Medical Abbreviations
Abbreviation Explanation
ā, ante before
aa of each
ABG arterial blood gases
ac before food
ad right ear
ad lib as much as desired
ADD attention deficit disorder
AIDS acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
alt alternate
am morning
AMI acute myocardial infarction
amp ampule
ANS autonomic nervous system
applic apply
aq, aqua water
as left ear
ASA aspirin
ATC around the clock
au both ears
aur ear
AV atrial-ventricular
b twice
bid twice daily
BM bowel movement
BP blood pressure
BPH benign prostatic hyperplasia
BS blood sugar
BSA body surface area
c, c̅  with
CA cancer
CABG coronary artery bypass graft
CAD coronary artery disease
calid warm
cap capsule
CF cardiac failure
CHF congestive heart failure
cib food
CMV cytomegalovirus
CNS central nervous system
collut mouthwash
collyr eye lotion
comp compound
conc concentrated
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
cr cream
CV cardiovascular
CVA cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
D5W dextrose 5% in water
d a day
DAW dispense as written
dc discontinue
dest distilled
DI diabetes insipidus
dil diluted
div divide
DM diabetes melitus
DOB date of birth
dolentpart to the afflicted part
dolurg when the pain is severe
dos dose
Dx diagnosis
ECG/EKG electrocardiogram
elix elixir
ENT ears/nose/throat
eod every other day
ER emergency room
ext extract
extemp extemporaneously dispensed
FH family history
fort strong
garg gargle
GERD gastroesophageal reflux disease
GI gastrointestinal
gtt drops
h at the hour of
H and P history and physical
HA headache
HBP high blood pressure
HDL high density lipoprotein
HIV human immunodeficiency virus
HNS half normal saline
HR heart rate
hs at bedtime
I/O, IO fluid intake and output
ic between meals
ID infectious disease
IH infectious hepatitis
IM intramuscular
inf infusion
inj injection
IOP intraocular pressure
IV intravenous
KVO keep vein open
LBW low birth rate
LDL low density lipoprotein
LOC loss of consciousness
LR lactated ringers
m in the morning
MDI metered dose inhaler
MI myocardial infarction
MICU medical intensive care unit
mitt, mitte send
mix mixture
MR may repeat
MRI magnetic resonance imaging
n, nocte at night
narist nasal drops
NG nasal gastric
NKA no known allergies
NMT no more than
NP or np proper name
NPO nothing by mouth
NS normal saline
NTE not to exceed
NVD nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
oalthor every other hour
oculent eye ointment
OR operating room
OTC over the counter
`p, p with a line over it after
pa to the affected part
paeq equal parts
PAP pulmonary artery pressure
part dolent to the painful part
pc after food
pm evening
PMH past medical history
po by mouth
ppn peripheral parenteral nutrition
PR per rectum
prn as needed
prn pa as needed for pain
PUD peptic ulcer disease
pulv powder
PV per vagina
PVD peripheral vascular disease
q12h every 12 hours
q4h every 4 hours
q6h every 6 hours
q8h every 8 hours
qid four times daily
QIDAC30 30 min before meals and at bedtime
qq every
qs sufficient
RA rheumatoid arthritis
RBC red blood count,  red blood cell
ROM range of motion
Rx take
s without
SBP systolic blood pressure
SC subcutaneous
SL sublingual
SOB shortness of breath
sos if necessary
SQ subcutaneous
ss half
stat immediately
STD sexually transmitted disease
supp suppository
tab tablet
T temperature
T&C type & cross-match
TB tuberculosis
TEDS thrombo-embolic disease stockings
tid three times daily
tinct tincture
TPN total parenteral nutrition
trit,  triturate serial dilution or mixing ingredients
Tx treatment
U units
U/A urinalysis
ua as before
UCHD usual childhood diseases
ud as directed
ung ointment
URD upper respiratory diseases
UTI urinary tract infection
VD venereal disease
VS vital signs
WBC white blood count
WT weight
gr grain
mg milligram
Gm gram
g, gm gram
mcg microgram
ug microgram
kg kilogram
lb pound
m minim
gtt drop
ml milliliter
cc cubic centimeter
dr dram
tsp teaspoon
Tbsp tablespoon
pt pint
L liter
qt quart
mag, MSO4 magnesium