Abbreviations

what kind of abbreviations?

are you talking about things like:

q = every

PO = per oral (by mouth)

pt. = patient

IM = intramuscular

IV = intravaneous

SubQ = subcutaneous

d = (as in 2 q d) = daily

BID = twice daily (every 12 hours) or q 12 hrs

TID = three times daily (every 8 hours) or q 8 hrs

QID = four times daily (every 6 hours) or q 6 hrs

These are just a few, there are many, and from what I found different Dr.s use different abbreviations.

Yes, exactly!!

what kind of abbreviations?

are you talking about things like:

q = every

PO = per oral (by mouth)

pt. = patient

IM = intramuscular

IV = intravaneous

SubQ = subcutaneous

d = (as in 2 q d) = daily

BID = twice daily (every 12 hours) or q 12 hrs

TID = three times daily (every 8 hours) or q 8 hrs

QID = four times daily (every 6 hours) or q 6 hrs

These are just a few, there are many, and from what I found different Dr.s use different abbreviations.

OK, here are a couple of more that popped in mind:

NPO = Nothing per oral (as in no food before a procedure)

Hx = History

Dx = Diagnosis

Rx = Reaction or some use as Prescription

qh = every hour

QOD = every other day

also, you can use q6h, q12h to shorten the q __ hrs info I posted earlier

R = Right

L = Left

BP = Blood pressure

I'm sure you can search MSN or yahoo for medical terminology, or medical abbreviations to help you. Like I said, different Dr.s used different terms, so don't get stuck on one specific way. :)

That is what I was wondering about different abbreviations for different offices!! I have printed up some. So do I remember both if there is two different ones? Thanks for your reply.

OK, here are a couple of more that popped in mind:

NPO = Nothing per oral (as in no food before a procedure)

Hx = History

Dx = Diagnosis

Rx = Reaction or some use as Prescription

qh = every hour

QOD = every other day

also, you can use q6h, q12h to shorten the every 2 hours info I posted earlier

R = Right

L = Left

BP = Blood pressure

I'm sure you can search MSN or yahoo for medical terminology, or medical abbreviations to help you. Like I said, different Dr.s used different terms, so don't get stuck on one specific way. :)

The more you use these, it just comes natural. If you see an abbreviation you don't know, just ask someone.

As for learning them all.....you just tend to adjust to each employment....use the common abbreviation for that facility.

For example, if you se rx for reaction, and Rx for prescription, use those terms that way....just remember in the back of your mind that these can be different somewhere else.

Thanks for posting those abbreviations.

The more you use these, it just comes natural. If you see an abbreviation you don't know, just ask someone.

As for learning them all.....you just tend to adjust to each employment....use the common abbreviation for that facility.

For example, if you se rx for reaction, and Rx for prescription, use those terms that way....just remember in the back of your mind that these can be different somewhere else.

Your very welcome. I hope it helps! :)

I'm not in TX, but here are some I've see quite regularly throughout school and clinicals:

HTN = hypertension

SOB = shortness of breath

PMH = past medical history

CP = chest pain

CXR = chest x-ray

U/O = upon arrival

RUQ = right uppper quadrant

RLQ = right uppper quadrant

LUQ, LLQ = left upper and lower quadrants

BS x 4 quads = bowel signs in all 4 quadrants (also sometimes BS + all 4 quads)

N/V/D = nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

SQ or SC = subcutaneous

PR = per rectum

SL = sublingual

A + O x 3 = alert and oriented times three (person, place and time). In psych sometimes you see O x 4 for person, place, time, and situation.

NSS = normal saline solution

WNL = within normal limits

Thanks, PennyLane. Some of those I recognized, and others are beyond my wisdom. :chuckle

As a medical assistant, I haven't been introduced to so many abbreviations yet...thanks again! :)

these appear to be national standard as they are all the same in Ohio

Good luck

Isn't there a movement afoot to eliminate abbreviations?

OD Right eye ocular dexter

OS Left eye ocular sinister

OU Both eyes Does anyone know what the "u" stands for?

I don't know what the u is for either. I have heard that the list of acceptable abrev. has been decreased and in some facilities not used at all. My former employer did not allow them at all. The one I work at now allows them. A few I thought of:

os =mouth

NPO =nothing per os(mouth)

c with a line over it =with

p with line over it =after

a with line over it =before

BLE =bilateral lower extremity

PRN =as needed

BS =blood sugar or bowel sounds