Medical Abbreviations You’ve Seen: Do You Know What They Mean?

Question 1

What Does BP Stand For On A Vital-Signs Sheet?

Question 1

HR Is Shorthand For Which Measurement?

Question 1

On A Prescription, What Does Rx Mean?

Question 1

If A Note Says Dx, What Is It Referring To?

Question 1

Hx In A Medical History Section Most Often Means What?

Question 1

Temp In A Chart Most Commonly Refers To Which Vital Sign?

Question 1

What Does IV Tell You About Medication Delivery?

Question 1

IM Injection Means The Medication Goes Where?

Question 1

PO On A Medication Order Means It’s Given How?

Question 1

What Does PRN Mean When Listed Next To A Medication?

Question 1

BID On A Label Usually Means What Schedule?

Question 1

TID Most Commonly Means Which Frequency?

Question 1

QID Indicates Which Dosing Pattern?

Question 1

NPO In A Pre-Procedure Note Means What?

Question 1

What Does BMI Stand For In A Health Record?

Question 1

CPR Refers To Which Life-Saving Technique?

Question 1

ECG Or EKG Is A Test That Records What?

Question 1

ICU Usually Refers To Which Hospital Unit?

Question 1

ER In Hospital Signage Typically Means What?

Question 1

CBC Is A Common Lab Test Short For What?

Question 1

URI Is Often Used For Which Condition?

Question 1

UTI Is Shorthand For What Diagnosis?

Question 1

DOB On Patient Paperwork Most Often Means What?

Question 1

LMP In An OB-GYN Note Usually Stands For What?

Question 1

SpO2 Is A Reading Of What?

Question 1

O2 On A Chart Generally Refers To What?

Question 1

What Does NA Mean In Most Lab Panels?

Question 1

K In Bloodwork Commonly Represents Which Electrolyte?

Question 1

BUN Is A Lab Abbreviation For What?

Question 1

Cr On A Metabolic Panel Usually Means What?

Question 1

WBC Stands For Which Part Of A CBC?

Question 1

RBC On Lab Results Refers To What?

Question 1

Hgb Is The Abbreviation For Which Blood Value?

Question 1

Hct Is Short For Which Measurement?

Question 1

Plt On A CBC Most Often Means What?

Question 1

What Does INR Measure In Blood-Clotting Tests?

Question 1

PT In The Context Of INR Most Commonly Means What?

Question 1

A Note Saying NKA Means The Patient Has What?

Question 1

NKDA Specifically Indicates What?

Question 1

CXR Is An Abbreviation For Which Imaging Study?

Question 1

CT Scan Is Short For What?

Question 1

MRI Is Best Described As What Type Of Scan?

Question 1

UA On A Lab Order Commonly Stands For What?

Question 1

ABG Results Come From What Kind Of Sample?

Question 1

What Does LFTs Refer To In A Lab Workup?

Question 1

BMP Most Often Means Which Lab Panel?

Question 1

CMP Expands To Which Common Panel?

Question 1

A1C Or HbA1c Most Directly Reflects What?

Question 1

What Does HTN Stand For In A Diagnosis List?

Question 1

DM In Medical Notes Usually Means What?

Question 1

COPD Is A Long-Term Condition Affecting What?

Question 1

CHF Is An Abbreviation For Which Diagnosis?

Question 1

MI Is Common Shorthand For Which Event?

Question 1

CVA Is A Traditional Abbreviation For What?

Question 1

DVT Indicates A Clot In Which Location?

Question 1

PE In A Clotting Context Usually Means What?

Question 1

SOB On A Triage Note Typically Means What?

Question 1

N/V On A Symptom List Usually Stands For What?

Question 1

The Abbreviation N/V/D Adds Which Symptom?

Question 1

A Chart Note Saying C/O Means The Patient Is What?

Question 1

What Does S/P Typically Mean In A Discharge Summary?

Question 1

R/O Is Used When Clinicians Mean What?

Question 1

F/U In Instructions Most Often Means What?

Question 1

TX In A Note Most Commonly Refers To What?

Question 1

SX In A Medical Context Usually Means What?

Question 1

If You See QHS, When Is The Medication Taken?

Question 1

QAM On An Order Means The Dose Is Taken When?

Question 1

Q4H Is A Direction To Give Medication How Often?

Question 1

STAT On An Order Means The Action Should Happen When?

Question 1

VS Is Short For Which Common Chart Section?

Question 1

RR In A Vitals Set Usually Stands For What?

Question 1

GCS Is A Score Used To Assess What?

Question 1

PR Is Often Used As An Abbreviation For Which Vital?

Question 1

OOB In Physical Therapy Notes Means What?

Question 1

ADLs Commonly Refers To What Daily Activities?

Question 1

ROM In Rehab Notes Usually Means What?

Question 1

PERRLA Is A Neuro Check Abbreviation About What?

Question 1

SCDs Ordered Post-Op Are Typically What?

Question 1

IVF In An Inpatient Note Most Often Means What?

Question 1

PIV Commonly Means What Kind Of IV Access?

Question 1

NC In Oxygen Therapy Notes Means What Device?

Question 1

HFNC Expands To Which Oxygen Support Method?

Question 1

BiPAP Is A Type Of What Respiratory Support?

Question 1

CPAP Refers To Which Breathing Therapy?

Question 1

ENT Is A Specialty That Treats What Areas?

Question 1

GI In Medical Shorthand Usually Means What?

Question 1

OB/GYN Is A Combined Specialty For What Fields?

Question 1

PICC Line Expands To Which Type Of IV Access?

Question 1

PCA On A Pain Management Order Usually Means What?

Question 1

DNR Is A Directive About What Kind Of Care?

1

Blood Pressure

2

Breathing Pattern

3

Baseline Pain

4

Body Pulse

BP stands for blood pressure, the force of blood against artery walls measured as systolic over diastolic.

1

Heat Response

2

Hearing Range

3

Hospital Record

4

Heart Rate

HR means heart rate, usually recorded as beats per minute to assess circulation and cardiac status.

1

Prescription

2

Recovery

3

Respiratory X-ray

4

Radiology Exam

Rx is a common symbol meaning prescription or treatment order written for a medication or therapy.

1

Dose

2

Diagnosis

3

Discharge

4

Diet

Dx means diagnosis, the clinician’s identified condition based on symptoms, exams, tests, and clinical judgment.

1

History

2

Hematocrit

3

Hypertension

4

Hypoxia

Hx is short for history, describing a patient’s past illnesses, surgeries, medications, and relevant health details.

1

Temperature

2

Tension

3

Triage

4

Transfusion

T° indicates temperature, typically measured orally, tympanically, rectally, or axillary to monitor fever or hypothermia.

1

Inhaled Vapor

2

Intravenous

3

Intravesical

4

Intraventricular

IV means intravenous, indicating a drug or fluid is given directly into a vein for rapid effect.

1

Intranasal

2

Intraocular

3

Intramuscular

4

Intermittent

IM stands for intramuscular, meaning the medication is injected into muscle tissue for absorption into circulation.

1

By Ointment

2

By Oxygen

3

By Mouth

4

By Office

PO is Latin-derived shorthand meaning by mouth, indicating oral administration of tablets, liquids, or capsules.

1

Per Nasal

2

Per Night

3

Pre-Read Note

4

As Needed

PRN means as needed, so the medication is taken only when symptoms require it within safe limits.

1

Twice Daily

2

Both Inhaled Doses

3

Between IV Drips

4

Before Dinner

BID means twice daily, indicating two doses per day spaced roughly twelve hours apart unless specified.

1

Two In Doses

2

Taper In Days

3

Three Times Daily

4

Take Immediately, Doctor

TID means three times daily, a standard dosing frequency often spaced morning, afternoon, and evening.

1

Quiet In Department

2

Quarterly Injections

3

Quick IV Drip

4

Four Times Daily

QID means four times daily, commonly scheduled at regular intervals to maintain consistent medication levels.

1

No Pain Observed

2

Nasal Passage Open

3

Nothing By Mouth

4

Nurse Present Only

NPO means nothing by mouth, so eating and drinking are restricted before surgery, anesthesia, or certain tests.

1

Bone Mass Interval

2

Blood Measure Indicator

3

Body Mass Index

4

Basal Metabolic Intake

BMI stands for body mass index, a weight-to-height calculation used to screen for underweight and obesity.

1

Cardiac Pulse Rate

2

Circulatory Pressure Reading

3

Critical Patient Review

4

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

CPR means cardiopulmonary resuscitation, combining chest compressions and breaths to support circulation during cardiac arrest.

1

Heart’s Electrical Activity

2

Blood Sugar

3

Kidney Function

4

Lung Capacity

An ECG/EKG records the heart’s electrical activity, helping detect rhythm problems, ischemia, and other cardiac issues.

1

Infection Control Unit

2

Immediate Check-Up

3

Internal Care Utility

4

Intensive Care Unit

ICU stands for intensive care unit, providing close monitoring and advanced support for critically ill patients.

1

Emergency Room

2

Ear Exam Room

3

Endoscopy Referral

4

Electrolyte Report

ER commonly means emergency room, where urgent injuries and sudden illnesses are evaluated and treated quickly.

1

Cellular Blood Chemistry

2

Complete Blood Count

3

Calcium Balance Check

4

Clotting Baseline Calculation

CBC stands for complete blood count, measuring red cells, white cells, and platelets to assess overall blood health.

1

Upper Respiratory Infection

2

Urine Reflux Issue

3

Ultrasound Required Immediately

4

Ureteral Renal Injury

URI means upper respiratory infection, a general term for colds and similar infections affecting nose and throat.

1

Urinary Tract Infection

2

Uterine Tube Irritation

3

Upper Tissue Inflammation

4

Ulcer Treatment Indication

UTI stands for urinary tract infection, typically involving bacteria affecting the bladder, urethra, or kidneys.

1

Department Of Billing

2

Dose Of Blood

3

Date Of Birth

4

Doctor On Break

DOB means date of birth, used to identify patients accurately and calculate age for dosing and risk assessment.

1

Last Menstrual Period

2

Limited Mobility Plan

3

Lower Muscle Pain

4

Lung Measurement Point

LMP means last menstrual period, an important reference date for estimating pregnancy timing and cycle patterns.

1

Spinal Output

2

Oxygen Saturation

3

Serum Potassium

4

Sputum Observation

SpO2 is oxygen saturation, estimating the percentage of hemoglobin carrying oxygen using a fingertip pulse oximeter.

1

Osmolality

2

Operation Two

3

Orthopedics

4

Oxygen

O2 is shorthand for oxygen, often describing supplemental oxygen therapy or a patient’s oxygenation status.

1

Nicotinic Acid

2

Sodium

3

Nitrogen

4

Nasal Airflow

Na is the chemical symbol for sodium, a key electrolyte important for fluid balance and nerve function.

1

Potassium

2

Calcium

3

Ketones

4

Chloride

K is the common abbreviation for potassium, an electrolyte essential for heart rhythm and muscle contractions.

1

Bone Uptake Normal

2

Blood Unit Notation

3

Basic Urine Number

4

Blood Urea Nitrogen

BUN stands for blood urea nitrogen, a marker used to assess kidney function and hydration status.

1

C-reactive Protein

2

Creatinine

3

Chloride Ratio

4

Cardiac Rate

Cr usually means creatinine, a waste product measured to evaluate kidney filtration and overall renal function.

1

Wound Bacteria Culture

2

White Blood Cells

3

Whole Body Count

4

Weak Blood Clotting

WBC means white blood cells, immune cells counted in blood tests to help evaluate infection or inflammation.

1

Respiratory Baseline Count

2

Rapid Bleeding Check

3

Renal Blood Clearance

4

Red Blood Cells

RBC means red blood cells, which carry oxygen through hemoglobin and are measured in a complete blood count.

1

Heart Blood Gas

2

Hemoglobin A1c

3

Hematology Group

4

Hemoglobin

Hgb stands for hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells used to assess anemia and oxygen capacity.

1

Hematocrit

2

Heart Contractility

3

Hepatic Clearance Time

4

Hydration Check Test

Hct means hematocrit, the percentage of blood volume made up of red blood cells in a sample.

1

Platelets

2

Plasma Level Test

3

Pulmonary Lobe Thickness

4

Patient Location Tag

Plt refers to platelets, blood components essential for clotting and preventing excessive bleeding after injury.

1

International Normalized Ratio

2

Intranasal Response

3

Infection Number Rating

4

Initial Nurse Report

INR is the international normalized ratio, standardizing prothrombin time to monitor anticoagulation and bleeding risk.

1

Pleural Tap

2

Prothrombin Time

3

Pain Threshold

4

Physical Therapy

In coagulation testing, PT means prothrombin time, measuring how long blood takes to clot via specific pathways.

1

No Kidney Abnormalities

2

Needs Knee Assessment

3

No Known Allergies

4

Normal Kinetics Assumed

NKA means no known allergies, indicating no reported allergy history, though verification is still important clinically.

1

New Kidney Disease Assessment

2

No Known Dietary Allergies

3

Normal Knee Diagnostic Angle

4

No Known Drug Allergies

NKDA means no known drug allergies, a common chart notation used before prescribing or administering medications.

1

CT X-Ray Reconstruction

2

Cervical X-Ray

3

Chest X-Ray

4

Cardiac X-Ray Review

CXR means chest X-ray, a common imaging study used to assess lungs, heart size, and pleural changes.

1

Computed Tomography

2

Cardiac Telemetry

3

Clinical Testing

4

Cervical Traction

CT stands for computed tomography, using X-rays and computers to create cross-sectional images of internal structures.

1

Medical Rapid Inspection

2

Muscle Response Index

3

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

4

Minimum Radiation Imaging

MRI means magnetic resonance imaging, creating detailed images with magnetic fields, not ionizing X-ray radiation.

1

Urinalysis

2

Ultrasound Abdomen

3

Urgent Admission

4

Uric Acid

UA typically means urinalysis, a urine test screening for infection, blood, glucose, protein, and other findings.

1

Abdominal Blood Group

2

Arterial Blood Gas

3

Antibiotic Blood Grade

4

Acute Bleeding Gauge

ABG means arterial blood gas, measuring oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acidity to assess ventilation and oxygenation.

1

Lung Flow Tests

2

Low Fever Trends

3

Left Foot Tendons

4

Liver Function Tests

LFTs are liver function tests, a group of blood tests that evaluate liver enzymes and overall hepatic status.

1

Bacterial Marker Panel

2

Blood Medicine Profile

3

Bone Mineral Percentage

4

Basic Metabolic Panel

BMP means basic metabolic panel, commonly including blood electrolytes, glucose, kidney markers, and sometimes calcium.

1

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

2

Complete Muscle Profile

3

Cardiac Monitoring Protocol

4

Clinical Medication Plan

CMP means comprehensive metabolic panel, typically adding liver-related tests to the basic metabolic panel.

1

Immediate Blood Sugar Level

2

Adrenal Hormone Level

3

Average Blood Sugar Over Months

4

Daily Insulin Requirement

HbA1c estimates average blood glucose over roughly two to three months by measuring glycated hemoglobin levels.

1

Hydration

2

Hypothermia

3

Hypertension

4

Hyperthyroidism

HTN is hypertension, meaning chronically elevated blood pressure that increases risk of heart, stroke, and kidney disease.

1

Dermatitis

2

Dementia

3

Diverticulitis

4

Diabetes Mellitus

DM stands for diabetes mellitus, a condition of high blood sugar due to insulin problems or resistance.

1

Kidneys And Urine

2

Skin And Allergies

3

Bones And Joints

4

Lungs And Breathing

COPD means chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a progressive lung condition that limits airflow and causes breathlessness.

1

Chronic Hepatic Fibrosis

2

Congestive Heart Failure

3

Cerebral Hemorrhage Focus

4

Coronary Heart Fever

CHF means congestive heart failure, where the heart pumps less effectively, leading to fluid buildup and symptoms.

1

Myocardial Infarction

2

Mitral Insufficiency

3

Muscle Inflammation

4

Medical Intervention

MI means myocardial infarction, commonly called a heart attack, caused by reduced blood flow to heart muscle.

1

Chest Vessel Aneurysm

2

Cervical Vertebra Arthritis

3

Cardiac Valve Abnormality

4

Stroke

CVA refers to a cerebrovascular accident, commonly called a stroke, involving interrupted blood flow in the brain.

1

Dermal Vessel Tissue

2

Deep Vein

3

Dorsal Ventricular Tube

4

Digestive Vascular Tract

DVT means deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot in a deep vein, often in the leg.

1

Pulmonary Embolism

2

Pleural Effusion

3

Pediatric Evaluation

4

Physical Examination

PE can mean pulmonary embolism, a clot that travels to the lungs and can cause sudden breathing problems.

1

Shortness Of Breath

2

Sign Of Bleeding

3

Surgical On-Board

4

Side Of Bed

SOB means shortness of breath, a symptom describing difficulty breathing or feeling unable to get enough air.

1

Normal Vitals

2

Nerve Velocity

3

Nasal Ventilation

4

Nausea And Vomiting

N/V is nausea and vomiting, a common symptom pair documented together for illness, medications, or gastrointestinal issues.

1

Dizziness

2

Diarrhea

3

Dehydration

4

Drowsiness

N/V/D means nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, often suggesting a gastrointestinal infection or irritation.

1

Checked On

2

Complaining Of

3

Cleared Of

4

Cared Over

c/o means complaining of, introducing the symptom the patient reports, such as pain, nausea, or dizziness.

1

Standard Precautions

2

Suspected Pneumonia

3

Status Post

4

Same Plan

s/p means status post, indicating a patient has undergone a procedure or event, such as surgery or injury.

1

Respiratory Observation

2

Rule Out

3

Radiology Order

4

Return Office

r/o means rule out, used when a diagnosis is being considered but not yet confirmed by evaluation or tests.

1

Follow Up

2

Fluid Used

3

Fever Unchecked

4

Fill Up

f/u means follow up, directing the patient to return or contact a clinician for reassessment or results.

1

Test

2

Temperature

3

Toxin

4

Treatment

Tx means treatment, describing therapy provided or planned, such as medication, surgery, or supportive care.

1

Surgery

2

Syncope

3

Symptoms

4

Seizures

Sx usually means symptoms, referring to patient-reported experiences like pain, cough, fatigue, or dizziness.

1

Every Weekend

2

Every Hour

3

Every Morning

4

Every Night At Bedtime

qhs means every night at bedtime, a dosing instruction derived from Latin used on many medication orders.

1

Quickly After Meals

2

Every Afternoon

3

Every Morning

4

Every Month

qAM means every morning, indicating a routine daily dose typically taken during morning hours unless stated otherwise.

1

Quarter-Hourly

2

Every 4 Hours

3

Only At 4 PM

4

Four Times Daily

q4h means every four hours, a scheduling shorthand used to space doses evenly across day and night.

1

On Standing

2

After Breakfast

3

Immediately

4

At Discharge

STAT means immediately, signaling urgency so medications, labs, or clinical interventions are performed without delay.

1

Vital Signs

2

Viral Syndrome

3

Visual Screening

4

Venous Sample

VS means vital signs, typically including temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation readings.

1

Room Requirement

2

Recovery Ratio

3

Renal Report

4

Respiratory Rate

RR means respiratory rate, the number of breaths per minute, used to assess breathing effort and stability.

1

Growth Curve Scale

2

Glucose Control Status

3

Gastrointestinal Comfort

4

Level Of Consciousness

GCS is the Glasgow Coma Scale, a standardized score describing eye, verbal, and motor responses to assess consciousness.

1

Pressure Reading

2

Pleural Rub

3

Pain Rating

4

Pulse Rate

PR means pulse rate, another way to document heartbeats per minute alongside rhythm and strength observations.

1

Overnight Observation Bed

2

Off Oxygen Backup

3

Outside Office Building

4

Out Of Bed

OOB means out of bed, indicating the patient should sit, stand, or ambulate rather than remain lying down.

1

Activities Of Daily Living

2

Advanced Diagnostic Labs

3

Assisted Drug Lists

4

Airway Delivery Levels

ADLs means activities of daily living, basic self-care tasks like bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting.

1

Respiratory Output Measure

2

Range Of Motion

3

Rate Of Metabolism

4

Risk Of Morbidity

ROM means range of motion, describing how far a joint can move, often measured during therapy or exams.

1

Pain Scale

2

Posture

3

Pupils

4

Pulses

PERRLA describes pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation, a quick check of neurologic function.

1

Sterile Catheter Dressings

2

Standard Care Decisions

3

Sequential Compression Devices

4

Skin Cleaning Drops

SCDs are sequential compression devices, inflatable sleeves used to reduce clot risk by improving leg venous flow.

1

Intravenous Fluids

2

Insulin Via Fusion

3

Immediate Viral Fever

4

In Vitro Fertilization

In hospital documentation, IVF usually means intravenous fluids, describing IV hydration or maintenance fluids being infused.

1

Primary IV Pump

2

Pulmonary IV

3

Posterior IV

4

Peripheral IV

PIV stands for peripheral intravenous line, an IV catheter placed in a peripheral vein for fluids or medications.

1

Neck Collar

2

Nasal Cannula

3

Normal Concentration

4

Nerve Conduction

NC means nasal cannula, a small tubing device delivering low-flow supplemental oxygen through the nostrils.

1

High-Frequency Nebulizer Cycle

2

Home Flow Nasal Compressor

3

Half-Flow Nasal Catheter

4

High-Flow Nasal Cannula

HFNC means high-flow nasal cannula, delivering warmed humidified oxygen at higher flow rates than standard cannula.

1

Antibiotic

2

Heart Pacing

3

Blood Test

4

Noninvasive Ventilation

BiPAP is noninvasive ventilation providing two airway pressures, helping breathing in conditions like COPD exacerbations.

1

Cardiac Pressure And Pulse

2

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

3

Critical Pulmonary Access Path

4

Controlled Patient Air Program

CPAP means continuous positive airway pressure, keeping airways open with steady pressure, often used for sleep apnea.

1

Emergency Neurology Team

2

Eyes, Nerves, And Tendons

3

Ear, Nose, And Throat

4

Endocrine Nutrition Therapy

ENT refers to ear, nose, and throat specialists, also called otolaryngologists, who treat related conditions.

1

Genetic Immunology

2

General Infection

3

Glucose Index

4

Gastrointestinal

GI means gastrointestinal, describing the digestive tract and related symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, or bleeding.

1

Obstetrics And Gynecology

2

Otolaryngology And Neurology

3

Orthopedics And Geriatrics

4

Oncology And Genetics

OB/GYN combines obstetrics and gynecology, covering pregnancy care, childbirth, and female reproductive health concerns.

1

Peripheral Insulin Control Clip

2

Post-Injection Capillary Check

3

Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter

4

Primary Intensive Care Circuit

A PICC is a peripherally inserted central catheter, a long IV line ending near the heart.

1

Post-Cardiac Assessment

2

Pulmonary Care Algorithm

3

Primary Care Appointment

4

Patient-Controlled Analgesia

PCA means patient-controlled analgesia, allowing a patient to self-administer preset pain medication doses safely via pump.

1

Do Not Resuscitate

2

Drain Not Required

3

Daily Nurse Report

4

Do Not Rotate

DNR means do not resuscitate, a medical order stating CPR should not be attempted if breathing or heartbeat stops.

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Charts, prescriptions, and hospital notes are packed with abbreviations that can look like a secret code. You’ve probably seen plenty of them—but do you actually know what they mean? Test yourself with this quiz and decode the medical shorthand!

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