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.

The NURS Mnemonic

Giving bad news and interacting with patients regarding emotional issues can be two of the more difficult situations that we deal with in medicine. Often, it is challenging to find the right words to say and to point the interaction in a constructive direction.

The "NURS" mnemonic can be used to help frame and guide such an encounter. This mnemonic is discussed in detail below. This type of interaction really is part of the art of medicine, but this mnemonic may be helpful for the purposes of the Step 2 CS exam.

N-ame the emotion
U-nderstand
R-espect
S-upport

N-ame the emotion. Labeling the patient's emotion can be a helpful first step in communicating effectively with the patient and being able to offer the appropriate support. You may say, "you seem upset" or "you seem sad." In doing so, you may be correct in identifying the patient's underlying emotion, or the patient may correct you. Either way, you have taken the first step in dealing with the issue at hand.

U-nderstand the patient. Do not fall into the mistake of saying, "I understand how you feel" or "I know how hard this is for you." If you do this, the patient may say, "how could you possibly understand what it's like to have a child with cancer." Instead, make it clear that you understand that the situation is difficult. Say something like "I understand how hard this must be for you" or "I understand that this situation must be very upsetting for you." In this way, you state that you understand the patient's emotional status even though you probably have never been in the same situation yourself.

R-espect the patient. Perhaps the most important part of the interaction is conveying a sense of respect to the patient. The patient needs to know that you respect the situation they are in, their emotional response to the situation, and how they are handling it. Say something like, "I respect the way you are handling this very difficult situation."

S-upport the patient. Make it clear to the patient that you are there to offer emotional support. Say something like, "is there anything more that I can do to help you get through this situation?" Alternatively, you may say, "Don't hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to help you."


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

Another Mnemonic for Pain

The mnemonic "CLITORIS" can be helpful in the evaluation of a patient with pain:

C-haracter (sharp, dull, crampy, burning, etc.)
L-ocation (where is the pain located?)
I-ntensity (how bad is the pain on a 1-10 scale)
T-iming (when does the pain occur?)
O-nset (when did the pain initially begin?)
R-adiation (does the pain radiate; if so, where?)
I-rritating and alleviating factors (what makes the pain worse or better)
S-ymptoms associated with the pain (e.g., nausea, sweating, blood in the urine, etc.)


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