List Of Medical Abbreviations

Here is a list of common medical abbreviations for reference only. This is not a compelte list, as there are many more medical abbreviations in use globally.

It is important to carefully and accurately interpret and use medical abbreviations, as they can be crucial in conveying important information in a medical setting.

A&E: Accident and emergency
A/G: Albumin/globulin ratio
ABG: Arterial blood gas
ABX: Antibiotics
AC: Before meals
ADH: Antidiuretic hormone
AIDS: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
ANA: Antinuclear antibody
AODM: Adult-onset diabetes mellitus
ART: Antiretroviral therapy
ASA: Aspirin
BAC: Blood alcohol concentration
BCG: Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine
BID: Twice a day
BPH: Benign prostatic hyperplasia
BSL: Blood sugar level
BUN: Blood urea nitrogen
C&S: Culture and sensitivity
CABG: Coronary artery bypass graft
CAD: Coronary artery disease
CBC: Complete blood count
CCU: Coronary care unit
CD4: Cluster of differentiation 4
CIDP: Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
CNS: Central nervous system
COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CRF: Chronic kidney disease (chronic renal failure)
CRP: C-reactive protein
CSF: Cerebrospinal fluid
CT: Computed tomography
CVA: Cerebrovascular accident
D&C: Dilatation and curettage
D5W: Dextrose 5% in water
DKA: Diabetic ketoacidosis
DM: Diabetes mellitus
DNR: Do not resuscitate
Dx: Diagnosis
EBL: Estimated blood loss
ECG: Electrocardiogram
EEG: Electroencephalogram
EKG: Electrocardiogram
ELISA: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
ENT: Ear, nose, and throat
ESR: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
FBS: Fasting blood sugar
FFP: Fresh frozen plasma
GFR: Glomerular filtration rate
GI: Gastrointestinal
GSW: Gunshot wound
GTPAL: Gravidity, term, preterm, abortion, living
GU: Genitourinary
HIV: Human immunodeficiency virus
ICU: Intensive care unit
IDDM: Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
IHD: Ischemic heart disease
IM: Intramuscular
INR: International normalized ratio
IO: Intraosseous
IV: Intravenous
IVF: In vitro fertilization
JVP: Jugular venous pressure
LMP: Last menstrual period
LOC: Level of consciousness
LP: Lumbar puncture
LR: Lactated Ringer’s
MCH: Mean corpuscular hemoglobin
MCHC: Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration
MCV: Mean corpuscular volume
MD: Medical doctor
Mg: Magnesium
MI: Myocardial infarction
MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging
N&V: Nausea and vomiting
NAD: No apparent distress
NIDDM: Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
NPO: Nothing by mouth (or Nil by mouth)
NS: Normal saline
NTG: Nit
NTG: Nitroglycerin
OCD: Obsessive-compulsive disorder
OPD: Outpatient department
OR: Operating room
OS: Osmolality
OT: Occupational therapy
PA: Pulmonary artery
PAC: Premature atrial contraction
PAD: Peripheral artery disease
PB: Post-breakfast
PC: After meals
PCA: Patient-controlled analgesia
PCP: Pneumocystis pneumonia
PD: Peritoneal dialysis
PDA: Patent ductus arteriosus
PE: Pulmonary embolism
PID: Pelvic inflammatory disease
PM: Post-midnight
PMH: Past medical history
PPD: Purified protein derivative
PPH: Primary pulmonary hypertension
PRN: As needed
PT: Prothrombin time
PTCA: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
PTD: Preterm delivery
PTT: Partial thromboplastin time
PUD: Peptic ulcer disease
RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
RBC: Red blood cell
RDW: Red cell distribution width
RF: Rheumatoid factor
RI: Resistance index
RIA: Radioimmunoassay
RL: Ringer’s lactate
RNS: Rapid neurological screening
RPR: Rapid plasma reagin
RR: Respiratory rate
RSV: Respiratory syncytial virus
SARS: Severe acute respiratory syndrome
SOB: Shortness of breath
STI: Sexually transmitted infection
STS: Serum testosterone level
TB: Tuberculosis
TIA: Transient ischemic attack
TLC: Total lung capacity
TSH: Thyroid-stimulating hormone
UTI: Urinary tract infection
VBAC: Vaginal birth after cesarean
WBC: White blood cell
WNL: Within normal limits
XR: X-ray
ZDV: Zidovudine