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Medical Abbreviations

107 abbreviations explained in plain English

Doctors, nurses, and pharmacists use hundreds of shorthand abbreviations on prescriptions, charts, and lab reports. This is the complete reference — every common medical abbreviation with its full name and plain-English meaning.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Ante CibumBefore meals

Advanced Cardiac Life SupportAdvanced emergency cardiac care protocol

Auris DextraRight ear

Automated External DefibrillatorDevice that delivers electric shock to restore heart rhythm

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderNeurodevelopmental disorder affecting attention and impulse control

Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisProgressive nervous system disease affecting nerve cells in brain and spinal cord

Assessment and PlanSection of a clinical note — provider's diagnosis and treatment plan

Auris SinistraLeft ear

Autism Spectrum DisorderDevelopmental condition affecting communication and behavior

Auris UtraqueBoth ears

Arterial Blood GasTest measuring oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in arterial blood

B

Bis In DieTwice daily

Basic Life SupportFoundational emergency care — CPR, airway management

Basic Metabolic PanelBlood test checking electrolytes, kidney function, and blood sugar

Body Mass IndexWeight-to-height ratio used to assess body fatness

Blood PressureForce of blood pushing against artery walls, recorded as systolic/diastolic

Benign Prostatic HyperplasiaNon-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland

C

Coronary Artery DiseaseBuildup of plaque in the arteries supplying the heart

Complete Blood CountBlood test measuring red cells, white cells, and platelets

Chief ComplaintPatient's primary reason for the visit, in their own words

Cardiac Care UnitIntensive care unit specialized for heart patients

Congestive Heart FailureHeart cannot pump blood efficiently, causing fluid buildup

Chronic Kidney DiseaseGradual loss of kidney function over time

Comprehensive Metabolic PanelBlood test checking organ function, electrolytes, and blood sugar

Complains OfPatient is reporting this symptom

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseLung disease that blocks airflow, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis

Cardiopulmonary ResuscitationEmergency procedure combining chest compressions and rescue breaths

Computed TomographyX-ray imaging that creates cross-sectional pictures of the body

Cerebrovascular AccidentStroke — interrupted blood supply to part of the brain

Chest X-RayImaging of the chest to evaluate lungs, heart, and chest wall

D

Diabetes MellitusMetabolic disease causing high blood sugar due to insulin problems

Do Not IntubatePatient does not want a breathing tube placed

Do Not ResuscitatePatient does not want CPR or advanced life support if heart stops

DiagnosisThe identified medical condition

Deep Vein ThrombosisBlood clot forming in a deep vein, usually in the leg

E

EchocardiogramUltrasound of the heart to assess structure and function

ElectrocardiogramRecording of the heart's electrical activity

Emergency DepartmentHospital department treating urgent and life-threatening conditions

ElectroencephalogramRecording of brain electrical activity, used to diagnose seizures

ElectrokardiogrammElectrocardiogram — recording of the heart's electrical activity

ElectromyogramTest measuring electrical activity in muscles and nerves

Emergency RoomArea of a hospital treating urgent medical conditions

End-Stage Renal DiseasePermanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant

F

Family HistoryMedical conditions that run in the patient's family

G

Generalized Anxiety DisorderPersistent, excessive worry about many different things

Gastroesophageal Reflux DiseaseChronic acid reflux — stomach acid flows back into the esophagus

Gastrostomy TubeFeeding tube inserted directly into the stomach through the abdomen

H

Hemoglobin A1cBlood test showing average blood sugar control over 2-3 months

History of Present IllnessDetailed account of the patient's current symptoms and timeline

Heart RateNumber of heartbeats per minute

Hora SomniAt bedtime

HypertensionHigh blood pressure — sustained force of blood against artery walls

HistoryPatient's medical background and past health events

I

Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseChronic inflammation of the digestive tract — includes Crohn's and ulcerative colitis

Irritable Bowel SyndromeFunctional bowel disorder causing cramping, bloating, and irregular bowel habits

Intensive Care UnitHospital unit for critically ill patients requiring constant monitoring

IntramuscularInjected directly into a muscle

IntravenousDelivered directly into a vein

L

Labor and DeliveryHospital unit where childbirth takes place

Liver Function TestsBlood tests measuring liver enzymes and proteins

Lumbar PunctureSpinal tap — needle inserted into spinal canal to collect cerebrospinal fluid

M

Major Depressive DisorderClinical depression — persistent low mood and loss of interest

Myocardial InfarctionHeart attack — blocked blood flow causes heart muscle to die

Magnetic Resonance ImagingImaging using magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed body pictures

N

Nausea and VomitingFeeling sick to the stomach and throwing up

Nasogastric TubeTube inserted through the nose into the stomach for feeding or drainage

Neonatal Intensive Care UnitICU specialized for premature and seriously ill newborns

No Known AllergiesPatient has no documented allergic reactions

No Known Drug AllergiesPatient has no documented drug allergic reactions

Nil Per OsNothing by mouth — no food or drink allowed

O

Oculus DexterRight eye

Operating RoomSterile room where surgical procedures are performed

Oculus SinisterLeft eye

Obstructive Sleep ApneaBreathing repeatedly stops during sleep due to throat muscle relaxation

Oculus UterqueBoth eyes

P

Post-Anesthesia Care UnitRecovery room — where patients wake up after surgery

Post CibumAfter meals

Pulmonary EmbolismBlood clot in the lungs blocking blood flow

Pediatric Intensive Care UnitICU specialized for critically ill children

Past Medical HistoryPatient's previous diagnoses, surgeries, and health conditions

PneumoniaLung infection causing the air sacs to fill with fluid or pus

Per OsBy mouth — taken orally

Pro Re NataAs needed — take only when symptoms require it

Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderMental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event

Q

Quaque DieOnce daily

Quaque Hora SomniEvery night at bedtime

Quater In DieFour times daily

Quaque Altera DieEvery other day

R

Review of SystemsSystematic check of all body systems during a medical history

Respiratory RateNumber of breaths per minute

Recipe (Latin: Take)Prescription — written order for medication

S

SubcutaneousInjected under the skin into the fatty tissue layer

SublingualUnder the tongue — absorbed directly into the bloodstream

Shortness of BreathDifficulty breathing or feeling unable to get enough air

Peripheral Oxygen SaturationPercentage of hemoglobin carrying oxygen, measured by pulse oximeter

SubcutaneousInjected under the skin — same as SC

StatimImmediately — do this right now, without delay

SymptomsWhat the patient is experiencing or feeling

T

TemperatureBody temperature — normal range is 97–99°F (36.1–37.2°C)

Thyroid Function TestsBlood tests measuring thyroid hormone levels

Transient Ischemic AttackMini-stroke — temporary blockage of blood to the brain, no permanent damage

Ter In DieThree times daily

TreatmentThe medical intervention being given

U

UrinalysisUrine test checking for infection, kidney disease, and other conditions

Upper Respiratory InfectionInfection of the nose, sinuses, or throat — common cold

UltrasoundImaging using sound waves to visualize organs and tissues

Urinary Tract InfectionBacterial infection of the bladder, urethra, or kidneys

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