Commonly Used Medical Abbreviations

At the request of several students, we have put together a list of commonly used abbreviations. All of these should be acceptable for use on a progress note for Step 2 CS. Please add your comments if there are others you would like to have added to the list.


Abd = abdomen
AC = before meals
ACLAN = anterior cervical lymphadenopathy
AFOS = anterior fontanelle open and soft
All = allergy
ALT = alanine aminotransferase (SGPT)
ANA = anti-nuclear antibody
AP = antero-posterior
Appy = appendicitis or appendectomy
ASA = aspirin
AST = aspartane aminotransferase (SGOT)
BID = twice daily
BP = blood pressure
BRBPR = bright red blood per rectum
BS = bowel sounds
BSO = bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
BUN = blood urea nitrogen
CAD = coronary artery disease
CBC = complete blood count
CEA = carotid endarterectomy
c/o = complains of
CHF = congestive heart failure
cig = cigarette
CKD = chronic kidney disease
CP = chest pain
Cr = creatinine
CRF = chronic renal failure
CRI = chronic renal insufficiency
C/S = caesarean section
CT = computerized tomography
CTA = clear to auscultation
CTAB = clear to auscultation bilaterally
CXR = chest x-ray
d/c = discharge
DDD = degenerative disk disease
DJD = degenerative joint disease
DM = diabetes mellitus
DNR = do not resuscitate
DNVI = distal neuro-vascular intact
DOE = dyspnea on exertion
DTR = deep tendon reflex
EGD = esophagogastroduodenoscopy (upper endoscopy)
EOMI = extra-ocular movements intact
ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate
EtOH = alcohol
Ext = extremity
FamHx = family history
F = female
FBS = fasting blood sugar
F/C = fevers, chills
FLP = fasting lipid panel
FTT = failure to thrive
f/u = follow-up
GERD = gastro-esophageal reflux disease
GI = gastrointestinal
GU = genitourinary
HA = headache
HbA1C = hemoglobin A1C
Hct = hematocrit
HCTZ = hydrochlorothiazide
HEENT = head, ears, eyes, nose, and throat
HJR = hepatojugular reflux
Hgb = hemoglobin
H/H = hemoglobin and hematocrit
h/o = history of
HS = bedtime
HTN = hypertension
Hx = history
IBS = irritable bowel syndrome
I/O = ins and outs
ISS = insulin sliding scale
IV = intravenous
IVF = intravenous fluid
JVD = jugular venous distention
K = potassium
L = left
Lat = lateral
LE = lower extremity
M = male
Mammo = mammogram
mg = milligram
m/g/r = murmurs, gallops, rubs
MRI = magnetic resonance imaging
MS = multiple sclerosis
MVI = multivitamin
Na = sodium
NABS = normo-active bowel sounds
NAD = no acute distress
NCAT = normo-cephalic, atraumatic
Neuro = neurologic
ND = non-distended
NGT = nasogastric tube
NKDA = no known drug allergies
NPO = nothing by mouth
NSAID = non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NSVD = normal spontaneous vaginal delivery
NT = non-tender
N/V/D = nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
OA = osteoarthritis
Occ = occasional
OD = right eye
OP = oropharynx
OS = left eye
OU = both eyes
OT = occupational therapy
PA = postero-anterior
PCN = penicillin
PE = physical exam or pulmonary embolism
PERRLA = pupils equally round and reactive to light and accommodation
Plts = platelets
Pna = pneumonia
PND = paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
PO = orally
PPD = purified protein derivative (tuberculosis test)
PR = rectally
PRN = as needed
Pt = patient
PT = physical therapy
PTX = pneumothorax
PVD = peripheral vascular disease
QAC = before every meal
QD = daily
QHS = every night
QID = four times daily
QOD = every other day
R = right
RBS = random blood sugar
RF = rheumatoid factor
ROS = review of systems
RRR = regular rate and rhythm
SEM = systolic ejection murmur
SLE = systemic lupus erythematosus
SOB = shortness of breath
SocHx = social history
SP = standardized patient
SWOP = symptoms worsen or persist
T&A = tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
TAH = total abdominal hysterectomy
TB = tuberculosis
TID = three times daily
TM = tympanic membrane
Tob = tobacco
TVH = total vaginal hysterectomy
UA = urinalysis
UE = upper extremity
URI = upper respiratory infection
U/S = ultrasound
UTI = urinary tract infection
UTZ = ultrasound
VS = vital signs
W = white
WBC = white blood cell count
WD = well-developed
WN = well-nourished
yo = year-old

All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright 2005, Theodore X. O'Connell, M.D.