1. Medical Abbreviations
Chapter 6

2. Abbreviations - shortened forms of words
Health care workers must only use the abbreviation or symbols approved by the facility in which they are employed.
Do NOT use texting abbreviations. Example, do not use UR for “you are.”
Sometimes abbreviations are used by themselves. At other times combined to give orders or directions.
Very important to make sure capital letters LOOK like capital letters.

3. AMA - against medical advice
ASAP - as soon as possible
DOB - date of birth
ER - emergency room
LPN - licensed practical nurse
tid - three times a day
four times a day

4. Abdominal Assessment RUQ - right upper quadrant
LUQ - left upper quadrant
RLQ - right lower quadrant
LLQ - left lower quadrant

5. Medical Diagnosis URI - upper respiratory infection
UTI - urinary tract infection
DVT - deep vein thrombosis
GERD - gastroesophageal reflux disease
ADHD - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

6. Medical Diagnosis CHF - congestive heart failure
SIDS - sudden infant death syndrome
FUO - fever of unknown origin
HOH - hard of hearing
SOB - short of breath

7. Diagnostic Tests CXR - chest x-ray H&H - hemoglobin & hematocrit
ECG/EKG - electrocardiogram
WBC - white blood cells
RBC - red blood cells
UA, U/A - urinalysis
ABG - arterial blood gas

8. Chemical Elements Ca - calcium Fe - Iron Mg - magnesium K - potassium
KCL - potassium chloride

9. Medication Administration
IM - intramuscular
IV - intravenous
sub-Q or subcutaneously - subcutaneous
po - by mouth
elix - elixir
ASA - aspirin

10. Professions/Departments
EMT - emergency medical technician
ENT - ear, nose, throat
EENT - ear, eye, nose, throat
CNP - certified nurse practitioner
ICU - intensive care unit
LTC - long term care

11. Professions/Departments
SNF - skilled nursing facility
L&D - labor & delivery
PT - physical therapy/therapist
OT - occupational therapy/therapist
PACU - post anesthesia care unit

12. Assessments TPR - temperature, pulse, respiration
WNL - within normal limits
ONL - outside normal limits
N/V, N&V - nausea & vomiting
BM - bowel movement
LOC - level of consciousness/laxative of choice
bil - bilateral

13. Procedures/Certifications
AROM - active range of motion
PROM - passive range of motion
CABG - coronary artery bypass graft
ACLS - advanced cardiac life support

14. PPE - personal protective equipment
MVA - motor vehicle accident
S/S, S&S - signs & symptoms