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Abbreviations, Stems, Roots

Not Comprehensive!

Of course. Only stuff we encounted in class Here’s a giant list of abbreviations. There’s also ye olde Wikipedia.

AbbreviationExpansionNotes
2/2”Secondary to”
A/PAssessment and Plan
A+O3Alert and Oriented to Person, Time, and PlacePatient is awake/conscious, responsive, and able to make decisions for themselves
AlbAlbuminA protein synthesized by the liver
AllAllergic/ImmunologicNotate whether the patient has allergies or other immune conditions
ALTAlanine AminotransferaseLiver enzyme, works on proteins, elevated when liver damaged
AMAAgainst Medical Advice
APAlkaline PhosphataseEnzyme, used to diagnose liver disease
AppyAppendectomy
ASAAspirinDecreases blood clotting
ASTAspartate Aminotransferase
AXRAbdominal X-Ray
B/LBi-Lateral
RTCReturn to Clinic
BBBeta Blocker
BCXBlood Culture
bilatBilateral
BMIBody Mass Index
BMPBasic Metabolic Panel
BPBlood Pressure
BRBPRBright Red Blood Per rectum
BSBreath/Bowel Sounds
BUNBlood Urea Nitrogen
BxBiopsy
C/C/EClubbing, Cyanosis, EdemaFingers: clubbed extremities, blueness, or swelling
c/oComplains of
c/wConsistent with
CaTotal Calcium
CACancer
CADCoronary Artery Disease
CADRFsCoronary Artery Disease Risk FactorsKey risk factors for coronary arterial disease (E.g. high BP, smoking, high LDL)
cathCatheterization
CBCComplete Blood Counter
CCChief Complaint
Chem10BMP + Ca + Mg + Ph
Chem20BMP + Mg + Ph + LFTs
ClChloride
CMPComprehensive Metabolic Panel
COPDChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
CrCreatinine
CrCreatinine
CRIChronic Renal Insufficiency
CTComputed tomographyCan also be cardiothoracic
CTAClear to AuscultationPatient’s lung sounded normal when listened to with a stethoscope
CTXCeftriaxoneAn antibiotic
CVACerebrovascular Accident
CXRChest X-Ray
D/CDischarge
DBDirect BilurubinWater-soluble form of bilirubin processed by the liver
DDxDifferential Diagnosis
DESDrug Eluting Stent
DKADiabetic ketoacidosis
DREDigital Rectal Exam
DMDiabetes Mellitus
DM2Diabetes Mellitus 2
DPDorsalis Pedis Artery
DZDisease!
EchoEchocardiogram
EDEmergency Department
EDDEstimated Discharge Date
EFEjection Fraction
EGD/USOesophagoduodunem; UltraSound.(Duodenum is first part of SI)
EKG or ECGElectrocardiogram
EMSEmergency Medical Services
EndoEndocrine
ENTEars, Nose, Mouth, Throat
EOMIExtra Ocular Movements IntactAll six muscles controlling the eye are working well
ETOHAlcoholEthanol
F/UFollow Up
FamHxFamily History
FOBTFecal Occult Blood Test
FSGFinger Stick Glucose
GIGastrointestinal
GluSerum Glucose
gttDrip
H&PHistory & Physical Exam
HAHeadache
HbHaemoglobin
HbA1CHemoglobin A1Caverage blood sugar over last 3 months; measurement of longterm glucose control
Hbg or HbHaemoglobin
HCO3Bicarbonate
HCTHaematocrit
HCTZHydrochlorothiazideFor hypertension; diuretic
HDHospital Day
HEENTHead, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat
HFPHepatic Function Panel
HPIHistory of Present Illness
HRHeart Rate
HSMHepatosplenomegaly“No HSM” → No enlargement of liver or spleen.
HTNHypertensionBlood pressure against arteries is >= 130/80 mmHg
HxHistory
ICUIntensive Care Unit
IVIntravenous
IVDUIntravenous Drug Use
IVFIntravenous fluids
JVDJugular Vein DistensionBulging of veins in neck
KPotassium
LANLymphadenopathy
LDLLow Density LipoproteinBad Cholestrol
LELower Extremities
LFTLiver Function Test
LGIBLower GI Bleed
LLELeft lower extremity
LOMNLetter of Medical Necessity
LVHLeft Ventricular Hypertrophy
MMale
m/r/gMurmurs, Rubs, or Gallops
MDIMetered Dose Inhaler
MIMyocardial InfractionA heart attack, no or reduced blood flow to one or more arteries of the heart
MICUMedical Intensive Care Unit
MSKMusculoskeletal
NNausea
NaSodium
NCNon-Contributory
NCATNormal Cephalic Atraumatic”The head looks normal”
NDNon-distended
NIFSNon-Invasive Flow StudiesTest that measures arterial circulation
NKDANo Known Drug Allergies
NSCLCaNon-small cell lung cancer
NSRNormal Sinus Rhythm
NSTEMINon-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
NTNon-tender
o/nOvernight
OAOsteoarthritis
OpOperation or Oral Pharynx
OncOncologist
OTCOver The Counter
PAPrior Authorization
PPending
PCNpenicillin
PCTAPercutaneous transluminal coronary angioplastya minimally invasive procedure to open up blocked coronary arteries, allowing blood to circulate unobstructed to the heart muscle
PEPhysical Exam
PERRLAPupils Equal Round & Reactive to Light & AccommodationPupils normal: assess brain function, look for neurological disorders
PETPositron Emission Tomography
PFTsPulmonary Functions Tests
PltPlatelets
PMHxPast Medical History
POBy MouthPer Os
PPIProton Pump InhibitorUsed to treat digestive/acid related disorders
PRBCPacked Red Blood CellsBlood Transfusion
PSHxPast Surgical History
PTPosterior Tibial Artery
PTAPrior to Admission
PVDPeripheral Vascular Disease
QDOnce a DayQuaque Die
R/ORule Out
RCARight Coronary Artery
RespRespiratory
ROSReview of Systems
RARoom AirE.g. SpO2 93% on RA
RRRespiratory Rate
RRRRegular Rate and Rhythm
RULRight Upper Lobe
RUSRenal Ultrasound
s/pStatus post
S1S2First and Second Heart sounds
SISuicidal Ideation
SLNTGSublingual Nitroglycerin
SOAPSubjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan.This is the structure that they use to exchange information. Residents → Attending.
SOBShortness of Breath
SpO2Amount of O2 in the Blood
SocHxSocial History
SRSStereotactic Radiosurgery
STEMIST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
SUDSubstance Abuse Disorder
SwerSocial Worker
TTemperature
TAHTotal Abdominal Hysterectomy
TBTotal Bilurubin”A blood test measuring the yellow pigment produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells, indicating liver, gallbladder, or red blood cell health”
TeleTelemetry
TmTemperature Max
TOBTobaccoPPD is Packs Per Day
TPTotal ProteinConcentration of Protein in Serum
TPNTotal Parenteral NutritionA method of delivering all essential nutrients—including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals—directly into a person’s bloodstream via an intravenous (IV) catheter, bypassing the digestive system entirely
TropTroponinEnzyme released when there is muscle damage / tissue damage in the heart
TSHThyroid Stimulating Hormone
TxTransfer
UAUrinalysis
UcxUrine Culture
USUltrasound
USOHUsual State of HealthNormal health: good physical, mental, and social well-being
UTIUrinary Tract Infection
VVomiting
VATSVideo-Assisted thoracoscopic surgery
VSSVital Signs StableTemp, BP, Pulse, RR are stable
WBCWhite Blood Cells
WBRTWhole brain radiation therapy
wnlWithin normal limitsE.g. “CBC wnl”, “BMP wnl”, “Coags wnl”
WOBWork of BreathingE.g. “Increased WOB”
WAWNWell Appearing Well Nourished
WWPWarm and Well Perfused
yoyear old
lipoLiposuction

Medications

By Frequency

AbbreviationExpansionNotes
QDOnce a DayQuaque Die
BIDTwice a Daybis in die
TIDThree times a Dayter in die
QIDFour times a DayQuater in Die
QODOnce every other DayQuaque Alterda Die
PRNAs NeededPro Re Nata (“Tylenol prn fever”)
QEveryQ6 = Every six hours
POBy MouthPer Os (by opening)
SLSub-lingualUnder the tongue
NPONothing by MouthNil per os

By Type

AbbreviationMeaning
CDcontrolled delivery or continuous delivery
CRcontrolled release
DRdelayed release
ECenteric coated
ERextended release
HSbed time dosing
LAlong acting
PMbed time dosing
SAsustained action
SRsustained release
TRtimed release
XLextended release
XRextended release
XTextra time

Other

Stems

StemMeaningExample(s)
AdenoRelating to a glandadenocarcinoma
ArterioOf or relating to the arteriesarterioplasty
ArthroRelating to jointsarthritis
BronchoRelating to bronchibronchoscopy
CardioRelating to the heartcardiologist
ChondroOf or relating to cartilagechondritis
ColoRelating to coloncolitis
CostoRelating to ribscostal margin
CystoRelating to bladdercystitis
DermaRelating to skindermatitis
DuodenoRelating to duodenumduodenitis
EmesisVomitinghyperemesis
EncephaloOf or relating to the brainencephalopathy
EnteroRelating to intestinegastroenteritis
FebriFeverfebrile
GastroRelating to the stomachgastroenterologist, gastritis
Hemo / HematoRelating to bloodhematologist
HepatoOf or relating to the liverhepatitis
IleoRelating to ileumileitis
JejunoRelating to jejunumjejunostomy
Lingua / glossaRelating to tongueglossitis
LipoRelating to fatliposuction
MycoRelating to fungimycoprotein
MyoRelating to musclesmyocardial infarction
NephroRelating to kidneysnephrologist
NeuroRelating to nerves or nervous systemneurologist, neuropathy
OnychoRelating to nailsonychomycosis
OsteoOf or relating to boneosteoarthritis
PneumoRelating to lungspneumonia
ProctoRelating to rectumproctitis
PulmoLungspulmonologist
RhinoRelating to the noserhinoplasty
StomaOpeningstomatitis
ThromboRelating to blood clottingthrombosis
Uro / uriaRelating to urineurologist, polyuria

Medical Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes

See Wikipedia for this ♥️

Other

  • Anorexia - “Lack of Appetite”
  • Icterus - Yellowing of the white of the eye due to jaundice
  • “29wga” - 29 weeks old