Glossary of Terms, Acronyms, and Abbreviations

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