Medical Abbreviation List
Medical abbreviations of general interest include:
•Ac: before meals
•ad lib: at will, as desired
•adm: admission, admitted
•ASAP: as soon as possible
•Bid: twice a day
•Bm: bowel movement
•BP: blood pressure
•BRP: bathroom privileges
•C: Centigrade, Celsius
•Cap: capsule
•CC: chief complaint
•cc: cubic centimeter
•c/o: complains of
•C02: carbon dioxide
•CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation
•CXR: chest x-ray
•d/c: discontinue or discharge
•ECG or EKG: electrocardiogram
•EBL: estimated blood loss
•ER: emergency room
•F: Fahrenheit
•Fb: foreign body
•fx: fracture
•gtt: drop-liquid measurement
•H & P: history and physical
•HR: heart rate
•hr: hour
•hs: hour of sleep (bedtime)
•H20: water
•i: 1
•ii: 2
•iii: 3
•iv: 4
•v: 5
•I & O: intake and output
•IDDM: insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
•IV: intravenous
•IM: intramuscular
•Mg: milligram
•Ml: milliliter
•MVA: motor vehicle accident
•NPO: nothing by mouth
•NTG: nitroglycerin
•O2: oxygen
•OD: right eye
•OS: left eye
•OU: both eyes
•post-op: postoperative (after surgery)
•pre-op: preoperative (before surgery)
•po: by mouth
•pt: patient
•prn: as needed
•pc: after meals
•qd: every day
•qh: every hour
•qid: four times a day
•qod: every other day
•Rx: prescription, treatment
•sc/sq: subcutaneous
•s: without
•sx: symptoms
•s/s: signs and symptoms
•stat: immediately
•SOB: short of breath
•tab: tablet
•TPR: temperature, pulse, respiration
•vs: vital signs