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Are you curious about what medical terms you might need to know as a premed or pre-pa? This list of useful medical terms and abbreviations for students is your quick go-to cheat sheet!
As a former medical scribe and patient care technician, I’ve used many of these terms in the hospital. Refer to this post before you start a job in healthcare or whenever you need to brush up on your medical jargon!
*Please note that medical terms and abbreviations may vary by medical specialty. Additionally, there is no approved list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other healthcare professionals.*
related posts:
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- What I Actually Did to Become a Patient Care Technician
- The Best Premed Resources to Help You Succeed
Medical Terms and Abbreviations
Medical Terms
Ambulate – walk; move about
Antecubital Fossa – a triangular area on the anterior view of the elbow, aka elbow pit
Aspirate – breathe (something) in
Axillary – relating to armpit
Bradycardia – slow HR below 60 bpm
Clean Catch Urine Specimen – urine sample obtained during the middle of urinary stream
Dinamap – vital signs monitor
Dysphagia – difficulty swallowing
Dyspnea – shortness of breath
Edema – swelling caused by fluid accumulation
Emesis – vomit
Foley Catheter – catheter inserted into the bladder to drain urine
Gangrene – the death of tissue due to poor circulation
Incontinent – inability to control bladder or bowels
Prosthesis – artificial body part
Serous – resembling serum: of the thin watery constitution
Tachycardia – fast HR above 100 bpm
If you’re looking for an advanced list of common medical abbreviations, check out this post written by Dr. Shiel or this highly-rated medical terminology book.
Medical Abbreviations (A-L)
ABD – Abdomen
ABG – Arterial Blood Gas
ABX – Antibiotics
AC – Before Meals
AC&HS – Accu-Chek before meals (AC), and at bedtime (HS)
ADL – Activities of Daily Living
A. Fib – Arterial Fibrillation
AMB – Ambulate
AMS – Altered Mental Status
AOx3 – Alert and Oriented to Person, Place, Time
ARDS – Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
ASA – Aspirin
BID – Twice Per Day
BiPAP – Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure
bm – bowel movement
BM – Bone Marrow
BPM – Beats Per Minute
CA – Cancer
CAUTI – Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infection
CC – Chief Complaint
cc – cubic centimeter
CLABSI – Central Line-associated Blood Stream Infection
Cl Liq – Clear Liquids
CNA – Certified Nursing Assistant
c/o – complains of
CPAP – Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
CPR – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CVA – Cerebral Vascular Accident (stroke)
CXR – Chest X-ray
DC – Discontinue
DM – Diabetes Mellitus
DNR – Do Not Resuscitate
DOB – Date of Birth
DVT – Deep Vein Thrombosis
Dx – Diagnosis
ECG/EKG – Electrocardiogram
EEG – Electroencephalogram
EMR – Electronic Medical Record
FBS – Fasting Blood Sugar
Fx – Fracture
HA – Headache
H&P – History and physical examination
HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HR – Heart Rate
HTN – Hypertension
HPI – History of Present Illness
I&O – Intake and Output
IS – Incentive Spirometer
IV – Intravenous
JP Drain – Jackson-Pratt drain
LLE – Left Lower Extremity
LOC – Loss of Consciousness
LUE – Left Upper Extremity
Medical Abbreviations (M-Z)
mL – milliliter
NC – Nasal Cannula
NPO – Nothing By Mouth
N&V – Nausea and Vomiting
O2 – Oxygen
OOB – Out of Bed
OOBA – Out of Bed with Assist
PAS – Pneumatic Anti-embolism Stockings
PERRLA – Pupils Equal, Round, and Reactive to Light and Accommodation
PC – After Meals
PICC Line – Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter
PMHx – Past Medical History
PO – By Mouth
PRN – As Necessary
Pt – Patient
PT – Physical Therapy
QD – Every Day
QH – Every Hour
Q2H – Every 2 Hours
Q6H – Every 6 Hours
QID – Four Times Per Day
RA – Room Air
RLE – Right Lower Extremity
RN – Registered Nurse
ROM – Range of Motion
RR – Respiratory Rate
RRR – Regular Rate + Rhythm
RUE – Right Upper Extremity
SOB – Shortness of Breath
Sx – Symptoms
TC – Tracheostomy Collar
TID – Three Times Per Day
TPN – Total Parenteral Nutrition
Tx – Treatment
UA – Urinary Analysis
VS – Vital Signs
VT – Ventricular Tachycardia
W/C – Wheelchair
WNL – Within Normal Limits
If you enjoyed this post, check out this compilation of the best premed resources!