benign
normal, of no danger to health
acute
new, usually of rapid onset and of concern, opposite of chronic
abrasion
scrape of the skin
ambulate
to walk from place to place
bradycardia
slow heart-rate (<60 BPM)
cardiomegaly
enlarged heart
cholecystitis
inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecyst)
chronic
long-standing, constant
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
stroke -lack of blood supply to brain causing brain damage
diaphoresis
sweating
deep vein thrombosis DVT
blood clot in a deep vein, usually in an extremity
dyspnea
difficulty/problems w/ breathing
dysuria
painful urination
ecchymosis
bruise
edema
swelling
emesis
vomiting
epistaxis
nose bleed
erythema
redness/red
febrile
elevated body temp, fever
grossly
a lot, obviously
hemorrhage
excessive/profuse bleeding
hypertension HTN
high blood pressure
hypotension
low blood pressure
hyperlipidemia HLD
high cholesterol/lip in blood
hypoxia
low O2 sat of the body, not enough O2 in the blood
ischemia
lack of blood supply
laceration
splitting of the skin due to trauma
a cut due to something sharp
melena
black tarry stool
myocardial infarction MI
death of cardiac muscle due to ischemia aka HEART ATTACK
myalgia
muscle aches/pain
pallor
pale skin
pruritic
itchy
pulmonary embolism PE
blocking of a pulmonary artery due to a blood clot
purulent
pus-like
rhinorrhea
clear nasal discharge "runny nose"
sepsis
dangerous infection of the blood
STEMI
ST elevation MI, real-time, ongoing death of cardiac tissue due to ischemia
syncope
passing out, loss of consciousness or fainting
tachycardia
fast heart rate (>100 BPM)
tachypnea
increased breathing rate
transient ischemic attack TIA
mini/minor stroke wehre neurological function is regained quickly w/ time
vertigo
dizziness/room spinning
Abd
abdomen/abdominal
A Fib
atrial fibrillation
Abx
antibiotics
AMS
altered mental status
ASA
aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
BID
twice daily
Bilat LE
bilateral lower extremities
BM
bowel movements
BP
blood pressure
CA
cancer, carcinoma
CABG
coronary artery bypass graft, "open heart surgery"
PMHx
past medical history
PSHx
past surgical history
PO
to be taken by mouth
LNMP
last normal menstrual period
CAD
coronary artery disease, "heart disease"
CHF
congestive heart failure
COPD
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CP
chest pain
CVA
cerebrovascular accident aka stroke
also stands for costovertebral angle
CXR
chest x-ray
c/o
complains of
DM
diabetes mellitus
DOE
dyspnea on exertion
DVT
deep vein thrombosis
Dx
diagnosis
Dz
disease
FHx
family history
Fx
fracture
HA
headache
HEENT
head, eyes, ears, nose, throat
HPI
history of present illness
HTN
hypertension
Hx
history
SH/ SocHx
social history
IDDM
insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
JVD
jugular vein distension
LOC
loss of consciousness
MI
myocardial infarction
MVA/MVC
motor vehicle accident/collision
NAD
no acute distress/disease
NIDDM
non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
NKDA
no known drug allergies
nml or nl
normal
NSR
normal sinus rhythm
NTG
nitroglycerin
N/V/D
nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
O2 Sat
oxygen saturation aka SaO2
OD
overdose
PCP
primary care physician
PE
pulmonary embolism or physical exam
PERRL
pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light
PO
by mouth
prn
as needed
pt
pateint
PTA
prior to arrival
qd
every day
qh
every hour
qhs
at every bedtime
q2h
every 2 hours
QID
four times a day
ROM
range of motion
RUQ
right upper quadrant
RLQ
right lower quadrant
Rx
prescription
r/o
rule out
SOB
shortness of breath
s/p
status post
means after
ex: after myomectomy, status post myomectomy
Sx
symptoms
TIA
transient ischemic attack
TID
three times a day
Tx
treatment
UA
urinalysis
URI
upper respiratory infection
US
ultrasound
UTP
up to date
UTI
urinary tract infection
WNL
within normal limits