Medical abbreviations are a shorthand way of writing and talking by medical professionals (people who work to help sick people) to hurry explanation of diseases (sickness), patients, or medicines (drugs).
This shorthand can include shortening (making less lengthy) of longer disease names, by cutting the word down to its base (the Latin or Greek part that makes it). Medical professionals also create (make) words that mean something. An example of this is "stat", used to indicate (show) that something needs to be hurried (done faster). It is from the Latin "base word" statim, meaning quick. A very commonly (often) used shorthand is shortening things on order forms for patients. An example is, "pre-op" meaning |pre-operation| (patient who is being prepared for surgery). These can be very complicated and extensive (meaning there is a lot of them).
Despite the fact that this shorthand might make it difficult for new Interns (new doctors) or recently trained nurses to get used to this unofficial language, it has been shown to improve (make better) the speed of treatment in hospitals.
Medical authorities in the United Kingdom and elsewhere have questioned the use of medical shorthand; believing that it can lead to mistakes being made due to less clear communication and have advised doctors to avoid its use.[1]
Medications
How to take medications
Medications can be given in different ways (routes). Abbreviations for the most common routes are:[2]
When to take medications
Doctors use many different abbreviations to say when to take a medication. It is helpful to remember that doctors use the letter "q" to stand for "every." For example, "qAM" stands for "every AM" (morning).[2]
Here are some of the most common:[2]
| Abbreviation:
|
This Means the Medicine Should Be Taken:
|
| qAM |
Every morning
|
| qPM |
Every evening
|
| qHS |
At bedtime
|
| prn |
As needed (the person should take the medication only when they need it)
|
| qd |
Once a day
|
| bid |
Twice a day
|
| tid |
Three times a day
|
| qid |
Four times a day
|
| qod |
Every other day
|
| qwk |
Every week
|
| qmo |
Every month
|
Drugs & medications
Some drugs and medications have common abbreviations. Here are some examples:[3]
About the body
Common abbreviations that have to do with the human body include:[4]
Medical specialties
There are many different kinds of medical specialties. These are kinds of doctors that treat people with certain kinds of problems. Abbreviations for medical specialties include:[4]
Health problems
Many health problems have common abbreviations. For example:[5][4]
Infections
Common abbreviations for infections include:[5][4]
Mental health problems
Common abbreviations for mental health problems include:[4]
Tests & treatments
Doctors often talk about common medical tests and treatments by using abbreviations. Examples of these abbreviations include:[4][2]
Other abbreviations
Other abbreviations used in medicine include:[4]
| Abbreviation:
|
Stands For:
|
Meaning
|
| Hx
|
History
|
Example: "Patient has a family Hx of diabetes" means "Patient has a family history of diabetes"
|
| a |
Before |
Example: "Take a 8:00" means "Take (this medication) before 8:00"
|
| AMA |
Against Medical Advice |
The patient has chosen to not comply with a treatment plan (example: "patient left the hospital AMA")
|
| BMI |
Body Mass Index |
A measure of how much a person weighs based on their height
|
| c |
With |
Example: "Take c food" means "Take (this medication) with food"
|
| DNR |
Do Not Resuscitate |
The patient has a Do Not Resuscitate order saying they do not want to be resuscitated if their heart stops
|
| Dx |
Diagnosis |
The medical problem a person has
|
| NKDA |
No known drug allergies |
If the person has a drug allergy, we don't know about it. The person has no drug allergies we know about.
|
| NPO |
Nothing by mouth |
The patient should not swallow anything (no food, liquids, or medications)
|
| p |
After |
Example: "Patient had pain p eating" means "Patient had pain after eating"
|
| s̅
|
Without
|
Example: "Nausea s̅ vomiting" means "Patient was nauseous but did not vomit'
|
| Tx
|
Treatment
|
Example: "Tx was administered at 8:00am" means "Treatment was administered at 8:00am"
|
References