LIST OF ACCEPTED ABBREVIATIONS

NOTES:

1. One abbreviation/acronym must have only one meaning (eg if we use AP for appendicitis

then it cannot be used to also mean appendectomy and/or attending physician)

2. Nursing abbreviations and acronyms are taken from the Nursing Manual used by the
Nursing Service
3. Other abbreviations and acronyms are taken from Tabers Med Dictionary, from
experience in med school training, and routine hospital work
4. "Do not use" list taken from Joint Commission International and Joint Commission on
Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
5. This list has to be as thorough and complete as possible to minimize frequent revisions

2DED 2D Echocardiogram
0
C degree Celsius

1. Medical abbreviations:

A
Abd abdominal
ABG Arterial Blood Gas
ABL acute blood loss
AC abdominal circumference
a.c. Before meals (ante cibum)
A/G ratio albumin to globulin ratio
ACE Angiotensin converting enzyme
ACL Anterior cruciate ligament
ACLS Advanced cardiac life support
ACS Acute Coronary Syndrome
AD autosomal dominant
ADD attention deficit disorders
ADH Antidiuretic hormone
ADHD Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
ADHF Acute decompensated heart failure
Ad lib at liberty, if the patient so desired (ad libitum)
ADL activity of daily living
ADR Adverse drug reaction
AED automated external defibrillator
AF atrial fibrillation
AFB Acid Fast Bacilli
AFI amniotic fluid index
AFO ankle foot orthoses
AFP alpha fetoprotein
AG abdominal girth
AGA appropriate for gestational age
AGE Acute gastroenteritis
AGMP Aerosol generating medical procedures
AI aortic insufficiency
AIDS Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AIHA autoimmune hemolytic anemia
AKA Above the knee amputation
AKI acute kidney injury
alb albumin
ALL Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
ALP alkaline phosphatase
ALTE apparent life threatening episode
a.m, A.M., am. AM morning
AMA advanced maternal age
AMI acute myocardial infarction
AML acute myelogenous leukemia
amp ampule
AN anorexia nervosa
ANA antinuclear antibody
anes anesthesia
ANST After negative skin test
AOG Age of gestation
AOM acute otitis media
APTT activated partial thromboplastin time
APR Abdominal perineal resection
AP anteroposterior
APC atrial premature contraction
AR aortic regurgitation
ARB angiotensin receptor blocker
ARDS Acute respiratory distress syndrome
ARF Acute renal failure
ARI Acute respiratory infection
AROM artificial rupture of membranes
ARVD/C Arrythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy
AS Apgar Score
ASCUS atypical cells of undetermined
ASCVD Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
ASD Atrial Septal Defect
ATN acute tubular necrosis
ATP Acute tonsilopharyngitis
ATS Anti-Tetanus Serum
AUB abnormal uterine bleeding
AV arteriovenous
AVM arteriovenous malformation
AVN avascular necrosis

B
BA Bronchial asthma
BAIAE Bronchial asthma in acute exacerbation
B1 Indirect bilirubin
B2 Direct bilirubin
BB beta blockers
BBB bundle branch block
BBOW bulging bag of water
BCG Bacille Calmette-Guerin
BCLS basic cardiac life support
BCP birth control pills
BE barium enema
BF breast feeding
BFS Benign febrile seizure
b.i.d./BID twice a day
BKA Below the knee amputation
BLS basic life support
BM bowel movement
BMA Bone marrow aspiration
BMD bone mineral density
BMI body mass index
BMP Basic metabolic panel
BOW bag of water
BP Blood pressure
BPD biparietal diameter
bpm beats per minute
BPH Benign prostatic hypertrophy
BPP biophysical profile
BPPV Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
BPUD Benign peptic ulcer disease
Brady slow
BrS Brugada syndrome
BS Ballard’s score
BSA body surface area
BSO Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
BT blood type
BTBV beat to beat variability
BTL bilateral tubal ligation
BUA blood uric acid
BUN blood urea nitrogen
BURP backward, upward, rightward pressure
BUS bartholin’s glands, urethra, skene’s gland
BVM bag valve mask (Ambu bag)

C
Ca Calcium
CA cancer
CABG Coronary artery bypass graft
CAD Coronary artery disease
CAH Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Cal Calorie
cap Capsule
CAP Community Acquired Pneumonia
cath. Catheter
CBC Complete blood count
CBD common bile duct
CBDE common bile duct exploration
CBI Continuous bladder irrigation
CBG Capillary blood glucose
CBL chronic blood loss
CBR Complete bed rest
CBR c BRP Complete bed rest with bathroom privileges
CBR s BRP Complete bed rest without bathroom privileges
CC Chief complaint
CCB calcium channel blockers
CCU Critical Care Unit
CDE Complete dental evaluation
CE cervical exam
CEA Carcinoembryonic antigen
CFS Complex febrile seizure
CH Congenital Hypothyroidism
CHD Congenital heart disease
CHF Congestive heart failure
CIN cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Circum Circumference
CKC cold knife conization of the cervix
CKD Chronic kidney disease
CLEA Continuous lumbar epidural anesthesia
CML Chronic myelogenous leukemia
CMT cervical motion tenderness
CMV cytomegalovirus
CNB core needle biopsy
CO2 Carbon dioxide
COA Coarctation of the Aorta
COC change of cast
COD change of dressing
COLD chronic obstructive lung disease
COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
COVID 19 Coronavirus Disease
CP cardiopulmonary
CPAP Continuous positive airway pressure
CPD cephalopelvic disproportion
cpm cycles per minute
CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
crea Creatinine
CRP C-reactive protein
CRT Cardiac resynchronization therapy
C&S Culture and sensitivity
CS Caesarian section
CSEA Combined spinal epidural anesthesia
CSR Central supply room
CST contraction stress test
CTT Chest tube thoracostomy
CMV cytomegalovirus
C&S Culture and sensitivity
CT scan Computed Tomography scan
CTX contractions
CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CPVT Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
CVA Cerebrovascular accident
CVD cardiovascular disease
CVP central venous pressure
CVS cardiovascular system
CXR chest xray

D
D/C discontinue
DCM dilated cardiomyopathy
DDX Differential diagnosis
DF Dengue fever
DFT Defibrillation threshold testing
Disch discharge
DJD Degenerative joint disease
DM Diabetes mellitus
D&C Dilatation and curettage
D&E Dilation and Evacuation
DDx Differential diagnosis
DF Dengue fever
DHS dynamic hip screw
DIC disseminated intravascular coagulopathy
DIP distal interphalangeal joint
DJD Degenerative Joint Disease
DKA diabetic ketoacidosis
DM Diabetes Mellitus
DMPA depo-provera
DNI Do not intubate
DNR Do not resuscitate
DOA Dead on arrival
DOB Date of birth
DOI Date of incident
Dr. Doctor
DR Delivery Room
DSS Dengue Shock Syndrome
DTR Deep Tendon Reflexes
DUB dysfunctional uterine bleeding
DVT Deep venous thrombosis
Dx Diagnosis
Dys Difficulty, pain

E
EAB Elective Abortion
ECC Endocervical curettage
ECCE exracapsular cataract extraction
ECG/EKG Electrocardiogram
Echo Echocardiography
ECT Electroconvulsive therapy
E&C Evacuation and curettage
EDC Estimated Date of Confinement
EDD Estimated date of delivery
EEG Electroencephalogram
EF ejection fraction
EFM Estimated Fetal Monitoring
EFW estimated fetal weight
EGA Estimated Gestational Age
EGD Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
EHBSO Extra fascial hysterectomy bilateral salphingo-oophorectomy
Ex Lap Exploratory laparotomy
ELBW extremely low birth weight
EMI Electromagnetic interference
EMS Emergency Medical Service
Endo Endocrine
ENT Ear nose throat
EOM Extraocular muscles
EP Electrophysiology
EPS extrapyramidal symptoms
ER Emergency Room
ERCP Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ERT estrogen replacement therapy
ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate
ESRD End Stage Renal Disease
ESWL Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy
ETT Endotracheal Tube

F
FBC Foley bag catheter
FBS Fasting Blood Sugar
FESS Functional endoscopic sinus surgery
FFP fresh frozen plasma
FH fundic height
FHR fetal heart rate
FHT fetal heart tones
FL femur length
FLM fetal lung maturity
FM fetal movements
FNA fine needle aspiration
FNAB fine needle aspiration biopsy
FOBT fecal occult blood test
Fr. French
FS frozen section
FSW female surgical ward
FTP failure to progress
FTT failure to thrive
FWB fresh whole blood
Fx Fracture
G
gm grams
G then number Gravida
GA General Anesthesia
GAB genetic abortion
GB gallbladder
GBS Guillain Barre Syndrome
GCS Glasgow Coma Score
GDM gestational diabetes mellitus
GETA General endotracheal anesthesia
GFM good fetal movement
GI Gastrointestinal
GIT Gastrointestinal tract
GVHD Graft vs Host Disease
GP general physician
GPTPAL Gravida Parity Term Preterm Abortion Living
GTPAL Gravida, term, preterm, abortion, living
GS Gram staining
GSW gunshot wound
GTN gestational trophoblastic neoplasia
gtt drop
GTT glucose tolerance test
GU Genitourinary
GUT Genitourinary tract
GVHD graft versus host disease
Gyn/ Gyne Gynecology

H
h hour
H2O water
HAI Hospital-acquired infection
HAMA Home Against Medical Advice
HAV Hepatitis A virus
HAP Hospital-acquired pneumonia
HBV Hepatitis B virus
HBIg Hepatitis B immunoglobulin
HBT hepatobiliary tree
HC head circumference
hCG human chorionic gonadotropin
HCM hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
HCP health care provider
hct hematocrit
HCV Hepatitis C virus
HCVD hypertensive cardiovascular disease
HDL high density lipoprotein
HELLP hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets
hgb hemoglobin
HGSIL high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
HGT Hemoglucose test
HMD hyaline membrane disease
HOCM hypertrophic obstructive cadiomyopathy
HPI history of present illness
HPP Hypokalemic periodic paralysis
HPV human papillomavirus
HR heart rate
HRT hormone replacement therapy
Ht height
HTIG Human Tetanus Immune Globulin
HPN hypertension
HUS Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Hx History
hyper above or high
hypo below or low

I
I&D Incision and Drainage
I&O input and output
IAE in acute exacerbation
IBD Inflammatory Bowel Disease
IBW ideal body weight
ICD Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
ICL Intracorporeal lithotripsy
ICP Intracranial pressure
ICS intercostal space
ICU Intensive Care Unit
ID Intradermal
IDDM Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
IDM Infants of diabetic mothers
Ig Immunoglobulin
IJ Internal jugular
IJV Internal jugular vein
IL in labor
ILI influenza-like illness
ILP indicated low forceps
IM intramuscular
Imp Impression
inf inferior
inj injection
IO infracolic omentectomy
IOC intraoperative cholangiogram
IOL intraocular lens
IOP intraocular pressure
IR Incident report
Isol Isolation
IST Inappropriate sinus tachycardia
IU international units
IUD intrauterine device
IUFD intrauterine fetal demise
IUG intrauterine gestation
IUGR intrauterine growth restriction
IUP intrauterine pregnancy
IV intravenous
IVF Intravenous fluid
IVH intraventricular hemorrhage
IVT intravenous therapy
IVTF Intravenous therapy to follow
IVP intravenous pyelogram

J
JIA juvenile idiopathic arthritis
JP Jackson-Pratt drain
JRA juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

K
K+ potassium
KCl potassium chloride
Kg kilogram
KMC Kangaroo mother care
KSS Keep set sterile
KUB Kidney ureter bladder
KVO Keep vein open

L
L Left
L&D labor and delivery
LA Local Anesthesia
Lab. or lab. Laboratory
LAC long arm cast
LAR Low anterior resection
LAVH laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy
LBBB left bundle branch block
LBW low birth weight
LCSD Left Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation
LE lower extremity
LEEP loop electrosurgical excision procedure
LEP lumbar epidural
LF lung field
LFT liver function test
LGA large for gestational age
LGIB lower gastrointestinal bleeding
LGSIL low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
LLLF left lower lung field
LLC long leg cast
LLQ left lower quadrant
LMA laryngeal mask airway
LMP Last menstrual period
LND Lymph node dissection
LOA left occiput anterior
LOC loss of consciousness
LOF leakage of fluid
LOP left occiput posterior
LOT left occiput transverse
LP lumbar puncture
LPD luteal phase defect
LQTS Long QT syndrome
LR Labor Room
LSTCS Low segment transverse cesarean section
LTL laparoscopic tubal ligation
LTV long term viability
LUQ left upper quadrant
LVAD Left ventricular assist device
LVH left ventricular hypertrophy

M
MAC monitored anesthesia care
MAM moderate acute malnutrition
MAP mean arterial pressure
mBPP modified biophysical profile
MCA multiple congenital anomalies
MCAG multi-nodular colloid adenomatous goiter
MCL medial collateral ligament
MD medical doctor
MDR Multi-drug resistant
Meds Medicines
mg milligrams
ml milliliters
MI myocardial infarction
min minute
MMR measles mumps rubella
MMT manual muscle testing
MPI multiple physical injuries
MR mitral regurgitation
MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MRM Modified radical mastectomy
MRSA Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MSAF Meconium stained amniotic fluid
MSW Male surgical ward
MTBW Modified tension band wiring
MVA motor vehicular accident
MVP Mitral Valve Prolapse

N
Na sodium
NA nursing aide
NAFLD non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
N/A Not applicable
NB newborn
NBS Newborn screening
NCP Nursing Care Plan
NCU Neonatal Care Unit
NGT Nasogastric tube
NKFDA No known food or drug allergies
NOI Nature of incident
NPO nothing per orem (nil per os)
NPWT negative pressure wound therapy
NRP neonatal resuscitation program
NSAID non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NST nonstress test
NSTEMI non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction
NSR normal sinus rhythm
NSVD normal spontaneous vaginal delivery
NSVT non sustained Ventricular Tachycardia
NT nasotracheal
NVS Neurovital signs
NWB non weight bearing
N&V Nausea and vomiting

O
O2 Oxygen
02 sat oxygen saturation
OA occiput anterior
OB Obstetrics
O&P ova and parasites
OCD Obsessive-compulsive disorder
OCP oral contraceptive pill
OCT oxytocin challenge test
OF Osterized feeding
OGT Oral Glucose Test
OOB Out of Bed
OMFS Oral and maxillofacial surgery
ON osteonecrosis
ONG Ovarian new growth
OOB Out of Bed
OP occiput posterior
OPD Outpatient Department
OPEH ova and parasites, Entamoeba histolytica
OR Operating Room
ORIF open reduction internal fixation
Ortho Orthopedics
OS operating sponge (gauze)
OT occiput transverse
OTC over the counter

P
P then number Parity
PAF Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
pRBC packed RBC
PAC Premature Atrial Contraction
PACU Post Anesthesia Care Unit
PALS Pediatric Advanced Life Support
PAOD Peripheral arterial occlusive disease
PAPR Powered air-purifying respirator
PBS peripheral blood smear
pc After meals (post cibum)
PCAP Pediatric Community Acquired Pneumonia
PCOS Polycystic ovarian syndrome
PCL posterior cruciate ligament
PCNL Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy
PDA patent ductus arteriosus
PE Physical Examination
PEDC post-estimated date of confinement
Peds Pediatrics
PEG Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
PERRLA pupils equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation
PHA Partial hip arthroplasty
PID pelvic inflammatory disease
PIH pregnancy induced hypertension
PIMAM Philippine Integrated Management on Acute Malnutrition
PIP proximal interphalangeal joint
PFC Peritoneal fluid cytology
PFO patent foramen ovale
PFT Pulmonary Function Test
PLSVC Persistent left superior vena cava
PLT platelet
PMI point of maximum impulse
PMMA polymethyl meta-acrylate
PMS premenstrual syndrome
PNB peripheral nerve block
PNV prenatal vitamins
p.o. per orem
POI Place of incident
POP plaster of paris
post-op post-operative
POTS Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome
PPD purified protein derivative (TB test)
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
PPI proton pump inhibitor
PPLND pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection
PPROM preterm premature rupture of membranes
PPV positive pressure ventilation
PR pulse rate
prep prepare
prn as or when needed
PRICE protection, rest, ice, compression, elevation
PROM premature rupture of membranes
PSVT Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
PT pregnancy test
PTA prior to admission
PTH parathyroid hormone
PTL preterm labor
PTPA prothrombin time
PTSD post-traumatic stress disorder
PPUD perforated peptic ulcer disease
PU pregnancy uterine
PUD peptic ulcer disease
PVC Premature ventricular contraction
PWB partial weight bearing

Q
q every
q.i.d. four times daily
QTc corrected QT interval

R
R Right
RA regional anesthesia
RBBB Right bundle branch block
RDS respiratory distress syndrome
RF Rheumatic Fever
RLQ right lower quadrant
RN registered nurse
ROM range of motion
RPB Random peritoneal biopsy
R/I rule in
R/O rule out
ROA right occiput anterior
ROL rule out labor
ROM range of motion
ROP right occiput posterior
ROS review of systems
ROT right occiput transverse
RR respiratory rate
RTC round the clock
RT-PCR Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction
RUQ right upper quadrant
RV right ventricle
RVH right ventricular hypertrophy
Rx prescription

S
SAB subarachnoid block
SAC short arm cast
SAM severe acute malnutrition
SARI severe acute respiratory infection
SBP systolic blood pressure
SCA Sudden cardiac arrest
SCD Sudden cardiac death
SDE suction, dilation, and evacuation
SGA small for gestational age
SGOT serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase
SGPT serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
SICD Subcutaneous Internal Cardiac Defibrillator
SIDS Sudden infant death syndrome
Sig signa (direction of use)
SLC short leg cast
SLE Systemic lupus erythematosus
SLR straight leg raise
SOB shortness of breath
SOL space-occupying lesion
SQTS Short QT syndrome
SROM spontaneous rupture of membranes
SSS sick sinus syndrome
ST Sinus Tachycardia
STAT, stat immediately
STD sexually transmitted disease
STEMI ST elevation myocardial infarction
STSG Split thickness skin grafting
subQ or Sub-Q subcutaneous
S/P status post
SUI stress urinary incontinence
supp suppository
susp Suspension
SVE sterile vaginal exam
SVT supraventricular tachycardia
S/E Stool Exam

T
T temperature
T3 triiodothyronine
T4 thyroxine
tab tablet
TAB therapeutic abortion
tachy fast, rapid
TAH Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
TAHBSO Total Abdominal Hysterectomy Bilateral Salphingo Oophorectomy
TAPVR total anomalous pulmonary venous return
TB Tuberculosis
TCB to come back
TdP torsade de pointes
TID three times a day
TBDIB Total Bilirubin Direct Bilirubin Indirect Bilirubin
THA Total hip arthroplasty
THR Total hip replacement
TIA Transient Ischemic Attack
TIVA total intravenous anesthesia
TKA Total knee arthroplasty
TKR Total knee replacement
TL tubal ligation
TMJ Temporomandibular joint
TOA tubo-ovarian abscess
TOF Tetralogy of Fallot
TOI Time of incident
TOLAC trial of labor after cesarean section
TOP termination of pregnancy
TPR temperature, pulse, respiration
TSB Tepid Sponge Bath
TSH Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
TIVA Total intravenous anesthesia
TT Tetanus toxoid
TURBT Transurethral resection of the bladder tumor
TURP Transurethral resection of the prostate
TVH total vaginal hysterectomy
TVS Trans vaginal sonography

U
U/A urinalysis
UGIB upper gastrointestinal bleeding
UGIS upper gastrointestinal series
umbi cath umbilical catheter
UO urine output
URTI upper respiratory tract infection
UTI urinary tract infection
UTZ ultrasound

V
VA vehicular accident
VBAC vaginal birth after cesarean section
VF Ventricular fibrillation
VLBW very low birth weight
VP ventriculo-peritoneal
VSD ventricular septal defect
V/S vital signs
VT Ventricular tachycardia
VUS Variant of unknown significance

W
WBAT weight bearing as tolerated
WFH weight for height
WFL weight for length
WLE wide local excision
WPW Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Wt weight
2. Pharmacology-related abbreviations:

A
AA Amino acid
Ag+ Sulfa Silver Sulfadiazine
AlOH+MgOH Aluminum hydroxide + Magnesium hydroxide
Amox Amoxicillin
Ampi Ampicillin
Ampi + Sulbac Ampicillin + Sulbactam
ASA Acetylsalicylic acid / Aspirin
ATS Anti-tetanus Serum / Tetanus Antitoxin

B
Bude Budesonide

C
cap. Capsule
Co-Amox Co-amoxiclav
CaCO3 Calcium carbonate
Ca + Vit D3 Calcium + Vitamin D3
Ca+ Gluc Calcium Gluconate

D
Diphen Diphenhydramine
D5LR iL 5% Dextrose in Lactated Ringers, 1 Liter
D5LR 500mL 5% Dextrose in Lactated Ringers, 500 milliliter
D5NM iL Balanced Multiple Maintenance Solution with 5% Dextrose, 1 Liter
D5IMB 500mL Balanced Multiple Maintenance Solution with 5% Dextrose, 500 milliliter
D5NSS iL 5% Dextrose in 0.9% Sodium Chloride, 1 Liter
D5NSS 500mL 5% Dextrose in 0.9% Sodium Chloride, 500 milliliter
D5 0.3% NaCl 500mL 5% Dextrose in 0.3% Sodium Chloride, 500 milliliter
D50W 50mL 50% Dextrose in Water, 50 milliliter
D5W 250mL 5% Dextrose in Water, 250 milliliter
D10W 500mL 10% Dextrose in Water, 500 milliliter

E
Epo Recombinant Human Erythropoietin
Enox Enoxaparin
Epi Epinephrine

F
FA Folic acid
Fe+ SO4 Ferrous sulfate
G
Genta Gentamycin
gtts Drops (gutta, Latin word)

H
HES Hydroxyethyl starch
Hep B Ig Human Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin
HNbb Hyoscine-N-butylbromide
HCTZ Hydrochlorothiazide
HRI Human Regular Insulin (recombinant)

I
ISDN Isosorbide dinitrate
ISMN Isosorbide mononitrate
Ipra Ipratropium

K
K+ Potassium
KCl Potassium chloride
K+ Citrate Potassium citrate

L
L Liter

M
Methpred Methylprednisolone
Methylergo Methylergometrine
MFA Mefenamic Acid
MgSO4 Magnesium sulfate
MVT Multivitamins
mL Milliliter
MFG Modified Fluid Gelatin

N
NAC N-Acetylcysteine
NaCl Sodium Chloride
NaHCO3 Sodium bicarbonate
Norepi Norepinephrine

O
Omep Omeprazole
ORS Oral Rehydration Salt

P
PEN G Benzylpenicillin sodium
PCM Paracetamol
PPA Phenylpropanolamine
Piper + Tazo Piperacillin + Tazobactam
PLR iL Lactated Ringer’s Solution, 1 Liter
PLR 500mL Lactated Ringer’s Solution, 500 milliliter
PNSS iL 0.9% Sodium Chloride, 1 Liter
PNSS 500mL 0.9% Sodium Chloride, 500 milliliter
PTU Propylthiouracil

S
Salbu Salbutamol
Senna conc. Senna concentrate
Sevo Sevoflurane
SO4 Sulfate
Spiro Spironolactone
syr. Syrup

T
tab. Tablet
TDL + PCM Tramadol + Paracetamol
TMZ Trimetazidine
Tobra + Dexa Tobramycin + Dexamethasone
TPN Total Parenteral Nutrition
TT Tetanus Toxoid

U
UDCA Ursodeoxycholic acid

V
Vit. Vitamin
Vit. C Ascorbic acid
Vit. K Phytomenadione

Z
Zn+ Zinc
ZnSO4 Zinc sulfate

SYMBOLS:

A Ampule

C Capsule

Tablet
T
Vial
V
3. Laboratory-related abbreviations:

A
ABG Arterial Blood Gas
AFB Acid Fast Bacilli Staining
Alb Albumin
ALP Alkaline Phosphatase
APTT Partial Thromboplastin Time

B
B1 Indirect Bilirubin
B2 Direct Bilirubin
Bld C/S Blood Culture and Sensitivity Testing
BT Blood Typing
BUA Blood Uric Acid
BUN Blood Urea Nitrogen

C
Ca+ Total Calcium
Cl- Chloride
CBC Complete Blood Count
Chole Cholesterol
COT Clot Observation Time
Crea Creatinine
CRP C-Reactive Protein
CT-BT Clotting Time/ Bleeding Time

E
ESR Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

F
FBS Fasting Blood Sugar
FOBT Fecal Occult Blood Test
G
G/S Gram Staining

H
HAV Hepatitis -A Screening
Hba1c Glycoslated Hemoglobin
HBSag Hepatitis- B Surface Antigen Screening
HCV Hepatitis-C Screening
Hct Hematocrit
Hgb Hemoglobin
HIV human immunodeficiency virus

I
iCa Ionized Calcium

K
K+ Potassium
KOH Potassium Hydroxide Test

L
LP Lipid Profile

N
Na+ Sodium
NS 1 Dengue Antigen Rapid Testing

P
PBS Peripheral Blood Smear
PLT Platelet
PLT Ct Platelet count
PTPA Prothrombin Time
PT Pregnancy Test

R
RBS Random Blood Sugar
RETIC CT Reticulocyte Count
S
S/E Fecalysis / Stool Examination
SGPT Serum Glutamic- Pyruvic Transaminase
SGOT Serum Glutamic- Oxaloacetic Transaminase

T
T-Prot Total Protein
T-Bil Total Bilirubin
TG Triglycerides
TPAG Total Protein/Albumin/Globulin
TROP- I Troponin I

U
U/A Urinalysis

V
VDRL/RPR Syphilis Testing

W
WBC White blood cells
LIST OF ERROR-PRONE ABBREVIATIONS WHICH SHOULD NOT BE USED

ABBREVIATIO MEANING RATIONALE ACTION

N
> and < Mistakenly used opposite of Use "greater than" or
intended "less than"
/ slash mark Misunderstood as the number 1 do not use a slash
("25 unit/10 units" read as "110 mark to separate
units" doses. Use "per"
Ug microgram mistaken for mg (milligrams) Write "mcg"
resulting one thousand fold
dosing overdose
Cc cubic Mistaken as "u" (units) Write "ml" for
centimeter milliliters
A.S., A.D., A.U. left, right or Mistaken for each other Spell out "left ear,"
both ears "right eye," "both
O.S., O.D, O.U. left, right or ears" etc
both eyes
D/C Discontinue or Premature discontinuation of Write "discharge"
discharge medications (intended to mean
discharge); has been
misinterpreted as discontinued
when followed by a list of
discharge medications

HS half strength mistaken as bedtime Write out "half-

strength" or "at
bedtime"
Hs at bedtime mistaken as half strength Write "at bedtime"
IJ Injection Mistaken as IV (intravenous) or
Intrajugular,
IU International Mistaken as IV (intravenous) or Write "international
unit 10 (ten) unit"
MS, MgSO4 Morphine Can be mistaken for each other Write "Magnesium
and MSO4 Sulfate or sulfate" or
Magnesium "Morphine Sulfate"
sulfate
q.d., qd, Q.D. or every day Mistaken for qid (four times a Write "daily"
QD day), esp if the period after the
"q" or the tail of the "q" is
mistaken as an "i"
S.C. or S.Q. subcutaneous Mistaken for SL or sublingual, or Write "Sub-Q",
"5 every" "subQ" or
subcutaneously
U, u unit Mistaken for "0" (zero), number Write "unit"
"4" (four) or "cc"
Trailing zero Decimal point is missed Write X mg
(X.0 mg)
Lack of leading Decimal point is missed Write 0.X mg
zero (.X mg)