Medical Glossary

• AMA—Against Medical Advice
• ac—before meals.
• ad lib—as desired.
  • amt.—Amount.
  • ASAP—as soon as possible.
  • ASD—Atrial Septal defect. A congenital defect in the heart between the atria.
  • BID—twice a day (sometimes q12h or every 12 hours).
  • BM—Bowel Movement.
  • BP—Blood Pressure.
  • BRP—Bathroom Privileges.
  • CA—Cancer.
  • cal—Calories.
  • cath—Catheterization.
  • CBC—Complete Blood Count
  • cc—Cubic Centimeters.
  • CC—Chief Complaint.
  • CBC—complete blood count.
  • CNS—Central Nervous System.
  • c/o—Complaints of
  • COPD—Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
  • CPAP—Continuous Positive Airway Pressure.
  • CPR—Cario-Pulmonary Resuscitation.
  • CT—Computed Tomography, also referred to as CAT (computer axial tomography). Three dimensional image of a body structure constructed by computer from a series of cross-sectional images. CT scans reveal both bone and soft tissues, including organs, muscles and tumors.
  • DNR—Do Not Resuscitate.
  • DOB—Date of Birth.
  • Drsg—Dressing.
  • ECG or EKG—Electrocardiogram. A graphic record of the action of the heart.
  • EEG—(electroencephalogram) measures electrical activity of the brain.
  • EKG—Electrocardiogram.
  • ENT—Ear, Nose and Throat.
  • ED—Emergency Department
  • ER—Emergency Room
  • Gastrosomy Tube—Surgical Drainage.
  • GB—Gall Bladder.
  • GI—Gastointestinal.
  • gm—Gram.
  • gtt—Drops
  • H20—Water.
  • H/A—Headache
  • hct—Hematocrit.
  • hgb—Hemoglobin.
  • HOB—Head of Bed.
  • ht—Height.
  • HTN—Hypertension.
  • hx—History. lly placed tube that goes directly into the stomach for feedings and/or
  • I & D—Incision and Drainage.
  • I & O—Intake and Output. A measurement of fluids taken in and urinated out
  • ICU—Intensive Care Unit.
  • IM—Intramuscular or into the muscle.
  • IV—Intravenous. The delivery of fluids and/or medication into the blood stream via neddle.
  • K—Potassium.
  • kg—Kilogram.
  • KVO— Keep Vein Open.
  • lb.—Pound.
  • LOC—Loss of Consciousness.
  • LP—Lumbar Puncture.
  • Max—Maximum.
  • MEq—Milli Equivalent.
  • MRI—Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Computerized images based on nuclear magnetic resonance of atoms within the body induced by the application of radio waves. An MRI scan provides 3-D images of the body’s interior, delineating muscle, bone, blood vessels, nerves, organs and tumor tissue.
  • MRSA—Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcum Aureus.
  • MVA—Motor Vehicle Accident.
  • MVR—Mitral Valve Replacement.
  • N/a—Not Applicable.
  • N/S—Normal Saline.
  • Na—Sodium.
  • Nasogastric—a tube that leads from the nose or mouth into the stomach.
  • Neg—Negative.
  • NG—Nasogastric.
  • NKA—No Known Allergies.
  • No. or #—Number.
  • NP—Nurse Practitioner.
  • NPO—Nothing by Mouth; nothing
  • Nsg—Nursing.
  • NSR—Normal Sinus Rhythm.
  • NTG—Nitrogylicerin.
  • N&V—Nausea and Vomiting.
  • NWB—Non-Weight Bearing.
  • O2—Oxygen.
  • OB—Obstetrical. to eat or drink usually within a defined time frame
  • OB/GYN—Obstetrics and Gynecology.
  • ODA—Operating Day Admission. The patient scheduled.
  • oint—Ointment.
  • OOB—Out of Bed.
  • OR—Operating Room.
  • OT—Occupational Therapy.
  • Oz—Ounce.
  • P—Pulse.
  • PA—Physician’s Assistant.
  • PAC—Premature Atrial Contraction. is admitted to the hospital the day the surgery is
  • PAT—Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia or pre-admission testing (depending on context).
  • pc—After Meals
  • PDA—Patent Ductus Arteriosis.
  • PE—Physical Examination.
  • Ped—Pediatric.
  • per os—By Mouth.
  • PERL—Pupils Equal and Reactive to
  • PERLA—Pupils Equal and Ractivet light. & accommodation.
  • PET Scan—Positron Emission Tomography
  • PFT—Pulmonary Function Test.
  • pH—Symbol for expression of concentration of hydrogen ions (degree of acidity).
  • PICC Line—(Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) for delivery of medication into the bloodstream.
  • PIC-U—Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. A unit staffed by Pediatric Intensivists (pediatricians with special training in the care of critically ill infants and children) and other highly-skilled specialists.
  • PIMU—Pediatric Intermediate or “step down” unit. A unit that admits less critically ill children and is also a transitional unit following a stay in the PICU.
  • PM or p.m.—Afternoon (post meridian).
  • PMS—Premenstrual Syndrome.
  • po—per os (by mouth).
  • post-op—Postoperative.
  • Preop—Preoperative.
  • prep—Prepare.
  • PRN—when necessary; on request or when needed within time guidelines
  • PROM—Passive Range of Motion.
  • PT—Physical Therapy.
  • Pt or pt.—Patient.
  • PTA—Prior to Admission.
  • PVC—Premature Ventricular Contraction.
  • PWB—Partial Weight Bearing.
  • QNS—Quantity Not Sufficient.
  • qod—Every Other Day (quater otra die).
  • qs—Sufficient Quantity (quantum sufficiat).
  • Qt.—Quart.
  • q2h, q3h, etc—every two hours, every three hours, etc.
  • Rehab—Rehabilitation
  • Resp.—Respiration.
  • RBC—Red Blood Cells.
  • RN— Registered Nurse.
  • R/O—Rule Out.
  • ROM—Range of Motion.
  • R/R—Respiratory Rate.
  • RR—Recovery Room.
  • RT—Radiation Therapy.
  • Rt—Right.
  • RTC—Return to Clinic.
  • Rx—Prescription, Treatment, or Therapy.
  • s [needs line over s]—without (sine).
  • SG—Specific Gravity.
  • sm—Small.
  • SNF—Skilled Nursing Facility.
  • SOB—Shortness of Breath.
  • S/P—Status Post.
  • sp gr—Specific Gravity.
  • staph—Staphylococcal, Staphylococcus.
  • Stat—Immediately (statim).
  • STD—Sexually Transmitted Disease.
  • Strep—Streptococcus
  • Sx—Symptoms.
  • T—Temperature.
  • tab—Tablet.
  • T&A—Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy.
  • tbsp—Tablespoon.
  • TIA—Transient Ischemia Attacks.
  • Tid—Three Times a Day (sometimes q8h or every 8 hours).
  • TLC—Total Lung Capacity.
  • TPR—Temperature, Pulse, Respirations.
  • tsp—Teaspoon.
  • UA—Urinalysis.
  • UGI—Upper Gastrointestinal
  • URI—Upper Respiratory Infection.
  • UTI— Urinary Tract Infection.
  • Vol—Volume.
  • vs—Against or Versus.
  • VS—Vital Signs.
  • VSD—Ventricular Septal Defect. A congenital defect in the septum of the heart.
  • w/—With.
  • WB—Weight Bearing.
  • WBC—White Blood Cells.
  • W/C—Wheel Chair.
  • WNL—Within Normal Limb
  • w/o—Without.
  • wt—Weight.
  • XR—X-ray.
  • x-match—Cross Match.
  • yo—Year Old.
  • yr—Year.

• Antiemetic—medication to control vomiting.
• Benign—a term to describe a tumor that is not cancerous.
• Blood pressure—a measure of the force of blood flow against veins and arteries.
• Blood count—the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood.

Also referred to as CBC (complete blood count).

• Bypass—to divert flow from one structure to another.
• Catheter—a tube used to inject or withdraw fluids.
• Elastic stockings—Hose designed to help blood circulate from the legs to the heart to prevent clots

• Extubation—removal of a tube that has been inserted to get air to the lungs.
• Febrile—denoting or relating to fever.
• Foley catheter—a tube placed in the bladder to drain urine.
• Hemovac—a tube place near an incision during surgery to drain excess fluid.
• Infusion—slow and/or prolonged intravenous delivery of a drug or fluids.
• Intubation—the insertion of a tube into a hollow organ such as the trachea (in order to get air to the lungs).

• Palliative—relieving the symptoms or pain of a disease or disorder without effecting a cure.
• Radiology—x-rays and other imaging techniques.
• Respirator—an apparatus to administer artificial respiration (used when a patient cannot breathe adequately without it ).

• Subcutaneous—under the skin.
• Traction—the act of drawing or pulling with ropes, pulleys and weights.
• Tracheostomy (also referred to as tracheotomy)–an incision made in the neck to allow the passage of air directly into the trachea to reach the lungs.

• Urinalysis—A test of a urine specimen.
• Ventilator—see Respirator.
• Void—urinate.