List Of Recognised Medical Abbreviations And Meanings
There are some recognised medical abbreviations of medical terms which are used by doctors when prescribing drugs. Some of these abbreviations are derived from latin terms. In order to have a full understanding of the drugs prescribed for the patients under his or her care, the nurse should be familiar with the English meaning of these abbreviations.
aa = ana(latin) = of each
a.c = ante cibos(latin) = before meals
ad = adde(latin) =up to
ad lib = ad libitum(latin) = to the desired amount
ad sat = ad saturandum(latin) = to saturation
aq = aqua(latin) = water
aq. dest = aqua destillata(latin) = distilled water
aq.m.pip = aqua menthae piperitae(latin) = peppermint water
b.d or b.i.d = bis in die(latin) = twice a day
B.P = British pharmacopoeia
C = Centigrade
c = cum(latin) = with
dil = dilue(latin) = dilute
ext = extractum(latin) = extract
ext.liq = extractum liquidum(latin) = liquid extract
Fahr.(F) = Fahrenheit
g = gram
gr = granum(latin) = grain
inf = infusm(latin) = an infusion
mist = mistura(latin) = mixture
N. or noct. = nocte(latin) = at night
ol = oleum(latin) = oil
p.c = post cibos(latin) = after meals
p.r = per rectum(latin) = by the rectum
p.r.n = pro re nata(latin) = as the occasion arises
pulv = pulvis(latin) = powder
q.d or q.d.s = quater in die(latin) = four times a day
q.q.h = quartis horis(latin) = four hourly
R = recipe(latin) = take
s.s = semis(latin) = a half
s.o.s = si opus sit = if necessary(once only)
stat = statim(latin) = immediately
t.d,t.i.d or T.D.S =ter in die(latin) = three times daily
tinct = tinctura(latin) = tincture
ung = unguentum(latin) = ointment
PMS = Premenstrual syndrome
PT = Physical therapy
PTH = Parathyroid hormone
PUD = Peptic ulcer disease
q.d. = Each day.
q.i.d. = Four times daily.
q2h = Every 2 hours.
q3h = Every 3 hours.
qAM = Each morning.
qhs = At each bedtime.
qod = Every other day.
qPM = Each evening.
s/p = Status post. A person who had a knee operation .
SAD = Season affective disorder.
SOB = Shortness of breath.
SQ = Subcutaneous. Ordering an injection given into the fatty tissue under the skin, such as with insulin for diabetes mellitus.
T&A = Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
t.i.d. = Three times daily.
tab = Tablet
TAH = Total abdominal hysterectomy
TAH = Total abdominal hysterectomy. This where a woman’s uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries are being removed.
THR = Total hip replacement
TKR = Total knee replacement
ULN = Upper limits of normal
URI = Upper respiratory infection.
ut dict = As directed
HAPE = High altitude pulmonary edema
AMI = Acute myocardial infarction
FSH = Follicle stimulating hormone
IBS = Irritable bowel syndrome
IDDM = Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
PE =Pulmonary embolism.
SIDS =Sudden infant death syndrome
NBCCS = Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome
TSH =Thyroid stimulating hormone
Anuric = Not producing urine
ADHD = Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
ASCVD = Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
ARF = Acute renal (kidney) failure
BSO = Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
COPD = Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
CVA = Cerebrovascular accident
CPAP = Continuous positive airway pressure
LCIS = Lobular Carcinoma In Situ ( a type of breast cancer)
CABG. = Coronary artery bypass graft ( heart surgery)
