F – Fahrenheit
f/u – follow up
Fb – foreign body
FH – family history
FL – Fluid
Fx – Fracture
GB – gallbladder
GH – Growth Hormone
GI(s) – gastrointestinal (series)
Glu – Glucose
gtt – a drop (eye drop) (Latin: gutta)
GU – genitourinary
GYN – gynecology
h – hour
H & P – history and physical
h/o – history of
H2O – water
H2O2 – hydrogen peroxide
HA – headache
HBP – high blood pressure
HR – heart rate
hr – hour
hs – at bed time (Latin: hora somini)
Ht – height
HX – history
ICU – Intensive Care Unit
IDDM – insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
IM – intramuscular
inf – infection
IUD – intrauterine device
IV – intravenous
IVF – IV fluids
kg – kilogram
L – left
Lab – laboratory
Lac – Laceration
LBP – Low Back Pain
LMP – last menstrual Period
LOC – loss of consciousness
LP – lumbar puncture
M – male
max – maximum
med – medication
Meds – medicines
mg – milligram
ml – milliliter
mm – millimeter
MN – midnight
mo – month
MRI – magnetic resonance imaging
MVA – motor vehicle accident
N – nausea
n – night
N&V – nausea and vomiting
NB – newborn
NICU – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
NKA – no known allergies
NPO – nothing by mouth
NTG – nitroglycerin
o – oral
O2 – oxygen
occ – occasionally
od – right eye (Latin: oculus dexter)
opt – optional
OR – operating room
os – left eye (Latin: oculus sinister)
ou – both eyes (Latin: oculi uterque)
P – after
P+ – pain
PAP – Primary Atypical Pneumonia
Pap – Papanicolaou, smear test
pc – after meal (Latin: post cibum)
pcp – primary care physician
PE – physical exam
Ped – pediatric
pg – Pregnant
pm – afternoon
PMH – past medical history
PMS – premenstrual syndrome
po – by mouth (Latin: per os)
poss. – Possible
Post-op – postoperative (after surgery)
PP – post-partum
preop – preoperative
prn – as needed (Latin: pro re nata)
PT – physical therapy
Px – patient
q – every, each
q3h – every 3 hours (Latin: quaque 3 hora)
qam – every morning
qd – every day (Latin: quaque die)
qh – every hour
qid – four times a day (Latin: quarter in die)
qnoon – every noon
qod – every other day
qpm – every evening
R – right
R/O – rule out
RBC – red blood cells
RN – Registered Nurse
Rx – prescription
s – without
s or – without
s/s – signs and symptoms
sc/sq – subcutaneous
SOB – shortness of breath
SS# – social security number
STAT – immediately
SW – social work
Sx – symptoms
T or To – temperature
tab – tablet
TB – tuberculosis
TBA – to be admitted
tbsp – tablespoon
Temp – temperature
tid – three times a day (Latin: ter in die)
tsp – teaspoon
TX – treatment
UA – urinalysis
UGI – upper gastrointestinal
URI – upper respiratory tract infection
US – ultrasound
ut dic – as directed
UTI – urinary tract infection
V & D – Vomiting and Diarrhea
VBAC – vaginal birth after cesarean
VD – venereal disease
vs – vital signs
w/ – with
W/C – Workman’s Comp
w/o – without
W/U – work up
WBC – white blood cells
wk – week
wt – weight
x1 or 1x – once, one time
x2 or 2x – twice, two times
XR – x-rays
Y/O – year old
yr – year