Investigations ABG – Arterial blood gas ALP – Alkaline phosphatase (a Liver Function Test) ALT – Alanine transaminase (a Liver Function Test) APTT- Activated partial thromboplastin time (a coagulation screen test) AST – Aspartate transaminase (a Liver Function Test) AXR – Abdominal X-ray CRP – C-reactive protein (an acute phase protein) CT scan – Computed Tomography scan CXR – Chest X-ray ERCP – Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography ESR – Erythrocyte sedimentation rate FBC – Full blood count FNA – Fine Needle Aspirate LDH – Lactate dehydrogenase LFTs – Liver function tests MCS – Microbiology, Culture, and Sensitivity MRCP – Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging MSU – Midstream urine U&Es- Urea and electrolytes (typically also includes a creatinine) USS – Ultrasound scan VBG – Venous blood gas WCC – White cell count Peri-Operative Care AKI – Acute Kidney Injury (previously termed acute renal failure) ATN – Acute tubular necrosis (of the nephron) COPD – Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease DM – Diabetes mellitus DNAR – Do not attempt resuscitation HTN – Hypertension NSTEMI – Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction STEMI – ST elevation myocardial infarction UTI – Urinary tract infection Orthopaedics # – shorthand for a fracture (e.g. #NOF = fractured neck of femur) ACL – Anterior Cruciate Ligament DDH – Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip DHS – Dynamic Hip Screw DIPJ – Distal Interphalangeal joint DJD – Degenerative joint disease (another term for osteoarthritis) DTR – Deep tendon reflexes FAI – Femoroacetabular impingement MCL – Medial collateral ligament (of the knee) NOF – Neck of femur NWB – Non-weight bearing OA – Osteoarthritis ORIF – Open reduction internal fixation PCL – Posterior cruciate ligament PIPJ – Proximal interphalangeal joint ROM – Range of motion SLR – Straight leg raise SUFE – Slipped upper femoral epiphysis THR – Total hip replacement TKR – Total knee replacement General Surgery CBD – Common bile duct CD – Crohn’s disease DU – Duodenal ulcer GORD – Gastroesophageal reflux disease HPB – Hepatopancreatic biliary (surgical speciality) IBD – Inflammatory bowel disease IBS – Irritable bowel syndrome LBO – Large bowel obstruction NG – Nasogastric (tube) NJ – Nasojejunal (tube) OGD – Oesophagastroduodenoscopy PEG – Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy PUD – Peptic ulcer disease SBO – Small bowel obstruction UC – Ulcerative colitis Vascular AAA – Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm ABPI – Ankle Brachial Pressure Index AKA – Above the knee amputation AVM – Arterio-venous malformation BKA – Below the knee amputation CABG – Coronary artery bypass graft CVA – Cerebrovascular accident (also termed a stroke) DVT – Deep venous thrombosis EVAR – Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair EVLT – Endovenous Laser Treatment (for treating varicose veins) PAD – Peripheral artery disease PVD – Peripheral vascular disease TIA – Transient ischaemic attack Urology BPH – Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia ESWL – Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy OAB – Over-active bladder PCNL – Percutaneous nephrolithotomy PSA – Prostate specific antigen RARP – Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy RCC – Renal cell carcinoma TRUS – Transrectal ultrasound guided (a type of biopsy) TURBT – Transurethral resection of bladder tumour TURP – Transurethral resection of the prostate TWOC – Trial without catheter Gynaecology and Breast BSO – Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy DCIS – Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (type of breast cancer) LCIS – Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (type of breast cancer) LSCS – Lower Segment Caesarean Section (the standard approach for Caesarean Section) TAH – Total abdominal hysterectomy Other Ab- Antibody Abx – Antibiotics ADR- Adverse drug reaction AFP – Alpha fetoprotein (a cancer marker) ARDS – Acute respiratory distress syndrome ALS – Advanced Life Support ATLS – Advanced Trauma Life Support BE – Base excess BD – Twice daily BMI – Body Mass Index BP – Blood pressure Ca – cancer; carcinoma CEA – Carcino-embryonic antigen (a tumour marker) COCP – Combined oral contraceptive pill D/C – Discontinue or discharge DDX – Differential diagnosis DRE – Digital Rectal Examination GU – Genitourinary OR Gastric ulcer HDU- High dependency unit H/O – History of (i.e. an event from the presenting history) HRT – Hormone replacement therapy I&D – Incision and drainage ICU – Intensive care unit IM – Intramuscular INR – International normalised ratio LIF- Left iliac fossa LLQ – Left lower quadrant (of the abdomen) LMN – Lower Motor Neurone LOC – Loss of consciousness LUQ – Left upper quadrant (of the abdomen) NBM – Nil by mouth NKDA – No known drug allergies NSAIDs – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs N&V – Nausea and vomiting OD – Once a day (OM = once a morning, ON = once a night) OD – overdose OPAT- Outpatient parenteral antibiotic team OT – Occupational therapy PCA – Patient controlled analgesia PEARL – Pupils equal and reactive to light PICC – Peripherally inserted central catheter PMH – Past medical history PO – By mouth PPI – Proton pump inhibitor PR – Per rectum/rectal examination PRN – As needed (medication) PT – Physical therapy OR prothrombin time PV – Per vagina QDS- Four times a day RA – Rheumatoid arthritis RBC – Red blood cell RIF – Right iliac fossa RLQ – Right lower quadrant (of the abdomen) RTC – Road traffic collision RUQ- Right upper quadrant (of the abdomen) Rx – Treatment SC – Subcutaneous SCC – Squamous cell carcinoma STI – Sexually transmitted infection SOB – Shortness of breath TCC – Transitional cell carcinoma TDS – Three times a day TNM – Tumour node metastases (cancer staging system) TTO – To take out (prescribed medicines at discharge) UMN – Upper motor neuron y/o- Years old Rate This Article