100 Common Medical Abbreviations and Their Full Forms

Medical abbreviations are used almost everywhere in healthcare. You may see them in hospital notes, laboratory reports, prescriptions, nursing documentation, medical textbooks, and clinical records.

For students, especially those studying nursing, medicine, paramedical courses, or allied health sciences, these abbreviations can be confusing at first. Once you become familiar with the most common ones, reading medical information becomes much easier.

In this guide, we have listed 100 common medical abbreviations, their full forms, and simple explanations to help you learn and revise them quickly.

«Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Some abbreviations may have more than one meaning depending on the clinical context.»

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100 Common Medical Abbreviations and Their Full Forms

1–25: Common Medical Abbreviations

No.| Abbreviation| Full Form| Simple Meaning

1| ABG| Arterial Blood Gas| Test used to check oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acid-base balance in arterial blood

2| AIDS| Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome| A condition caused by advanced HIV infection

3| BP| Blood Pressure| Pressure of blood against the walls of the arteries

4| BMI| Body Mass Index| A weight-to-height measurement used as a screening tool

5| BMR| Basal Metabolic Rate| Amount of energy the body uses while at rest

6| BUN| Blood Urea Nitrogen| Blood test related to urea metabolism and kidney function

7| CABG| Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting| Surgical procedure used to improve blood flow to the heart

8| CBC| Complete Blood Count| Blood test that measures different blood cells and related parameters

9| CHF| Congestive Heart Failure| A condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs

10| CNS| Central Nervous System| The brain and spinal cord

11| COPD| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease| Long-term lung disease that makes it difficult to move air in and out of the lungs

12| CPR| Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation| Emergency procedure used when a person's breathing or circulation has stopped

13| CSF| Cerebrospinal Fluid| Fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord

14| CT| Computed Tomography| Imaging test that produces detailed cross-sectional pictures of the body

15| CVA| Cerebrovascular Accident| Medical term commonly used for a stroke

16| CXR| Chest X-ray| X-ray examination of the chest

17| DVT| Deep Vein Thrombosis| Blood clot that forms in a deep vein, commonly in the leg

18| ECG| Electrocardiogram| Test that records the electrical activity of the heart

19| EEG| Electroencephalogram| Test that records electrical activity in the brain

20| EKG| Electrocardiogram| Another abbreviation for ECG

21| ENT| Ear, Nose and Throat| Medical specialty dealing with the ear, nose, throat, and related structures

22| ER| Emergency Room| Hospital area that provides emergency medical care

23| ESR| Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate| Blood test that can help detect or monitor inflammation

24| FBS| Fasting Blood Sugar| Blood glucose measurement taken after fasting

25| GI| Gastrointestinal| Related to the digestive system

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26–50: Important Medical Abbreviations

No.| Abbreviation| Full Form| Simple Meaning

26| Hb| Hemoglobin| Protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen

27| HbA1c| Hemoglobin A1c| Blood test that reflects average blood glucose over roughly the previous 2–3 months

28| Hct| Hematocrit| Percentage of blood volume made up of red blood cells

29| HDL| High-Density Lipoprotein| A type of lipoprotein that carries cholesterol in the blood

30| HIV| Human Immunodeficiency Virus| Virus that attacks the immune system

31| ICU| Intensive Care Unit| Hospital unit for patients who need intensive treatment or close monitoring

32| IM| Intramuscular| Given or injected into a muscle

33| INR| International Normalized Ratio| Standardized measurement used to assess blood clotting

34| IV| Intravenous| Given directly into a vein

35| LFT| Liver Function Tests| Group of blood tests used to assess liver-related function or injury

36| LDL| Low-Density Lipoprotein| A type of lipoprotein that carries cholesterol in the blood

37| LOC| Level of Consciousness| How awake and responsive a person is

38| LP| Lumbar Puncture| Procedure used to collect cerebrospinal fluid from the lower back

39| LMP| Last Menstrual Period| Date of the most recent menstrual period

40| MRI| Magnetic Resonance Imaging| Imaging test that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images

41| MRSA| Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus| Type of bacteria resistant to several commonly used antibiotics

42| Na| Sodium| An important electrolyte needed for normal body functions

43| NG| Nasogastric| Related to a tube passed through the nose into the stomach

44| NPO| Nothing by Mouth| Instruction not to take food or fluids orally

45| NSAID| Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug| Group of medicines commonly used for pain, inflammation, and fever

46| OR| Operating Room| Room where surgical procedures are performed

47| ORIF| Open Reduction and Internal Fixation| Surgical procedure used to repair certain broken bones

48| OT| Occupational Therapy| Therapy that helps people improve their ability to perform everyday activities

49| O2| Oxygen| Gas required by the body for normal cellular function

50| OPD| Outpatient Department| Hospital or clinic department where patients receive care without being admitted

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51–75: Clinical and Hospital Abbreviations

No.| Abbreviation| Full Form| Simple Meaning

51| PACU| Post-Anesthesia Care Unit| Area where patients are monitored after anesthesia

52| PCOS| Polycystic Ovary Syndrome| Hormonal and metabolic condition affecting the ovaries and other body systems

53| PE| Pulmonary Embolism| Blockage of a pulmonary artery, often caused by a blood clot

54| PET| Positron Emission Tomography| Imaging technique used to examine activity in tissues

55| PFT| Pulmonary Function Test| Tests used to assess how well the lungs work

56| PO| Per Os / By Mouth| Taken orally

57| PR| Per Rectum| Administered through the rectum

58| PRN| Pro Re Nata| As needed

59| PT| Physical Therapy| Therapy focused on movement, strength, and physical function

60| PT| Prothrombin Time| Blood test used to measure how quickly blood clots

61| RBC| Red Blood Cell| Blood cell that carries oxygen around the body

62| ROM| Range of Motion| Degree to which a joint can move

63| RR| Respiratory Rate| Number of breaths taken per minute

64| Rx| Prescription / Treatment| Common medical notation referring to treatment or a prescription

65| SOB| Shortness of Breath| Difficulty or discomfort while breathing

66| SpO2| Peripheral Oxygen Saturation| Estimated percentage of hemoglobin carrying oxygen, usually measured with a pulse oximeter

67| STAT| Immediately| Indicates that something should be done urgently

68| TB| Tuberculosis| Infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis

69| TIA| Transient Ischemic Attack| Temporary neurological dysfunction caused by reduced blood flow to the brain

70| TSH| Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone| Hormone that regulates thyroid activity

71| UA| Urinalysis| Laboratory examination of urine

72| UTI| Urinary Tract Infection| Infection affecting part of the urinary tract

73| WBC| White Blood Cell| Blood cell involved in protecting the body against infection

74| WHO| World Health Organization| International organization focused on global public health

75| ED| Emergency Department| Hospital department that provides urgent and emergency care

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76–100: More Common Medical Abbreviations

No.| Abbreviation| Full Form| Simple Meaning

76| GCS| Glasgow Coma Scale| Scale used to assess a person's level of consciousness

77| GFR| Glomerular Filtration Rate| Estimate of how well the kidneys filter blood

78| H&P| History and Physical| Patient's medical history and physical examination

79| Hgb| Hemoglobin| Protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen

80| HR| Heart Rate| Number of heartbeats per minute

81| I&O| Intake and Output| Record of fluids taken in and eliminated

82| K| Potassium| Electrolyte important for muscles, nerves, and heart function

83| KUB| Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder| Term used for an imaging study involving these structures

84| MICU| Medical Intensive Care Unit| Intensive care unit for seriously ill medical patients

85| NICU| Neonatal Intensive Care Unit| Intensive care unit for newborn babies who need specialized care

86| PICU| Pediatric Intensive Care Unit| Intensive care unit for critically ill children

87| PUD| Peptic Ulcer Disease| Condition involving ulcers in the stomach or duodenum

88| Sx| Symptoms| Problems or sensations reported by a patient

89| Tx| Treatment| Medical care given for a condition

90| Dx| Diagnosis| Identification of a disease or condition

91| Hx| History| Patient's relevant medical history

92| FH| Family History| Information about health conditions in a patient's family

93| PMH| Past Medical History| Previous illnesses, medical conditions, or important medical events

94| PSH| Past Surgical History| Previous surgical procedures

95| ROS| Review of Systems| Structured review of symptoms involving different body systems

96| V/S| Vital Signs| Basic measurements such as blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiratory rate

97| WNL| Within Normal Limits| Findings considered to be within an expected range

98| ECG/EKG| Electrocardiogram| Test that records the electrical activity of the heart

99| CBG| Capillary Blood Glucose| Blood glucose measurement usually obtained from a finger-stick sample

100| ORT| Oral Rehydration Therapy| Use of an oral solution to replace fluids and electrolytes lost through dehydration

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Medical Abbreviations You Should Know First

If you are just starting medical terminology, you do not need to memorize all 100 abbreviations at once.

Start with these commonly encountered terms:

Vital Signs

- BP → Blood Pressure

- HR → Heart Rate

- RR → Respiratory Rate

- SpO2 → Peripheral Oxygen Saturation

- V/S → Vital Signs

Diagnostic Tests

- CBC → Complete Blood Count

- ECG → Electrocardiogram

- EEG → Electroencephalogram

- CT → Computed Tomography

- MRI → Magnetic Resonance Imaging

- ABG → Arterial Blood Gas

- LFT → Liver Function Tests

- PFT → Pulmonary Function Test

Routes of Administration

- PO → By Mouth

- IV → Intravenous

- IM → Intramuscular

- PR → Per Rectum

Hospital Departments

- ICU → Intensive Care Unit

- NICU → Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

- PICU → Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

- ED → Emergency Department

- OPD → Outpatient Department

Medical Documentation

- Dx → Diagnosis

- Tx → Treatment

- Hx → History

- PMH → Past Medical History

- PSH → Past Surgical History

- FH → Family History

- ROS → Review of Systems

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Why Are Medical Abbreviations Important?

Medical abbreviations make communication shorter and more efficient. A healthcare professional can write BP instead of repeatedly writing "blood pressure," for example.

For students, learning abbreviations also makes medical notes, textbooks, reports, and clinical terminology easier to understand.

However, abbreviations should always be interpreted carefully. A single abbreviation may have different meanings.

For example, PT can mean:

- Physical Therapy

- Prothrombin Time

The surrounding information tells you which meaning is intended.

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How to Learn Medical Abbreviations Easily

1. Learn in Groups

Instead of memorizing random abbreviations, organize them into categories such as:

Vital Signs → Diagnostic Tests → Diseases → Medicines → Routes → Hospital Departments → Documentation

This makes learning much easier.

2. Use Flashcards

Put the abbreviation on one side and its full form on the other.

For example:

Front: ECG

Back: Electrocardiogram

Try to recall the answer before turning the card over.

3. Learn With Examples

Learning an abbreviation in context is often easier than memorizing it alone.

For example:

BP → Blood Pressure → Vital Sign

CBC → Complete Blood Count → Blood Test

MRI → Magnetic Resonance Imaging → Imaging Test

4. Revise a Few Terms Every Day

You can learn 5–10 abbreviations each day and review the older ones regularly. With consistent revision, the terms become easier to remember.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are medical abbreviations?

Medical abbreviations are shortened forms of medical words or phrases commonly used in healthcare communication and documentation.

What does BP stand for?

BP stands for Blood Pressure.

What does CBC stand for?

CBC stands for Complete Blood Count, a blood test that provides information about different types of blood cells.

What does ECG stand for?

ECG stands for Electrocardiogram, a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.

What does MRI stand for?

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

What does ICU stand for?

ICU stands for Intensive Care Unit.

What does PRN mean?

PRN comes from the Latin phrase pro re nata and generally means as needed.

What does NPO mean?

NPO is commonly used to mean nothing by mouth, meaning that food or fluids should not be taken orally according to the applicable clinical instruction.

Can one medical abbreviation have more than one meaning?

Yes. Some abbreviations have multiple meanings. For example, PT may refer to Physical Therapy or Prothrombin Time. The clinical context is important.

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Final Takeaway

Medical abbreviations are an important part of medical terminology. Understanding common terms such as BP, HR, RR, CBC, ECG, MRI, CT, ICU, IV, IM, PO, PRN, Dx, Tx, and Hx can make medical study and clinical documentation much easier to understand.

Do not try to memorize everything in one day. Learn a few abbreviations at a time, group them by category, and revise them regularly.

Learn • Revise • Remember — one medical abbreviation at a time with MedicosTerm.