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