Medical Abbreviations List
Abbreviation and acronyms are frequently dictated in medical reports and are an integral part of medicine. When abbreviations are dictated, transcriptionists should consult their reference books for their meanings and memorize them for future use.
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Abbreviation and acronyms are frequently dictated in medical reports and are an integral part of medicine. When abbreviations are dictated, transcriptionists should consult their reference books for their meanings and memorize them for future use.
Also Read: Preparation of Miscellaneous Medical Reports
We can understand all of this point by point
1- Abbreviations should be types as dictated. If abbreviations are not dictated, the transcriptionist should not supply them.
2 – Us e lowercase abbreviations with periods for abbreviations that are related to doses and dosages. Do not translate.
Given below some examples
- p.o. b.i.d. by mouth twice a daily
- q.h.s. every night at bedtime
- q.id. four times a day
- q.d. not q. Day
- q.4h. not q. 4 hours not q.4h
3 – No periods should be used with capital abbreviations. E.g.: ‑ CHF, WBC, RBC, IM
Given below some examples
- CHF, WBC, RBC, IM
4 – No periods should be used with acronyms. An acronym is a word formed from the first letter of other words. Acronyms are initially formed with capital letters, but after they gain acceptance as words, they are sometimes converted to lowercase letters and their origin as initialism is forgotten.
Given below some examples
- laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation)
- AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)
- CABG (“cabbage” – coronary artery bypass graft)
5- To make an abbreviation plural, simply add the letter ‘s’ with no apostrophe if the abbreviation is in all capital letters, but if the abbreviation ends in a periods, add an apostrophe and ‘s’.
Given below some examples
- WBCs, PVCs, EEGs not WBC’s, PVC’s, EEG’s
- M.D.’s not M.D.s
6 – Add ’s to form plural of lowercase abbreviations.
Given below some examples
- rbc’s not rbcs
7 – No abbreviations should be used in the headings even it dictated by the physician, except HEENT.
Given below some examples
Dictated: HPI (Transcribed: History of Present Illness)
Medical Abbreviations List
Let us study the follow abbreviations –
| Abbreviations | Explanation |
| Medical Abbreviations Letter A | |
| A2 | aortic valve closure |
| ADLs | activities of daily living |
| ALK PHOS | alkaline phosphatase |
| ANA | antinuclear antibodies |
| A&P | anterior and posterior OR Auscultation and percussion |
| ASO | antistreptolysin-O |
| AV | atrioventricular |
| Medical Abbreviations Letter B | |
| BANDS | band neutrophils |
| BRAT | bananas, rice cereal, applesauce and toast |
| B,S and U/BUS | Bartholin, Skene and urethral (glands) |
| B strep | beta streptococcus |
| Medical Abbreviations Letter C | |
| C | Celsius |
| CA | carcinoma |
| Cath, Cath’d | catheter; catheterize, catheterized |
| CC | chief complaint |
| cc | cubic centimeter |
| C, difficile | Costridium difficile |
| CIN | Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia |
| CMV | Cytomegalovirus; cytomegalic virus |
| Cpk-mb | Creatine phosphokinase with MB bands |
| C&S | Culture and sensitivity |
| CSF | Cerebrospinal fluid |
| CVS | Cardiovascular system |
| Medical Abbreviations Letter D | |
| D/C | Discharge; discontinue |
| Decels | Decelerations |
| Diff | Differential |
| Dl | Deciliter |
| DNA | Deoxyribonucleic acid |
| Dr. | Doctor |
| DTRs | Deep tendon reflexes |
| Medical Abbreviations Letter E | |
| EB | Epstein-Barr |
| EENT | eyes, ears, nose and throat |
| e.g. | for example |
| ER | Emergency room |
| ESWL | Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy |
| Et al. | And others |
| Etc. | Et cetera |
| ETOH | Ethanol |
| Medical Abbreviations Letter F | |
| F | Fahrenheit |
| FEF 25-75 | Forced expiratory flow, 25% to 75% |
| FEV1 | Forced expiratory volume in 1 second |
| Ft. | Foot; feet |
| Medical Abbreviations Letter G | |
| G | Gram |
| G | Gravid |
| GGT/GGTP | Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase |
| Gr. | Grain |
| Medical Abbreviations Letter H | |
| H&H | Hematocrit and hemoglobin |
| H&P | History and physical |
| HEENT | Head, eyes, ears, nose and throat |
| Hpf | High-power field |
| h.s. | hour of sleep |
| Medical Abbreviations Letter I | |
| ICU | Intensive care unit |
| i.e. | that is |
| ig | Immunoglobulin |
| in | inch |
| IUP | Intrauterine pregnancy |
| Medical Abbreviations Letter J | |
| JVD | Jugular venous distention |
| Medical Abbreviations Letter K | |
| K | Potassium |
| KCI | Potassium chloride |
| Medical Abbreviations Letter L | |
| L | Liter |
| LA | Long-acting |
| lb, lbs | pound(s) |
| LDH | Lactic dehydrogenase /lactate dehydrogenase |
| LFTs | Liver function tests |
| KFT | Kidney function test |
| LS | Lumbosacral |
| LV | Left ventricular |
| Medical Abbreviations Letter M | |
| Mcg | Microgram |
| MCL | Mid clavicular line |
| MCV | Mean corpuscular volume |
| MCH | Mean corpuscular hemoglobin |
| MCHC | Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration |
| meds | Medications |
| mEq/l | milli equivalent per liter |
| mg/dl | milligram per deciliter |
| mg/kg | milligram per kilogram |
| mm | millimeter |
| monos | monocytes |
| multip | multipara; multiparous |
| Medical Abbreviations Letter N | |
| NCV | nerve conduction velocity |
| neuro | neurologic |
| nitro | nitroglycerin |
| No | Number; # |
| Medical Abbreviations Letter O | |
| OB/GYN | obstetrics and gynecology |
| o.d. | once a day |
| oriented x 3 | oriented to person, place and time |
| oriented to x 4 | oriented to person, place, time, and future plans |
| oz | ounce |
| P | phosphorous |
| P2 | pulmonary valve closure |
