Home and Community Based Services Manual


Medical

Abbreviation Term
ADAlzheimer’s disease
ADLActivities of daily living
AIDSAcquired immunodeficiency syndrome
ALSAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
AMAAgainst medical advice
Appt/apptAppointment
bid, b.i.d.Twice a day
BMBowel movement
BPBlood pressure
c/oComplains of
CADCoronary artery disease
CHFCongestive heart failure
COPDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CPCerebral palsy
CVA Cerebral vascular accident (stroke)
CXRChest x-ray
DMDiabetes mellitus
DODoctor of osteopathic medicine
DrDoctor
DxDiagnosis
ECG or EKGElectrocardiogram
EDEmergency department
EREmergency room
FrFracture
GERDGastroesophageal reflux disease
gtt, gttsDrop(s) 
H&PHistory and physical
HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus
HOHHard of hearing
HRHeart rate
HTNHypertension (high blood pressure)
Hx, hxHistory
IADLInstrumental activities of daily living
IDDMInsulin dependent diabetes mellitus
IMIntramuscular
IVIntravenous
LLiter
MDMedical doctor
mgMilligram
mlMilliliter
MSMultiple sclerosis
MVAMotor vehicle accident
N/V, N&VNausea and vomiting
NG, ngNasogastric
NPO, n.p.oNothing by mouth
O2Oxygen
OTOccupational therapy
PCPPrimary care physician
PO, poBy mouth
Post-op, post-opPostoperative (after surgery)
Pre-op, pre-opPreoperative (before surgery
prnas needed
PROM Passive range of motion
PTPhysical therapy
PTSDPost-traumatic stress disorder
Q2h, q.2h (number can 
vary)
Every two hours (number can vary)
qd, q.d.Every day
qh, q.h.Every hour
qid, q.i.d.Four times a day
RARheumatoid arthritis
RNRegistered nurse
ROMRange of motion
RxPrescriptions
S/S, s/s, Signs and symptoms
SLPSpeech-language pathology (Speech Therapy)
SOBShortness of breath
sub-qSubcutaneous
tabTablet
TBTuberculosis
TBITraumatic brain injury
TID, tid, t.i.dThree times a day
Tx, txTreatment
VsVital signs

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