Glossary of Terms, Acronyms, and Abbreviations

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Last updated: October 3, 2019
Revisions: 8

Last updated: October 3, 2019
Revisions: 8

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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