Medical abbreviations are the backbone of healthcare communication, helping doctors, nurses, and medical staff document patient care quickly and accurately. From common terms to complex clinical jargon, understanding these abbreviations is crucial for anyone in the medical field.
This complete A to Z guide to medical abbreviations provides all the essential abbreviations used in hospitals, clinics, and labs, along with their full forms and meanings. Whether you’re a medical student, a healthcare professional, or simply curious, this guide will help you efficiently decipher medical terms and improve your understanding of healthcare documentation.
Contents
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🩺 Common Medical Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| Bid / b.i.d | Twice a day |
| CBC | Complete blood count |
| Dx / Dx. | Diagnosis |
| Hx / Hx. | History |
| NKA | No known allergies |
| Now | As soon as possible |
| O.u / ou | Both eyes |
| PMH | Past medical history |
| PO | By mouth |
| Prn | As needed |
| Qd / q.d | Daily |
| Qh / q.h | Every hour |
| Qid / q.i.d | Four times a day |
| Rx / Rx. | Prescription |
| SOB | Short of breath |
| Stat | Immediately |
| Tid / t.i.d | Three times a day |
| Tx / Tx. | Treatment |
A to Z Medical Abbreviations with Full Forms
A complete A to Z list of medical abbreviations to make your medical communication faster, clearer, and more professional.
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “A”
- AMT : Amount
- ANA : Antinuclear Antibody
- ANS : Autonomic Nervous System
- AOSTF : Arrived on scene to find
- APGAR : Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiratory
- APPROX or ~ : Approximately
- ARDS : Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
- ASA : Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin)
- ASA : Aspirin
- ASSOC : Associated or Association
- AST : Aspartate Transaminase
- AV : Atrioventricular
- AVB : AV Block / Atrioventricular Block
- AVM : Arteriovenous Malformation
- AVPU : Alert, Responsive to Verbal, Responsive to Pain, Unresponsive
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “B”
- BB : Beta-blockers
- BBB : Bundle Branch Block
- BBS : Bilateral Breath Sounds
- BCG : Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (vaccine)
- BG or BGL : Blood Glucose
- BGL : Blood Glucose Level
- BIAD : Blind Insertion Airway Device
- BID : Twice Daily (Bis in Die)
- BILAT or B/L : Bilateral
- BI-VAD : Bi-Ventricular Assist Device
- BKA : Below Knee Amputation
- BL : Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure
- BLS : Basic Life Support
- BM : Bowel Movement
- BMI : Body Mass Index
- BP : Blood Pressure
- BPM : Beats Per Minute
- BPM : Breaths per Minute or Beats per Minute
- BS : Breath Sounds
- BSA : Body Surface Area
- BSI : Body Substance Isolation
- BSL : Blood Sugar Level
- BUN : Blood Urea Nitrogen
- BVM : Bag-Valve-Mask
- Bx : Biopsy
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “C”
- C/O : Complains Of
- CABG : Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
- CAD : Coronary Artery Disease
- Cap refill : Capillary refill
- CATH : Catheter
- CBC : Complete Blood Count
- CBG : Capillary Blood Glucose
- CC : Chief Complaint / Cubic Centimeter
- CC or C/C : Chief Complaint
- CCP : Casualty Collection Point
- CCU : Coronary Care Unit
- CHF : Congestive Heart Failure
- CHI : Closed Head Injury
- CK : Creatine Kinase
- CKD : Chronic Kidney Disease
- CNA : Certified Nursing Assistant
- CNS : Central Nervous System
- CO : Carbon Monoxide
- CO2 : Carbon Dioxide
- COMM : Command
- COMMP : Command Post
- COPD : Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- CP : Chest Pain
- CPAP : Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
- CPR : Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- CS : Cervical Spine
- C-SECT : Cesarean Section
- CSF : Cerebrospinal Fluid
- CSIC : Cervical Spine Immobilization Collar
- CT : Cat Scan
- CT : Computed Tomography
- CTA : Clear to Auscultation
- CVA : Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “D”
- D&C : Dilation and Curettage
- D/C : Discontinue or Discharge
- D10 : 10% Dextrose in Water or 10% Dextrose
- D25 : 25% Dextrose
- D50 : 50% Dextrose
- D5LR : 5% Dextrose in Lactate Ringers
- D5NS : 5% Dextrose in Normal Saline
- D5W : 5% Dextrose in Water
- DAA : Drug Assisted Airway
- DBP : Diastolic Blood Pressure
- DC or D/C : Discontinue
- DCAPBTLS : Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Penetrations, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, and Swelling
- Defib : Defibrillation
- DKA : Diabetic Ketoacidosis
- DL : Direct Laryngoscopy
- DM : Diabetes Mellitus
- DNEB : DuoNeb
- DNI : Do Not Intubate
- DNR : Do Not Resuscitate
- DOA : Dead on Arrival
- DOB : Date of Birth
- DOE : Dyspnea on Exertion
- DT : Delirium Tremens
- DVT : Deep Venous Thrombosis
- Dx : Diagnosis
- DX or Dx : Diagnosis
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “E”
- EBL : Estimated Blood Loss
- ECG / EKG : Electrocardiogram
- ECG or EKG : Electrocardiogram
- ED : Emergency Department
- EEG : Electroencephalogram
- eFAST : Enhanced Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma
- EGA : Extra-glottic Airway
- EJ : External Jugular
- eKit : Emergency (Hospice) Kit
- EMD : Emergency Medical Dispatcher
- EMR : Emergency Medical Responder
- EMT : Emergency Medical Technician
- ENT : Ear, Nose, and Throat
- EOC : Emergency Operations Center
- ePCR : Electronic Patient Care Report
- EQ or = : Equal
- ER : Emergency Room
- ESRD : End Stage Renal Disease
- ET : Endotracheal
- ETA : Estimated Time of Arrival
- ETCO2 : End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide
- ETOH : Ethanol (Alcohol)
- ETOH : Ethanol or Alcohol
- ETT : Endotracheal Tube
- EXT : External or Extension
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “F”
- F or ♀ : Female
- FAST : Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma
- FB : Foreign Body
- FBS : Fasting Blood Sugar
- FF : Firefighter
- FHR : Fetal Heart Rate
- FiO2 : Fraction of Inspired Oxygen Concentration
- FLEX : Flexion
- FR : First Responder
- FSBS : Finger Stick Blood Sugar
- Fx : Fracture
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “G”
- g : Gram(s)
- G : Gravida
- GCS : Glasgow Coma Scale
- GCS : Glasgow Coma Score
- GI : Gastrointestinal
- GIB : Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- GSW : Gunshot Wound
- GTT : Glucose Tolerance Test
- gtts : Drops
- GU : Genitourinary
- GYN : Gynecology or Gynecological
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “H”
- H&P : History and Physical
- H/O : History Of
- HA : Headache
- HazMat : Hazardous Material(s)
- HCPOA : Health Care Power of Attorney
- Hct : Hematocrit
- HD : Hemodialysis
- HDL : High-Density Lipoprotein
- HEENT : Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat
- Hgb : Hemoglobin
- HI : Homicidal Ideation
- HIV : Human Immunodeficiency Virus
- HOB : Head of Bed
- HOSP : Hospital
- HR : Heart Rate
- HTN : Hypertension
- HTX : Hemothorax
- Hx : History
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “I”
- I:E Ratio : Inspiratory to Expiratory Ratio
- IABP : Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
- ICP : Intracranial Pressure
- ICS : Incident Command System
- ICU : Intensive Care Unit
- IDDM : Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
- IM : Intramuscular
- IN : Intranasal
- INR : International Normalized Ratio
- IO : Intraosseous
- IOP : Intraosseous Push
- IU : International Unit
- IUD : Intrauterine Device
- IV : Intravenous
- IVP : Intravenous Push
- IVPB : IV Piggy Back
- IVR : Idioventricular Rhythm
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “J”
- JT : Joint
- JVD : Jugular Vein Distension
- JVD : Jugular Venous Distention
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “K”
- K+ : Potassium
- KED : Kendrick Extrication Device
- Kg or kg : Kilogram
- KTD : Kendrick Traction Device
- KUB : Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder (X-ray)
- KVO : Keep Vein Open
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “L”
- L : Liter
- L&D : Labor and Delivery
- LAC : Laceration
- LAT : Lateral
- LBBB : Left Bundle Branch Block
- Lbs. : Pound or Pounds
- LDL : Low-Density Lipoprotein
- LEO : Law Enforcement Officer
- LFT : Liver Function Test
- LKW : Last Known Well
- LLE : Left Lower Extremity
- LLQ : Left Lower Quadrant
- LMA : Laryngeal Mask Airway
- LMP : Last Menstrual Period
- LOC : Level of Consciousness
- LOC : Level of Consciousness / Loss of Consciousness
- LP : Lumbar Puncture
- LPN : Licensed Practical Nurse
- LR : Lactated Ringers
- LS : Lumbar Spine
- LS : Lumbosacral Spine
- LSB : Long Spine Board
- LSN : Last Seen Normal
- L-SPINE : Lumbar Spine
- LUE : Left Upper Extremity
- LUQ : Left Upper Quadrant
- LVAD : Left Ventricular Assist Device
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “M”
- M or ♂ : Male
- MAE : Moves All Extremities
- MAP : Mean Arterial Pressure
- mcg : Microgram(s)
- MCI : Mass Casualty Incident
- MCL : Mid Clavicular Line
- MDI : Metered Dose Inhaler
- ME : Medical Examiner
- MED : Medicine
- mEq : Milliequivalent
- MERT : Medical Emergency Response Team
- Mg or mg : Milligram(s)
- mg/dL : Milligrams per Deciliter
- MI : Myocardial Infarction
- MI : Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
- min : Minute
- mL : Milliliter
- mm : Millimeter
- MOI : Mechanism of Injury
- MOST : Medical Order for Scope of Treatment
- MRI : Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- MS : Mental Status
- MS : Multiple Sclerosis / Morphine Sulfate
- MSC : Mental Status Change
- msec : Milliseconds
- MV : Mechanical Ventilation
- MVA : Motor Vehicle Accident
- MVC : Motor Vehicle Collision
- MVC : Motor Vehicle Crash
- MVP : Mitral Valve Prolapse
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “N”
- N/A : Not Applicable
- N/V : Nausea/Vomiting
- N/V/D : Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea
- Na : Sodium
- NAD : No Apparent (or Acute) Distress
- NAD : No Apparent Distress
- NAEMSP : National Association of EMS Physicians
- NC : Nasal Cannula
- NCCEP : North Carolina Chapter of Emergency Physicians
- NCOEMS : North Carolina Office of EMS
- NEB : Nebulizer
- NEG or – : Negative
- NGT : Nasogastric Tube
- NH : Nursing Home
- NIPPV : Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation
- NKA : No Known Allergies
- NKDA : No Known Drug Allergies
- NO : Nitrous Oxide
- NPA : Nasopharyngeal Airway
- NPO : Nothing by Mouth
- NPO : Nothing by Mouth (Nil Per Os)
- NRB : Non-rebreather Face Mask
- NREMT : National Registry of EMT
- NS : Normal Saline
- NSAID : Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug
- NSR : Normal Sinus Rhythm
- NSTEMI : Non ST-Segment Myocardial Infarction
- NTG : Nitroglycerin
- NTI : Nasotracheal Intubation
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “O”
- O2 : Oxygen
- OB : Obstetrics
- OBGYN : Obstetrics and Gynecology
- OD : Overdose
- OD : Right Eye (Oculus Dexter) / Overdose
- OGT : Orogastric Tube
- OHCA : Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
- OME : Oral Morphine Equivalents
- OPA : Oropharyngeal Airway
- OPO : Organ Procurement Organization
- OR : Operating Room
- OS : Left Eye (Oculus Sinister)
- OTC : Over The Counter
- OTC : Over-the-counter (medications)
- OTI : Orotracheal Intubation
- OU : Both Eyes (Oculus Uterque)
- OZ : Ounces
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “P”
- PA : Physician Assistant
- PAC : Premature Atrial Contraction
- PALP : Palpation
- PBW : Predicted Body Weight
- PCI : Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
- PCP : Primary Care Provider
- PCR : Patient Care Report
- PD : Peritoneal Dialysis
- PE : Pulmonary Embolus
- PEA : Pulseless Electrical Activity
- PEARL : Pupils Equal and Reactive to Light
- PEEP : Positive End Expiratory Pressure
- PERRLA : Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation
- PICC : Peripheral Inserted Central Catheter
- PID : Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- PIP : Peak Inspiratory Pressure
- PJC : Premature Junctional Contraction
- PM : Evening
- PMH : Past Medical History
- PMS : Pulse, Motor, Sensory
- PO : By Mouth (Per Os)
- PO : Oral or By Mouth
- POCUS : Point of Care Ultrasound
- POS or + : Positive
- POV : Privately Owned Vehicle
- PP : Para
- PP : Plateau Pressure
- PPE : Personal Protective Equipment
- PPH : Postpartum Hemorrhage
- PRN : As Needed
- PRN : As Needed (Pro Re Nata)
- PSVT : Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia
- PSY or Ψ : Psychiatric
- PT : Patient
- PT : Physical Therapy / Prothrombin Time
- PTA : Prior to Arrival
- PTA : Prior to Arrival / Plasma Thromboplastin Antecedent
- PTX : Pneumothorax
- PUD : Peptic Ulcer Disease
- PVC : Premature Ventricular Contraction
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “Q”
- q : Every
- QD : Every Day (Quaque Die)
- QID : Four Times a Day
- QOD : Every Other Day
- QRV : Quick Response Vehicle
- QUES or ? : Question or Questionable
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “R”
- RA : Room Air / Rheumatoid Arthritis
- RBBB : Right Bundle Branch Block
- RBC : Red Blood Cell
- RLE : Right Lower Extremity
- RLQ : Right Lower Quadrant
- RN : Registered Nurse
- ROM : Range of Motion
- ROSC : Return of Spontaneous Circulation
- RR : Respiratory Rate
- RSA : Rapid Sequence Airway
- RSI : Rapid Sequence Intubation
- RT or RCP : Respiratory Therapist or Respiratory Care Provider
- RTF : Rescue Task Force
- RUE : Right Upper Extremity
- RUQ : Right Upper Quadrant
- RVAD : Right Ventricular Assist Device
- Rx : Prescription / Treatment
- RXN : Reaction
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “S”
- S/P : Status Post
- SA : Sinus Arrhythmia
- SBP : Systolic Blood Pressure
- SCBA : Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
- sec : Seconds
- SGA : Supraglottic Airway
- SI : Suicidal Ideation
- SIMV : Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation
- SIx : Shock Index
- SL : Sublingual
- SMR : Spinal Motion Restriction
- SNF : Skilled Nursing Facility
- SOB : Shortness of Breath
- SOG : Standard Operating Guideline(s)
- SOP : Standard Operating Procedure(s)
- SpO₂ : Peripheral Oxygen Saturation
- SPO2 : Pulse Oximetry
- SQ / SC : Subcutaneous
- SQ : Subcutaneous
- SSB : Short Spine Board
- SSN : Social Security Number
- SSS : Sick Sinus Syndrome
- ST : Sinus Tachycardia
- STAT : Immediately
- STD : Sexually Transmitted Disease
- STEMI : ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
- SVD : Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery
- SVT : Supraventricular Tachycardia
- SWAT : Special Weapons and Tactics Team
- Sx : Symptoms
- SX or Sx : Symptom(s)
- Sync : Synchronized
- SZ or Sz : Seizure
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “T”
- T : Temperature
- TAH : Total Artificial Heart
- TB : Tuberculosis
- TBSA : Total Body Surface Area
- TCP : Transcutaneous Pacing
- TFCPR : Team Focused Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- TIA : Transient Ischemic Attack
- TID : Three Times a Day
- TK or TQ : Tourniquet
- TKO : To Keep Open
- TOB : Time of Birth
- TOD : Time of Death
- TOI : Time of Ingestion
- TOO : Time of Onset
- TOR : Termination of Resuscitation
- tPA : Tissue Plasminogen Activator
- T-POD : Trauma Pelvic Orthotic Device
- TPR : Temperature, Pulse, Respiration
- TS : Thoracic Spine
- TSH : Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
- TTP : Targeted Temperature Management
- TV : Tidal Volume
- TX or Tx : Treatment
- TXA : Tranexamic Acid
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “U”
- UA : Urinalysis
- UOA : Upon Our Arrival
- URI : Upper Respiratory Infection
- US : Ultrasound
- USIV : Ultrasound IV
- UTI : Urinary Tract Infection
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “V”
- VAD : Ventricular Assist Device
- VF : Ventricular Fibrillation
- VL : Video Laryngoscopy
- VS : Vital Signs
- VS or V/S : Vital Signs
- VSS : Vital Signs Stable
- VT : Ventricular Tachycardia
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “W”
- W/S : Watts per Second
- WAP : Wandering Atrial Pacemaker
- WBC : White Blood Cell
- WCD : Wearable Cardio-Defibrillator Vest
- WMD : Weapon of Mass Destruction
- WNL : Within Normal Limits
- WPW : Wolf Parkinson White Syndrome
- WT or Wt : Weight
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “X”
- XRT : Radiation Therapy
- X̄ : Except (indicated by an “x” with a macron)
- X-AFP : Extended Alpha-Fetoprotein
- XR : Extended Release (medication formulation)
- XRT : Radiotherapy (used in cancer treatment)
- X-ray : Radiographic Imaging Technique
- X&D : Examination and Diagnosis
- XCV : Excretory Cystogram
- X-CGD : X-linked Chronic Granulomatous Disease
- XDP : Xeroderma Pigmentosum
- XEF : Excess Ejection Fraction
- XGP : Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis
- XI : Xerostomia Inventory
- XLA : X-linked Agammaglobulinemia
- XLH : X-linked Hypophosphatemic Rickets
- XLI : X-linked Ichthyosis
- XLMR : X-linked Mental Retardation
- X-linked : Refers to Genes Located on the X Chromosome
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “Y”
- Y/O : Year(s) Old
- YOF : Year Old Female
- YOM : Year Old Male
- YONB : Year Old Nonbinary
Medical Abbreviations Starting with letter “Z”
- Zn : Zinc
- ZED : Zee Extrication Device
Disclaimer:
This list of medical abbreviations is for informational purposes only, compiled from various internet and website sources. It is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional or official references to confirm meanings before use.
