lesson 9 abbreviations -...

116 Medical Terminology I © 2002 ‐ 2010 All rights reserved.

LESSON 9 ‐ ABBREVIATIONS

Abbreviations are widely used in medicine, but confusion results because they often mean more

than one thing. For instance AP could stand for anteroposterior, aortic pressure, aortic pulmonary,

etc.

In learning terminology, you will need to be able to determine what an abbreviation actually

means. In all medical charting, abbreviations are used. A provider might write something like this

in a chart:

“This is a WD, WN, WF, looking her stated age. Most of exam WNL, except for chest where

there are BR, wheezes, rhonchi, abdomen WNL, no HSM.”

Interpreted, that means,

“This is a well‐developed, well‐nourished white female, looking her stated age. Most of

the exam is within normal limits except for the chest where there are bilateral rales,

wheezes, rhonchi. Abdomen within normal limits, no hepatosplenomegaly.”

It can get so outrageous that a person without knowledge of terminology and its abbreviations

doesn’t know what it really means when reading or hearing medical information.

The following abbreviation list is a good reference for you in your learning process and in work.

You will see and hear a number of abbreviations in the reports section of this course, so refer back

to the list if you aren’t sure what the abbreviation stands for.

If the abbreviated form has more than one meaning, we have placed an asterisk by the

abbreviation. At times, the only way you can tell the appropriate use is how the abbreviation was


used in context. If, for instance, you are reading an exam and the chart notes muscle tone and

uses the word quad, you know the word is quadriceps; however, if the exam notes the patient has

paralysis or loss of function, the clue is that the patient is a quad representing quadriplegic.

ABBREVIATION DEFINITIONS

• Abbreviation: A shortened form of a word or phrase used chiefly in writing, such as UUMC

for University of Utah Medical Center

• Acronym: An abbreviation formed from the initial letters of each of the phrase words that

is then pronounced as a word: AIDS (ayds), GERD (gurd) (gastroesophageal reflux disease)

• Initialism: An abbreviation formed from the initial letters of the successive words or major

word parts of a compound word that is not pronounced as a word, but by each letter: ALS,

CPK, HIV

• Brief Forms: An abbreviation that results in a shortened form of a single word rather than

the initial letters of a series of words (phone for telephone, exam for examination, Pap

smear for Papanicolaou, labs for laboratories, ops for operations).

RULES AND EXCEPTIONS

1. When to use abbreviations ‐ if commonly used and widely recognized, use them. In the report

section, you will see common usage. In the transcription section you will hear how dictators

use them.

a. If the dictator dictates the term in full, transcribe it that way

b. Diagnosis and operative titles ‐ always write them out

Dictated: Diagnosis is T&A. Write out: Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. If the postoperative

diagnosis is the “same,” write it out again, do not type “same.”


Do not use an abbreviation to start a sentence: HCT was 38%. Write “The HCT was 38%.”

2. Units of measure:

a. Abbreviate most metric units of measure that accompany numerals and include virgule

use. Use the same abbreviation for singular and plural forms. Do not use periods with

abbreviated units of measure. Use abbreviations only when a numeric quantity

precedes the unit described.

Dictated: She was put on 2 liters of oxygen.

Transcribe: She was put on 2 L of oxygen.

Dictated: An approximately 2.5 centimeter incision was made.

Transcribe: An approximately 2.5 cm incision was made. (Note no periods in cm)

Dictated: The wound measured several centimeters.

Transcribe: Exactly as dictated, no numerals were used so no abbreviation.

b. Nonmetric use. Spell out common nonmetric units that express weight, height, depth,

distance, length and width.

Dictated: The baby weighed 8 pounds 9 ounces.

Transcribe: As dictated.


Dictated: Two tablespoons of Motrin were given.

Transcribe: As dictated.

3. Dangerous and obscure abbreviations: Do not use abbreviations related to medications that

can be confusing or are obscure: a.c.b. for “before breakfast.”

An example of the dangerous abbreviations list is provided.

DANGEROUS ABBREVIATIONS

Abbreviation

Expression Intended Meaning

Possible

misinterpretation Suggested use

apothecary

symbols

dram ‐ minim misunderstood or

misread (symbol for

dram misread for “3”

and minim misread as

“mL”)

Use the metric system as

noted above

µg (Latin letter)

microgram mistaken for mg Use mcg

TIW or tiw three times a week mistaken as three times

a day

Do not use this

abbreviation

q.d. or QD every day mistaken as q.i.d. Use daily or every day

Sub q subcutaneous The “q” has been

mistaken for “every”

Use subcut or write out


SC subcutaneous mistaken for SL

(sublingual)

Use subcut or write out

U or u Unit read as zero or a 4 Not an acceptable

abbreviation, write out

“unit”

IU International Unit misread as IV Use units (write out)

cc cubic centimeters misread as “U” for units Use mL or write out

< and > less or greater than mistaken for opposite

meaning

Write out greater than or

less than

zero after

decimal point as

in 1.0

1 mg misread as 10 mg if no

decimal point

Do not use the zero after

the decimal point if a

whole number

no zero before

decimal dose, as

in .5 mg

0.5 mg misread as 5 mg Always use the zero when

the dose is less than a

whole unit

period between

letters q.d.

every day mistaken for q.i.d. Do not use periods, type

“qd”

4. Business Names: Businesses use abbreviations and acronyms that may be used in

transcription. Most do not use any periods.

Examples: IBM, eBay.


5. Geographic Names: State and territorial names may be abbreviated when preceded by city,

state, or territory name. Do not abbreviate states, territories, countries, when they stand alone.

Examples: She was seen in the ER in Salt Lake City, UT, a month ago. (Note: no period).

The patient was seen in Utah shortly after she moved there.

6. Units of Time: Do not abbreviate English units of time except in virgule construction. Do not

use periods either.

Examples:

The baby was 5 days old.

She will return in 1 week for followup.

The IV was set to run at 10 mcg/min while in the ER.

7. Capitalizing: Capitalize all letters of most acronyms.

Examples: AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)

BiPAP: (bilateral positive airway pressure)

a. Latin Forms.

Do not capitalize abbreviations derived from Latin terms. The use of periods within or at the end

of Latin abbreviations remain the preferred style, although it is acceptable to drop the periods for

general Latin terms. Use lower case for most Latin abbreviations.


Examples:

Term Latin word(s) Meaning

e.g. exempli gratia for example

et al et alii and others

etc. et cetera and so forth

a.c. ante cibum before a food

b.i.d. bis in die twice a day

b. Brief forms are not capitalized:

Examples: segs (segmented neutrophils) ‐ see some of the lab listings in the laboratory section.

exam (examination)

Kirschner wire (K‐wire)

c. Always capitalize genus name abbreviations when accompanied by the specie name.

Examples:

H influenzae (Hemophilus influenzae)

E coli

C difficile

8. Periods: Do not use periods with most abbreviations. With academic degrees and professional

credentials it has now become more common to eliminate the periods. Courtesy titles (Mr., Mrs.,

Jr., Sr.,) periods are increasingly dropped.


Example: Professionals: John Jones, MD

Drugs: b.i.d., t.i.d., a.c., p.r.n., p.o., q.4 h.

9. Pluralizing: Add an ‘s or just an “s”

Examples: If capitalized already, use just an “s.” EKGs, PVCs, exams, labs, monos, CABGs. If lower

case, add the ‘s: rbc’s, X’s, K’s, or when it really is a possessive use: AMA’s CPT codebook.

Bottom line: The overall goal is to encourage consistent use through the entire health care

system.

On the next pages, you will find a glossary of abbreviations you will use in the exercises. Read

through the list to familiarize yourself with the assortment of relatively common abbreviations.

Also, several websites are available for abbreviation searches. Key the phrase “medical

terminology abbreviations” into a search engine to see what you can locate.

9‐1. ABBREVIATION LISTINGTHOSE MARKED WITH ASTERISKS HAVE MORE THAN ONE MEANING

ABBREVIATION MEANING AAA abdominal aortic aneurysm A&P auscultation and percussion ab abortion ABG arterial blood gases ABP arterial blood pressure a/c alternating current AC acromioclavicular ADA American Diabetic Association ACL anterior cruciate ligament ADL activities of daily living AF acid‐fast


AFB acid‐fast bacillus A/G albumin‐globulin ratio AgNO3 silver nitrate (used in newborn eyes) AHA American Heart Association AHD autoimmune hemolytic disease AI aortic insufficiency AK above knee AKA* also known as and above knee amputation alk alkaline AMA* against medical advice or American Medical Association AMI acute myocardial infarction amp* amperage, amplitude and ampule AP* anteroposterior – also aortopulmonary A&P auscultation and percussion (lungs or abdomen exams) A2 aortic second sound (heard sometimes with P2 – see that one ARDS adult respiratory distress syndrome AS* aortic stenosis, arteriosclerosis or also means “left ear” – Latin =auris

sinistra ASA aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) ASAP as soon as possible ASD atrial septal defect (or atrioseptal defect) ASHD arterial sclerotic or arteriosclerotic heart disease AV* arteriovenous or atrioventricular AWOL absent without leave BBB bundle branch block BD birthdate BE* below elbow – barium enema bicarb bicarbonate b.i.d. twice a day BK below knee BKA below knee amputation BM bowel movement BOW bag of waters (pregnant uterus – amniotic fluid) BP blood pressure BPH benign prostatic hypertrophy (or hyperplasia) BS* bowel sounds, breath sounds, blood sugar BSO bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy BSR bowel sounds regular


CA cancer (carcinoma) C calcium CABG pronounced “cabbage” – coronary artery bypass graft CAT computerized axial tomography C‐spine cervical spine C&S culture and sensitivity (lab study) cath catheter CBS chronic brain syndrome cc cubic centimeter CC chief complaint CCE clubbing, cyanosis or edema CCR chest cardiac resuscitation CCU coronary care unit CE cardiac enlargement CHD congenital heart disease chole cholecystectomy chem chemical CHF congestive heart failure cm centimeter CMC carpometacarpal CMV cytomegalovirus CNS central nervous system CO carbon monoxide CO2 carbon dioxide coag coagulate/coagulation CP* chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; cardiopulmonary, cephalopelvic

(OB term), cerebral palsy, cor pulmonale CPD* cephalopelvic disproportion COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation cor heart (not an abbreviation, Latin word) cpm cycles per minute CR cardiorespiratory CRD chronic respiratory disease CS cesarean section C‐sect cesarean section CSF cerebrospinal fluid CT computerized tomography (scan)


CV cardiovascular CVA* cardiovascular accident, cerebrovascular accident, costovertebral angle CVD cardiovascular disease cx cervix C1‐C2‐C3, etc cervical vertebra #1, #2, etc. D&C dilatation and curettage dc discontinue dc’d discontinued dif or diff differential DIP distal interphalangeal (joint) DJD degenerative joint disease DNI do not intubate DNR do not resuscitate DOA dead on arrival DSD dry, sterile dressing DT delirium tremens DTR deep tendon reflex DTs delirium tremens DVT deep venous thrombosis Dx diagnosis E. coli Escherichia (coli) E. coli (bacteria) EBL estimated blood loss ET endotracheal tube ECCE extracapsular cataract extraction (eye) ECG electrocardiogram ECHO* virus – enterocytophatogenic human orphan virus – EKG word ECT electric convulsive therapy EDC estimated date of confinement (OB – delivery date) EGA estimated gestational age (of fetus)(OB) EEG electroencephalogram EENT eyes, ears, note and throat EJ elbow jerk EKG electrocardiogram e/m ratio of change to mass “e to m changes” EMG electromyogram (myo=muscle) ENT ear, nose, throat E:A heard or seen as “e to a changes” E of M error of measurement


EOM* extraocular muscles/movement, equal ocular movement, external otitis media, extraocular muscles

EOMI extraocular movements (or muscles) intact eos eosinophils (lab) eosins eosinophils (lab) epi epi cells, epithelial cells, sometimes “epis” ER emergency room ERCP endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram ERD evoked response detector ERG electroretinogram (eye) ERPF effective renal plasma flow ES electrical stimulation ESP extrasensory perception EST electroshock therapy ETOH ethyl alcohol (the kind you drink) exam examination FB foreign body Fe iron FHS fetal heart sounds FHT fetal heart tones FROM full range of motion FUO fever of unknown origin fx fracture G gravida (OB) G‐tube gastric tube Ga gallium GB gallbladder GC gonococcal (bacteria genital), gonorrhea GE* gastroenterology – gastroesophageal gel jelly GI gastrointestinal gm gram GU genitourinary Gyn gynecology H. pylori Helicobacter pylori (bacteria) H&H hemoglobin and hematocrit (blood) H&P history and physical HACVD hypertensive arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease


HCl hydrochloric acid HCVD hypertensive cardiovascular disease HEENT head, eyes, ears, nose, throat Hg mercury – often heard as mm/Hg = millimeters of mercury HIDA hepatoiminodiacetic acid (scan – radiology) HIV human immunodeficiency virus HNP herniated nucleus pulposus (spine condition) hpf high power field (microscopic term) I&D incision and drainage I&O intake and output ICCE intracapsular cataract extraction (eye) ICU intensive care unit IM intramuscular INH isoniazid (drug) IP interphalangeal IPPB intermittent positive pressure breathing IT iliotibial IV or i.v. intravenous IVP intravenous pyelogram JVD jugular venous distention (neck exam) JVP jugular venous pressure JP Jackson Pratt tube K potassium Kcal kilocalorie KCl potassium chloride kg kilogram Kilo kilogram KUB kidney, ureter, bladder (x‐ray) K‐wire Kirschner wire L‐spine lumbar spine LS‐spine lumbosacral spine lap laparotomy lats lattissimus dorsi muscle LBB left bundle branch block lb pound(s) LF left frontoanterior (fetal position) LFT liver function test LFP let frontoposterior (fetal position)


LKS liver, kidney, spleen LLC long leg cast LLE left lower extremity LLL left lower (lung) lobe LLQ left lower quadrant LMP last menstrual period LOP left occiput posterior (fetal position) LOC loss of consciousness LOS length of stay (days in hospital) LOT left occipitotransverse (fetal position) LP lumbar puncture LSP left sacroposterior (fetal position) LVH left ventricular hypertrophy LVP left ventricular pressure lymphs lymphocytes (lab) MCD mean corpuscular diameter mcg microgram MCH mean corpuscular hemoglobin (lab) MCP metacarpophalangeal MDI metered dose inhaler MDR minimum daily requirement mEq milliequivalent (per liter mEq/L) Mg magnesium mg milligram MgSo4 magnesium sulfate MI myocardial infarct mm/Hg millimeters mercury MMPI Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (psychological test) MMT manual muscle test Mn manganese MOM Milk of Magnesia mono monocyte (lab) mOsm milliosmole MPI Multiphasic Personality Inventory (psychological test) MRI magnetic resonance image (x‐ray) msec millisecond MSAFP maternal serum alpha fetoprotein (lab) MTP metatarsophalangeal


MTT mean transit time mU milliunit MUGA multiple gated acquisition (x‐ray – scan) Na sodium NCR no code resuscitation (don’t resuscitate) NFTD normal fullterm delivery (ob) NG‐tube nasogastric tube NICU newborn intensive care unit N2O nitrous oxide (used for surgery) NOS not otherwise specified NPH insulin (neutral protein Hagedorn) NPO nothing by mouth NSD normal spontaneous delivery NSFTD normal spontaneous fullterm delivery NSR normal sinus rhythm (heart exam) NT‐tube nasotracheal tube NSVD normal spontaneous vaginal delivery O&P ova and parasites (culture) O2 oxygen OA occiput anterior (fetus) OB obstetrics OCG oral cholecystogram OB‐Gyn obstetrics and gynecology OD right eye OHD organic heart disease OL left eye OP occiput posterior (fetal position) OPD outpatient department OR operating room ORIF open reduction, internal fixation (fracture repair) OS left eye os* bone – also the cervix has an “os” OU each or both eyes P para – parous (obstetrics) P1, 2 pulmonic first sound, second sound (heart exam) PA* posteroanterior, physician’s assistant, pulmonary artery PAC premature atrial or auricular contraction (heart) P&A percussion and auscultation (chest and abdominal exam)


Pap Papanicolaou smear (Gyn ‐ lab) PAR postanesthesia recovery room para parous (children – OB term) – para 1, 2, 3 = # of children PAT paroxysmal atrial or auricular tachycardia (heart) path pathology pCO2 carbon dioxide pressure PDA patent ductus arteriosus (heart) PDE paroxysmal dyspnea on exertion PE physical examination, pulmonary embolism PEEP positive end expiratory pressure (breathing) PEG pneumoencephalogram Pen penicillin PERRLA pupils equal, round, react to light and accommodation PH past history pH acidity test (hydrogen ions) PICU pediatric intensive care unit PID pelvic inflammatory disease PIP proximal interphalangeal (bones) Pit Pitocin (OB – labor) PMH past medical history PMI point of maximum impulse intensity (heart) PMP previous menstrual period PND paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea p.o. by mouth pOH alkaline concentration pO2 oxygen tension polys polymorphonuclears (lab – cells) postop postoperative PPB positive pressure breathing ppm parts per million premie/preemie premature infant preop preoperative prep prepare (lab/surgery) prepped prepared primip primipara (first pregnancy) PT* physical therapy and also prothrombin time (lab) PTT partial thromboplastin time (lab) Pt patient – never use this unless client insists


PVC premature ventricular contraction (heart) PVD peripheral vascular disease PVT paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia q. each/every q.a.m. each morning q.p.m. each evening q.d. every day q.i.d. four times in a day q.o.d. every other day q.o.n. every other night QRS Quaddel Reaktion Zeit (reaction time – EKG) quad quadriceps – quadriplegia Ra radium RA rheumatoid arthritis, right atrium RAD radiation absorbed dose RBC red blood cells R&D research and development R&R rate and rhythm RBBB right bundle branch block rehab rehabilitation REM rapid eye movement Rh blood factor (rhesus) RHD rheumatic heart disease RHF right heart failure or left heart failure ‐ LHF RISA radioactive iodine serum albumin RLL right lower lobe RLQ right lower quadrant R/O rule out ROA right occiput anterior (fetal) ROM range of motion ROS review of systems RSD reflex sympathetic dystrophy RSR regular sinus rhythm RST right sacral transverse (fetal) RUE right upper extremity RUL right upper lobe RUQ right upper quadrant (abdomen) RVH right ventricular hypertrophy


Rx prescription, (also heard as “scripts,” Px) S‐1, S‐2 heart – first heart sound, second heart sound S‐A sinoatrial (node) S/O salpingo‐oophorectomy (tube and ovary removal) S&S signs and symptoms SBE subacute bacterial endocarditis sed sedimentation rate (blood – lab) sibs siblings SICU surgical intensive care unit SIDS sudden infant death syndrome SLC short leg cast SLE systemic lupus erythematosus SLR straight leg raise (exam) SOAP Chart note format:

S=subjective O=objective A=assessment P=plan

SO4 sulfate SOB shortness of breath S/P status post (meaning after an event, e.g., surgery) sq square SSS sick sinus syndrome ST sedimentation time depression (EKG) staph Staphylococcus ‐ bacteria STAT immediately strep Streptococcus – bacteria ST‐T see ST – (EKG) Sub‐q subcutaneously T‐spine T1, T2, etc.

thoracic vertebrae by number

TAH total abdominal hysterectomy T&A tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy TB tubercle bacillus – tuberculosis TBLC term birth, living child tbs tablespoon THA total hip arthroplasty TIA transient ischemic attacks


TKA total knee arthroplasty TLC tender, loving care TM tympanic membrane (ear) TMJ temporomandibular joint TNTC too numerous to count (lab) TP total protein TPN total parenteral nutrition (tube feeding) TPR temperature tsp teaspoon TURP transurethral prostatectomy TVH total vaginal hysterectomy UA urinalysis UGI upper gastrointestinal ULQ upper left quadrant URQ upper right quadrant UPJ ureteropelvic junction UQ upper quadrant URI upper respiratory infection UV ultraviolet V‐leads EKG chest lead locations, V1, V2, V3, etc. VCG vector cardiogram VCUG voiding cystourethrogram V‐C radio – ventilation/circulation VE esophageal lead VG ventricular gallop VHD valvular heart disease VSHD ‐ VSD ventricular septal heart defect (or ventriculoseptal) V‐tach ventricular tachycardia WAIS Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (psychological test) W/D well developed (exam) WDWN well developed, well nourished (exam) WF white female WM white male WISC Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale for Children WNL within normal limits WU workup x times as in times per day – 4 x day


So, the Pt is a 22 y/o WF w/a PH of leaving the hospital AWOL, who has a BD of 3‐3‐83, now

pregnant with a BOW ruptured; on PE has BSR with no guarding. She may have a CPD so a C‐

section may be necessary. Her labs show normal CBC. Her WBC is not elevated. Has increased BP

and DTRs are hyperreflexic.

Might have looked like Greek to you before, but you can see how the abbreviations are used in

charting…and in dictation (though we wouldn’t have permitted some of them).

Σ∇ΡΞ (Greek for let’s do some exercises)

EXERCISES ‐ LESSONS 8 AND 9 These exercises are to help you incorporate what you have learned. Just see how much

information you have retained from the previous pages. Read the lessons again if you do not feel

comfortable finishing the exercises.

1 On exam of the HEENT, EOMs O.K. HEENT stands for (a) ______________________. EOMs are (b) ______________________.

2 WNL is ______________________.

3 Neck examined with no JVD. JVD is ______________________.

4 A GE tube was placed. GE is______________________. And where was it placed?

5 The TMs were clear. TM is ______________________.

6 On exam of the OS, a cataract was noted. OS is ______________________.

7 A&P of the chest noted crackles in the lung. A&P is ______________________.

8 The GU system was normal. GU is ______________________.

9 ABGs were done showing a pH of 7, pO2 of 9. ABGs are ______________________.


10 Because of the sore throat, a swab was done and the C&S showed Strep. C&S is ______________________.

11 CBC revealed a white count of 11.9 and H&H were 12.9 and 33 respectively. H&H = ______________________.

12 CO2 was 14. CO2 is ______________________.

13 Because of the high fever, an LP was done and CSF was sent for C&S. a. LP is ______________________. b. CSF is ______________________. c. Why would a CSF be sent for a C&S

14 What is the abbreviation for human immunodeficiency virus?

15 Because of the anal itching, a screen for O&P was done. O&P is ____________.

16 Because the patient had been on blood thinners, the PT and PTT were checked and were normal. PT is __________ and PTT is __________.

17 UA showed RBCs TNTC and a few WBCs. a. UA is _________________________. b. RBCs are ______________________. c. TNTC means ___________________. d. WBCs are _____________________.

18 The patient suffered from ARDS and used Albuterol MDIs 4x daily. a. ARDS is ______________________. b. MDIs are ______________________. c. X = ______________________.

19 He had BPH and needed a TURP, which was scheduled in the OR. a. BPH is ______________________. b. TURP is ______________________. c. OR is ______________________.

20 The patient had a history of CA in his maternal grandmother, CHF in the grandfather and COPD in an aunt. a. CA is ______________________. b. CHF is ______________________. c. COPD is ______________________.

21 Because of the elevated LFTs, the patient was at risk for a CVA. What is a. LFT _______________________. b. CVA ______________________. c.


22 The patient had chronic DJD. She also has a history of DVT. What is a. DJD ______________________. b. DVT ______________________.

23 The patient had a CABG [pronounced "cabbage"] performed in 1998 because of atheroscleromatous changes. What is a CABG? ______________________.

24 A KUB of the abdomen revealed no abnormalities so a CAT scan was ordered. a. What kind of test is a KUB? b. What is a CAT scan?

25 It was anticipated to do a spinal fusion on the patient for the HNP, which was noted at L4‐5. a. What is HNP? b. Where are L4‐5?

26 Because of the patient’s DJD, an RA fixation test was done. What does RA stand for?

27 The patient noted some blurriness of vision and had had TIAs in the past. What are TIAs?

28 The patient is a known diabetic with peripheral vascular disease, which necessitated a BKA in 1997. He had barely palpable DTRs (though his toes were downgoing) and he had elevated sugars. a. BKA is ______________________. b. DTRs are ______________________. c. Why would DTRs be hard to palpate (venture a guess) ______________________.

29 Sugars/glucose done on the patient in 28 came from what source?

30 At the conclusion of the T&A, the N20 was discontinued, the patient extubated; the EBL was noted to be 150 cc and the patient was transferred to the PAR. a. T&A is ______________________. b. N20 is ______________________. c. What was the compound in b used for? d. EBL is _______________________. e. cc is ________________________. f. PAR is _______________________.


31 The patient had an infected wound on his hand; an I&D was done which drained purulent

material. What is an I&D?

32 The patient had sustained a closed fracture for which an ORIF was done using K‐wires. a. What is an ORIF? b. K‐wire stands for what proper name (noun)?

33 The abdominal series was negative; ultrasound was scheduled and an ERCP. a. What is an ERCP? b. What do you think an abdominal series might be? c. The exam studied what organs? d.

34 Because of the patient’s urinary problems, an IVP was scheduled as well as an MRI. If these fail to discern the nature of the voiding problem, a VCUG will also be done. a. what is an IVP b. an MRI c. a VCUG

35 Because of the V‐tach, (sounds like Vee‐tack) an EKG was obtained which showed ST‐T wave depressions. a. V‐tach is b. What organ would relate to the “a” word c. Are ST‐T wave depressions significant on an EKG (just guess at it for fun)

36 This woman is a G4, P2, AB 1, who had a C‐section x 1 for CPD; her LMP was 3/17/98 and EDC is November 21; the BOW is intact and her EGA today is 27 weeks. a. What does G4 stand for? b. How many times has the woman been pregnant? c. What is P2? d. How many living children has she had? e. Ab stands for ______________________. f. How many of “e” has she had? g. C‐section stands for ______________________. h. CPD means ______________________. i. LMP means ______________________. j. EDC means ______________________. k. BOW means ______________________. l. EGA ______________________.

37 The patient had a first trimester miscarriage and a D&C was performed, obtaining endometrial tissue, and some products of conception were identified. She had a history of PID. It was recommended she have a TAH and BSO since this was the third spontaneous abortion. a. D&C is


b. What organ is involved in the D&C c. PID is d. TAH is e. BSO is

38 True or False? Vasography is done on the bones. 39 True or False? Roentgen means the same as radiography. 40 True or False? Doppler is used in radiology. 41 True or False? Urography refers to the urinary tract. 42 True or False? Radiation oncologists are not radiologists. 43 True or False? Dosimetrists specialize in chest x‐rays. 44 True or False? Ulatrasonic technicians use transducers. 45 True or False? Sound waves are associated with MRIs.

ANSWERS – 8‐9 1. (a) head eyes, ears, nose and throat – (b) extraocular movements 2. within normal limits 3. jugular venous distention 4. gastroesophageal – through the esophagus into the stomach 5. tympanic membranes 6. left eye 7. auscultation and percussion 8. genitourinary 9. arterial blood gases 10. culture and sensitivity (determining what organism is grown and what antibiotics it is

sensitive to 11. hemoglobin and hematocrit 12. carbon dioxide 13.

a. lumbar puncture b. cerebrospinal fluid c. to see what organism was growing and what it would be sensitive to (antibiotic)

14. HIV 15. ova and parasites 16. prothrombin time; partial thromboplastin time test 17.

a. urinalysis b. red blood cells c. too numerous to count d. white blood cells

18. a. adult respiratory distress syndrome b. metered dose inhaler


c. times 19.

a. benign prostatic hypertrophy b. transurethral resection (of the) prostate c. operating room

20. a. cancer b. congestive heart failure c. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

21. a. liver function tests b. cerebrovascular or cardiovascular accident (not enough info to be sure which)

22. a. degenerative joint disease b. deep venous thrombosis

23. coronary artery bypass graft 24.

a. x‐ray of kidneys, ureters, bladder b. computerized axial tomography

25. a. herniated nucleus pulposus b. lumbar spine (4th and 5th levels)

26. rheumatoid arthritis 27. transient ischemic attacks 28.

a. below knee amputation b. deep tendon reflexes c. poor circulation to extremities so the pulse would be hard to feel

29. either blood or urine 30.

a. tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy b. nitrous oxide c. anesthesia d. estimated blood loss e. cubic centimeters

31. incision and drainage 32.

a. open reduction, internal fixation b. Kirschner

33. a. endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography b. x‐rays of the abdomen c. gallbladder and pancreas


34. a. intravenous pyelogram (x‐ray process) b. magnetic resonance imaging (x‐ray) c. voiding cystourethrogram (x‐ray process)

35. a. V‐tachycardia b. heart c. Yes (a description of the heartbeat going up & down on a graph

36. a. G=gravida (pregnant) 4 = pregnant four times (including current one) b. four times c. delivered 2 children d. two e. abortions f. 1 g. Cesarean section h. cephalopelvic disproportion ‐ the infant's head was too large for the pelvis i. last menstrual period j. expected date of confinement (delivery) k. bag of waters (amniotic fluid) – ruptures during labor l. estimated gestational age

37. a. dilatation and curettage b. uterus c. pelvic inflammatory disease d. total abdominal hysterectomy e. bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy

38. F (vas of the male anatomy) 39. T 40. T 41. T 42. T 43. F (calculate the dose of radiation to make sure tumors get enough radiation) 44. F (radiotherapy plans and treatment) 45. T 46. T 47. F (ultrasound)

Did you make it through all of that, or should we call the paramedics?

lesson 9 abbreviations -...

Documents