A accommodation; acetum; angström unit; anode; anterior
a artery
a before
A₂ aortic second sound
aa of each; arteries
AAA abdominal aortic aneurysm
abd abdominal/abdomen
ABG arterial blood gas
ABI ankle-brachial index
ABO three basic blood groups
AC adrenal cortex; air conduction; alternating current; axiocervical
a.c., ac before a meal
acc. accommodation
A/CA accommodative/convergence accommodation ratio
ACE angiotensin-converting enzyme
ACh acetylcholine
AChE acetylcholinesterase
AChR acetylcholine receptor
ACLS advanced cardiac life support
ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone
AD advance directive
ad to; up to
ADH antidiuretic hormone
ADHD attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder
ADL, ADLs activities of daily living
ad lib. freely; as desired
admov. apply
ad sat. to saturation
AED antiepileptic drug
AF atrial fibrillation
AFB acid-fast bacillus
AFP alpha-fetoprotein
A/G; A-G ratio albumin/globulin ratio
Ag silver; antigen
AGC atypical glandular cells
AgNO₃ silver nitrate
ah hypermetropic astigmatism
AHF antihemophilic factor
AI aortic incompetence; aortic insufficiency
AICD automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator
AIDS acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
AK above the knee
Al aluminum
Alb albumin
ALL acute lymphocytic leukemia
ALP alkaline phosphatase
ALS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
ALT alanine aminotransferase
alt. dieb. every other day
alt. hor. every other hour
alt. noc. every other night
AM morning
Am mixed astigmatism
a.m.a. against medical advice
AMI acute myocardial infarction
AML acute myelogenous (myeloblastic) leukemia
AMLS Advanced Medical Life Support
amp ampule; amputation
ANA antinuclear antibody
anat anatomy or anatomic
ANNA anti-neuronal nuclear antibody
ANP atrial natriuretic peptide
ant. anterior
anti-CCP anticyclic citrullinated peptide
Ao. aorta
A-P anterior-posterior
A&P auscultation and percussion
ap before dinner
APAP acetaminophen
aPTT activated partial thromboplastin
AQ, aq water
aq. dest. distilled water
aq. frig. cold water
ARC AIDS-related complex
ARDS acute respiratory distress syndrome
ARMD age-related macular degeneration
AS ankylosing spondylitis; aortic stenosis; auris sinistra (left ear)
As. astigmatism
ASA acetylsalicylic acid
ASC atypical squamous cells
asc. ascending
ASCA anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody
ASC-US atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance
ASCVD atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
ASD atrial septal defect
AsH hypermetropic astigmatism
AsM myopic astigmatism
AST aspartate aminotransferase
Ast astigmatism
ATCC American Type Culture Collection
at. wt. atomic weight
Au gold
A-V; AV; A/V arteriovenous; atrioventricular
av. avoirdupois
AVM arteriovenous malformation
AVP arginine vasopressin
B boron; bacillus
Ba barium
BAC blood alcohol concentration
BBB blood-brain barrier; bundle branch block
BBT basal body temperature
BCG bacille Calmette-Guérin
BCLS basic cardiac life support
BCP birth control pills
BD Buerger disease
BE barium enema
Be beryllium
BHS beta-hemolytic streptococci
Bi bismuth
b. bone
bib. drink
b.i.d., bid twice a day
b.i.n. twice a night
bipap bilevel positive airway pressure
BK below the knee
BLS basic life support
BM bowel movement
BMI body mass index
BMR basal metabolic rate
BMS bone marrow suppression
BMT bone marrow transplantation
BNP brain natriuretic peptide
bol. pill
BP blood pressure
B.P. British Pharmacopeia
BPH benign prostatic hyperplasia
bpm beats per minute
BRM biologic response modifier
BROW barley, rye, oats, and wheat
BSA body surface area
BSE breast self-examination
BUN blood urea nitrogen
BW birth weight; body weight
Bx biopsy
C Calorie (kilocalorie); Celsius
c calorie (small calorie)
c with
CA coronary artery
ca. about; approximately; cancer
CABG coronary artery bypass graft
CaCO₃ calcium carbonate
CAD coronary artery disease
CAH chronic active hepatitis
Cal large calorie
CAP let (the patient) take
cap. capsule
C&S culture and sensitivity
cath catheter
CBC complete blood count
CBI continuous bladder irrigation
CBRNE chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive agents
CBT cognitive behavioral therapy
CC chief complaint
cc cubic centimeter
CCl ₄ carbon tetrachloride
CCU coronary care unit; critical care unit
CD4 T-helper cells
CD8 cytotoxic cells
CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CEA carcinoembryonic antigen
CF cystic fibrosis; Christmas factor
CFTR cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator
cg centigram
CHD congenital heart disease; coronary heart disease
ChE cholinesterase
CHF congestive heart failure
CI cardiac index
Ci curie
CIN cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
CIS carcinoma in situ
CK creatine kinase
CK-MB serum creatine kinase, myocardial-bound
Cl chlorine
CLL chronic lymphocytic leukemia
cm centimeter
c.m.s. to be taken tomorrow morning
CMT certified medication technician
CMV cytomegalovirus
c.n. tomorrow night
CNS central nervous system
c.n.s. to be taken tomorrow night
CO carbon monoxide; cardiac output
CO₂ carbon dioxide
Co cobalt
c/o complains of
COLD chronic obstructive lung disease
comp. compound; compounded of
COMT catechol-O-methyltransferase
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
COX-2 cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors
CP cerebral palsy; cleft palate
CPAP continuous positive airway pressure
CPC clinicopathologic conference
CPD cephalopelvic disproportion
CPHSS Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale
CPK creatine phosphokinase
CPM continuous passive motion
CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CR conditioned reflex; controlled release; crown-rump length
CREST calcinosis, Raynaud phenomenon, esophageal dysfunction, sclerodactyly, telangiectasia (cluster of features of systemic sclerosis scleroderma)
CRP c. reactive protein
CRS-R Conners Rating Scales-Revised
CS cardiogenic shock; cesarean section; culture and sensitivity
CSF cerebrospinal fluid; colony-stimulating factor
CSH combat support hospital
CT computed/computerized tomography
Cu copper
CV cardiovascular
CVA cardiovascular accident; cerebrovascular accident; costovertebral angle
CVC central venous catheter
CVP central venous pressure
CVRB critical value read back
CVS chorionic villi sampling
CXR chest x-ray
D diopter; dose
D5/0.9 NaCl 5% dextrose and normal saline solution (0.9% NaCl)
D5/½ /NS 5% dextrose and half-normal saline solution (0.45% NaCl)
D5W 5% dextrose in water
d density; right
/d per day
D and C dilatation and curettage
dB decibel
DBP diastolic blood pressure
DC direct current; doctor of chiropractic
dc discontinue
Derm dermatology
det. let it be given
DEXA dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry
DFV Doppler flow velocimetry
DHT dihydrotestosterone
DI diabetes insipidus
DIC disseminated intravascular coagulation
dieb. alt. every other day
dieb. tert. every third day
dil. dilute; diluted
dim. halved
DISIDA (scan) diisopropyl iminodiacetic acid (cholescintigraphy)
DJD degenerative joint disease
DKA diabetic ketoacidosis
dL deciliter
DM diabetes mellitus
DMARD disease-modulating antirheumatic drug
DNA deoxyribonucleic acid
DNH do not hospitalize
DNR do not resuscitate
DOA dead on arrival
DOB date of birth
DOE dyspnea on exertion
DPat diphtheria-acellular pertussis tetanus (vaccine)
DPT diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (vaccine)
dr. dram
DRE digital rectal examination
DRG diagnosis-related group
DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision
DTR deep tendon reflex(es)
DTs delirium tremens
dur. dolor while pain lasts
DVT deep vein thrombosis
Dx diagnosis
D5W dextrose 5% in water
DWI driving while intoxicated
E eye; Escherichia
EBV Epstein-Barr virus
ECF extended care facility; extracellular fluid
ECG electrocardiogram, electrocardiograph
ECHO echocardiography
ECMO extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
ECT electroconvulsive therapy
ED emergency department; effective dose; erythema dose; erectile dysfunction
EDD estimated date of delivery (formerly EDC: estimated date of confinement)
EEG electroencephalogram
EENT eye, ear, nose, and throat
EF ejection fraction
EGD esophagogastroduodenoscopy
EIA enzyme immunosorbent assay
EKG electrocardiogram; electrocardiograph
ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
elix. elixir
Em emmetropia
EMA-IgA immunoglobulin A antiendomysial
EMG electromyogram, electromyography
EMS emergency medical service
Endo endocrine
ENT ear, nose, and throat
EOM extraocular muscles
EP extrapyramidal
EPS extrapyramidal symptoms
ER Emergency Room, extended-release
ERCP endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate
ESRD end-stage renal disease
EST electroshock therapy
ESWL extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
ET-1 endothelin-1
ETOH, EtOH ethyl alcohol
ext. extensor; external
F Fahrenheit
f female
FA fatty acid
F and E fluid and electrolyte
FAP familial adenomatous polyposis
FBS fasting blood sugar
FD fatal dose; focal distance
FDA (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration
Fe iron
FEV forced expiratory volume
FFP fresh frozen plasma
FHT fetal heart tone
FISH fluorescence in situ hybridization
fl. flexor
Fld fluid
FP family practice; family practitioner
FSH follicle-stimulating hormone
FTT failure to thrive
FUO fever of unknown origin
G, g, gm gram
GABA gamma-aminobutyric acid
GABA_B gamma-aminobutyric acid type B
GABRB3 GABA_A receptor gene
garg gargle
GB gallbladder; Guillain-Barré
GC gonococcus or gonorrheal
GDM gestational diabetes mellitus
GDS Geriatric Depression Scale
GERD gastroesophageal reflux disease
GFR glomerular filtration rate
GGT gamma-glutamyl transferase
GH growth hormone
GI gastrointestinal
GnRH gonadotropin-releasing hormone
GP general practitioner
G6PD glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
gr grain
grad by degrees
GRAS generally recognized as safe
GSW gunshot wound
GTT glucose tolerance test
Gtt, gtt drops
GU genitourinary
guttat. drop by drop
GVHD graft-versus-host disease
GYN gynecology
H hydrogen
H⁺ hydrogen ion
h, hr hour
H&H hematocrit and hemoglobin
H1N1 hemagglutinin type 1 and neuraminidase type 1
H₂ histamine 2
HAART highly active antiretroviral therapy
HAV hepatitis A virus
HBV hepatitis B virus
HCG human chorionic gonadotropin
HCP health care professional
HCT, Hct hematocrit
HCV hepatitis C virus
HD hearing distance
HDL high-density lipoprotein
HDV hepatitis D
HEENT head, eye, ear, nose, and throat
HELLP hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets
HEPA high-efficiency particulate air
HER2 human EGF (epidermal growth factor) receptor 2
HEV hepatitis E
HF heart failure
Hg mercury
hgb hemoglobin
HGSIL high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
Hib Haemophilus influenzae type B
HIDA hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (cholescintigraphy)
HIV human immunodeficiency virus
HLA human leukocyteantigen
h/o history of
HOB head of bed
H₂O water
H₂O₂ hydrogen peroxide
hor. decub. bedtime
hor. som, h.s. bedtime
HPI history of present illness
HPV human papillomavirus
HR heart rate
HRT hormone replacement therapy
HSIL high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
HSV herpes simplex virus
HTLV-III human T lymphotropic virus type III
HTN hypertension
hx, Hx history
Hy hyperopia
Hz hertz (cycles per second)
I iodine
¹³¹I radioactive isotope of iodine (atomic weight 131)
¹³²I radioactive isotope of iodine (atomic weight 132)
I&O intake and output
IBW ideal body weight
IC inspiratory capacity
ICD implantable cardioverter defibrillator
ICP intracranial pressure
ICS intercostal space
ICSH interstitial cell-stimulating hormone
ICU intensive care unit
Id. the same
IDDM insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
IDM infants of diabetic mothers
IED improvised explosive device
Ig immunoglobulin
IgE immunoglobulin E
IgG immunoglobulin G
IL-1 interleukin 1
IL-8 interleukin 8
IM intramuscular
in d. daily
INF interferon
inf. inferior
inj. injection
INR international normalized ratio
instill. instillation
int. internal
IOP intraocular pressure
IPPB intermittent positive pressure breathing
IQ intelligence quotient
IRV inspiratory reserve volume
I.U. ^a international unit
IUCD intrauterine contraceptive device
IUD intrauterine device
IUFD intrauterine fetal death
IV intravenous
IVP intravenous pyelogram
J joule
JNC 7 The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure
JRA juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
jt. joint
K potassium
kg kilogram
KI potassium iodine
KOH potassium hydroxide
KS Kaposi sarcoma
KUB kidney, ureter, and bladder
kv kilovolt
KVO keep vein open
L liter
L&D labor and delivery
lab laboratory
lat lateral
lb pound
LBW low birth weight
LD₅₀ lethal dose, median
LDH lactate dehydrogenase
LDL low-density lipoprotein
LE lower extremity; lupus erythematosus
LEEP loop electrosurgical excision procedure
LFT liver function test
LGA large for gestational age
LH luteinizing hormone
Li lithium
lig ligament
liq. liquid; fluid
LLE left lower extremity
LLL left lower lobe
LLQ left lower quadrant
lmp last menstrual period
LOC level/loss of consciousness
LP lumbar puncture
LR lactated Ringer (solution)
LSIL low-grade squamous epithelial lesion
LTD lowest tolerated dose
LUE left upper extremity
LUL left upper lobe
LUQ left upper quadrant
LV left ventricle
LVAD left ventricular assist device
LVH left ventricular hypertrophy
M master; medicine; molar; thousand; muscle
m male; meter; minim; mole; meta; muscle
MA mental age
MAO-B monoamine oxidase-B
man. prim. first thing in the morning
MAP mean arterial pressure
MAT Miller Analogies Test
MBD minimal brain dysfunction
mc; mCi millicurie
mcg microgram
MCH mean corpuscular hemoglobin
MCHC mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration
MCV mean corpuscular volume
MD muscular dystrophy
MDI metered-dose inhaler
MED minimum effective dose
med medial
MELD Model for End-Stage Liver Disease
µEq microequivalent
mEq milliequivalent
mEq/L milliequivalent per liter
ME ratio myeloid/erythroid ratio
MG myasthenia gravis
Mg magnesium
MgSO₄ magnesium sulfate
µg microgram
mg milligram
MI myocardial infarction
MID minimum infective dose
mist. a mixture
mL milliliter
MLD minimum lethal dose
MLF medial longitudinal fasciculus
MM mucous membrane; multiple myeloma
mm millimeter
mm Hg millimeters of mercury
mMol millimole
MMR measles-mumps-rubella (vaccine)
MMSE Mini-Mental Status Examination
Mn manganese
mol wt molecular weight
mor. dict. as directed
mor. sol. as accustomed
MPC maximum permitted concentration
MPN most probable number
mr milliroentgen
MRA magnetic resonance angiography
MRgFUS MR-guided focused ultrasound surgery
MRI magnetic resonance imaging
MS mitral stenosis; multiple sclerosis
MV mitral valve
mV millivolt
MVA motor vehicle accident
MW molecular weight
My myopia
N nitrogen
n nerve
N/A not applicable
Na sodium
NAA nucleic acid amplification
NAD no acute distress
n.b. note well
nCi nanocurie
NDC National Drug Code
NG, ng nasogastric
NGT nasogastric tube
NH₃ ammonia
Ni nickel
NICU neonatal intensive care unit
NIDDM noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
NIH National Institutes of Health
NK natural killer
NKA no known allergies
NMDA N-methyl D-aspartate
NMJ neuromuscular junction
NMS neuroleptic malignant syndrome
nn nerves
noct. in the night
noct. maneq. night and morning
non rep; n.r. do not repeat
NPN nonprotein nitrogen
NPO; n.p.o. nothing by mouth
NRC normal retinal correspondence
NS normal saline
NSAID nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NSR normal sinus rhythm
N&V, N/V nausea and vomiting
O pint
O₂ oxygen
OB obstetrics
OC oral contraceptive
OCD obsessive-compulsive disorder
O.D. right eye
ol. oil
om. mane vel noc. every morning or night
omn. hor. every hour
omn. noct. every night
OmPC outer membrane porin C
OOB out of bed
OPD outpatient department
OR operating room
ORIF open reduction with/and internal fixation
O.S. left eye
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OT occupational therapy
OTC over-the-counter
OU each eye
oz ounce
P, p melting point
p after
P₂ pulmonic second sound
P-A; PA; pa placenta abruption; posteroanterior; pulmonary artery
PABA para-aminobenzoic acid (vitamin B10)
Paco₂ partial pressure of carbon dioxide in alveolar gas
PACU postanesthesia care unit
PAD peripheral arterial disease
PALS pediatric advanced life support
P-ANCA perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
PAO ₂ alveolar oxygen partial pressure
Pap, Pap test Papanicolaou smear
part. vic in divided doses
Pb lead
PBI protein-bound iodine
p.c. after meals
PCA patient-controlled analgesia
Pco ₂ carbon dioxide pressure
PCOS polycystic ovarian syndrome
PCP Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia; primary care physician; primary care provider
PCR polymerase chain reaction
PCWP pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
PD interpupillary distance; Parkinson disease; peritoneal dialysis
pd prism diopter; pupillary distance
PDA patent ductus arteriosus
PDR Physicians' Desk Reference
PE physical examination; pulmonary embolism
PEEP positive end expiratory pressure
PEFR peak expiratory flow rate
PEG percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
per through or by
PERRLA pupils equal, regular, react to light and accommodation
PET positron emission tomography
PFP, P4P pay for performance
PFT pulmonary function test
pH hydrogen ion concentration
Pharm; Phar. pharmacy
PI present illness; previous illness
PICC peripherally inserted central catheter
PID pelvic inflammatory disease
PIH pregnancy-induced hypertension
pil. pill
PIP proximal interphalangeal
PIPDA (scan) 99mTc-para-isopropylacetanilido-iminodiaacetic acid (cholescintigraphy)
PKU phenylketonuria
PM afternoon/evening
PMH past medical history
PMI point of maximal impulse
PMN polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes
PMS premenstrual syndrome
PND paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
PNH paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
PNS peripheral nervous system
PO; p.o. orally
POLST physician orders for life-sustaining therapy
post. posterior
PP placenta previa
PPD purified protein derivative (TB test)
ppm parts per million
p.r. through the rectum
PRBCs packed red blood cells
p.r.n. as needed
pro time/PT prothrombin time
PSA prostate-specific antigen
PSV prostate-specific antigen
PT prothrombin time; physical therapy
Pt platinum; patient
pt pint
PTT partial thromboplastin time
Pu plutonium
PUBS percutaneous umbilical blood sampling
PUVA psoralen ultraviolet A
p.v. through the vagina
PVC premature ventricular contraction
PVR peripheral vascular resistance
q every
q.d.^† every day
QFT-G QuantiFERON-TB Gold
q.h. every hour
q.2h. every 2 hours
q.3h. every 3 hours
q.4h. every 4 hours
q.i.d. ^a four times a day
q.l. as much as wanted
qns quantity not sufficient
q.o.d. ^a every other day
q.p. as much as desired
q.s. as much as needed
qt quart
q.v. as much as you please
RA rheumatoid arthritis
Ra radium
rad radiation absorbed dose
RAI radioactive iodine
RAIU radioactive iodine uptake
RBC red blood cell; red blood count
RD Raynaud disease
RDA recommended daily/dietary allowance
RDS respiratory distress syndrome
RE right eye
Re rhenium
REM rapid eye movement
RF rheumatoid factor
RFT renal function test
Rh rhesus factor; rhodium
RHD rheumatic heart disease
RLE right lower extremity
RLL right lower lobe
RLQ right lower quadrant
RML right middle lobe of lung
Rn radon
RNA ribonucleic acid
R/O rule out
ROM range of motion
ROS review of systems
RPM revolutions per minute
RQ respiratory quotient
RR recovery room; respiratory rate
RSV respiratory syncytial virus
RT radiation therapy; respiratory therapy
R/T related to
RUE right upper extremity
RUL right upper lobe
RUQ right upper quadrant
S mark
s without
S. sacral
S-A; S/A; SA sinoatrial
SAD seasonal affective disorder
SARS severe acute respiratory syndrome
SB small bowel
Sb antimony
SBP systolic blood pressure
SC, sc, s.c. subcutaneous(ly)
SCI spinal cord injury
S.D. standard deviation
SDAT senile dementia of the Alzheimer type
S.E. standard error
Se selenium
Sed rate sedimentation rate
semih. half an hour
SERM selective estrogen receptor modulator
SGA small for gestational age
SI international system of units
Si silicon
SIADH syndrome of inappropriate diuretic hormone
SIDS sudden infant death syndrome
Sig. write on label
SJS Stevens-Johnson syndrome
SLE systemic lupus erythematosus
SLP speech-language pathology
Sn tin
SNF skilled nursing facility
SNRI serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
SNS sympathetic nervous system
SOB shortness of breath
sol solution, dissolved
s.o.s. if necessary
S/P no change after
SPECT single-photon emission computed tomography
sp gr specific gravity
SPF skin protection factor
sph spherical
spt. spirit
s.q. subcutaneous(ly)
Sr strontium
ss a half
SSRI selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
SSS sick sinus syndrome
st. let it/them stand
Staph Staphylococcus
stat. immediately
STD sexually transmitted disease
Strep Streptococcus
STS serologic test for syphilis
STU skin test unit
sup. superior
supf. superficial
SV stroke volume; supraventricular
SVC superior vena cava
Sx symptoms
syr. syrup
T temperature
T₃ triiodothyronine
T₄ tetraiodothyronine; thyroxine
T6 thoracic nerve pair 6
TA toxin-antitoxin
Ta tantalum
T&A tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
TAH total abdominal hysterectomy
TAT thematic apperception test
T.A.T. toxin-antitoxin
TB tuberculin; tuberculosis; tubercle bacillus
Tb terbium
t.d.s. to be taken three times daily
Te tellurium; tetanus
TEE transesophageal echocardiogram
TEN toxic epidermal necrolysis
TENS transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
TG thyroglobulin
Th thorium
THR total hip replacement
TIA transient ischemic attack
TIBC total iron-binding capacity
t.i.d. three times a day
t.i.n. three times a night
tinct., tr tincture
TKR total knee replacement
Tl thallium
TLC, tlc tender loving care; thin layer chromatography; total lung capacity
TM tympanic membrane
TMJ temporomandibular joint
TN trigeminal nerve
TNF tumor necrosis factor
TNF-I tumor necrosis factor inhibitor
TNF-α tumor necrosis factor alpha
TNM tumor-node-metastasis
TNT trinitrotoluene
TNTM too numerous to mention
top. topically
TORB telephone order read back
TPI Treponema pallidum immobilization test for syphilis
TPN total parenteral nutrition
TPO thyroid peroxidase
TPR temperature, pulse, and respiration
tr, tinct. tincture
TRAP criteria tremor, rigidity, akinesia or postural instablity bradykinesia, and postural instability
Treg regulatory T cell
trit. triturate, grind
TSD time since death
TSE testicular self-examination
TSH thyroid-stimulating hormone
tTG antitransglutaminase
TUMA transurethral microwave antenna
TUR transurethral resection
TURP transurethral resection of the prostate
Tx treatment
U ^a uranium; unit ^a
UA urinalysis
UC ulcerative colitis
UE upper extremity
UHF ultrahigh frequency
ult. praes. the last ordered
Umb; umb umbilicus
ung. ointment
URI upper respiratory infection
US ultrasonic, ultrasound
USAN United States Adopted Name
USP United States Pharmacopeia
ut. dict. as directed
UTI urinary tract infection
UV ultraviolet
v vein
VA visual acuity
VC vital capacity
VD venereal disease
VDRL Venereal Disease Research Laboratories
VF ventricular fibrillation
Vf field of vision
VLBW very low birth weight
VLDL very low density lipoprotein
VMA vanillylmandelic acid
VOE VistA-Office Electronic Health Record
vol. volume
vol % volume percent
VORB verbal order read back
V/Q ventilation/perfusion
VS volumetric solution; vesicular sound; vital signs
VSD ventricular septal defect
VT ventricular tachycardia
vv veins
VZIG varicella zoster immune globulin
W tungsten
w watt
WAIS Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
WAP written action plan
WBC white blood cell; white blood count
WDWN well-developed, well-nourished
WF/BF white female/black female
WH well-hydrated
WM/BM white male/black male
WN well-nourished
WNL within normal limits
wt. weight
w/v. weight in volume
x multiplied by
y yocto-
yo years old
yr year
Z atomic number
Zn zinc

^† To avoid errors in the administration of medications and infusions, spell out the word instead of using the indicated abbreviation. For example, use “international unit” instead of I.U.”; “every day” instead of “q.d.”; “every other day” instead of “q.o.d.”; and “unit” instead of “U.”