ABBREVIATIONS FOR MY BOOKS
Note: Common abbreviations are not always included. Sometimes the last part of a word is left off
Symbols
> greater than or leads to
< less than
>> much greater than
<< much less than
( ) maybe, consider or variably
$ expensive
° degree
^ rises, increased or high
‘ minutes or feet or decreases
“ seconds or inches
~ approximately
2PD 2-point discrimination
1° primary
2° secondary
3° tertiary
4° quaternary
J I’m joking dude
A
a: before (ante)
A: Anorexia
Aa: Alveolar-arterial O2 gradient
AA: African American
AAA: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Ab: Antibody
Abd: abdominal
Abdo: abdominal
ABG: Arterial Blood Gas
ABI: Ankle Brachial Index
abnl: abnormal
ABO: Blood Type
ABX: Antibiotics
AC: Activated Charcoal
ACC: American College of Cardiology
ACI: After Care Instructions
ACL: Anterior Cruciate Ligament
ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support
ACS: Acute Coronary Syndrome
AdenoV: AdenoVirus
AE: Air Embolism
Afib: Atrial Fibrillation
AFL: Air Fluid Level
Ag: Antigen
AG: AminoGlycoside
AGE: Acute Gastro-Enteritis
AGN: Acute GlomeruloNephritis
AH: Auditory Hallucination
AHA: American Heart Association
AI: Aortic Insufficiency
AICD: Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator
AIVR: Accelerated IdioVentricular Rhythm
AKA: Also Known As or
Alcoholic Keto-Acidosis
Alb: Albumin
ALC: Absolute Lymphocyte Count
alk phos:Alkaline phosphatase
ALL: Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
Alt: Alternate Rx
ALZ: Alzheimer’s disease
Amio: Amiodarone
AML: Acute Myelocytic Leukemia
amox: amoxicillin
ampho: amphotericin
AMS: Altered Mental Status
Amy: Amylase
ANC: Absolute Neutrophil Count
Angio: Angiogram
ANS: Autonomic Nervous System
ant: anterior
antiHM: AntiHistaMine
AP: Abdominal Pain
ANCA: Anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody
Anx: Anxiety
APAP: Acetaminophen
APD: Afferent Pupillary Defect
APLS: AntiPhosphoLipid Syndrome
Appy: Appendicitis
AR: Aortic Regurgitation
ARB: Angiotensin Receptor Blocker
ARDS: Acute Respiratory Distress Synd
ARF: Acute Rheumatic Fever
ARF: Acute Renal Failure
AS: Aortic Stenosis
ASA: Aspirin or
American Stroke Association
ASD: Atrial Septal Defect
Asp: Aspirate or Aspiration
aSx: Asymptomatic
asym: asymmetric
AT3: AntiThrombin 3 deficiency
ATX: Atelectasis
Atyp: Atypical
AUB: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Av: Average
AVB: AtrioVentricular Block
AVM: ArterioVenous Malformation
AW: AirWay
Ax: Associated (with)
A-Z: A to Z Pocket Pharmacopoeia
B
B: Bilateral
Basos: Basophils
BB: Beta Blocker
BBB: Bundle Branch Block
b/c: because
BCx: Blood Culture
Benzo: benzodiazepine
BER: Benign Early Repolarization
BHT: Blunt Head Trauma
bilat: bilateral
bili: bilirubin
BiPAP: Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure
BM: Bowel Movement
BME: BiManual Exam
BP: Blood Pressure
BPPV: Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo
Brady: bradycardia
Bronch: Bronchoscopy
Bulbocav:Bulbocavernosus reflex
BVM: Bag Valve Mask
Bx: Biopsy
C
?, c: with
- dif: Clostridium difficile
Ca: Calcium
CaCl: Calcium Chloride
CA: Cancer
CABG: Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
CAD: Coronary Artery Disease
CaGluc: Calcium Gluconate
CAPD: C.A. Peritoneal Dialysis
CBC: Complete Blood Count
CBL: Cerebellum
CBZ: Carbamazepine
CCB: Calcium Chan Blocker
CCU: Cardiac ICU
CDC: Center for Disease Control
cef/ceph:Cephalosporin
Chemo: Chemotherapy
Chol: Cholesterol
clinda: Clindamycin
Cl/clor: Chloride
CLL: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
CM: Cardiac Monitor, CardioMyopathy
CardioMegaly or CardiacMotion
CML: Chronic Myelocytic Leukemia
CMT: Cervical Motion Tenderness
CMV: CytoMegaloVirus
CN: Cranial Nerve or CyaNide
CNS: Central Nervous System
CO: Carbon monoxide
Coags: Coagulation studies
Coarct: Coarctation of the aorta
COD: Cause Of Death
Coke: Cocaine
COMMIT: ClOpidogrel and Metoprolol in
Myocardial Infarction Trial
Comp: Complications or Compensation
constip: constipation
contam: Contamination
Con’t: Continued
Co-op: Cooperative
coum: coumadin
Cor: Cardiac/heart
CP: Chest Pain or Cerebral Palsy
CPA: Cerebello-Pontine Angle
CPM: Central Pontine Myelinolysis
Cr: Creatinine
CrAg: Cryptococcal Antigen
CrCl: Creatinine Clearance
Cric: cricothyrotomy
Cryo: Cryoprecipitate or cryotherapy
CS: Compartment Syndrome
C/s: Cesarean Section
CTA: CT Angiogram
CTD: Connective Tissue Disease
CV: CardioVascular
CVC: Central Venous Catheter
CVD: Collagen Vascular Disease
CVSaO2 Central Venous O2 Saturation
CVST: Cavernous Venous Sinus Thromb.
Cx: Culture or Cause
D
d: days
D&C: Dilation & Curettage
DA: Dopamine
DaPT: Diphtheria acellular Pertussis
Tetanus combined vaccine
DBP: Diastolic Blood Pressure
DC, D/C: Discharge
DDAVP: DD Arginine VasoPressin
DDx: Differential diagnosis
defib: defibrillation
degen: degenerative
dehyd dehydration
Dex: Dexamethasone
Derm: Dermatology
DFA: Direct Fluorescent Antibody
DHS: Dept. of Health Services
Di: Diarrhea
DI: Diabetes Insipidus
DIC: Disseminated Intravasc. Coag.
Dif: Difference or Differential
Dig: Digoxin
DIP: Distal InterPhalangeal
Dispo: disposition
Dlc: Dislocation
DMSO: Di-Methyl Sulf-Oxide
d/o: Disorder
doxy: doxycycline
DP: Dorsalis Pedis
DPL: Diagnostic Peritoneal Lavage
dT: diphtheria + tetanus vaccine
DTR: Deep Tendon Reflex
Dur: Duration
DVT: Deep Venous Thrombosis
d/w: discussed with
Dx: Diagnosis
DXM: DeXtroMethorphan
Dysfxn: Dysfunction
Dysr: Dysrhythmia
Dz: Disease
E
e/o: evidence or
E: Edema
EAST: Eastern Assn. for Surgery of Trauma
or Elevated Arm Stress Test
EBV: Epstein Barr Virus
Ecchy: Ecchymosis
ECMO: ExtraCorporeal
Membrane Oxygenation
EDH: Epidural Hematoma
EES: Erythromycin EStolate
EF: Ejection Fraction
EGD: EsophaGoDuodenoscopy
EGDT: Early Goal Directed Therapy
EHL: Extensor Hallucis Longus
EIA: Enzyme ImmunoAssay
EMS: Emergency Medical Services
EOMs: Extra Ocular Movements
Eos: Eosinophils
EP: Emergency Physician
Epi: Epinephrine
epi’s: epithelial cells
Epo: Erythropoetin
EPS: Extra-Pyramidal Symptoms
ERCP: Endoscopic Retrograde CholangioPancreatogram
ESBL: Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase
Esof: Esophagus
esp. especially
ESRD: End Stage Renal Disease
ETT: EndoTracheal Tube
Eval: Evaluation
EVD: External Ventricular Drain
EXTRIP: EXtracorporeal TReatment In Poisoning workgroup
F
F: Fever
Fab: Fab fragment/digibind
FB: Foreign Body
FDA: Food & Drug Administration
FDWS: First Dorsal Web Space
FFP: Fresh Frozen Plasma
FH: Family History
FHM: Fetal Heart Monitor
FHR: Fetal Heart Rate
FN: False Negative
FNF: Finger-Nose-Finger test
FOOSH: Fall On Out-Stretched Hand
FP: False Positive
FSG: Finger Stick Glucose
FSH: Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Fx: Fracture
Fxn: Function
FVC: Forced Vital Capacity
F>M: Female greater than Male
G
G-Surg: General Surgery
GABA: Gamma AminoButyric Acid
GAS: Group A Strep.
GBS: Guillain Barre Syndrome or
Group B Strep
GC: GonoCoccus/gonorrhea
GCSF: Granulocyte Colony Stim Factor
GHB: Gamma-Hydroxy Butyrate
GI: Gastro-Intestinal
GIB: GI Bleed
glu: glucose
GNR: Gram Negative Rod
GnRH: Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone
GU: GenitoUrinary
GVHD: Graft vs. Host Disease
Gyn: Gynecology
H
H1&H2: antihistamine type 1 & 2
H flu: Hemophilus Influenza
H&P: History & Physical
HA: HeadAche
HAART: Highly Active AntiRetroviral
Therapy
Hb: Hemoglobin
HBIG: HepB immune globulin
HBcAb: Hepatitis B core antibody
HBsAg: Hepatitis B surface antigen
HBsAb: Hepatitis B surface antibody
HBO: HyperBaric Oxygen
hCG: beta-hCG
HCl: Hydrogen-Chloride or Hydrochloric
HCP: HydroCePhalus
Hct: Hematocrit
HD: hemidiaphragm or hemodialysis
Hem: Hemorrhage
Heme: Hematologic
HepB: Hepatitis B Virus
HepC: Hepatitis C Virus
HF&M: Hand, Foot & Mouth disease
H.flu: Hemophilus influenza
Hib: Hemophilus influenza B vaccine
Histo: Histoplasmosis
HLOC: Higher Level Of Care (transfer)
HM: HistaMine
HOB: Head Of Bed
HONKC: HyperOsm. NonKetotic Coma
hpf: high powered field
HPV: Human Papilloma Virus
HRT: Hormone Replacement Therapy
HSM: HepatoSplenoMegaly
HSP: Henoch Shoenlein Purpura
HSV: Herpes Simplex Virus
HTX: HemoThoraX
Hx: History
HypoK: HypoKalemia
HZO: Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus
I
i: Incidence
IA: Class 1A antidysrhythmic
IABP: IntraAortic Balloon Pump
IA-tPA: Intra-Arterial tPA
IBD: Inflammatory Bowel Disease
IBS: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Ibu: Ibuprofen
ICB: IntraCranial Bleed
ICH: IntraCranial Hemorrhage
ID: Infectious Disease
Idio: Idiopathic
IDU: Injection Drug Use
IEOM: Inborn Error of Metabolism
iff: if and only if
IgG: Immune gamma Globulin
IHSS: Idiopathic Hypertrophic
Subaortic Stenosis
¯Im: Immunosuppression
Imp: Important
inflam: inflammation or inflammatory
InPt: Inpatient
Intermed: Intermediate
intus intussusception
IOP: Intra Ocular Pressure
IOS: Index Of Suspicion
IR: Interventional Radiology
IU: International Unit
IVCD: Intraventricular Conducting Delay
IVDA: IV Drug Abuse
IVF: IV Fluid
IVIG: IV Immune Globulin
J
J: Joule
JVD: Jugular Venous Distension
JVP: Jugular Venous Pressure
Jxn: Junction
K
k: kilogram
kg: kilogram
K: Kilo or Potassium
K+: Potassium
KI: Potassium Iodide
KS: Kaposi’s Sarcoma
L
Lac: Laceration
LAN: LymphAdeNopathy
Lat: Lateral
LBP: Low Back Pain
LCx: Left Circumflex Artery (coronary)
LD-50: Lethal Dose in 50%
LE: Lambert Eaton or Leuk. Esterase
LET: Lidocaine-Epi-Tetracaine
LFT: Liver Function Test
Li/LI: Lithium or Large Intestine
Lido: Lidocaine
LLDC: Left Lateral DeCubitus
LLSB: Left Lower Sternal Border
LMA: Laryngeal Mask Airway
LMWH: Low Molecular Weight Heparin
LUQ: Left Upper Quadrant
LUSB: Left Upper Sternal Border
LVH: Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
lytes: Electrolytes
Lz: Lesion
M
M: Murmur
mA: milliAmps
MAC: Mycobacterium Avium Complex
Mac/pap:MaculoPapular rash
Mag: Magnesium
MAHA: MicroAngiopathic Hemolytic Anemia
MAOI: MonoAmine Oxidase Inhibitor
MAT: Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia
MAST: Military Anti-Shock Trousers
MCA: Middle Cerebral Artery
MCL: Medial Collateral Ligament
MCV: Mean Corpuscular Volume
MD-AC: MultiDose Activated Charcoal
MDR: Multi-Drug Resistant
Med: medication
mEq: milliEquivalents
MET: Metabolic Equivalent uniT
Metab: metabolic or metabolism
Meth: Methamphetamine
MetHb: Met-hemoglobinemia
Mets: Metastases
Mg: magnesium
MG: Myasthenia Gravis
MGC: MeninGoCoccus
Mibi: Sestamibi scan
MMR: Measles, Mumps, Rubella
MMSE: Mini Mental Status Exam
Mo: Month
MOF: MultiOrgan Failure
MRA: Magnetic Resonance Angiogram
MS: Multiple Sclerosis or MediaStinum
MTP: Metatarsal Phalangeal
MTX: MethoTreXate
m.u.: million units
MVA: Motor Vehicle Accident
N
N: Nausea
NAAT: Nucleic Acid Amplification Test
NAC: N-Acetyl Cysteine
NaCl: Sodium Chloride
NAT: Non-Accidental Trauma
ND: Non Displaced
NE: NorEpinephrine
Neb: Nebulized med
nec-fasc:Necrotizing Fasciitis
neg: negative
ng: nanogram
NIF: Negative Inspiratory Force
nl: Normal
NMDA: N-methyl-D-aspartic acid
NMJ: NeuroMuscular Junction
NMS: Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
NNT: Number Needed to Treat
NNTH: Number Needed to Harm
NO: No (= a pitfall)
Norepi: Norepinephrine
NRB: Non Re-Breather
nRBC: Nucleated RBC
NSTWC: Non-Specific T wave D
NS: Normal Saline or
Night Sweats
NSTEMI:Non ST Elevation MI
NTP: Nitroprusside
N/V: nausea, vomiting
NV: NeuroVascular
NVI: NeuroVascular Intact
NWB: Non-Weight Bearing
NYHA: New York Heart Association
O
O2: Oxygen
OA: OsteoArthritis
OB: Obstetrics or pregnant
Obs: Observation
OCP: Oral Contraceptive Pill
OE: Otitis Externa
OGT: Oro Gastric Tube
OI: Opportunistic Infection
OM: Otitis Media
On: Onset
OOC: Out Of Control
OP: Oropharyngeal
OR: Operating Room/Surgery
ORIF: Open Reduction Internal Fixation
ORT: Oral Rehydration Therapy
Osm: Osmolality
Osteo: Osteomyelitis
OSVS: OrthoStatic Vital Signs
OTC: Over The Counter
OutPt.: Outpatient
P
p: post (after)
p450: p450 drug interactions
PAC’s: Premature Atrial Contractions
palps: palpitations
PCC: Prothrombin Complex Concentrate
PCI: Percutaneous Coronary Intervent.
PCKD: PolyCystic Kidney Dz.
PCN’s: PeNiCillins
PCR: Polymerase Chain Reaction
PCWP: Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Press.
PDA: Patent Ductus Arteriosus
PEP: Post Exposure Prophylaxis
PFA: Platelet Function Assay
PFO: Patent Foramen Ovale
Pheo: Pheochromocytoma
Phos: Phosphorus
PHTN: Pulmonary HTN
PICC: Peripheral Inserted Central Cath
PID: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
PIH: Pregnancy Induced HTN
PIP: Proximal InterPhalangeal joint
or Peak Inspiratory Pressure
PLEX: PLasma EXchange
Plt: Platelets
pm: post midday
PMC: PneuMoCoccus
PNA: PNeumoniA
PneumoMS: PneumoMediaStinum
PNH: Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hematuria
PNS: Peripheral Nervous System
PO: Per Orum (orally)
POC: Products of Conception
PO4: Phosphate
POOP: Pain Out Of Proportion
post: posterior
postop: Post Operative
PPD: tuberculosis skin test
PPI: Proton Pump Inhibitor
Ppt: Precipitant
PRBCs: Packed Red Blood Cells
Pred: Prednisone
Preg: Pregnant
PRL: Prolactin
prn: pro re nata (as needed)
prob: probability
prox: proximal
PSA: Prostate Specific Antigen
Pseud: Pseudomonas
psi: pounds per square inch
Pt.: Patient
PT: Prothrombin Time
PTA: PeriTonsillar Abscess
PTH: ParaThyroid Hormone
PTX: PneumoThoraX
PVC: Paroxysmal Ventric. Contraction
PVD: Peripheral Vascular Dz
PVR: Post Void Residual
p/w: presents with
Px: Prognosis
Pyelo: Pyelonephritis
Q
q, Q: each or Q wave
quant: quantitative
QD, qd: Daily
QHS: Q Hour of Sleep
QID: 4 times a day
Quin: Quinolone
qwk: weekly
R
RA: Rheumatoid Arthritis or
RA: Right Atrium
RAD: Reactive airway Dz or
Right Axis Deviation
RAM: Rapid Alternating Movements
r/b: relieved by
RBC’s: Red Blood Cells
RCA: Right Coronary Artery
RCT: Randomized Controlled Trial
RDW: RBC Distribution Width
Rec: Recommendation
Repol: Repolarization
Resp: respiration or respiratory
resus: Resuscitation
resus: Resuscitation
RetroP: RetroPeritoneal
RF: Risk Factors
Rh: Rhesus factor for blood typing
Rhabdo: Rhabdomyolysis
RI: Renal Insufficiency
RICE: Rest Ice Compression Elevate
Risk: Risk Factors
RMSF: Rocky Mount. Spotted Fever
Roids: steroids
ROPA: Regional Organ Procurement Assn.
ROSC: Return of Spontaneous Circulation
RPA: RetroPharyngeal Abscess
RR: Respiratory Rate
RSD: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
RSI: Rapid Sequence Induction
RTA: Renal Tubular Acidosis
RTED: Return to ED
RTER: Return to ER
RUG: Retrograde UrethroGram
RUSB: Right Upper Sternal Border
Rx: Treatment
Rxn: Reaction
S
?, s without
SaO2 O2 Saturation
SAAG: Serum-Ascites Albumin
Gradient
SAC: Short Arm Cast
SAH: Sub-Arachnoid Hemorrhage
SBE: Subacute Bacterial
Endocarditis
SBI: Serious Bacterial Illness
SCC: Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Schizo: Schizophrenia
SDE: SubDural Empyema
SDH: SubDural Hematoma
Seds: Sedative
Sg: specific gravity
Schisto: schistosomiasis
SI: Sacroiliac, Suicidal Ideation
or Small Intestine
Sides: Side Effects
SJS: Steven Johnson Syndrome
SLE: Systemic Lupus Erythematosis
SLUDGE:Salivation Lacrimation Urination
Defecation GI upset Emesis
SLWC: Short Leg Walking Cast
Sn: (physical exam) Sign
SNF: Skilled Nursing Facility
SQ: Subcutaneous
SR: Sustained Release
SSRI: Serotonin Selective
Reuptake Inhibitor
SSS: Sick Sinus Syndrome
Staph: Staphylococcus
ST: Sore Throat
ST: ST elevation
STD: Sexually Transmitted Disease
STEMI: ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Stim: Stimulation or stimulus
STS: Soft Tissue Swelling
subQ: sub-cutaneous
Succ: Succinyl Choline
SulfHb: Sulf-Hemoglobin
sup: superior or supinate
Sux: Succinyl Choline
SVT: SupraVentricular Tachycardia
Sx: Symptom
sym: symmetric
Synd: Syndrome
Sz: Seizure
T
T: Temperature
T ½ : Half Life
T&C: Type & Cross
T&S: Type & Screen
TA: Temporal Arteritis
TACO: Transfusion Ax Circ. Overload
tach: tachycardia
tachy: tachycardia
Tamp: Tamponade
TBSA: Total Body Surface Area
TCA: TriCyclic Antidepressant
TCN: TetraCycliNe
TEDQRG:Tarascon ED Quick Ref. Guide
TEE: Trans-Esophageal Echo
Tele: Telemetry
TEN: Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Theo: Theophylline
Thy: Thyroid
TIA: Transient Ischemic Attach
Tic: diverTICulitis
TID: Three times a Day
TIMI: Thrombolytics in MI study
TM: Tympanic Membrane
TMJ: Temporal-Mandibular Joint
TNF: Tumor Necrosis Factor
TNK: Tenecteplase
Tob: Tobacco
torr: pressure unit = to mmHg
Toxo: Toxoplasmosis
tPA: Tissue Plasminogen Activator
TPTX: Tension PneumoThoraX
TRA: Traumatic Ruptured Aorta
Trach: tracheostomy
Trich: Trichomonas
Trop: Troponin
TSH: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
TSS: Toxic Shock Syndrome
TTP: Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic
Purpura or Tender To Palpation
Tyl: Tylenol
U
u: usually or units
? usually
UA: Urine Analysis or Unstable Angina
UC: Ulcerative Colitis or
Uterine Contraction
UCx: Urine Culture
UGI: Upper GI
UGIB: Upper GI Bleed
ULN: Upper Limit of Normal
UNa: Urine Sodium
Unk: Unknown
UnRx’d: Untreated
UOP: Urine OutPut
UpH: Urine pH
US: UltraSound
UTZ: Ultrasound (used at USC)
UU: Ureaplasma Urealyticum
V
v.: versus
V: Vomiting
Vag: Vaginal
Vanco: vancomycin
VB: Vaginal Bleed
VCUG: Voiding CystoUrethroGram
VDRL: VD Research Lab
Vfib: Ventricular Fibrillation
VH: Visual Hallucinations
vit: vitamin
Vol: Volume
VRE: Vanco Resistant Enterococcus
- versus
VSUS: Vitals Signs UnStable
VT: Ventricular Tachycardia
VW: Von Willebrand’s
vWD: von Willebrand’s Disease
vWF: von Willebrand’s Factor
VZIG: Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin
VZV: Varicella Zoster Virus
W
WBAT: Weight Bear As Tolerated
WBI: Whole Bowel Irrigation
WC: Wound Check
w/d: withdrawal
w/o: without
wks: weeks
WPW: Wolff-Parkinson-White
Wt: weight
XYZ
x: except or trans-
XR: X-Ray
XRT: X-Ray Therapy
yr: year
Zap: Defibrillate or Cardiovert