FOUR TABLES OF ABBREVIATIONS 13 April 2006


Table 1 - Some common abbreviations and acronyms used for medications, procedures, and conditions

Table 2 -More medical abbreviations including some outside of rheumatology.

Table 3 - Interpreting prescription shorthand

Table 4 -Rheumatological abbreviations and interpretations

 

TABLE 1 - Some common abbreviations and acronyms for medications, procedures, and conditions

 
Cytoxan (Cyclophosphamide)
CTX           
No known  drug allergies NKDA
Methotrexate MTX
Normal sinus rhythm (heart) NS
Cellcept (Mycophenolate mofetil) CPT
Nothing by mouth
NPO
Imuran (Azathioprine) IMR
Not yet diagnosed
NYD
Arava (Leflunomide) ARV
Otolaryngologist
ENT
Leukeran (Chlorambucil) LKR
(Ear, Nose, Throat) (EENT)
Enbrel (Etanercept) ENB
Overdose OD
Remicade (Infliximab) RMC
Oxygen O2
Blood sugar DEX (DXT)
Packed red blood cells   
PRBC
Blood urea nitrogen BUN
Partial thromboplastin time   
PTT
Blood – red cell distribution width RDW
Past history   
PH
Blood – triiodothyronine T3
Patients   
Pts
Blood – thyroxine T4
Penicillin
PCN
Blood – white blood cell WBC
Peripherally inserted central venous catheter   
PICC
By mouth (orally) PO
Peripheral nervous system   
PNS
Chest X-ray, CXR
Peripheral vascular disease   
PVD
Computerized tomography scan CAT
Peritoneal dialysis   
PD
Complete blood count CBC
Physician’s desk reference (drugs and medications)
PDR
Central nervous system CNS
Pneumothorax   
Px
Chronic pulmonary obstructive disease COPD
Positive pressure ventilation   
PPV
Chronic renal failure CRF
Prescription   
Rx
Concentration of hydrogen ion pH
Primary care nurse      PCN
Diagnosis DX
Prothrombin time   
PT
Do not resuscitate DNR
Positron emission tomography   
PET
Deep vein thrombosis DVT
Potassium   
K
Epstein-Barr virus EBV
Potassium chloride   
KCL
Electro-cardiogram ECG (EKG)
Pulmonary Edema/Embolism   
PE
End stage renal disease ESRD
Pulmonary function test    
PFT
Endotracheal tube ET
Range of motion   
ROM
Eye-right OD
Rheumatoid arthritis   
RA
Eye-left OS
Seizure   
Sz
Eyes-both OU
Sexually transmitted disease   
STD
Food and Drug Administration FDA
Short term memory   
STM
Fever of unknown origin FUO
Shortness of breath   
SOB
Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD
Signs and symptoms   
S/S
Gastro-intestinal GI (G/I)
Small bowel obstruction   
SBO
Graft versus host disease GVHD
Sodium   
Na
Hemoglobin Hb
Sodium chloride   
NaCL
Heart rate HR
Standing medical orders    
SMO
Hormone replacement therapy HRT
Subcutaneous   
SC
Hemocrit HCT
Surgery   
Sx
History Hx
Symptoms   
Sx
Inflammatory bowel disease IBD
Systemic lupus erythematosis   
SLE
Inflammatory bowel syndrome, IBS
Temperature, pulse, respiration   
TPR
Intermediate Care Facility ICF
Thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpuraf
TTP
Inflammation of connective tissue ICT
Timing of medication

Intensive care unit ICU
      -every day    
QD
Ischemic heart disease IHD
       -three times daily      
TID
Intramuscular IM
       -four times daily   
QID
Inspiratory positive airway pressure IPAP
       -every other day   
QOD
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura ITP
Total hip replacement   
THR
Intravenous IV
Total knee replacement   
TKR
Lower extremities LE
Transient ischemic attack   
TIA
Liver function test(s) LFTs
Treatment   
TRM/Tx
Magnetic resonance imaging MRI
Trouble breathing    
TB
Monoclonal antibodies moABs
Tuberculosis
TB
Multiple daily vitamin MDI
Tumor necrosis factor   
TNF
Myocardial infarction MI
Urinalysis   
UA
Nasopharyngeal airway NPA
Upper airway obstruction   
UAO
Nausea and vomiting NV
Upper gastrointestinal   
UGI
Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus NIDDM
Upper respiratory infection   
URI
No known allergies NKA
Urinary incontinence   
URI



Urinary tract infection   
UTI



Wheelchair   
W/C



Within normal limits WNL



World Health Organization WHO


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TABLE 2 - More Medical Abbreviations for including some terms outside of Rheumatology


A/a
alveolar-arterial
oxygen gradient
FSH follicle-stimulating
hormone
PALS     Pediatric Advanced Life Support
ABCs   
airway, breathing,
 circulation
FTA
fluorescent treponemal
antibody
Pap      Papanicolaou test or smear
ABG   
arterial blood gas

FTA-ABS

fluorescent treponemal
antibody absorption (test)
PAS      para-aminosalicylic acid
AC          before meals
(ante cibum)
5-FU 5-fluorouracil

PCA    

  
patient-controlled analgesia 
AC           acromioclavicular F/U
follow-up (study, exam,
 test, care)
PCN      penicillin
ACE      angiotensin-converting
 enzyme
FUO fever of unknown origin PCOD     polycystic ovarian disease 
aCL        anticardiolipin (antibody) G gauge   PCP       Pneumocystis pneumonia
ACLS    Advanced Cardiac
Life Support
G6PD
glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase
PCR      polymerase chain reaction

ACOG

  
American College of
Obstetrics and Gynecology

GBS

group B Streptococcus
bacteria or group B
streptococcal infection
PCWP     pulmonary capillary wedge pressure 
ACTH   adrenocorticotropic hormone GC gonococcus  160
PD Parkinson's disease
AD        Alzheimer's dementia
or disease
GCS
Glasgow Coma Scale  PDA     patent ductus arteriosus
A Fib    atrial fibrillation GCT     glucose challenge test  PE         physical examination 
AFB        acid-fast bacilli GDM     gestational diabetes mellitus PE       pulmonary embolism 
AFP       alpha-fetoprotein  GE        gastroesophageal   PEEP     positive end-
expiratory pressure   
AFV        amniotic fluid volume GFR      glomerular filtration rate PEFR     peak expiratory
flow rate  
AGCUS      atypical glandular cells of
undetermined significance
GI   gastrointestinal   PET      positron emission           tomography 
AI           amnioinfusion g        gram PFTs        pulmonary function tests
AIDS   acquired immuno-
deficiency syndrome
GM-CSF   granulocyte-macrophage
colony-stimulating factor
PG         phosphatidylglycerol 
ALT       alanine aminotransferase
 GN       glomerulonephritis  pH      

           

pH 7, normal;
less is acidic;

more is alkaline (or basic)

ANA        antinuclear antibody GnRH     gonadotropin-releasing
hormone
PID      pelvic inflammatory disease
ANCA     antineutrophil cyto-
plasmic antibody
GODM    gestational onset
diabetes mellitus
PIH      pregnancy-induced hypertension
AP       anteroposterior gtt drops  (guttae) PIP      proximal inter-
phalangeal joint
APS      antiphospholipid syndrome   GTT     glucose tolerance test  plt         platelet
APSAC   


anistreplase, anisoylated plasminogen-streptokinase
activator complex
GU         genitourinary PMNs     polymorphonuclear lymphocytes
ARC      AIDS-related complex GXT      graded exercise stress test
PMR       polymyalgia rheumatica
ARDS     adult respiratory distress
 syndrome
GYN      gynecologic PMS      premenstrual syndrome  
ARF      acute renal failure h, hr       hour PO      per mouth (per os) 
ASA      acetylsalicylic acid
H&P      history and physical
examination
POD      postoperative day  
ASAP     as soon as possible
HA          headache PPD      protein purified derivative
ASCUS   atypical squamous cells of
undetermined significance
Hb        hemoglobin
PR       per rectum 
ASO      antistreptolysin O antibody HC/AC    head circumference-to-
abdominal circumference
(ratio)
PRN     as needed (pro re nata)
AST      aspartate aminotransferase HCG      human chorionic
gonadotropin
PROM     premature rupture of membranes
Atg        anti-human thymocyte globulin HCT      hematocrit PSA      prostate specific antigen  
ATN      acute tubular necrosis  HCTZ     hydrochlorothiazide PSVT     paroxysmal  supra-ventricular tachycardia                                                                    
AV       arteriovenous;  atrioventricular HDL       high-density lipoprotein  PT       prothrombin time   
AZT      zidovudine (Azidothymidine) HELLP    hemolysis, elevated liver
enzymes, and low platelet
 count (syndrome)
PTCA      percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
B12      vitamin B12 HepBsAg  hepatitis B surface
antigen
PTL      premature labor
BAER     brainstem auditory evoked
responses
HGE      human granulocytic
ehrlichiosis
PTSD     post-traumatic stress disorder
BBT     basal body temperature
HIV      human immuno-
deficiency virus   
PTT      partial thromboplastin time
BCG      bacille Calmette-GuŽrin HME     human monocytic
erlichiosis
PTU         propylthiouracil
BCP      birth control pill HMG      human menopausal
gonadotropin  
PUD        peptic ulcer disease 
BHCG     beta human chorionic
gonadotropin
h/o      history of  PVC      premature ventricular contraction
BID      twice a day (bis in die)   HPF      high-power field    QD      every day (quaque die) 
BiPAP    bilevel positive airway
pressure
HRT     hormone replacement
therapy
QHS     properly "every hour of
sleep," but usually at every
bedtime" (quaque hora somni)
BOOP      bronchiolitis obliterans-
organizing pneumonia 
HS      at bedtime (hora somni) QID      four times per day
(quater in die)
BP      blood pressure  HSV        herpes simplex virus  QOD     every other day (tertio
quoque die)
BPAD     bipolar affective disorder ht, Ht    height RA         rheumatoid arthritis 
bpm        beats per minute  HTN         hypertension RBC      red blood cell
BPP      biophysical profile
HUS      hemolytic uremic syndrome RCA      right coronary artery  
BPPV     benign paroxysmal
positional vertigo
HZV     herpes zoster virus 200 REM      rapid eye movement
BSA      body surface area   I&D    incision and drainage   RF       renal failure 
BUN     blood urea nitrogen I&O      intake and output   RFI    renal failure index
BV       bacterial vaginosis ICF      intracellular fluid RIA         radioimmunoassay
BVM      bag valve mask  ICP     intracranial pressure   RIND      reversible ischemic
neurologic deficit
C&S     culture and sensitivity ICU     intensive care unit RLQ      right lower quadrant  
C-peptide   insulin chain C-peptide ID       infectious disease  RMSF     Rocky Mountain spotted fever
C-section     cesarean section  IDDM     insulin-dependent
diabetes mellitus
R/O, r/o  rule out   
C-spine     cervical spine  IFA      immunofluorescence assay
ROM      rupture of membranes;  range-of-motion, (exercise)
CABG    coronary artery
bypass graft
IgG      immunoglobulin G    RPR      rapid plasma reagin
CACl2   calcium chloride
IHSS     idiopathic hypertrophic
aortic stenosis
RSI      rapid-sequence intubation  
CAD     coronary artery disease IM       intramuscular RSV      respiratory syncytial virus
cap      capsule IMV      intermittent mandatory
ventilation
rt-PA  

 

tissue-type plasminogen
activator (recombinant) (Alteplase, Recombinant)
c-ANCA   central antineutrophil
cytoplasmic antibody
IN          intranasally RUQ       right upper quadrant 
CBC     complete blood cell count   INH      isoniazid, isonicotinc
acid hydrazide
RVMI    right ventricular
myocardial infarction
cc       cubic centimeter (for solids
and gases but ml for liquids)
INR     International Normalized
Ratio
SAARD    slow-acting antirheumatic drug(s)  
CD41
  helper T cell (cluster of
  differentiation no. 41)  
IO          intraosseous SAH      subarachnoid hemorrhage
CDC      Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
IPPV      intermittent positive-
pressure ventilation
SBP      systolic blood pressure
CEA        carcinoembryonic antigen  ISA      intrinsic stimulating activity SCIWORA  spinal cord injury without radiologic abnormality  
CFU      colony-forming unit
ITP idiopathic thrombocyto-
penia purpura
SGA      small for gestational age 
CHF        congestive heart failure IU       International Unit
SGOT    See AST
Chol     cholesterol IUD      intrauterine device SGPT    See ALT
CIN     cervical intraepithelial
Neoplasia (1 to 3:
 mild to severe)
IUFD      intrauterine fetal
demise
SIL      squamous intraepithelial
lesions
CK       creatine kinase IUGR    intrauterine growth
retardation
SK         streptokinase
CLL     chronic lymphocytic
leukemia
 IUP     intrauterine pregnancy  SL        sublingual
cm        centimeter IV       intravenous SLE      systemic lupus erythematosus
CMV      cytomegalovirus IVDA     intravenous drug abuser SLR      straight-leg raising (test)
CNS      central nervous system  IVP      intravenous pyelogram   SOB      shortness of breath
CO2      carbon dioxide  JRA      juvenile rheumatoid sp. gr.    specific gravity 
COPD    chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease
KS       Kaposi's sarcoma      SPECT   y  single-photon emission           computerized tomograph
CPAP     continuous positive airway LA       lupus anticoagulant
SQ          subcutaneous
CPD      cephalopelvic disproportion LAT     preparation of lidocaine,
epinephrine (adrenaline),
tetracain
SR         slow release 
CPK       creatine phosphokinase LBBB        left bundle branch block SROM     spontaneous rupture of membrane
CPPD     calcium pyrophosphate
Dihydrate (crystals) 
(pseudogout)
LDH       lactate dehydrogenase   SS       single strength
CPR      cardiopulmonary
resuscitation
LDL      low-density lipoprotein SSKI    saturated solution of
potassium iodide 
Cr        creatinine LE      lupus erythematosus SSRI    selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors
CRF     chronic renal failure   LES     lower esophageal sphincter STD      sexually transmitted disease
CRP       C-reactive protein LFT       liver function tests   T3       triiodothyronine
CSF     cerebrospinal fluid LGI     lower GI (gastrointestinal) T4         thyroxine
CST       contraction stress fluid
LH      luteinizing hormone TAC      preparation of tetracycline,
epinephrine (adrenaline), cocaine
CT       computerized tomography LLQ      left lower quadrant 240 Tb, TB      tuberculosis
CVA      cerebrovascular accident
LMP      last menstrual period TBG      thyroxine-binding globulin
CVAT    costovertebral-angle
tenderness
LMW       low molecular weight  TBSA    total body surface area
CVD     cerebrovascular disease LOC       loss of consciousness TBW     total body water   
CVN     central venous nutrition
LP       lumbar puncture 3TC       lamivudine
CVP     central venous pressure LR        lactated Ringer's solution TCA      tricyclic antidepressant
CVS    cardiovascular system
L/S      lecithin-to-sphingo-
myelin (ratio)
TEDS     thromboembolic disease
support (stockings, hose)
c/w      consistent with

LSIL

low-grade squamous intra-
epithelial lesion 
TEE      transesophageal echocardiography
CXR     chest x-ray film or
radiograph
LUQ     left upper quadrant

TENS      

transcutaneous electrical
nerve stimulation
D&C        dilatation and curettage
LV         left ventricular TFT      thyroid function test  
DBP        diastolic blood pressure  MAI/MAC  Mycobacterium avium-intra- cellulare/M. avium complex TG         triglycerides
DDAVP    1-deamino-8-D-arginine
vasopressin
MAO        monoamine oxidase TIA        transient ischemic attack
DDC, ddC  dideoxycytidine,
zalcitabine, Hivid
MAOI    monoamine oxidase
inhibitors
TIBC   total iron-binding capacity
DDI, ddI   dideoxyinosine, didanosine  MAST    military antishock trousers TM       tympanic membrane  
D5W      5%  dextrose in water  MCP      metacarpophalangeal joint
TMJ      temporomandibular joint
D4T      stavudine   MCV     mean corpuscular volume TMP/SMX  trimethoprim-sulfameth-
oxazole (complex)
DHE      dihydroergotamine   MDD        major depressive disorder TORCHS   toxoplasmosis, rubella,

cytomegalovirus, herpes
simplex syphilis (infection)

 

DHT      dihydrotestosterone MDI       metered dose inhaler  TPA     tissue plasminogen activator
DIC      disseminated intravascular
coagulation
MEE     middle ear effusion TPN      total parenteral nutrition
DIP      distal interphalangeal joint
mEq      milliequivalent TRH       thyrotropin-releasing hormone 
DKA        diabetic ketoacidosis mg         milligram 
TSH      thyroid-stimulating hormone
dl         deciliter mg         microgram TTP      thrombotic thromb-
ocytopenic purpura
DM       diabetes mellitus   MI      myocardial infarction   TURP     transurethral prostatectomy
DPL     diagnostic peritoneal lavage min       minute TWAR     Taiwan acute respiratory disease
DPT      diphtheria-pertussis-
tetanus (vaccine) 
mm Hg    millimeters of mercury  U           unit
DS       double strength mmol       millimole UA        urinalysis
DSM     Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders)
MMPI     Minnesota Multiphasic
Personality Inventory
UC       ulcerative colitis 
dsDNA      double-stranded deoxyribo-
nucleic acid
MMR      measles-mumps-
rubella (vaccine)
UGI    upper gastrointestinal (tract)
DTR       deep tendon reflexes  MMSE     Mini-Mental State
examination
U/P       urine-to-plasma ratio 
DTs     
delirium tremens
mOsm     milliosmole URI     upper respiratory infection
DVT    deep venous thrombosis  MR       measles and rubella
(vaccine)
U/S ultrasound, ultrasonogram, ultrasonography
D/W       dextrose in water MRI     magnetic resonance
imaging 
UTI      urinary tract infection
EBV     Epstein-Barr virus  MS      multiple sclerosis UV       ultraviolet (radiation); B refers
to the shorter wave-length,
more damaging range             
ECF      extracellular fluid MTP      metatarsophalangeal joint
V Fib   ventricular fibrillation 
ECG    electrocardiogram   MVP      mitral valve prolaspe  V Tach   ventricular tachycardia
ECMO     extracorporeal membrane oxygenation N&V     nausea and vomiting VBAC        vaginal birth after cesarean section
ED       emergency department NCV     nerve conduction velocity
VCUG      voiding cystourethrogram  
EDC     estimated date of
confinement
NG       nasogastric VDRL  Venereal Disease Research
Lab (test)  
EEG      electroencephalogram    NHL      non-Hodgkin's lymphoma V/Q      ventilation-perfusion ratio
EES     erythromycin ethyl-
succinate
NIDDM    non-insulin dependent
diabetes mellitus
VSD      ventricular septal defect  
EGD       esophagogastro-
duodenoscopy
NPH     neutral protamine
Hagedorn
Vt      tidal volume   
EIA      enzyme immunoassay NPO      nothing by mouth
(nulla per os)
VT       vestibular training
ELISA    enzyme-linked immuno-
sorbent assay
NS        normal saline solution vWF     von Willebrand's factor
EM      erythema multiforme NSAID   nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drug
WBC     white blood cell (count)   
EMG      electromyogram  NST      nonstress test  wt, Wt   weight
ENG     electronystagmography   NSVD