Medical Abbreviations

Abbreviations Meaning
A
a.c. Before meals
AMA Against medical advice
B
BP Blood pressure
B/S bedside
bx biopsy
C
CN Cranial nerve
CNA Certified nursing assistant
c/o Complains of
COTA Certified occupational therapy assistant
COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CRNP Certified registered nurse practitioner
CVA Cerebral vascular accident
D
d/c discontinue
DC discharge
DNK Do not know
DNR Do not resuscitate
d/t Due to
Dx diagnosis
E
F
FH Family history
f/u Follow up
G
GCS Glasgow Coma Scale
GERD Gastroesophageal reflux
GSW Gun shot wound
H
h/o History of
HR Heart rate
Hx history
I
I&O Intake and output
irreg. irregular
J
K
L
LBW Low birth weight
LOS Length of stay
 Lx larynx
M
MBSS Modified barium swallow study
M/H Medical history
N
NKA no known allergies
NOS Not otherwise specified
NPO nothing by mouth
O
O.T. Occupational therapy
P
PA Physician’s assistant
palp. Palpate, palpated, palpable
p.o. By mouth
p.r.n., PRN As often as necessary, as needed
pt patient
PT Physical therapy
Q
R
RD Respiratory distress
R/O Rule out
Rx Therapy, presciption
S
SOB Shortness of breath
T
T temperature
Tx treatment
U
URI Upper respiratory infection
V
VC vital capacity
Via By way of
W
WFL Within functional limits
w/n within
WNL Within normal limits
X
Y
y.o. Years old