What Does Lv Stand for in Medical Terms

Help Desk → Spinal Cord Injury & Disorders Lexicon → Medical Terms and Abbreviations → Listing of Medical Abbreviations

1.1. Listing of Medical Abbreviations

This alphabetical listing of medical abbreviations is intended to help you better understand commonly used abbreviations and acronyms in your medical records or used by medical staff as they speak to you, or around you.  We hope that you find it helpful.

A

A - accommodation; acetum; angström unit; anode; anterior
a - artery
a - before
A2 -aortic second sound
aa - of each; arteries
AAA – abdominal aortic aneurysm
A-a gradient – alveolar to arterial gradient
AAS – acute abdominal series
ABD – abdomen
ABG – arterial blood gas
ABI  - ankle-brachial index
ABO -three basic blood groups
AC - adrenal cortex; air conduction; alternating current; axiocervical
AC – before eating
acc. - accommodation
A/CA - accommodative/convergence accommodation ratio
ACE - angiotensin-converting enzyme
ACh - acetylcholine
AChE - acetylcholinesterase
AChR - acetylcholine receptor
ACLS – advanced cardiac life support
ACTH – adrenocorticotropic hormone
AD – autonomic dysreflexia
ad lib – as much as needed
ad lib.  - freely; as desired
admov. - apply
ad sat. - to saturation
ADH – anti-diuretic hormone
ADHD - attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder
ADL – activity of daily living
AED - antiepileptic drug
AF – atrial fibrillation or afebrile
AFB – acid-fast bacilli
AFP – alpha-fetoprotein
AFO – ankle foot orthosis
Ag - silver; antigen
A/G – albumin/globulin ratio
AGC  -  atypical glandular cells
AgNO3 - silver nitrate
ah - hypermetropic astigmatism
AHF - antihemophilic factor
AI – aortic insufficiency
AICD - automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator
AIDS - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
AK - above the knee
AKA – above the knee amputation
Al  - aluminum
Alb - albumin
ALL – acute lymphocytic leukemia
ALP - alkaline phosphatase
ALS – amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease)
ALT - alanine aminotransferase
alt. dieb. - every other day
alt. hor. - every other hour
alt. noc. - every other nigh
AM - morning
Am - mixed astigmatism
a.m.a. - against medical advice
amb – ambulate
AMI - acute myocardial infarction
AML – acute myelogenous leukemia
AMLS - Advanced Medical Life Support
amp - ampule; amputation
ANA – antinuclear antibody
anat - anatomy or anatomic
ANNA - anti-neuronal nuclear antibody
ANP - atrial natriuretic peptide
ant. - anterior
anti-CCP - anticyclic citrullinated peptide
Ao. - aorta
AOB – alcohol on breath
AODM – adult onset diabetes mellitus
A&P - auscultation and percussion
AP – anteroposterior or abdominal – perineal
ap - before dinner
APAP - acetaminophen
aPTT - activated partial thromboplastin
AQ, aq - water
aq. dest. - distilled water
aq. frig. - cold water
ARC AIDS - related complex
ARDS – acute respiratory distress syndrome
ARF – acute renal failure
ARMD - age-related macular degeneration
AS – aortic stenosis
As. - astigmatism
ASA - acetylsalicylic acid
ASAP – as soon as possible
ASC - atypical squamous cells
asc. - ascending
ASCA - anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody
ASC-US - atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance
ASCVD – atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
ASD – atrial septal defect
AsH - hypermetropic astigmatism
ASHD – atherosclerotic heart disease
ASIA – American Spinal Injury Association
AsM - myopic astigmatism
AST - aspartate aminotransferase
Ast - astigmatism
ATCC - American Type Culture Collection
at. wt. - atomic weight
Au - gold
AV – atrioventricular
A-V – arteriovenous

A-VO2 – arteriovenous oxygen
AVP - arginine vasopressin

B

B - boron; bacillus
Ba - barium
BAC - blood alcohol concentration
BBB – bundle branch block
BBT - basal body temperature
BC – bowel care
BCAA – branched chain amino acids
BCG - bacille Calmette-Guérin
BCLS - basic cardiac life support
BCP - birth control pills
BD - Buerger disease
Be - beryllium
BE – barium enema
BEE – basal energy expenditure
BHS - beta-hemolytic streptococci
Bi - bismuth
b. - bone
bib. - drink
bid – twice a day
bilat – bilateral
b.i.n. - twice a night
bipap - bilevel positive airway pressure
BK - below the knee
BKA – below the knee amputation
BLS - basic life support
BM – bone marrow or bowel movement
BMI - body mass index
BMR – basal metabolic rate
BMS - bone marrow suppression
BMT - bone marrow transplantation
BNP - brain natriuretic peptide
bol. - pill
BOM – bilateral otitis media
BP – blood pressure
B.P. - British Pharmacopeia
BPH – benign prostatic hypertrophy
BPM – beats per minute
BRBPR – bright red blood per rectum
BRM - biologic response modifier
BROW - barley, rye, oats, and wheat
BRP – bathroom privileges
BS – bowel or breath sounds
BSA - body surface area
BSE - breast self-examination
BUN – blood urea nitrogen
BW – body weight
BX – biopsy

C

C - Calorie (kilocalorie); Celsius
c - calorie (small calorie)
c – with
C&S – culture and sensitivity
CA – cancer
CA - coronary artery
Ca – calcium
CAA – crystalline amino acids
CABG – coronary artery bypass graft
CaCO3 - calcium carbonate
CAD – coronary artery disease
CAH - chronic active hepatitis
Cal - large calorie
CAP - let (the patient) take
cap. - capsule
CAT – computerized axial tomography
cath - catheter
CBC – complete blood count
CBG – capillary blood gas
CBI - continuous bladder irrigation
CBRNE - chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive agents
CBT - cognitive behavioral therapy
cc - cubic centimeter
CC – chief complaint
CCl 4 - carbon tetrachloride
CCU – clean catch urine or cardiac care unit
CCV – critical closing volume
CD4 - T-helper cells
CD8 - cytotoxic cells
CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CEA - carcinoembryonic antigen
CF – cystic fibrosis
CFTR - cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator
cg - centigram
CGL – chronic granulocytic leukemia
CHD - congenital heart disease; coronary heart disease
ChE - cholinesterase
CHF – congestive heart failure
CHO – carbohydrate
Ci - curie
CI – cardiac index
CIN - cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
CIS - carcinoma in situ
CK - creatine kinase
CK-MB - serum creatine kinase, myocardial-bound
Cl - chlorine
CLL - chronic lymphocytic leukemia
cm - centimeter
CML – chronic myelogenous leukemia
c.m.s. - to be taken tomorrow morning
CMT - certified medication technician
CMV – cytomegalovirus
CN – cranial nerves
c.n. - tomorrow night
CNS – central nervous system
c.n.s. - to be taken tomorrow night
CO - carbon monoxide
CO – cardiac output
Co - cobalt
CO2 - carbon dioxide
C/O – complaining of
COLD – chronic obstructive lung disease
comp. - compound; compounded of
COMT - catechol-O-methyltransferase
COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
COX-2  - cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors
CP – chest pain or cerebral palsy
CPAP – continuous positive airway pressure
CPC - clinicopathologic conference
CPD - cephalopelvic disproportion
CPHSS - Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale
CPK – creatinine phosphokinase
CPM - continuous passive motion
CPR – cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CR - conditioned reflex; controlled release; crown-rump length
CRCL – creatinine clearance
CREST  - calcinosis, Raynaud phenomenon, esophageal dysfunction, sclerodactyly, telangiectasia (cluster of features of systemic sclerosis scleroderma)
CRF – chronic renal failure
CRP – C-reactive protein
CRS-R - Conners Rating Scales-Revised
CRTS – certified recreational therapy specialist
CS - cardiogenic shock; cesarean section; culture and sensitivity
CSF – cerebrospinal fluid
CSH - combat support hospital
CSW – certified social worker
CT – computerized tomography
Cu - copper
CV - cardiovascular
CVA – cerebrovascular accident or costovertebral angle
CVAT – CVA tenderness
CVC - central venous catheter
CVRB - critical value read back
CVP – central venous pressure
CVS - chorionic villi sampling
CXR – chest X-ray

D

D - diopter; dose
D5/0.9 NaCl - 5% dextrose and normal saline solution (0.9% NaCl)
D5/½ /NS - 5% dextrose and half-normal saline solution (0.45% NaCl)
D5W - 5% dextrose in water
d - density; right
/d - per day
D and C - dilatation and curettage
DAT – diet as tolerated
DAW – dispense as written
dB - decibel
DBP - diastolic blood pressure
DC - direct current; doctor of chiropractic
DC – discontinue or discharge
D&C – dilation and curettage
DDx – differential diagnosis
D5W – 5% dextrose in water
Derm - dermatology
det. - let it be given
DEXA - dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry
DFV - Doppler flow velocimetry
DHT - dihydrotestosterone
DI – diabetes insipidus
DIC – disseminated intravascular coagulopathy
dieb. alt. - every other day
dieb. tert. - every third day
dil. - dilute; diluted
dim. - halved
DIP – distal interphalangeal joint
DISIDA - (scan) diisopropyl iminodiacetic acid (cholescintigraphy)
DJD – degenerative joint disease
DKA – diabetic ketoacidosis
dL – deciliter
DM – diabetes mellitus
DMARD - disease-modulating antirheumatic drug
DNA – deoxyribonucleic acid
DNH - do not hospitalize
DNR – do not resuscitate
DOA – dead on arrival
DOB - date of birth
DOE – dyspnea on exertion
DPat - diphtheria-acellular pertussis tetanus (vaccine)
DPL – diagnostic peritoneal lavage
DPT – diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus
dr. - dram
DRE - digital rectal examination
DRG - diagnosis-related group
DSM-IV-TR - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision
DTR – deep tendon reflexes
DTs - delirium tremens
dur. - dolor while pain lasts
D5W - dextrose 5% in water
DVT – deep venous thrombosis
DWI - driving while intoxicated
DX – diagnosis

E

E - eye ; Escherichia
EAA – essential amino acids
EBL – estimated blood loss
EBV - Epstein-Barr virus
ECD – external continence device
ECG – electrocardiogram
ECF - extended care facility; extracellular fluid
ECHO - echocardiography
ECMO - extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
ECT – electroconvulsive therapy
ED – erectile dysfunction
EDD - estimated date of delivery (formerly EDC: estimated date of confinement)
EEG - electroencephalogram
EENT - eye, ear, nose, and throat
EF - ejection fraction
EFAD – essential fatty acid deficiency
EGD - esophagogastroduodenoscopy
EIA - enzyme immunosorbent assay
EKG - electrocardiogram; electrocardiograph
ELISA - enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
elix. - elixir
Em - emmetropia
EMA-IgA - immunoglobulin A antiendomysial
EMG – Electromyogram
EMS - emergency medical service
Endo - endocrine
EMV – eyes, motor, verbal response (Glasgow coma scale)
ENT – ears, nose, and throat
EOM – extraocular muscles
EP - extrapyramidal
EPS - extrapyramidal symptoms
ER - Emergency Room, extended-release
ERCP - endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ESR – erythrocyte sedimentation rate
EST - electroshock therapy
ESWL - extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
ET – endotracheal
ET-1 - endothelin-1
ETT – endotracheal tube
ERCP – endoscopic retrograde cholangio -pancreatography
ETOH – ethanol
EUA – examination under anesthesia
ext. - extensor; external

F

F - Fahrenheit
f - female
FA - fatty acid
F and E - fluid and electrolyte
FAP - familial adenomatous polyposis
FBS – fasting blood sugar
FD - fatal dose; focal distance
FDA - (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration
Fe - iron
FES – functional electrical stimulation
FEV – forced expiratory volume
FFP – fresh frozen plasma
FHT - fetal heart tone
FISH - fluorescence in situ hybridization
fl. - flexor
Fld - fluid
FP - family practice; family practitioner
FRC – functional residual capacity
FSH - follicle-stimulating hormone
FTT – failure to thrive
FU – follow-up
FUO – fever of unknown origin
FVC – forced vital capacity
Fx – fracture

G

G, g, gm - gram
GABA - gamma-aminobutyric acid
GABAB - gamma-aminobutyric acid type B
GABRB3 GABAA - receptor gene
garg - gargle
GB - gallbladder; Guillain-Barré
GC – gonorrhea
GDM - gestational diabetes mellitus
GDS - Geriatric Depression Scale
GERD - gastroesophageal reflux disease
GETT – general by endotracheal tube
GFR – glomerular filtration rate
GGT - gamma-glutamyl transferase
GH - growth hormone
GI – gastrointestinal
GnRH - gonadotropin-releasing hormone
GP - general practitioner
G6PD - glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
gr – grain; 1 grain = 65mg
grad - by degrees
GRAS - generally recognized as safe
GSW – gun shot wound
gt or gtt – drops
GTT – glucose tolerance test
GU – genitourinary
guttat. - drop by drop
GVHD - graft-versus-host disease
GXT – graded exercise tolerance (Stress test)
GYN - gynecology

H

H - hydrogen
H+ - hydrogen ion
h, hr - hour
H&H - hematocrit and hemoglobin
H1N1 - hemagglutinin type 1 and neuraminidase type 1
H2 - histamine 2
HA – headache
HAA – hepatitis B surface antigen
HAART - highly active antiretroviral therapy
HAV – hepatitis A virus
HBP – high blood pressure
HBV - hepatitis B virus
HCG – human chorionic gonadotropin
HCP - health care professional
HCT – hematocrit
HCV - hepatitis C virus
HD - hearing distance
HDL – high density lipoprotein
HDV - hepatitis D
HEENT – head, eyes, ears, nose, throat
HELLP - hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets
HEPA - high-efficiency particulate air
HER2 - human EGF (epidermal growth factor) receptor 2
HEV - hepatitis E
HF - heart failure
Hg - mercury
Hgb – hemoglobin
HGSIL - high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
H/H – Henderson-Hasselbach equation or hemoglobin/ hematocrit
Hib - Haemophilus influenzae type B
HIDA - hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (cholescintigraphy)
HIV – human immunodeficiency virus
H2O - water
H2O2 - hydrogen peroxide
HLA – histocompatibility locus antigen
HJR – hepatojugular reflex
HO – history of
HOB – head of bed
hor. decub. - bedtime
hor. som, h.s. - bedtime
HPF – high power field
HPI – history of present illness
HPV - human papillomavirus
HR – heart rate
HRT - hormone replacement therapy
HS – at bedtime
HSIL - high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
HSM – hepatosplenomegaly
HTLV-III – human lymphotropic virus, type III (AIDS agent, HIV)
HSV – herpes simplex virus
HTN – hypertension
Hx – history
Hy - hyperopia
Hz - hertz (cycles per second)

I

I - iodine
131I - radioactive isotope of iodine (atomic weight 131)
132I - radioactive isotope of iodine (atomic weight 132)
I&D – incision and drainage
I&O – intake and output
IBW - ideal body weight
IC - inspiratory capacity
ICD - implantable cardioverter defibrillator
ICP - intracranial pressure
ICS – intercostal space
ICSH - interstitial cell-stimulating hormone
ICU – intensive care unit
ID – infectious disease or identification
Id. - the same
IDDM – insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
IDM - infants of diabetic mothers
IED - improvised explosive device
IG – immunoglobulin
IgE - immunoglobulin E
IgG - immunoglobulin G
IHSS – idiopathic hypertropic subaortic stenosis
IL-1 - interleukin 1
IL-8 - interleukin 8
IM – intramuscular
IMV – intermittent mandatory ventilation
in d. - daily
INF - interferon
INF – intravenous nutritional fluid
inj. - injection
INR - international normalized ratio
instill. - instillation
int. - internal
IOP - intraocular pressure
IPPB – intermittent positive pressure breathing
IQ - intelligence quotient
IRBBB – incomplete right bundle branch block
IRDM – insulin resistant diabetes mellitus
IRV - inspiratory reserve volume
IT – interthecal
ITP – idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
I.U. - a international unit
IUCD - intrauterine contraceptive device
IUD - intrauterine device
IUFD - intrauterine fetal death
IV – intravenous
IVC – intravenous cholangiogram or inferior vena cava
IVP – intravenous pyelogram

J

J - joule
JNC 7 The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure
JODM – juvenile onset diabetes mellitus
JRA - juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
jt. - joint
JVD – jugular venous distention

K

KAFO – knee ankle foot orthosis
kg - kilogram
KI - potassium iodine
KOH - potassium hydroxide
KOR – keep open rate
KS - Kaposi sarcoma
KT – kinesio therapy or kinesiotherapist
KUB – kidneys, ureters, bladder
kv - kilovolt
KVO – keep vein open

L

L – left
L - liter
L&D - labor and delivery
lab - laboratory
LAD – left axis deviation or left anterior descending
LAE – left atrial enlargement
LAHB – left anterior hemiblock
LAP – left atrial pressure or leukocyte alkaline phosphatase
lat - lateral
lb - pound
LBBB – left bundle branch block
LBW - low birth weight
LDH – lactate dehydrogenase
LDL – low density lipoprotein
LD50 - lethal dose, median
LE – lupus erythematosus
LEEP - loop electrosurgical excision procedure
LFT - liver function test
LGA - large for gestational age
LH - luteinizing hormone
Li - lithium
lig - ligament
LIH – left inguinal hernia
liq. - liquid; fluid
LLL – left lower lobe
LLE - left lower extremity
LLQ - left lower quadrant
LMP – last menstrual period
LNMP – last normal menstrual period
LOC – loss of consciousness or level of consciousness
LP – lumbar puncture
LPN – licensed practical nurse
LR - lactated Ringer (solution)
LSIL - low-grade squamous epithelial lesion
LTD - lowest tolerated dose
LUE - left upper extremity
LUL – left upper quadrant
LUQ - left upper quadrant
LV – left ventricle
LVAD - left ventricular assist device
LVEDP – left ventricular end diastolic pressure
LVH – left ventricular hypertrophy

M

M - master; medicine; molar; thousand; muscle
m - male; meter; minim; mole; meta; muscle
MA - mental age
MAO – monoamine oxidase
MAO-B  - monoamine oxidase-B
man. prim. - first thing in the morning
MAP – mean arterial pressure
MAST – medical antishock trousers
MAT - Miller Analogies Test
MBD - minimal brain dysfunction
MBT – maternal blood type
mc; mCi - millicurie
mcg - microgram
MCH – mean cell hemoglobin
MCHC – mean cell hemoglobin concentration
MCV – mean cell volume
MD - muscular dystrophy
MDI - metered-dose inhaler
MED - minimum effective dose
med - medial
MELD - Model for End-Stage Liver Disease
µEq - microequivalent
mEq - milliequivalent
mEq/L - milliequivalent per liter
ME ratio - myeloid/erythroid ratio
MG - myasthenia gravis
Mg - magnesium
MgSO4 - magnesium sulfate
µg - microgram
mg - milligram
MI – myocardial infarction or mitral insufficiency
MID - minimum infective dose
mist. - a mixture
mL – milliliter
MLD - minimum lethal dose
MLE – midline episiotomy
MLF - medial longitudinal fasciculus
MM - mucous membrane; multiple myeloma
mm - millimeter
mm - Hg millimeters of mercury
MMEF – maximal mid expiratory flow
mmol – millimole
MMR – measles, mumps, rubella
MMSE - Mini-Mental Status Examination
MMSE - Mini-Mental Status Examination
Mn - manganese
mol wt - molecular weight
mor. dict. - as directed
mor. sol. - as accustomed
MPC - maximum permitted concentration
MPN - most probable number
mr - milliroentgen
MRA - magnetic resonance angiography
MRgFUS - MR-guided focused ultrasound surgery
MRI – magnetic resonance imaging
MRSA – methicillin resistant staph aureus
MS – multiple sclerosis or mitral stenosis, or morphine sulfate
MSSA – methicillin-sensitive staph aureus
MUSE – medicated urethral system erection
MV - mitral valve
mV - millivolt
MVA – motor vehicle accident
MVI – multivitamin injection
MVV – maximum voluntary ventilation
MW - molecular weight

N

N - nitrogen
n - nerve
N/A - not applicable
Na - sodium
NAA - nucleic acid amplification
NAD - no acute distress
NAD – no active disease
n.b. - note well
nCi - nanocurie
NAS – no added salt
NCV – nerve conduction velocity
NDC - National Drug Code
NED – no evidence of recurrent disease
ng – nanogram
NG – nasogastric
NGT - nasogastric tube
NH3 - ammonia
Ni - nickel
NICU - neonatal intensive care unit
NIDDM – non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
NIH - National Institutes of Health
NK - natural killer
NKA – no known allergies
NKDA – no known drug allergies
NMDA - N-methyl D-aspartate
NMJ - neuromuscular junction
NMR – nuclear magnetic resonance
NMS - neuroleptic malignant syndrome
nn - nerves
noct. - in the night
noct. maneq. - night and morning
non rep; n.r. - do not repeat
NPN - nonprotein nitrogen
NPO – nothing by mouth
NRC - normal retinal correspondence
NRM – no regular medications
NS - normal saline
NSAID – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
NSR – normal sinus rhythm
NT – nasotracheal
N&V, N/V - nausea and vomiting

O

O - pint
O2 - oxygen
OB – obstetrics
OC - oral contraceptive
OCD - obsessive-compulsive disorder
OCG – oral cholecystogram
OD – overdose or right eye
ol. - oil
OM – otitis media
om. mane vel noc. - every morning or night
omn. hor. - every hour
omn. noct. - every night
OmPC - outer membrane porin C
OOB – out of bed
OPD - outpatient department
OPV – oral polio vaccine
OR – operating room
ORIF - open reduction with/and internal fixation
OS – left eye
OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OT – occupational therapy or occupational therapist
OTC - over-the-counter
OU – both eyes
oz - ounce

P

P – para
P, p - melting point
p - after
P2 - pulmonic second sound
PA – posteroanterior
PABA - para-aminobenzoic acid (vitamin B10)
PAC – premature atrial contraction
Paco2 - partial pressure of carbon dioxide in alveolar gas
PACU - postanesthesia care unit
PAD - peripheral arterial disease
PALS - pediatric advanced life support
P-ANCA - perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
PAO2 – alveolar oxygen
PaO2 – peripheral arterial oxygen content
PAP – pulmonary artery pressure
Pap, Pap test - Papanicolaou smear
part. vic - in divided doses
PAT – paroxysymal atrial tachycardia
P&PD – percussion and postural drainage
Pb - lead
PBI - protein-bound iodine
PC – after eating
PCA - patient-controlled analgesia
Pco 2 - carbon dioxide pressure
PCOS - polycystic ovarian syndrome
PCP - Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia; primary care physician; primary care provider
PCR - polymerase chain reaction
PCWP – pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
PD - interpupillary distance; Parkinson disease; peritoneal dialysis
pd - prism diopter; pupillary distance
PDA – patent ductus arteriosus
PDR – physicians desk reference
PE – pulmonary embolus, or physical exam or pleural effusion
PEEP – positive end expiratory pressure
PEFR - peak expiratory flow rate
PEG - percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
per - through or by
PERRLA - pupils equal, regular, react to light and accommodation
PET - positron emission tomography
PFP, P4P - pay for performance
PFT – pulmonary function tests
pg – picogram
pH - hydrogen ion concentration
Pharm; Phar. - pharmacy
PI - present illness; previous illness
PI – pulmonic insufficiency disease
PICC - peripherally inserted central catheter
PID - pelvic inflammatory disease
PIH - pregnancy-induced hypertension
pil. - pill
PIP - proximal interphalangeal
PIPDA (scan) - 99mTc-para-isopropylacetanilido-iminodiaacetic acid (cholescintigraphy)
PKU – phenylketonuria
PM - afternoon/evening
PMH – previous medical history
PMI – point of maximal impulse
PMN – polymorphonuclear leukocyte (neutrophil)
PMS - premenstrual syndrome
PND – paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
PNH - paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
PNS - peripheral nervous system
PO – by mouth
POD – post-op day
POLST - physician orders for life-sustaining therapy
post. - posterior
PP - placenta previa
PP – postprandial or pulsus paradoxus
PPD – purified protein derivative
ppm - parts per million
PPMS – primary progressive multiple sclerosis
PPS – post-polio syndrome
PR – by rectum
PRBC – packed red blood cells
PRN – as needed
pro time/PT - prothrombin time
PS – pulmonic stenosis
PSA – prostate-specific antigen
PSV - prostate-specific antigen
PT – prothrombin time, or physical therapy
Pt – patient
pt - pint
PTCA – percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
PTH – parathyroid hormone
PTHC – percutanous transhepatic cholangiogram
PTSD – post-traumatic stress disorder
PTT – partial thromboplastin time
Pu - plutonium
PUBS - percutaneous umbilical blood sampling
PUD – peptic ulcer disease
PUVA - psoralen ultraviolet A
p.v. - through the vagina
PVC – premature ventricular contraction
PVD – peripheral vascular disease
PVR - peripheral vascular resistance
PVR – post voiding residual

Q

q – every
qd – every day
QFT-G - QuantiFERON-TB Gold
qh – every hour
q.2h. - every 2 hours
q.3h. - every 3 hours
q4h, q6h.... – every 4 hours, every 6 hours etc.
qid – four times a day
q.l. - as much as wanted
QNS – quantity not sufficient
qod – every other day
q.p. - as much as desired
q.s. - as much as needed
Qs/Qt – shunt fraction
Qt – total cardiac output
qt - quart
q.v. - as much as you please

R

R – right
RA – rheumatoid arthritis or right atrium
Ra - radium
rad - radiation absorbed dose
RAD – right atrial axis deviation
RAE – right atrial enlargement
RAI - radioactive iodine
RAIU - radioactive iodine uptake
RAP – right atrial pressure
RBBB – right bundle branch block
RBC – red blood cell
RBP – retinol-binding protein
RD - Raynaud disease
RDA – recommended daily allowance
RDS - respiratory distress syndrome
RDW – red cell distribution width
RE - right eye
Re - rhenium
REM - rapid eye movement
RF - rheumatoid factor
RFT - renal function test
Rh - rhesus factor; rhodium
RHD - rheumatic heart disease
RIA – radioimmunoassay
RIH – right inguinal hernia
RLE - right lower extremity
RLL – right lower lobe
RLQ – right lower quadrant
RML – right middle lobe
Rn - radon
RNA – ribonucleic acid
R/O – rule out
ROM – range of motion
ROS – review of systems
RPG – retrograde pyelogram
RPM - revolutions per minute
RPMS – relapsing-progressive multiple sclerosis
RQ - respiratory quotient
RR - recovery room; respiratory rate
RRMS – relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
RRR – regular rate and rhyth
RSV - respiratory syncytial virus
RT – respiratory or radiation therapy
R/T - related to
RTA – renal tubular acidosis
RTC – return to clinic
RU – resin uptake
RUE - right upper extremity
RUG – retrograde urethogram
RUL – right upper lobe
RUQ – right upper quadrant
RV – residual volume
RVH – right ventricular hyperthrophy
Rx – treatment

S

S - mark
S. - sacral
s – without
SA – sinoatrial
SAA – synthetic amino acid
SAD - seasonal affective disorder
SARS - severe acute respiratory syndrome
SB - small bowel
Sb - antimony
S&E – sugar and acetone
SBE – subacute bacterial endocarditis
SBFT – small bowel follow through
SBP - systolic blood pressure
SBS – short bowel syndrome
SC, sc, s.c. - subcutaneous(ly)
SCr – serum creatinine
SCI – spinal cord injury
SCI/D – spinal cord injury and disorder
S.D. - standard deviation
SDAT - senile dementia of the Alzheimer type
S.E. - standard error
Se - selenium
Sed rate - sedimentation rate
SEM – systolic ejection murmur
semih. -half an hour
SERM - selective estrogen receptor modulator
SG – Swan-Ganz
SGA – small for gestational age
SGGT – serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase
SGOT – serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase
SGPT – serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
SI - international system of units
Si - silicon
SIADH – syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
SIDS - sudden infant death syndrome
sig – write on label
SIMV – synchronous intermittent mandatory ventilation
SJS - Stevens-Johnson syndrome
sl – sublingual
SLE – systemic lupus erythematous
SLP - speech-language pathology
SMO – slips made out
Sn - tin
SNF - skilled nursing facility
SNRI - serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
SNS - sympathetic nervous system
SOAP – Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
SOB – shortness of breath
sol - solution, dissolved
s.o.s. - if necessary
S/P - no change after
SPECT - single-photon emission computed tomography
sp gr - specific gravity
SPF - skin protection factor
sph - spherical
SPMS – secondary preogressive multiple sclerosis
spt. - spirit
SQ – subcutaneous
Sr - strontium
ss – one-half
SSRI - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
SSS - sick sinus syndrome
st. - let it/them stand
Staph - Staphylococcus
STAT – immediately
STD - sexually transmitted disease
Strep - Streptococcus
STS - serologic test for syphilis
STU - skin test unit
sup. - superior
supf. - superficial
SV - stroke volume; supraventricular
SVC - superior vena cava
SVD – spontaneous vaginal delivery
SW – social worker
Sx – symptoms
syr. - syrup

T

T - temperature
T3 - triiodothyronine
T4 - tetraiodothyronine; thyroxine
T6 - thoracic nerve pair 6
TA - toxin-antitoxin
Ta - tantalum
T&A - tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
T&C – type and cross
TAH – total abdominal hysterectomy
T&H – type and hold
TAT - thematic apperception test
T.A.T. - toxin-antitoxin
TB – tuberculosis
Tb - terbium
TBG – total binding globulin
Td – tetanus-diphtheria toxoid
t.d.s. - to be taken three times daily
Te - tellurium; tetanus
TEE - transesophageal echocardiogram
TEN - toxic epidermal necrolysis
TENS - transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
TG - thyroglobulin
Th - thorium
THR - total hip replacement
TIA – transient ischemic attack
TIBC – total iron binding capacity
tid – three times a day
TIG – tetanus immune globulin
t.i.n. - three times a night
tinct., tr - tincture
TKO – to keep open
TKR - total knee replacement
Tl - thallium
TLC – total lung capacity
TM - tympanic membrane
TMJ – temporo mandibular joint
TN - trigeminal nerve
TNF - tumor necrosis factor
TNF-I - tumor necrosis factor inhibitor
TNF-α - tumor necrosis factor alpha
TNM - tumor-node-metastasis
TNT - trinitrotoluene
TNTC – too numerous to count
TNTM - too numerous to mention
TO – telephone order
top. - topically
TOPV – trivalent oral polio vaccine
TORB - telephone order read back
TPI - Treponema pallidum immobilization test for syphilis
TPN – total parenteral nutrition
TPO - thyroid peroxidase
TPR - temperature, pulse, and respiration
tr, tinct. - tincture
TRAP - criteria tremor, rigidity, akinesia or postural instablity bradykinesia, and postural instability
Treg - regulatory T cell
trit. - triturate, grind
TSD - time since death
TSE - testicular self-examination
TSH – thyroid stimulating hormone
TT – thrombin time
tTG - antitransglutaminase
TTP – thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
TU – tuberculin units
TUMA - transurethral microwave antenna
TUR – transurethral resection
TURBT – TUR bladder tumors
TURP – transurethral resection of prostate
TV – tidal volume
TVH – total vaginal hysterectomy
tw – twice a week
Tx – treatment, transplant

U

U a - uranium; unit a
UA – urinalysis
UAC – uric acid
UC - ulcerative colitis
ud – use as directed
UE - upper extremity
UGI – upper gastrointestinal
UHF - ultrahigh frequency
ult. praes. - the last ordered
Umb; umb - umbilicus
ung. - ointment
URI – upper respiratory infection
US – ultrasound
USAN - United States Adopted Name
USP - United States Pharmacopeia
ut. dict. - as directed
UTI – urinary tract infection
UUN – urinary urea nitrogen
UV- ultraviolet

V

v - vein
VA - visual acuity
VC – vital capacity
VCUG – voiding cystourethrogram
VD - venereal disease
VDRL - Venereal Disease Research Laboratories
VF - ventricular fibrillation
Vf - field of vision
VLBW - very low birth weight
VLDL - very low density lipoprotein
VMA – vanillymadelic acid
VO – verbal or voice order
VOE - VistA-Office Electronic Health Record
vol. - volume
vol % - volume percent
VORB - verbal order read back
V/Q – ventilation – perfusion
VS - volumetric solution; vesicular sound; vital signs
VSD - ventricular septal defect
VSS – vital signs stable
VT - ventricular tachycardia
vv - veins
VZIG - varicella zoster immune globulin

W

W - tungsten
w - watt
WAIS - Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
WAP - written action plan
WB – whole blood
WBC – white blood cell or count
WD – well developed
WDWN - well-developed, well-nourished
WF – white female
WF/BF - white female/black female
WH - well-hydrated
WM – white male
WM/BM - white male/black male
WN – well nourished
WNL – within normal limits
WPW – Wolf-Parkinson-White
wt. - weight
w/v. - weight in volume

X

x - multiplied by
XRT – X-ray therapy

Y

y - yocto-
yo – years old
yr - year

Z

Z - atomic number
ZE – Zollinger-Ellison
Zn - zinc

What Does Lv Stand for in Medical Terms

Source: https://askus-resource-center.unitedspinal.org/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=1413

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