolic equivalent of task
  • metHb
    methemoglobin
  • metMb
    metmyoglobin
  • MEV
    million electron volts (106 ev)
  • MFN
    maternal-fetal medicine
  • MG
    myasthenia gravis
  • Mg
    magnesium
  • MgSO4
    magnesium sulfate
  • mg
    milligram
  • MHC
    major histocompatibility complex
  • mho
    siemens unit
  • MHz
    megahertz
  • MI
    myocardial infarction; mitral insufficiency
  • MICU
    medical intensive care unit
  • MID
    minimum infective dose
  • MIDCAB
    minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass
  • MIP
    maximum inspiratory pressure
  • mist.
    a mixture
  • MK
    menaquinone (vitamin K2)
  • mks, MKS
    meter kilogram second (system unit)
  • ml
    milliliter
  • MLD
    minimum lethal dose
  • MLE
    midline episiotomy
  • MLF
    medial longitudinal fasciculus
  • MM
    mucous membrane; multiple myeloma
  • mm
    millimeter
  • mm Hg
    millimeters of mercury
  • MMEF
    maximal mid expiratory flow
  • mMol
    millimole
  • MMP
    multiple medical problems
  • MMPI
    Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (test)
  • MMR
    measles-mumps-rubella (vaccine)
  • MMSE
    Mini-Mental Status Examination
  • Mn
    manganese
  • Mo
    molybdenum
  • MOC
    Medical Officer on Call
  • MOD
    Medical Officer of the Day
  • mol
    mole
  • mol wt
    molecular weight
  • MOM
    milk of magnesia
  • MOPP
    Mustargen (mechlorethamine hydrocholoride), Oncovin (vincristine sulfate), procarbazine hydrochloride, and prednisone
  • mor. dict.
    as directed
  • mor. sol.
    as accustomed
  • MPC
    maximum permitted concentration
  • MPD
    maximal permissible dose
  • MPH
    Master of Public Health
  • MPN
    most probable number
  • MPS
    mononuclear phagocyte system
  • mr
    milk ring (test); milliroentgen; mitral regurgitation
  • Mr
    molecular (weight) ratio
  • MRA
    magnetic resonance angiography
  • MRCP
    magnetic resonance cholangio pancreatography
  • mrd; MRD
    minimal reacting dose
  • MRgFUS
    MR-guided focused ultrasound surgery
  • MRI
    magnetic resonance imaging
  • MRSA
    methicillin resistant staph aureus
  • MS
    mitral stenosis; multiple sclerosis; Master of Science
  • MS I, II, III, IV
    medical student: first, second, third, and fourth year
  • msec
    millisecond
  • m/sec
    meters per second
  • MSH
    melanocyte stimulating hormone
  • MSM
    men who have sex with men
  • MSN
    Master of Science in Nursing
  • MSSA
    methicillin-sensitive staph aureus
  • MT
    Medical Technologist; Medical Transcriptionist; Monitor Technician
  • MTP
    metatarsalphalangeal (joint)
  • Mu
    Mache unit
  • MUGA
    multiple gated acquisition (imaging)
  • MUSE
    medicated urethral system erection
  • MV
    mitral valve
  • mV
    millivolt
  • MVA
    motor vehicle accident
  • MVE
    Murray Valley encephalitis (virus)
  • MVI
    multivitamin injection
  • MVP
    mitral valve prolapse
  • MVR
    mitral valve replacement
  • MVV
    maximum voluntary ventilation
  • MW
    molecular weight
  • My
    myopia
  • ν
    nu; kinematic viscosity
  • N
    Newton; nitrogen; normal (concentration)
  • n
    nerve; nausia; index of refraction; nano
  • N/A
    not applicable
  • Na
    sodium
  • NAA
    nucleic acid amplification
  • NABS
    normal active bowel sounds
  • NAD
    nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; no apparent (acute) distress
  • NAD+
    nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (oxidized form)
  • NADH
    nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced form)
  • NADP
    nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate
  • NADP+
    nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (oxidized form)
  • NADPH
    nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced form)
  • NAME
    nevi, atrial myxoma, myxoid neurofibromas, and ephelides (syndrome)
  • NANDA
    North American Nursing Diagnosis Association
  • NAS
    no added salt
  • n.b.
    note well
  • nb
    niobium
  • NCAT
    normocephalic atraumatic
  • NCV
    nerve conduction velocity
  • nCi
    nanocurie
  • NCS
    nerve conduction study
  • NCV
    nerve conduction velocity
  • Nd
    neodymium
  • NDC
    National Drug Code
  • Nd:YAG
    neodymium:yttriium-aluminum-garnet (laser)
  • NDA
    New Drug Application
  • Ne
    neon
  • NE
    norepinephrine; not examined
  • NEB
    nebulizer
  • NED
    no evidence of recurrent disease
  • NEEP
    negative end expiratory pressure
  • NF
    National Formulary
  • NG, ng
    nasogastric; nanogram
  • NGF
    nerve growth factor (antigen)
  • NGT
    nasogastric tube
  • NGU
    non-gonoccocal urethritis
  • NH
    nursing home
  • NH3
    ammonia
  • NHL
    non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
  • Ni
    nickel
  • NICU
    neonatal intensive care unit
  • NIDDM
    noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
  • NIF
    negative inspiratory force
  • NIH
    National Institutes of Health
  • NK
    natural killer
  • NKA
    no known allergies
  • NKDA
    no known drug allergies
  • NLM
    National Library of Medicine
  • nm
    nanometer
  • NMDA
    N-methyl D-aspartate
  • NMJ
    neuromuscular junction
  • NMN
    nicotinamide mononucleotide
  • NMR
    nuclear magnetic resonance
  • NMS
    neuroleptic malignant syndrome
  • nn
    nerves
  • No
    nobelium
  • noct.
    in the night
  • noct. maneq.
    night and morning
  • non rep; n.r.
    do not repeat
  • NOS
    not otherwise specified
  • NP
    nurse practitioner
  • Np
    neptunium
  • NPN
    nonprotein nitrogen
  • NPO; n.p.o.
    nothing by mouth
  • NRC
    normal retinal correspondence
  • NREM
    nonrapid eye movement (sleep)
  • NRM
    no regular medications
  • nRNA
    nuclear RNA
  • NS
    normal saline
  • NSAID
    nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
  • NSBGP
    non-specific bowel gas pattern
  • NSCLCA
    non-small cell lung cancer
  • NSR
    normal sinus rhythm
  • NT
    nasotracheal
  • NTD
    nothing to do
  • NUCS
    nuclear medicine
  • NUG
    necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
  • N&V, N/V
    nausea and vomiting
  • NYHA
    New York Heart Association
  • Ω
    omega; ohm
  • o-
    ortho
  • O
    eye; opening; oxygen; pint
  • O2
    oxygen
  • OA
    osteoarthritis
  • O&P
    ovum and parasites
  • OAV
    oculoauriculovertebral (dysplasia, syndrome)
  • OB
    obstetrics; occult blood (followed by + or -)
  • OB/GYN
    obstetrics and gynecology
  • OBS
    organic brain syndrome
  • OC
    oral contraceptive
  • OCD
    obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • OCG
    oral cholecystogram
  • OCP
    oral contraceptive pill
  • OD
    Doctor of Optometry; Officer of the Day; overdose
  • O.D.
    right eye; overdose
  • ODD
    oculodentodigital (dysplasia, syndrome)
  • Oe
    oersted (centimeter gram second unit of magnetic field strength)
  • OE
    otitis externa
  • OFD
    orofaciodigital (dysostosis, syndrome)
  • OKT
    Ortho-Kung T (cell)
  • ol.
    oil
  • OLT
    orthotopic liver transplant
  • OM
    otitis media
  • OML
    orbitomeatal line
  • om. mane vel noc.
    every morning or night
  • OMM
    ophthalmomandibulomelic (dysplasia syndrome)
  • omn. hor.
    every hour
  • omn. noct.
    every night
  • OmPC
    outer membrane porin C
  • OMS
    organic mental syndrome
  • ON
    optic nerve; over night
  • OOB
    out of bed
  • OOP
    out of plaster
  • OP
    opening pressure; osmotic pressure; outpatient
  • O/P
    oropharynx
  • OPD
    outpatient department
  • OPV
    oral polio vaccine
  • OR
    operating room
  • ORD
    optical rotatory dispersion
  • ORIF
    open reduction with/and internal fixation
  • ORL
    oto-rhino laryngology
  • Orn
    ornithine (or its radical)
  • Oro
    orotate; orotic acid
  • Os
    osmium
  • O.S.
    left eye
  • OSA
    obstructive sleep apnea
  • OSHA
    Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  • OT
    occupational therapy
  • OTC
    over-the-counter
  • OTD
    out the door
  • OU
    each eye; both eyes
  • O/W
    otherwise
  • OXT
    oxytocin
  • oz
    ounce
  • P, p
    melting point
  • p
    after; pulse; pending; pico; pupil
  • P2
    pulmonic second sound
  • P
    para; partial; peta; phosphorus; plasma; pressure
  • 32P
    phosphorus-32
  • P1
    first parental generation
  • P-A; PA; pa; Pa
    placenta abruption; posteroanterior; Physician's Assistant; pulmonary artery; pascal; protactinium
  • PABA
    para-aminobenzoic acid (vitamin B10)
  • Paco2
    partial pressure of carbon dioxide in alveolar gas
  • PAC
    premature atrial contraction
  • PACU
    postanesthesia care unit
  • PAD
    peripheral arterial disease
  • PAF
    platelet-aggregating (or platelet-activating) factor
  • PAH
    paraaminohippuric (acid)
  • PALS
    pediatric advanced life support
  • P-ANCA
    perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
  • PAO 2
    alveolar oxygen partial pressure
  • PaO2
    peripheral arterial oxygen content; partial pressure of arterial oxygen
  • Pap, Pap test
    Papanicolaou smear
  • PAP
    pulmonary artery pressure
  • part. vic
    in divided doses
  • PAS
    para aminosalicylic (acid), periodic acid Schiff (reagent)
  • PASA
    para aminosalicylic acid
  • PAT
    paroxysymal atrial tachycardia
  • P&PD
    percussion and postural drainage
  • Pb
    lead
  • PBC
    primary billiary cirrhosis
  • PBG
    porphobilinogen
  • PBI
    protein-bound iodine
  • p.c.
    after meals
  • PCA
    patient-controlled analgesia
  • PCB
    polychlorinated biphenyl
  • PCI
    percutaneous coronary intervention
  • PCKD
    polycystic kidney disease
  • PCL
    posterior cruciate ligament
  • PCM
    pacemaker
  • PCOD
    polycystic ovarian disease
  • Pco 2
    carbon dioxide pressure
  • PCOS
    polycystic ovarian syndrome
  • PCP
    phyncyclidine; plasma cell pneumonia; pneumocystis carinii pneumonia; primary care physician; primary care provider
  • PCR
    polymerase chain reaction
  • PCT
    percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography
  • PCWP
    pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
  • Pd
    palladium
  • PD
    interpupillary distance; Parkinson disease; peritoneal dialysis
  • pd
    prism diopter; pupillary distance
  • PDA
    patent ductus arteriosus; posterior descending artery
  • PDGF
    platelet derived growth factor
  • PDLL
    poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma
  • PDR
    Physicians' Desk Reference
  • PE
    physical examination; pulmonary embolism
  • PEEP
    positive end expiratory pressure
  • PEFR
    peak expiratory flow rate
  • PEG
    percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
  • per
    through or by
  • PERRLA
    pupils equal, regular, react to light and accommodation
  • PET
    positron emission tomography
  • PF
    peak flow; plantar flexion
  • PF4
    platelet factor 4
  • PFO
    patent foramen ovale
  • PFP, P4P
    pay for performance
  • PFT
    pulmonary function test
  • pg
    picogram
  • PG
    prostaglandin
  • PGA
    prostaglandin A
  • PGB
    prostaglandin B
  • PGE
    prostaglandin E
  • PGF
    prostaglandin F
  • pH
    hydrogen ion concentration
  • PH
    pin hole
  • Ph
    phenyl
  • Ph1
    Philadelphia (chromosome)
  • PHA
    phytohemagglutinin (antigen)
  • Pharm; Phar.
    pharmacy
  • Pharm D
    Doctor of Pharmacy
  • PhD
    Doctor of Philosophy
  • Phe
    phenylalanine (or its radical)
  • PHG
    German Pharmacopeia
  • PhG
    Graduate in Pharmacy
  • PHN
    Public Health Nurse; postherpetic neuralgia
  • PI
    present illness; previous illness; pulmonic insufficiency disease
  • PICC
    peripherally inserted central catheter
  • PID
    pelvic inflammatory disease
  • PIF
    prolactin inhibiting factor
  • PIH
    pregnancy-induced hypertension
  • pil.
    pill
  • PIP
    proximal interphalangeal
  • PIPDA (scan)
    99mTc-para-isopropylacetanilido-iminodiaacetic acid (cholescintigraphy)
  • pK
    negative logorithm of the ionization constant (Ka) of an acid
  • PKU
    phenylketonuria
  • PLT
    platelets
  • pm
    picometer
  • PM
    afternoon/evening; post mortem
  • PMD
    primary medical doctor
  • PMH
    past medical history
  • PMI
    point of maximal impulse; point of maximum intensity
  • PMN
    polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes
  • PMRS
    physical medicine and rehabilitation service
  • PMS
    premenstrual syndrome
  • PN
    progress note; Practical Nurse
  • PNA
    pneumonia
  • PNBX
    prostate needle biopsy
  • PND
    paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
  • PNH
    paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
  • PNS
    peripheral nervous system
  • PNP
    platelet neutralization procedure
  • PNPB
    positive negative pressure breathing
  • PNS
    peripheral nervous system
  • Po
    polonium
  • PO; p.o.
    orally, by mouth
  • PO2
    partial pressure of oxygen
  • POD
    post op day
  • POEMS
    polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein, and skin changes (syndrome)
  • POLST
    physician orders for life-sustaining therapy
  • POMP
    prednisone, Oncovin (vincristine sulfate), methotrexate, and Purinethol (6-mercaptopurine)
  • POP
    popliteal
  • POR
    problem-oriented (medical) record
  • post.
    posterior
  • PP
    placenta previa; postprandial or pulsus paradoxus; pyrophosphate
  • PPD
    purified protein derivative (TB test)
  • PPI
    proton pump inhibitor
  • PPLO
    pleuropneumonia like organism
  • ppm
    parts per million
  • PPMS
    primary progressive multiple sclerosis
  • PPN
    peripheral parenteral nutrition
  • PPPPP
    pain, pallor, pulselessness, paresthesia, paralysis
  • PPO
    2,5-diphenyloxazole
  • PPS
    post-polio syndrome
  • PPTL
    post partum tubal ligation
  • PPV
    positive pressure ventilation
  • Pr
    praseodymium; presbyopia
  • p.r.
    through the rectum
  • PRA
    plasma renin activity
  • PRBCs
    packed red blood cells
  • PRF
    prolactin releasing factor
  • PRL
    prolactin
  • p.r.n.
    as needed
  • Pro
    proline (or its radicals)
  • pro time/PT
    prothrombin time
  • PROM
    passive range of motion; premature rupture of membranes
  • PS
    pulmonic stenosis
  • PSA
    prostate-specific antigen
  • PSC
    primary sclerosing cholangitis
  • PSH
    past surgical history
  • psi
    pounds per square inch
  • PSV
    prostate-specific antigen
  • PT
    prothrombin time; physical therapy
  • Pt
    platinum; patient
  • pt
    pint
  • PTA
    prior to admission; peritonsilar abscess; plasma thromboplastin antecedent
  • PTAH
    phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin
  • PTCA
    percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
  • PTH
    parathyroid hormone
  • Pthal
    persantine thallium
  • PTHC
    percutanous transhepatic cholangiogram
  • PTSD
    post-traumatic stress disorder
  • PTT
    partial thromboplastin time
  • PTU
    prophylthiouracil
  • PTX
    pneumothorax
  • Pu
    plutonium
  • PUO
    pyrexia of unknown origin
  • PUBS
    percutaneous umbilical blood sampling
  • PUPP
    pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy
  • PUD
    peptic ulcer disease
  • PUVA
    (oral administration of) psoralen (and subsequent exposure to ) ultraviolet light of A wavelength
  • p.v.
    through the vagina; polycythemia vera; portal vein
  • Pvax
    pneumococcal vaccination
  • PVC
    premature ventricular contraction; polyvinylpyrrolidone (povidone)
  • PVD
    peripheral vascular disease
  • PVR
    peripheral vascular resistance
  • q
    every
  • Q
    coulomb; volume of blood flow
  • qAM
    each morning
  • Qco2
    microliters CO2 given off per milligram of dry weight of tissue per hour
  • q.d.
    every day
  • QFT-G
    QuantiFERON-TB Gold
  • q.h.
    every hour
  • q.2h.
    every 2 hours
  • q.3h.
    every 3 hours
  • q.4h.
    every 4 hours
  • QHS
    every night
  • q.i.d. a
    four times a day
  • q.l.
    as much as wanted
  • qns
    quantity not sufficient
  • Qo; Qo2
    oxygen consumption
  • q.o.d. a
    every other day
  • q.p.
    as much as desired
  • qPM
    each evening
  • q.s.
    as much as needed; quantity sufficient
  • Qs/Qt
    shunt fraction
  • Qt
    total cardiac output
  • qt
    quart
  • q.v.
    as much as you please
  • R
    right; gas constant (8.315 joules); (organic) radical; Reamur (scale); resistance; resolution; respiration; respiratory
  • r
    racemic; roentgen
  • RA
    rheumatoid arthritis; right atrium
  • Ra
    radium
  • RAD
    right atrial axis deviation
  • rad
    radiation absorbed dose
  • RAE
    right atrial enlargement
  • RAI
    radioactive iodine
  • RAIU
    radioactive iodine uptake
  • RAP
    right atrial pressure
  • RAS
    reticular activating system
  • RAST
    radioallergosorbent test
  • RAV
    Rous-associated virus
  • RAW
    resistance, airway
  • Rb
    rubidium
  • R/B
    referred by; relieved by
  • RBBB
    right bundle branch block
  • RBC
    red blood cell; red blood count
  • RBF
    renal blood flow
  • RBP
    retinol-binding protein
  • RCA
    right coronary artery
  • RCC
    renal cell cancer
  • RCM
    right costal margin
  • RCT
    randomized controlled trial; rotator cuff tear
  • RD
    Raynaud disease; reaction of degeneration; reaction of denervation; Registered Dietitian
  • RDA
    recommended daily/dietary allowance
  • RDH
    Registered Dental Hygienist
  • RDI
    respiratory disturbance index
  • rDNA
    ribosomal DNA
  • RDS
    respiratory distress syndrome
  • RDW
    red cell distribution width
  • RE
    right eye; right ear
  • Re
    rhenium
  • REB
    rebound
  • rem
    roentgen equivalent, man
  • REM
    rapid eye movement; reticular erythematous mucinosis
  • rep
    roentgen equivalent, physical
  • RF
    release factor; rheumatoid factor; risk factor
  • RFA
    radio frequency ablation; right femoral artery; right frontoanterior (fetal position)
  • RFLP
    restriction fragment length polymorphism
  • RFP
    right frontoposterior (fetal position)
  • RFT
    renal function test; right frontotransverse (fetal position)
  • Rh
    rhesus factor; rhodium
  • RH
    releasing hormone
  • RHC
    right heart cath
  • RHD
    rheumatic heart disease
  • Rheum
    rheumatology
  • R/I
    rule in
  • RIA
    radioimmunoassay
  • Rib
    ribose
  • RIG
    rabies immunoglobulin
  • RIH
    right inguinal hernia
  • RIMA
    right internal mammary artery
  • RLE
    right lower extremity
  • RLL
    right lower lobe
  • RLQ
    right lower quadrant
  • RMA
    right mentoanterior (fetal position)
  • RML
    right middle lobe of lung
  • RMP
    right mentposterior (fetal position)
  • RMT
    right mentotransverse (fetal position)
  • Rn
    radon
  • RN
    Registered Nurse
  • RNA
    ribonucleic acid; Registered Nurse Anesthetist
  • Rnase
    ribonuclease
  • RNC
    Registered Nurse Certified
  • RNEF
    radionuclide ejection fraction
  • RNP
    Registered Nurse Practitioner; ribonucleoprotein
  • R/O
    rule out
  • ROA
    right occipitoanterior (fetal position)
  • ROM
    range of motion
  • ROMI
    rule out myocardial infarction
  • ROP
    right occipitoposterior (fetal position)
  • ROS
    review of systems
  • ROT
    right occipitotransverse (fetal position)
  • RP
    Registered Pharmacist; retinitis pigmentosa
  • RPG
    retrograde pyelogram
  • RPF
    renal plasma flow
  • RPGN
    rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis
  • RPh
    Registered Pharmacist
  • RPLND
    retroperitoneal lymph node dissection
  • RPM
    revolutions per minute
  • RPMS
    relapsing-progressive multiple sclerosis
  • RPR
    rapid plasma reagin
  • RQ
    respiratory quotient
  • RR
    recovery room; respiratory rate; relative risk
  • RRMS
    relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
  • rRNA
    ribosomal RNA
  • RRP
    radical retropubic prostatectomy
  • RRR
    regular rate and rhythm; relative risk reduction
  • Rs
    resolution
  • RS
    respiratory synctial (virus)
  • RSA
    right sacroanterior (fetal position)
  • RSD
    reflex sympathetic dystrophy
  • RSP
    right sacroposterior (fetal positon)
  • RST
    right sacrotransverse (fetal position)
  • RSV
    respiratory syncytial virus; Rous sarcoma virus
  • RT
    radiation therapy; respiratory therapy; Radiologic Technologist; Registered Technologist; Respiratory Therapist
  • R/T
    related to
  • RTA
    renal tubular acidosis
  • RTC
    return to clinic
  • RTE
    renal tubular epithelium
  • rTMP
    ribothymidylic acid
  • Ru
    ruthenium
  • RU
    resin uptake
  • RUE
    right upper extremity
  • RUG
    retrograde urethogram
  • RUL
    right upper lobe
  • RUQ
    right upper quadrant
  • RV
    residual volume; right ventricle
  • RVAD
    right ventricular assist device
  • RVEF
    right ventricular ejection fraction
  • RVG
    right ventriculogram
  • RVH
    right ventricular hypertrophy
  • RVR
    rapid ventricular response
  • Rx
    treatment
  • s
    sigma; reflection coefficient; standard deviation; 1 millisecond; half; steady state
  • S
    mark; saturation of hemoglobin (percentage of) (followed bysubscript o2 or co2); siemens; spheric; sulfur
  • s
    sine; without
  • S.
    sacral
  • S1
    first selfing generation
  • S-A; S/A; SA
    sinoatrial
  • SAA
    synthetic amino acid
  • SAAG
    serum ascites albumin gradient
  • S&E
    sugar and acetone
  • SAB
    spontaneous abortion
  • SAD
    seasonal affective disorder
  • SAH
    sub-arachnoid hemorrhage
  • Sao2
    oxygen saturation (of) arterial (oxyhemoglobin)
  • SARS
    severe acute respiratory syndrome
  • SB
    small bowel
  • Sb
    antimony
  • SBE
    subacute bacterial endocarditis
  • SBFT
    small bowel follow through
  • SBO
    small bowel obstruction
  • SBP
    systolic blood pressure
  • SBS
    short bowel syndrome
  • SC, sc, s.c.
    subcutaneous(ly); sternoclavicular
  • Sc
    scandium
  • SCCA
    squamous cell cancer
  • SCI
    spinal cord injury
  • SCL
    soft contact lens
  • SCLCA
    small cell lung cancer
  • SCr
    serum creatinine
  • ScD
    Doctor of Science
  • SCID
    severe combined immunodeficiency
  • SD
    standard deviation; streptodornase
  • SDA
    specific dynamic action
  • SDAT
    senile dementia of the Alzheimer type
  • S.E.
    standard error
  • Se
    selenium
  • SEM
    systolic ejection murmur
  • Sed rate
    sedimentation rate
  • semih.
    half an hour
  • Ser
    serine
  • SERM
    selective estrogen receptor modulator
  • Sf
    Svedberg flotation (constant, unit)
  • SFA
    superficial femoral artery
  • SFV
    superficial femoral vein
  • SG
    Swan Ganz
  • SGA
    small for gestational age
  • SGGT
    serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase
  • SGOT
    serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase
  • SGPT
    serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
  • SI
    international system of units
  • Si
    silicon
  • SIADH
    syndrome of inappropriate diuretic hormone
  • SID
    source-to-image (-receptor) distance
  • SIDS
    sudden infant death syndrome
  • Sig.
    write on label; affix a label, inscribe
  • SIMV
    spontaneous/sychronous intermittent mandatory ventilation
  • SIRD
    sourct-to-image-receptor distance
  • SIRS
    systemic inflammatory response syndrome
  • SISI
    smal increment (or short increment) sensitivity index (test)
  • SJS
    Stevens-Johnson syndrome
  • SK
    seborrheic keratosis; streptokinase
  • sl
    sublingual
  • SLE
    systemic lupus erythematosus
  • SLP
    speech-language pathology
  • SLR
    straight leg raise
  • Sm
    samarium
  • SMO
    slips made out
  • SMS
    Senior Medical Student
  • Sn
    tin
  • SN
    Student Nurse
  • SNF
    skilled nursing facility
  • SNRI
    serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
  • SNS
    sympathetic nervous system
  • SOAP
    subjective, objective, assessment plan (problem oriented medical record)
  • SOB
    shortness of breath
  • sol; soln
    solution, dissolved
  • s.o.s.
    if necessary
  • SP
    Speech Pathologist
  • S/P
    no change after; status post
  • SPA
    single proton absorptiometry
  • SPCA
    serum prothrombin conversion accelerator (factor VII)
  • SPECT
    single-photon emission computed tomography
  • SPEP
    serum protein electro-pheresis
  • sp gr
    specific gravity
  • SPF
    skin protection factor
  • sph
    spherical
  • spm
    suppression and mutation
  • SPMS
    secondary progressive multiple sclerosis
  • spp.
    species
  • spt.
    spirit
  • s.q.; SQ
    subcutaneous(ly)
  • Sr
    strontium
  • SRF
    somatotropin releasing factor
  • SRF-A
    slow reacting factor of anaphylaxis
  • SRIF
    somatotropin-release-inhibiting factor
  • sRNA
    soluble RNA
  • SRS
    slow-reacting substance (of anaphylaxis)
  • SRS-A
    slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis
  • ss
    a half
  • s/s
    signs and symptoms
  • ssDNA
    single stranded DNA
  • SSI
    sliding scale insulin
  • ssp.
    subspecies
  • SSRI
    selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
  • SSS
    sick sinus syndrome
  • st.
    let it/them stand
  • ST
    scapulothoracic
  • Staph
    Staphylococcus
  • stat.
    immediately
  • STD
    sexually transmitted disease
  • STEL
    short term exposure limit
  • STH
    somatotropic hormone
  • STI
    sexually transmitted infection
  • STM
    short-term memory
  • STPD
    standard temperature (0� C) and pressure (760 mmHg absolute), dry
  • Strep
    Streptococcus
  • STS
    serologic test for syphilis
  • STU
    skin test unit
  • STX
    stricture
  • sup.
    superior
  • supf.
    superficial
  • SV
    stroke volume; supraventricular; sievert (unit)
  • SVC
    superior vena cava
  • SVD
    spontaneous vaginal delivery
  • SVG
    saphenous vein graft
  • SVT
    supraventricular tachycardia
  • SW
    social worker
  • Sx
    symptoms
  • syr.
    syrup
  • Sz; SZR
    seizure
  • t
    metric ton
  • t
    temperature (Celcius); tritium
  • T
    temperature; absolute (Kelvin); tension (intraocular); tera; tesla; tetanus (toxoid); tidal (volume); tocopherol; transverse (tubule); tritium; tumor (antigen)
  • T!
    decreased tension (pressure)
  • T+
    increased tension (pressure)
  • T3
    triiodothyronine
  • T4
    tetraiodothyronine; thyroxine
  • T6
    thoracic nerve pair 6
  • TA
    toxin-antitoxin
  • Ta
    tantalum
  • TAA
    thoracic aortic aneurysm
  • T&A
    tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
  • T&C
    type and cross
  • T&H
    type and hold
  • T&S
    type and screen
  • TAB
    threatened abortion; therapeutic abortion; tablet
  • TAC
    transient aplastic crisis
  • TAD
    transient acantholytic dermatosis
  • TAF
    tumor angiogenesis factor
  • TAH
    total abdominal hysterectomy
  • TAR
    thrombocytopenia with absent radii (syndrome)
  • TAT
    thematic apperception test
  • T.A.T.
    toxin-antitoxin
  • TB
    tuberculin; tuberculosis; tubercle bacillus
  • Tb
    terbium
  • TBG
    total binding globulin; thyroid-binding globulin
  • TBP
    thyroxine-binding protein
  • TBV
    total blood volume
  • Tc
    technetium
  • 99mTM
    technetium 99m
  • TC
    current temperature
  • TCA
    tricarboxylic acid; trichloracetic acid; tricyclic antidepressant
  • TCC
    transitional cell cancer
  • TCN
    talocalcaneonavicular (joint)
  • Td
    tetanus-diptheria toxoid; tardive dyskinesia
  • TDP
    ribothymidine 5' diphosphate
  • t.d.s.
    to be taken three times daily
  • TDWBAT
    touch down weight bearing as tolerated
  • Te
    tellurium; tetanus
  • TEDD
    total end-diastolic diameter
  • TEE
    transesophageal echocardiogram
  • TEN
    toxic epidermal necrolysis
  • TENS
    transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
  • TESD
    total end-systolic diameter
  • TFCI
    transient focal cerebral ischemia
  • TFs
    tube feeds
  • TG
    thyroglobulin; tryglycerides
  • Th
    thorium
  • THA
    total hip arthroplasty
  • THC
    tetrahydrocannabinol
  • Thr
    threonine (or its radicals)
  • THR
    total hip replacement
  • Ti
    titanium
  • TIA
    transient ischemic attack
  • TIBC
    total iron-binding capacity
  • t.i.d.
    three times a day
  • TIG
    tetanus immune globulin
  • t.i.n.
    three times a night
  • tinct., tr
    tincture
  • TIPS
    transvenous intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt
  • ti/ttot
    duty cycle
  • TKA
    total knee arthroplasty
  • TKO
    to keep open
  • TKR
    total knee replacement
  • Tl
    thallium
  • TLC, tlc
    tender loving care; thin layer chromatography; total lung capacity; triple lumen catheter
  • TLV
    threshold-limit value
  • tm
    temperature midpoint (Celsius)
  • Tm
    thulium; tubular maximal (excretory capacity of kidneys)
  • TM
    tympanic membrane; transport maximum
  • TMJ
    temporomandibular joint
  • TMN
    tumor metastases nodes (universal tumor staging system)
  • TMP
    ribothymidine 5' monophosphate
  • TMT
    tarsometatarsal
  • TMV
    tobacco mosaic virus
  • Tn
    (ocular) tension; (intraoccular) tension normal
  • TN
    trigeminal nerve
  • TNF
    tumor necrosis factor
  • TNF-I
    tumor necrosis factor inhibitor
  • TNF-α
    tumor necrosis factor alpha
  • TNM
    tumor-node-metastasis (tumor staging)
  • TNT
    trinitrotoluene
  • TNTC
    too numerous to count
  • TNTM
    too numerous to mention
  • TO
    telephone order
  • TOA
    tubo-ovarian abscess
  • top.
    topically
  • TOPV
    trivalent oral polio vaccine
  • TORB
    telephone order read back
  • TORCH
    toxoplasmosis, other, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex (maternal infections)
  • TOX
    toxicology
  • TOXO
    toxoplasmosis
  • TP
    total protein
  • TPA; t-PA
    tissue plasminogen activator
  • TPHA
    Treponema pallidum hemagglutination (test)
  • TPI
    Treponema pallidum immobilization test for syphilis
  • TPN
    total parenteral nutrition
  • TPO
    thyroid peroxidase
  • TPR
    temperature, pulse, and respiration
  • TR
    tricuspid regurgitation
  • tr, tinct.
    tincture
  • TRAP
    criteria tremor, rigidity, akinesia or postural instablity bradykinesia, and postural instability
  • Treg
    regulatory T cell
  • TRH
    thyrotropin releasing hormone (stimulation test)
  • TRIC
    trachoma inclusion conjunctivitis (organism)
  • trit.
    triturate, grind
  • tRNA
    transfer RNA
  • Trp
    tryptophan (and its radicals)
  • TRUS
    transrectal ultrasound
  • TSD
    time since death
  • TSE
    testicular self-examination
  • TSH
    thyroid-stimulating hormone
  • TSS
    toxic shock syndrome
  • TSTA
    tumor-specific transplantation antigen
  • TT
    thrombin time
  • TTE
    trans-thoracic echocardiogram
  • TTP
    thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
  • tTG
    antitransglutaminase
  • TU
    toxic unit; toxin unit; Tuberculin units
  • TUMA
    transurethral microwave antenna
  • TUR
    transurethral resection
  • TURBT
    TUR bladder tumors
  • TURP
    transurethral resection of the prostate
  • TV
    tidal volume
  • TVC
    true vocal cord
  • TVH
    total vaginal hysterectomy
  • TVUS
    transvaginal ultrasound
  • tw
    twice a week
  • Tx
    treatment; transplant; transfusion
  • Tyr
    tyrosine (and its radicals)
  • U
    uranium; uridine (in polymers); urinary (concentration)
  • U a
    uranium; unit a
  • UA
    urinalysis; uric acid
  • UAC
    uric acid
  • UAO
    upper airway obstruction
  • UBD
    universal blood donor
  • UC
    ulcerative colitis
  • UCC
    urgent care center
  • UCX
    urine culture
  • ud
    use as directed
  • UDP
    uridine diphosphate
  • UDPG
    uridine diphosphate glucose
  • UDS
    urodynamic study
  • UE
    upper extremity
  • UF
    ultra filtration
  • UFH
    unfractionated heparin
  • UGI
    upper gastrointestinal
  • UGIS
    upper gastrointestinal series
  • UHF
    ultrahigh frequency
  • ult. praes.
    the last ordered
  • Umb; umb; umbo
    umbilicus
  • UMN
    upper motor neuron
  • UMP
    uridine monophosphate (uridylic acid)
  • ung.
    ointment
  • UNSA
    unstable angina
  • UO
    urine output
  • u-PA
    urokinase
  • UPEP
    urine protein electropheresis
  • UPJ
    ureteropelvic junction
  • UPPP
    uvulopalatopharyngeoplasty
  • Urd
    uridine
  • URI
    upper respiratory infection
  • URQ
    upper right quandrant
  • US
    ultrasonic, ultrasound
  • USAN
    United States Adopted Name
  • USP
    United States Pharmacopeia
  • USPHS
    United States Public Health Service
  • ut. dict.
    as directed
  • UTD
    Up to date
  • UTI
    urinary tract infection
  • UTP
    uridine triphosphate
  • UUN
    urinary urea nitrogen
  • UV
    ultraviolet
  • UVA
    ultraviolet A light
  • UVB
    ultraviolet B light
  • UVJ
    ureterovesical junction
  • v
    vein; vomiting; venous; volt
  • V
    vanadium; vision; visual (acuity); volt; volume
  • V
    ventilation; gas flow
  • VA
    alveolar ventilation
  • VA
    visual acuity; viral antigen
  • V-A
    ventriculoatrial
  • VAD
    venous access device
  • Val
    valine (and its radicals)
  • V&P
    vagotomy and pyloroplasty
  • Va/Q
    ventilation/perfusion ratio
  • VATER
    vertebral defects, imperforate anus, tracheoesophageal fistula with esophageal atresia, and radial and renal dysplasia
  • VATS
    video assisted thoracoscopic surgery
  • VAX
    vaccine
  • VBAC
    vaginal birth after Cesarean section
  • VBG
    venous blood gas
  • VC
    vision, color; vital capacity; vocal cord
  • VCE
    vagina, (ecto)cervix, endocervical canal
  • VCUG
    voiding cystourethrogram
  • V1CV6
    unipolar precordial electrocardiogram chest leads
  • VD
    venereal disease
  • VD
    (physiologic) dead space
  • VDRL
    Venereal Disease Research Laboratories
  • VF
    ventricular fibrillation
  • Vf
    field of vision
  • VHDL
    very high density lipoprotein
  • VIP
    vasoactive intestinal peptide
  • VLBW
    very low birth weight
  • VLDL
    very low density lipoprotein
  • VMA
    vanillylmandelic acid
  • Vmax
    maximal velocity
  • VN
    Visiting Nurse, Vocational Nurse
  • VO
    verbal or voice order
  • VOE
    VistA-Office Electronic Health Record
  • vol.
    volume
  • vol %
    volume percent
  • VORB
    verbal order read back
  • VP
    ventriculo-peritoneal; vasopressin
  • V/Q
    ventilation/perfusion
  • VR
    vocal resonance
  • VRE
    vancomycin-resistant enterococcus
  • VS
    volumetric solution; vesicular sound; vital signs
  • VSD
    ventricular septal defect
  • VSS
    vital signs stable
  • VT
    tidal volume
  • VT
    ventricular tachycardia
  • VV
    varicose veins
  • VW
    vessel wall
  • VWF
    Von Willebrand factor
  • VZIG
    varicella zoster immune globulin
  • VZV
    varicella zoster virus
  • W
    tungsten
  • w
    watt
  • WAIS
    Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
  • WAP
    written action plan
  • WB
    whole blood
  • WBAT
    weight bearing as tolerated
  • WBC
    white blood cell; white blood count
  • WC
    Ward Clerk
  • WD
    well developed
  • WDLL
    well-differentiated lymphocytic (or lymphatic) lymphoma
  • WDWN
    well-developed, well-nourished
  • WEE
    western equine encephalomyelitis
  • WF/BF
    white female/black female
  • WH
    well-hydrated
  • WHO
    World Health Organization
  • WIA
    wounded in action
  • WID
    widow, widower
  • WM/BM
    white male/black male
  • WN
    well-nourished
  • WNL
    within normal limits
  • WNV
    West Nile virus
  • W/O
    without
  • WO
    written order; weeks old; wide open
  • WOP
    without pain
  • W.P.
    whirlpool
  • WPW
    Wolf-Parkinson-White
  • wt.
    weight
  • W-T-D
    wet to dry
  • W/U
    work-up
  • w/v.
    weight in volume
  • x
    multiplied by; except
  • X; Xao
    xanthosine
  • X2D
    times two days
  • Xe
    xenon
  • 133Xe
    xenon 133
  • XI
    eleven
  • XII
    twelve
  • XL
    extended release; extra large
  • XLR
    crossed leg raise
  • XM
    crossmatch
  • XMM
    xeromammography
  • XOM
    extraocular movements
  • XS
    excessive
  • XRT
    X-ray therapy
  • XU
    excretory urogram
  • XULN
    times upper limit of normal
  • y
    yocto-
  • Y
    yttrium
  • YAG
    yttrium-aluminum-garnet (laser)
  • Yb
    ytterbium
  • YF
    yellow fever
  • YLC
    youngest living child
  • yo
    years old
  • yob
    year of birth
  • yr
    year
  • ytd
    year to date
  • Z
    atomic number; carbobenzoxy (chloride)
  • ZDV
    zidovudine
  • ZE
    Zollinger-Ellison
  • ZEEP
    zero end-expiratory pressure
  • ZES
    Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
  • Z-ESR
    zeta erythrocyte sedimentation rate
  • Zn
    zinc
  • 65Zn
    zinc 65
  • ZnO
    zinc oxide
  • Zr
    zirconium
  • ZSB
    zero stools since birth
  • ZSR
    zeta sedimentation ratio