Most Common Medical Abbreviations & Acronyms

Today’s topic is all about Most Common Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms. Stay connected.

Most Common Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms with full forms

Health care professionals commonly use medical abbreviations, acronyms, or mnemonics as a reference to search and record information rapidly and accurately. They also use medical abbreviations to give instructions to their patients.

As there is no standard list used by medical practitioners, it is important to understand the context in which the medical abbreviation has been used.

Here is a list of the most common medical terms you might have seen in your doctor’s prescription notes, drug packages or bottles, and lab or other test reports.

Most Common Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms A-B

Medical Abbreviations – A

The most common medical terminology, acronyms, and abbreviations that are frequently used in medical practices, and starting with the alphabet “A” are grouped in the given list.

Medical Abbreviations-B

The most common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology that are frequently used in medical practices, and starting with the alphabet “B” are grouped in the given list.

The Most Common Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms-C To E

The most common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology that are frequently used in medical practices, and starting with the alphabet “C” are grouped in the given list.

Medical Abbreviations-D

The most common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology that are frequently used in medical practices, and starting with the alphabet “D” are grouped in the given list.

Medical Abbreviations-E

The most common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology that are frequently used in medical practices, and starting with the alphabet “E” are grouped in the given list.

The Most Common Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms-F To K

The most common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology that are frequently used in medical practices, and starting with the alphabet “F” are grouped in the given list.

Medical Abbreviations-G

The most common medical terminology, acronyms, and abbreviations that are frequently used in medical practices, and starting with the alphabet “G” are grouped in the given list.

Medical Abbreviations-H

The common medical terminology, acronyms, and abbreviations that are frequently used in medical practices, and starting with the alphabet “H” are grouped in the given list.

Medical Abbreviations-I

The most common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology that are frequently used in medical practices, and starting with the alphabet “I” are grouped in the given list.

Medical Abbreviations-J & K

The common medical terminology, acronyms, and abbreviations that are frequently used in medical practices, and starting with the alphabet “J and K” are grouped in the given list.

Most Common Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms-L To O

The common medical terminology, acronyms, and abbreviations that are frequently used in medical practices, and starting with the alphabet “L” are grouped in the given list.

The Most Common Medical Abbreviations-M

The common medical terminology, acronyms, and abbreviations that are frequently used in medical practices, and starting with the alphabet “M” are grouped in the given list.

The Most Common Medical Abbreviations-N

The most common medical terminology, acronyms, and abbreviations that are frequently used in medical practices, and starting with the alphabet “N” are grouped in the given list.

Medical Abbreviations-O

The common medical terminology, acronyms, and abbreviations that are frequently used in medical practices, and starting with the alphabet “O” are grouped in the given list.

Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms-P To Z

The common medical terminology, acronyms, and abbreviations that are frequently used in medical practices, and starting with the alphabet “P” are grouped in the given list.

Medical Abbreviations-Q & R

The common medical terminology, acronyms, and abbreviations that are frequently used in medical practices, and starting with the alphabet “Q and R” are grouped in the given list.

Medical Abbreviations-S&T

The common medical terminology, acronyms, and abbreviations that are frequently used in medical practices, and starting with the alphabet “S” are grouped in the given list.

Medical Abbreviations-T

The common medical terminology, acronyms, and abbreviations that are frequently used in medical practices, and starting with the alphabet “T” are grouped in the given list.

Medical Abbreviations-U to Z

The common medical terminology, acronyms, and abbreviations that are frequently used in medical practices, and starting with the alphabet “U to Z” are grouped in the given list.

Medical Abbreviations-Symbol

Common symbols that are used as medical abbreviations and acronyms are listed below.

Symbols

x	Except
Ø	None
ea	each
1	primary
2	secondary
3˚	Add Tertiary
	female
	male
+	increase
–	decrease
O-	negative
O+	positive
/O	none
~	about (approximate)
ii	two
I	one
P	after
Δ	change
=	equal
<	less than or equal to
>	greater than
Æ	none
®	to
¬	from
«	to and from
//	parallel bars
\	flexion
/	extension
?	questionable
±	either or
↨	up and down
#	pound
C	with
s	without
X	times
º	degree

Medical Abbreviations-Prescription

ABX – antibiotics

AC – before meals

Ad lib – at will, as desired

BID – bis in dies (twice a day)

CAP – capsule

GTT – drop-liquid measurement

i – 1

ii – 2

iii – 3

iv – 4

v – 5

MDD – maximum daily dose

NPO – nothing by mouth

OCP – oral contraceptive pill

OPV – oral polio vaccine

OTC – over the counter

PC – after meals

PCN – penicillin

PNV – prenatal vitamins

PO – per os (by mouth)

PRN – as needed

q2h – every 2 hours

q3h – every 3 hours

qam – every morning

qd – once a day

qh – once every hour

qhs – at bedtime

qid – four times a day

qod – every other day

qpm – every evening

RDI – recommended daily intake

Rx – prescription, treatment

SC/SQ – subcutaneous

TAB – tablet

TIW – three times a week

Medical Abbreviations-Care

AXR – abdominal x-ray

BAC – blood alcohol content

BC – birth control

BE – barium enema

BMT – bone marrow transplant

Bx – biopsy

BRP – bathroom privileges

CPR – cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CXR – chest x-ray

ECC – emergency cardiac care

ECG or EKG – electrocardiogram

ECMO – extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

ECT – electroconvulsive therapy

ECV – external cephalic version

FB – foreign body

FNA – fine needle aspiration

FOBT – fecal occult blood testing

GLT – glucose loading test

GTT – glucose tolerance test

H20 – water

I&D – incision and drainage

IM – intramuscular

I&O – intake and output

IV – intravenous

IUPC – intrauterine pressure catheter

In vitro – in the laboratory

In vivo – in the body

KUB – kidney, ureter, bladder (x-ray)

OGTT – oral glucose tolerance test

PAP – pulmonary artery pressure; Papanicolaou test

PEEP – positive end expiratory pressure

PT – physical therapy

T&C – type and cross (blood)

TPA – tissue plasminogen activator (dissolve clots), total parenteral alimentation (intravenous nutritional needs)

UA – urinalysis

US – ultrasound

XRT – external radiation therapy

Medical Abbreviations-Diagnosis or Condition

ADHD – attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

AF – acid-fast

AIDS – acquired immune deficiency syndrome

A&O – alert and oriented

AOB – alcohol on breath

ARDS – adult respiratory distress syndrome

ARF – acute renal failure, acute rheumatic fever

BAD – bipolar affective disorder

BM – bowel movement

BP – blood pressure

CA – cancer

CAB – carotid artery bruit

CABG – coronary artery bypass graft

CAD – coronary artery disease

CBC – complete blood count

CF – cystic fibrosis

C/F – chills, fever

CFT – complement fixation testing

CHD – congenital heart disease

CHF – congestive heart failure

COLD – chronic obstructive lung disease

COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CP – chest pain

CP – cerebral palsy

C/S – cesarean section

CV – cardiovascular

CVA – cerebral vascular accident (stroke)

DTR – deep tendon reflex

DVT – deep venous thrombosis

Dx – diagnosis

EBL – estimated blood loss

EBV – Epstein-Barr virus

EC – eye contact

ECASA – enteric coated acetylsalicylic acid

EGC – early gastric cancer

FAS – fetal alcohol syndrome

FB – foreign body

F/C – fever, chills

FEF – forced expiratory flow

FHR – fetal heart rate

FM – fetal movement

FRC – functional residual capacity

FSE – fetal scalp electrode

FSH – follicle stimulating hormone

FT – full term

FX – fracture

GA – gestational age

GH – growth hormone

GHRH – growth hormone-releasing hormone

GI – gastrointestinal

GLT – glucose loading test

GSW – gunshot wound

GTT – glucose tolerance test

GU – genitourinary

HA – headache

HA – hemolytic anemia

HAV – hepatitis A virus

HBV – hepatitis B virus

Hb – hemoglobin

HCV – hepatitis C virus

HDL – high-density lipoprotein

HDV – hepatitis D virus

HIV – human immunodeficiency virus

HPA – hypothalamic suppression test

HR – heart rate

HTN – hypertension

IBD – inflammatory bowel disease

IBS – inflammatory bowel syndrome

ICP – intracranial pressure

IDDM – insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

IPF – idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

IUI – intrauterine insemination

IUP – intrauterine pregnancy

IVF – in vitro fertilization

IVIG – intravenous immune globulin

IVP – intravenous push

JCV – JC virus

JRA – juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

JVD – jugular venous distension

KS – Kaposi sarcoma

LAD – leukocyte adhesion deficiency

LBP – lower back pain

LBW – low birth weight

LIH – left inguinal hernia

LOF – loss of fluid

MD – muscular dystrophy

MR – mental retardation

MS – multiple sclerosis

NAD – no acute distress

Nat/O – birth

NIDDM – non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

NM – neuromuscular

N/V – nausea vomiting

NVD – normal vaginal delivery

OCD – obsessive compulsive disorder

ON – optic neuritis

OSA – obstructive sleep apnea

PD – Parkinson’s disease

PE – pulmonary embolism

PKD – polycystic kidney disease

PID – pelvic inflammatory disease

PIH – pregnancy induced hypertension

PMS – premenstrual syndrome

PTSD – post-traumatic stress disorder

RA – rheumatoid arthritis

RAD – reactive airway disease

RDS – respiratory distress syndrome

REM – rapid eye movements

RHD – rheumatic heart disease

RXN – reaction

SAB – spontaneous abortion

SBO – small bowel obstruction

SBS – shaken baby syndrome

SOB – shortness of breath

STD – sexually transmitted disease

TAH – total abdominal hysterectomy

TB – tuberculosis

TBI – traumatic brain injury

TGA – transient global amnesia

UC – ulcerative colitis

UO – urine output

URI – upper respiratory infection

UTI – urinary tract infection

VB – vaginal bleeding

VBAC – vaginal birth after caesarean section

VF – ventricular fibrillation

VH – vaginal hysterectomy, hallucination

VIP – voluntary interruption of pregnancy

Medical Abbreviations-Body Description

ABD – abdomen

AD – right ear

AL – left ear

AU – both ears

BMD – bone mass density

BMI – body mass index

BMR – basal metabolic rate

CBD – common bile duct

CBF – cerebral blood flow

FL – femur length

FROM – free range of motion

HC – head circumference

IBW – ideal body weight

LLL – left lower lobe

LLQ – left lower quadrant

LUL – left upper lobe

LUQ – left upper quadrant

LV – left ventricle

OD – right eye

OS – left eye

OU – both eyes

PNS – peripheral nervous system

RA – right atrium

RUL – right upper lobe

RUQ – right upper quadrant

RV – right ventricle, residual volume

TLC – total lung capacity

UE – upper extremity

WT – weight

Medical Abbreviations- Fetal Position and Presentation

Medical Abbreviations-Pelvic Measurement (Pelvimetry)

Medical Abbreviations-Amino Acids

A or Ala – alanine

C or Cys – cysteine

D or Asp – aspartic acid

E or Glu – glutamic acid

F or Phe – phenylalanine

H or His – histidine

I or Ile – isoleucine

K or Lys – lysine

L or Leu – leucine

M or Met – methionine

N or Asn – asparagine

O or Pyl – pyrrolysine

P or Pro – proline

Q or Gln – glutamine

R or Arg – arginine

S or Ser – serine

T or Thr – threonine

U or Sec – selenocysteine

V or Val – valine

W or Trp – tryptophan

Y or Tyr – tyrosine

References

• [View]
• http://www.medicabbreviations.com/

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Bulbar Conjunctiva, Palpebral Conjunctiva, and Fornix of Eye

What is Conjunctiva of the Eye?

White Part of the Eye: Sclera Function, Definition & Anatomy

What is Cornea of Eye: Function, Definition, Anatomy, Layers

Colored Part of the Eye: Iris Definition, Function, & Anatomy

Cranial Nerves Mnemonic: How to Memorize Fast

Blurry Vision In The Morning – Causes And Concerns

Wavy Squiggly Lines in Vision (Eye Floaters)

Right & Left Eye Twitching Meaning

Sudden Blurry Vision in One Eye: Causes, and Treatment