Medical abbreviations

• A/G ratio: albumin/globulin ratio
• Ac: before meals
• ad lib: at will, as desired
• adm: admission, admitted
• ASAP: as soon as possible
• Bid: twice a day
• Bm: bowel movement
• BP: blood pressure
• BPM: beats per minute
• BRP: bathroom privileges
• c/o: complains of
• C: Centigrade, Celsius
• C02: carbon dioxide
• Cap: capsule
• CC: chief complaint
• cc: cubic centimeter
• Cgh: cough
• CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• CVS: cardiovascular system
• CXR: chest x-ray
• D&C: dilletation and curettage
• d/c: discontinue or discharge
• DM: diabetes mellitus
• EBL: estimated blood loss
• ECG or EKG: electrocardiogram
• ER: emergency room
• F: Fahrenheit
• Fb: foreign body
• fx: fracture
• gtt: drop-liquid measurement
• H & P: history and physical
• H20: water
• HPC: history of present complaint
• HR: heart rate
• hr: hour
• hs: hour of sleep (bedtime)
• I & O: intake and output
• IDDM: insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
• IM: intramuscular
• IV: intravenous
• mg: milligram
• MI: myocardial infarct
• ml: millilitre
• MVA: motor vehicle accident
• N&V: nausea and vomiting
• NPO: nothing by mouth
• NTG: nitroglycerin
• O/E: on examination
• O2: oxygen
• OD: right eye
• OPA: outpatient appointment
• OS: left eye
• OU: both eyes
• pc: after meals
• PM: post mortem
• PMH: past medical history
• po: by mouth
• post-op: postoperative (after surgery)
• pre-op: preoperative (before surgery)
• prn: as needed
• pt: patient
• qd: every day
• qh: every hour
• qid: four times a day
• qod: every other day
• Rx: prescription, treatment
• s/s: signs and symptoms
• s: without
• sc/sq: subcutaneous
• SOB: short of breath
• stat: immediately
• sx: symptoms
• tab: tablet
• TPR: temperature, pulse, respiration
• U/S: ultrasound
• vs: vital signs
• XR: X-ray