Approved Medical Abbreviations and Symbols

ABBREVIATION DESCRIPTION
‫أ‬ one
- minus
# fracture
 under
 above
 diagnosis
 and
(R) rectal temperature
? questionable
[-] full deduction
[+] extra
[N] normal
[T] transfusion
“E” error
+ plus
+
- half deduction
+ve positive

= equal
∴ therefore
≈ approximately
°C degree centigrade
°F Fahrenheit
♀ female
♂ male
0 none
½ one half
1/52 week one out 52 weeks in a year
1/7 day one in a week
A&E accident and emergency
A.A.L anterior axillary line
A/C abdominal circumference
 A/F anterior fontanelle
A/S apgar score
ABC airway, breathing, circulation
ABC aneurysmal bonecyst (orthopedic)
Abd abdomen
ABG arterial blood gas
ABO blood groups
AC anterior chamber
AC acromioclavicular
ACEI angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor
ACL anterior cruciate ligament
ACR albumin creatinine ratio
ACS acute coronary syndrome
ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone
AD alzheimer's disease
ADH antidiuretic hormone
ADL activities of daily living
Adv adviced
AF / AFib atrial fibrillation
AFB acid-fast bacilli
AFI amniotic fluid index
AFlut atrial flutter
AFO ankle-foot orthosis
aFP a-fetoprotein
Ag antigen
AGA appropriate for gestational age
AGE acute gastroenteritis
AGN acute glomerulonephritis
AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AIN acute interstitial nephritis
AIS adenocarcinoma in situ
AITP autoimmune thrombocytopenia purpura
AKA above-knee amputation
AKI acute kidney injury
 ALL acute lymphocytic leukemia
ALP alkaline phosphatase
ALS advance life support
ALT alanine transaminase
AMI acute myocardial infarction
AML acute myeloid leukemia
ANA antinuclear antibodies
ANF anti-nuclear factor
ant. anterior
Anti-HBc antibody to hepatitis b core antigen
Anti-HBe antibody to hepatitis b "e" antigen
Anti-HBs antibody to hepatitis b surface antigen
AOM acute otitis media
AP attending physician
A-P anteroposterior
appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, respiration, used
APGAR
to assess newborns
APH antepartum haemorrhage
APP appendix
AR aortic regurgitation
ARB angiotensin receptor blocker
ARF acute renal failure
ARM/AROM artificial rupture of membranes
ARMD age related macular degeneration
AS ankylosing spondilitis
ASA american society of anaesthesiologist
ASAP as soon as possible
ASCUS atypical squamous cells of undetermine significance
ASD atrial septal defect
ASOM acute suppurative otitis media
ASOT antistreptolysin o titre
ASS associated
AST aspartate transaminase
AT acute tonsilitis
ATD after test dose
ATS antitetanus serum
ATFL anterior talofibular ligament
AV aortic valve
A-V arteriovenous
AVN avascular necrosis
AVR aortic valve replacement
AXR abdominal x-ray
B buccal
B/L bilateral
B/M bowel movement
B/O baby of
Ba barium
BAEP brainstem auditory evoked potential
BCG bacillus calmette guerin
BE base excess
BHCG beta human chorionic gonadotrophin
BID 2 times a day (latin – bis in die)
bil. bilateral
BITH bilateral inferior turbinate hypertrophy
BKA below-knee amputation
Bld gp blood group
BLS basic life support
BM bone marrow
BMI body mass index
BMR basal metabolic rate
BMTH bilateral middle turbinate hypertrophy
BNF british national formulary
BNO bowel not open
BP blood pressure (mmhg)
BPD bronchopulmonary dysplasia
BPH benign prostatic hyperplasia
BPM beats per minute
BPPV benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
BR breath rate
 BS bowel sounds
BS Chart blood sugar chart
BSO bilateral salpingo oophorectomy
BT bleeding time
BTL bilateral tubal ligation
BUN blood urea nitrogen
BUSS brain ultrasound scan
BW birth weight
Bx biopsy
c with (latin: cum)
C&S culture and sensitivity
C.I.N. chronic interstitial nephritis
C.T.S carpal tunnel syndrome
C/D ratio cup/disc ratio
c/o complaint of
C/S cesarean section
C1 to C7 cervical vertebrae
C3,C4 complement fixation 3,4
CA cancer, carcinoma
Ca calcium
CABG coronary artery bypass graft
CAD coronary artery disease
CAG coronary angiography
Cal calorie
CAN cord around neck
Cap capsule
cath catheter
CBC complete blood count
CBD common bile duct
CBG capillary blood gas
Cc chief complaint
CCAM congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation
CCF congestive cardiac failure
CCU coronary care unit
 CDH congenital dislocated hip
CEA carcino-embryonic antigen
CEO chief executive officer
Ceph cephalic
CFL calcaneofibular ligament
CFO chief financial officer
CGMS continous glucose monitoring system
CGN chronic glomerulonephritis
CHA congenital adrenal hyperplasia
CHD congenital heart disease
CHF congestive heart failure
CHL conductive hearing loss
CHOL cholesterol
Chole cholecystectomy
CIN cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
CK creatinine kinase
CKD chronic kidney disease
Cl chloride
Cl I Cl II Cl III
for filling surfaces involved 1 surface to 4 surfaces
Cl IV
CLD chronic lung disease
cm centimeter
CMC carpometacarpal (joint)
CME continuing medical education
CMV cytomegalo virus
CNS central nervous system
CO carbon monooxide
CO2 carbon dioxide
COC combined oral contraceptive
compd. compound
Conj conjuntiva
cont'd continued
COO chief operating officer
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CP cerebral palsy
 CPAP continuous positive airway pressure
CPD cephalo-pelvic disproportion
CPK creatinine phosphokinase
CPM continuous passive motion
CPPS choranic pelvic pain syndrome
CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CPT current procedural terminology
Cr. creatinine
CRNA certified registered nurse anesthetist
CRP c-reactive protein
CRRT continuous renal replacement therapy
CS chronic sinusitis
CSEA combined spinal epidural anaesthesia
C-section cesarean section
C-spine cervical spine
CSF cerebrospinal fluid
CSOM chronic suppurative otitis media
CSR central serous retinopathy
CSSD central sterile services department
CST contraction stress test
CT Scan computerized axial tomography (cat) scan
CTG cardiotocography
CTS carpal tunnel syndrome
CV conduction velocity
CVA cerebrovascular accident
CVD cerebrovascular disease
CVL central venous line
CVP central venous pressure
CVPL central venous pressure line
CVS cardiovascular system
Cx cervix
CXR chest x-ray
D distal canal
d day
 D&C dilation & curettage
D.O.E diffuse otitis externa
D.O.M. diffuse otitis media
D/C discontinue
D/S dextrose saline
D1 or D2 diagonal branches
D10W dextrose 10% water
D5NS 5% dextrose in normal saline
D5W iv dextrose, 5% in water
DB disto buccal
DBP diastolic blood pressure
DCT direct coomb’s test
DD differential diagnosis
DDD degenerative disk disease
DDS dentist
decr. decreased
Defib. defibrillation
DES drug eluting stent
DEXA dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry
Df defective filling
DHAS dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate
DHEA dehydroepiandrosterone
DI detrusor instability or distoincisal (in dental dept)
diast. diastolic
DIC disseminated intravascular coagulation
DIG digit
dil. dilute
DIP distal interphalangeal (joint)
DJ double j, proprietary name of a splint
DJD degenerative joint disease
DKA diabetic ketoacidosis
DL direct laryngoscopy or distolingual (in dental dept)
DL tube double lumen tube
DLP dyslipidemia
 DM diabetes mellitus
DMT1 diabetes mellitus type 1
DMT2 diabetes mellitus type 2
DNA deoxyribonucleic acid
DNR do not resuscitate
DO Distal and oclusal
DOA dead on arrival
DOB date of birth
DOE dyspnea on exertion
DOI date of injury
DON director of nursing
DPT diphtheria toxoid, pertussis vaccine, tetanus toxoid
Dr. doctor
DS dextrose saline
dsg dressing
DT diphtheria and tetanus vaccine
DUB dysfunctional uterine bleeding
DUI driving under influence
DVT deep venous thrombosis
Dx diagnosis
E.Coli escherichia coli
E(P/D)HL(B) extensor (pollicis/digitorum) hallucis longus (brevis)
E.F. ejection fraction
E2 estradiol
EAC external auditory canal
EBM expressed breast milk
EBV ebstein- barr virus
ECCM extra corporeal circulation machine
ECF extra-cellular fluid
ECG, EKG electrocardiogram
echo echocardiogram
ECT electroconvulsive treatment
EDA/C epidural anesthesia/ continuous
EDD estimated date of delivery
educ. education
EEG electroencephalogram
EENT eyes, ears, nose, throat
EFM electronic fetal monitoring
EFW estimated fetal weight
EGA estimated gestational age
EGD esophagogastroduodenoscopy
ELBW extremely low birth weight
EMG electromyogram
ENT ears, nose, throat
EOM extra ocular muscles
EPA epidural anaesthesia
Epi episiotomy
epith. epithelium, epithelial
EPS electrophysiologic study
ER emergency room
ERCP endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ERM epiretinal membrane
ERPC evacuation of retain product of conception
ES electrical stimulation
ESBL extended spectrum beta lactamase
ESM ejection systolic murmur
ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate
ESRF end stage renal failure
ESWL extra corporeal shock wave lithotripsy
ET endotracheal
ETCO2 end tidal co2
ETIOL etiology
ETT endotracheal tube
EUA examination under anaesthetic
EVAL evaluation
exam examination
EXO extraction
 ext external
EXTR extraction
F facial
F/A fetal anomaly
F/L fetal length
F/U follow-up
FA families anonymous
FB foreign body
FBC full blood count
FBS fasting blood sugar
FD full deduction
FDA food and drugs administration
FDP fibrinogen degradation product
Fe iron
FES functional electrical stimulation
FESS functional endoscopic sinus surgery
FEV forced expiratory volume
FEV1 forced expiratory volume (in one second)
FEVt timed forced expiratory volume
FFP fresh frozen plasma
FH fundal height
FHM fetal heart monitor
FHR fetal heart rate
FHS fetal heart sounds
FHT fetal heart tones
FHx family history
fib fibrillation
FIL fetal intolerance to labor
FiO2 fraction of inspired oxygen concentration
FL femur length
fl. oz. fluid ounce
Flex flexion
FLM fetal lung maturity
FLP fasting lipid profile
 FM fetal movement
FMC fine motor coordination (orthopedic)
FMC fetal movement counting (obstetric)
FNA fine needle aspiration
FNAB fine-needle aspiration biopsy
FNAC fine needle aspiration cytology
FO full oral
FOB fiber optic bronchoscope
FP femoral pulse (cardiology)
FP fetal pole (obstetric)
Fp/1 fixed pulpotomy (1st visit)
Fp/2 fixed pulpotomy (2nd visit)
FR fluid restriction
FROM full range of motion
FS full strength
FSE fetal spiral electrode
FSGS focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
FSH follicle stimulating hormone
FT full term
ft foot / feet (measurement)
FTA fluorescent treoponemal antibody
FTP full term pregnancy
FTT failure to thrive
FUO fever of unknown origin
FVC forced vital capacity
FWB fresh whole blood
FWB Full weight bearing (orthopedic)
FWN1 female ward n1
FWN2 female ward n2
FWW front wheel walker
Fx / # Fracture or tear
g gram
G gravida
G.I cement glass ionomer cement
 G.I.C glass ionomer cement
G.O.N greater occipital nerve
g.p gutta percha (root canal filling material)
G.P. / GP general practitioner
G/S gram stain
number of pregnancies: full-term, pre-term, abortion,
G_P_ _ _ _
living
G6PD glucose 6 phosphate - dehydrogenase
GA general anesthesia
GABA gamma-aminobutyric acid
GB gall bladder
GBS group b-streptococci
GC general condition
GCS glasgow coma scale
GDM gestational diabetes mellitus
gen general
GER gastroesophageal reflux
GERD gastroesophageal reflux disease
Gest. gestation
GFR glomerular filtration rate
GGT gamma glutamyl transferase
GH growth hormone
GH glenohumeral (orthopedic)
GI gastrointestinal
GIFT gamete intrafallopian transfer
glu glucose
gm% grams per hundred milliliters
GM+ve gram positive
GM-ve gram negative
GNR gram negative rods
GnRH gonadotrophin releasing hormone
gr grain
GRAV. (I,II,ect) primigravida, secundigravida, etc.
GRBS general random blood sugar
Grp group
 GSI genuine stress incontinence
GSW gunshot wound
GTN glyceryl trinitrate
gtt drop
GTT glucose tolerance test
GU genitourinary
Gyn gynecology
H/O history of
H2O water
H2O2 hydrogen peroxide
HA hormonal analysis
HAV hepatitis a-virus
Hb hemoglobin concentration
Hb A adult hemoglobin
Hb F fetal hemoglobin
Hb S sickle cell hemoglobin
HbA1c glycosalated hemoglobin
HbeAg hepatitis b "e" antigen
HbsAg hepatitis b surface antigen
HBV hepatitis b virus
HC head circumference
HCG human chorionic gonadotrophin
HCO3 bicarbonate
Hct hematocrit
HCV hepatitis c virus
HD hemodialysis
HDL high density lipoprotein
HDN haemolytic disease of the newborn
HELLP haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets
hem hematology
Hep.B hepatitis b vaccine
Hg mercury
Hgb hemoglobin
hgm hemogram
 HIV human immunodeficiency virus
HJR hepatojugular reflux
HL heparin lock
HMD hyaline membrane disease
HMF human milk fortifier
HMG human menopausal gonadotrophin
HNP herniated nucleus pulposus
HOF height of fundus
HP hot packs
HPF high power field (microscopic field)
HPO hypothalamopituitary-ovarian
HPV human papilloma virus
HR heart rate
hr hour
HRT hormone replacement therapy
HSG hysterosalpingogram
HSV herpes simplex virus
H/T heel/toe
Ht height
HTL VIII Human T-lymphus virus VIII
HTN hypertension
HV hoarse voice
HVS high vaginal swab
Hx history
I incisal
Ⓘ independent
I&D incision and drainage
I&O intake & output
i.e. illustrated example
I.S. incentive spirometry
I/T intrathecal
I131 radioactive iodine
IABP intra-aortic balloon pump
IBD inflammatory bowel disease
 IBP invasive blood pressure
IBS irritable bowel syndrome
IBW ideal body weight
IC infection control
ICD international classification of disease
ICF intracellular fluid
ICP intra-cranial pressure
ICS intercostal space
ICSI intracytoplasmic sperm injection
HDU intensive care unit
ID identification
IDA iron deficiency anemia
IDDM insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
IDM infant of diabetic mother
IE Ratio inspiratory/expiratory ratio
Ig immunoglobulin
IgA immunoglobulin a
IgE immunoglobulin e
IgG immunoglobulin gamma g
IgM immunoglobulin m
IGTN ingrowing toe nail
IHD ischemic heart disease
IM intramuscular
IMV intermittent mandatory ventilation
in. inch
incr. increased, increasing
Ing inguinal
inj injection
international normalized ratio coagulant response
INR
time
inspir. inspiration, inspiratory
int internal
int. rot. internal rotation
IOAR interoperation anaesthesia record
IOL intraocular lens / induction of labor
 IOP intraocular pressure
IP interphalangeal
IPPB intermittent positive pressure breathing
IPPV intermittent positive pressure ventilation
IPSS international prostate symptom score
IQ intelligence quotient
IRDS infant respiratory distress syndrome
ISC intermittent servo control
ISE internal scalp electrode
IT inspiratory time
ITB iliotibial band
ITP idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
IUCD intrauterine contraceptive device
IUD intrauterine death
IUFD intrauterine fetal death
IUGR intrauterine growth retardation
IUGS intrauterine gestational sac
IUIG intravenous immunoglobulin
IUPC intra-uterine pressure catheter
IV intravenous
IVAB intravenous antibiotics
IVC inferior vena cava
IVF intra venous fluid
I-VF in-vitro fertilization
IVH intra ventricular hemorrhage
IVIG intravenous immunoglobulin
IVP intravenous pyelogram
IVPB intravenous piggyback
JVP jugular venous pressure or pulse
K.V.O. keep vein open
K/C known case
K+ potassium (electrolyte)
Kcal kilocalorie
KCl potassium chloride
 Kg kilogram
KPs keratic precipitates
KTx kidney transplant
KUB kidney, ureter, bladder (x-ray plain film of abdomen)
L lingual
l litre
L.V. strain left ventricular strain
L/A local application
L/E local examination
L1-L5 lumbar vertebrae
LA left atrium (cardiology)
LA local anaesthesia
La labial
Lab laboratory
LAD left anterior descending artery
LAMA / DAMA leave / discharge against medical advice
Lap laparoscopic
LASIK laser in situ keratomileusis
lat lateral
lb pound
LBBB left bundle branch block
LBM loose bowel movement /motion
LBP low back pain
LBW low birth weight
light cure filling (composite filling)
a1 shades of filling
LCF
a2 shades of filling
a3 shades of filling
LCx left circumflex artery
LDH lactic acid dehydrogenase
LDL low density lipoprotein
LDR labour delivery recovery
LE lower extremity
LFT liver function test
LGA large for gestational age
 LH luteinizing hormone
LI linguoincisal
Li+++ lithium level
LITH left inferior turbinate hypertrophy
LL lower limb
LLETZ large loop excision of transformation zone
LLQ left lower quadrant
LM left main artery
LMA laryngeal mask airway
LMP last menstrual period
LMS left main stem
LMTH left middle turbinate hypertrophy
LMWH low molecular weight heparin
LN lymph nodes
LNe lupus nephritis
LOA left occipitoanterior position
LOC loss of consciousness
LOS length of stay
LOT left occiput transverse position
LP lumbar puncture
LPM litre per minute
LPRD laryngo pharyngeal reflex disease
LQ lower quadrant
LRTI lower respiratory tract infection
LS lumbo-sacral, lumbosacral
LSB left sternal border
LSCS lower segment caesarean section
LSIL low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
L-spine lumbar spine
Lt., [L], L left
LTCS lower transverse caesarian section
LUQ left upper quadrant
LUTS lower urinary tract symptoms
LV left ventricle
 LVF left ventricular failure
LVH left ventricular hypertrophy
Lymphs lymphocytes
M mesial canal
M.A.L mid axillary line
M.C.A. middle cerebral artery
MA moderate amount
MAC monitored anaesthesia care
MAP mean arterial pressure
MB mesiobuccal
M(L)Men medial (lateral) meniscus
M(L)Cl medial (lateral) collateral ligament
MC metacarpal bone
MCD minimal change disease
mcg microgram
MCH mean corpuscular hemoglobin
MCHC mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration
MCP metacarpophalangeal (joint)
MCU micturation cystourethrogram
MCV mean corpuscular volume
MD meniere's disease
Med. medicine
Meds medicines
MEF maximal expiratory flow
memb. membrane
mEq Milli-equivalent
MERS-CoV middle east respiratory syndrome-corona virus
METS metabolic equivalents
mg milligram
mg % milligram per hundred milliliters
mg/dl milligrams per deciliter
Mg++ magnesium
MI myocardial infarction or mesioincisal (in dental dept)
min. minute
 ML mesio lingual
ml milliliter
mm millimeter
mmHg millimeters mercury
MMR measles, mumps, rubella
MMSE mini-mental state examination
MN membranous nephropathy
MO mesial and oclusal
MOD mesioclusodistal
MODBL mesioclusodistobuccolingual
mono monocyte
MPGN membrano proliferative glomerulonephritis
MR mitral regurgitation
MRA magnetic resonance angiogram
MRI magnetic resonance imaging
MRP most responsible physician
MRSA methicillin resistant staph aureous
MS multiple sclerosis
MSH melanocyte stimulating hormone
MSU midstream urine
MT metatarsal bone
MTP metatarsophalangeal (joint)
MV mitral valve
MVP mitral valve prolapse
MVR mitral valve replacement
MW male ward
[N] normal
N.S. / NS normal saline
N2O nitrous oxide
Na+ sodium
NaCI sodium chloride
NAD no abnormility detected
NAF no abnormal findings
NaHCO3 sodium bicarbonate
 NB new born
NCS nerve conduction study
NEC necrotizing enterocolitis
neg negative
NG nasogastric
NGT nasogastric tube
NH3 ammonia
NHDU neonatal high dependency unit
NIBP non-invasive blood pressure
NICU neonatal intensive care unit
NKCM no known comorbidity
NKDA no known drug allergy
NMS neurolytic malignant syndrome
no. number
NP nasopharyngeal
NPCPAP nasopharyngeal continuous positive airway pressure
NPDR non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
NPH normal pressure hydrocephalus
NPI nurse patient interaction
NPO nothing by mouth, nil per oral
NSAID non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
NSD nasal septal deviation
Nsg. nursing
NSR normal sinus rhythm
NSS normal saline solution
NSTEMI non st segment elevation myocardial infarction
NT nuchal translucency
NTD neural tube defect
NVD normal vaginal delivery
NWB non-weight bearing
O occlusal
O/E on examination
O2 oxygen
O2 cap oxygen capacity
 O2 sat oxygen saturation
OA occipito anterior
OA osteoarthritis (orthopedic)
OB occlusobuccal
Ob/Gyn obstetrics and gynecology
OD once a day
OFC occipito frontal circumference
OGD oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy
OGT orogastric tube
Oint ointment
OM obtuse marginal branch
OME otitis media with effusion
OP occipito posterior
OPD outpatient department
OPG orthopantogram
Opp opposite
OPV oral polio vaccine
ORIF open reduction internal fixation
ORT oral rehydration therapy
os opening
OSAS obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
OT operation theater
Oz ounce
P Pulse
P.A x-ray periapical x-ray
P.A.L posterior axillary line
P.I.D. prolapsed intervertebral disc
P.O.P plaster of paris
P.T. prothrombin time
P.T.M perforated tympanic membrane
P.T.T. / PTT partial thromboplastin time
P/A per abdomen
P/E pelvic exam
P/P presenting part
 P/T physical therapy
PA&L posterior, anterior and lateral chest x-ray
PAC pulmonary artery catheter
PAC pre anesthesia check up
PaCO2 arterial carbon dioxide tension
PAF paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Pallor pale color of the skin
PaO2 arterial oxygen tension
PAP pulmonary artery pressure
Pap Smear papanicolaou smear test
PCA patient-controlled analgesia
PCC post coital contraception
PCI percutaneous coronary intervention
PCL percutaneous litholapaxy
PCL posterior cruciate ligament (orthopedic)
PCN percutaneous nephrostoma
PCO posterior capsular opacification
PCO2 carbon dioxide tension
PCOS polycystic ovarian syndrome
PCR polymerase chain reaction
PCWP pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
PCXR/PXR portable chest x-ray
PD parkinson’s disease
PDA patent ductus arteriosus
PDR proliferative diabetic retinopathy
PE pulmonary embolism
PEE punctate epithelial erosion
PEEP positive end expiratory pressure
PEFR peak expiratory flow rate
PEG percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
PET positron emission tomography
PF patellofemoral (joint)
PFT's pulmonary function tests
PGCS paediatric glasgow coma scale
 PGE1 prostaglandin e1
PGE2 prostaglandin e2
pH hydrogen ion concentration
PHVD post hemorrhagic ventricular dilation
PICC peripherally inserted central catheter
PID pelvic inflammatory disease
PIH pregnancy induced hypertension
PIP peak inspiratory pressure
PIP proximal interphalangeal joint (orthopedic)
PKU phenylketonuria
Plt platelet
PM polymyositis
PM hx past medical history
PMB post menopausal bleeding
PMH past medical history
PMS pre menstrual syndrome
PN post natal
PND post natal day
PNL percutaneous nephrolithotomy
PNS para nasal sinuses
po / p.o. by mouth (per orem)
PO2 oxygen tension
POAG primary open angle glucoma
POD post operative day
POP progesterone only pill
pos positive
post posterior
PostOp postoperative
PPBS postprandial blood sugar
PPH post partum haemorrhage
PPI proton pump inhibitor
PPROM preterm prelabour rupture of the membrane
PPV positive pressure ventilation
PR pulse rate
 PRBC packed red blood cells
Pre-op before surgery, preoperative
PRN when needed (latin: pro re nata)
PROM premature rupture of membranes
PRP panretinal photocoagulation
PS per speculum examination
PS hx past surgical history
PSA psoriatic arthropathy
PSH past surgical history
PSM pansystolic murmur
PSVT paroxysmal supra-ventricular tachycardia
PT physical therapy
P-T pre-term
Pt. patient
percutaneous transluminal coronary artery
PTCA
angioplasty
PTH parathyroid hormone
PTO please turn over
PUO pyrexia of unknown origin
PV pulmonary valve (cardiology)
PV per vaginum (obstetric)
PWB partial weight bearing
q every
QID /qid 4 times a day (latin -quater in die)
Ⓡ, Rt., R right
R.N., RN registered nurse
R/O rule out
R/T related to
RA right atrium (cardiology)
RA rheumatoid arthritis (orthopedic)
RAF restricted antibiotic
RAST radio-allegosorbent test
RBBB right bundle branch block
RBC red blood cell
RBS random blood sugar
RCA right coronary artery
RCC renal cell carcinoma
RCT root canal treatment
RCV red cell volume
RD respiratory distress
RDS respiratory distress syndrome
Rehab rehabilitation
REM rapid eye movement
RETIC reticulocyte
RF rheumatoid factor
Rh rhesus blood factor
RI resistance index
RICE rest / ice / compression / evaluation
RITH right inferior turbinate hypertrophy
RL ringers lactate
RLQ right lower quadrant
RMTH right middle turbinate hypertrophy
RNA ribonucleic acid
ROM range of motion
ROP retinopathy of prematurity
RPE retinal pigment epithelium
RPG retrograde pyelography
RPL right posterior lateral
RR respiration rate
RRT renal replacement therapy
RS respiration system
RSV respiratory syncytial virus
RT respiratory therapist
RTA road traffic accident
RUQ right upper quadrant
RV right ventricle
RWMA regional wall motion abnormalities
Rx treatment/prescription
s̅ without
 S serum
S&P scaling and polishing
S/E seen and examined
S/S signs and symptoms
S1 first heart sound
S1 to S5 sacral vertebrae
S2 second heart sound
S3 third heart sound
S4 fourth heart sound
SA small amount
saddle B saddle block
sat saturation
SB still birth
SBP systolic blood pressure
S-C joint sterno clavicular joint
SDR lining cement (light cured)
SFD small for date
SGA small for gestational age
SGOT serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase
SGPT serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase
SHx social history
SI joint sacro-iliac joint
SIDS sudden infant death syndrome
SIMV synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation
SL sublingual
SLE systemic lupus erythematosus
SLR straight leg raising
SMBG self monitoring blood glucose
SMV submento vertex
SNHL sensorineural hearing loss
SOAP subjective objective assessment plan
SOB shortness of breath
SPA spondyloarthropathy
SPECT single-photon emission tomography
 SPK superficial punctuate keratitis
SpO2 arterial oxygen saturation percent
SRM spontaneous rupture of the membrane
SROM spontaneous rupture of membrane
SS sjogren's syndrome
SSEP somatosensory evoked potential
staph staphylococcus
STAT at once (statim)
STD sexually transmitted disease
STEMI st elevation myocardial infarction
strep streptococcus
Subcut./subQ subcutaneously
SVD spontaneous vaginal delivery
Syp syrup
sys exam systemic examination
T term
T.H.P total hip prosthesis
T.K.P total knee prosthesis
T.S tympanosclerosis
T.T.S tarsal tunnel syndrome
T1 resuscitation (triage category)
T1 to T12 thoracic vertebrae
T2 emergent (triage category)
T3 urgent (triage category)
T3 triodothyronine
T4 less urgent(triage category)
T4 total serum thyroxine
T5 non-urgent (triage category)
tab tablet
TAH total abdominal hysterectomy
TAP transverse abdominal puncture
TAUS transabdominal ultrasound
TB tuberculosis
TBW total body water
 TCF tricresol formalin
TCI target controlled infusion
TCRE transcervical resection of endometrium
TEE transesophageal echocardiogram
TENS unit transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
Temp. temperature
TF temporary filling
TFT thyroid function test
TGA transposition of great arteries
TH (K) R (A or P) total hip (knee) replacement
TIA transient ischemic attack
TIBC total iron binding capacity
tib-fib tibio-fibular
TID 3 times a day (latin - ter in die)
TIVA total intravenous anaesthesia
TLC total leukocyte count
TM tympanic membrane
TMJ temporo mandibular joint
TMT treadmill test
TOP termination of pregnancy
TORCH toxoplasma, rubella, CMV, HSV
TPN total parenteral nutrition
TR tricuspid regurgitation
TRH thyrotropin releasing hormone
TRUS transrectal ultrasound
TRUS transrectal ultrasound
TSB total serum bilirubin
TSH thyroid stimulating hormone
T-spine thoracic spine
TT tetanus toxoid
TT tibiotalar (orthopedic)
TTN transient tachypnea of the newborn
TUIP transurethral incision of the prostate
TURB transurethral resection of the bladder
 TURP transurethral resection of the prostate
TUVP transurethral vaporization of the prostate
TV tricuspid valve
TVUS transvaginal ultrasound
Tx treatment
Û ascend
Ü descend
U/A urinalysis
U/E urea and electrolytes
u/o urinary output
UAC umbilical arterial catheter
UC ulcerative colitis
UDCA ursodeoxycholic acid
UE upper extremity
UF ultra filtration
UPJ ureteropelvic junction
URS ureterorenoscopy
URTI upper respiratory tract infection
US ultrasound
USA unstable angina
USG ultrasonography
USS ultrasound scan
ut. contraction uterine (contraction)
UTI urinary tract infection
UV ultraviolet
UVC umbilical venous catheter
V/E vaginal exam
V/V vulva/vagina
VA visual acuity
VAIN vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia
VATS video assisted thoracoscopy
VBG venous blood gas
VD vaccum delivery
VDRL venereal disease research laboratory
-ve negative
VEP visual evoked potential
VF ventricular fibrillation
Vfib ventricular fibrillation
VIN vulval intraepithelial neoplasm
VS vital signs
VSD ventricular septal defect
VTE venous thromboembolism
VX vertex
w/o without
wbc white blood cell count
wks. weeks
WNL within normal limits
wt weight
Y year
YS yolk sac

ZIFT zygot intrafallopian transfer