benign

normal, of no danger to health

acute

new, usually of rapid onset and of concern, opposite of chronic

abrasion

scrape of the skin

ambulate

to walk from place to place

bradycardia

slow heart-rate (<60 BPM)

cardiomegaly

enlarged heart

cholecystitis

inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecyst)

chronic

long-standing, constant

cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

stroke -lack of blood supply to brain causing brain damage

diaphoresis

sweating

deep vein thrombosis DVT

blood clot in a deep vein, usually in an extremity

dyspnea

difficulty/problems w/ breathing

dysuria

painful urination

ecchymosis

bruise

edema

swelling

emesis

vomiting

epistaxis

nose bleed

erythema

redness/red

febrile

elevated body temp, fever

grossly

a lot, obviously

hemorrhage

excessive/profuse bleeding

hypertension HTN

high blood pressure

hypotension

low blood pressure

hyperlipidemia HLD

high cholesterol/lip in blood

hypoxia

low O2 sat of the body, not enough O2 in the blood

ischemia

lack of blood supply

laceration

splitting of the skin due to trauma

a cut due to something sharp

melena

black tarry stool

myocardial infarction MI

death of cardiac muscle due to ischemia aka HEART ATTACK

myalgia

muscle aches/pain

pallor

pale skin

pruritic

itchy

pulmonary embolism PE

blocking of a pulmonary artery due to a blood clot

purulent

pus-like

rhinorrhea

clear nasal discharge "runny nose"

sepsis

dangerous infection of the blood

STEMI

ST elevation MI, real-time, ongoing death of cardiac tissue due to ischemia

syncope

passing out, loss of consciousness or fainting

tachycardia

fast heart rate (>100 BPM)

tachypnea

increased breathing rate

transient ischemic attack TIA

mini/minor stroke wehre neurological function is regained quickly w/ time

vertigo

dizziness/room spinning

Abd

abdomen/abdominal

A Fib

atrial fibrillation

Abx

antibiotics

AMS

altered mental status

ASA

aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)

BID

twice daily

Bilat LE

bilateral lower extremities

BM

bowel movements

BP

blood pressure

CA

cancer, carcinoma

CABG

coronary artery bypass graft, "open heart surgery"

PMHx

past medical history

PSHx

past surgical history

PO

to be taken by mouth

LNMP

last normal menstrual period

CAD

coronary artery disease, "heart disease"

CHF

congestive heart failure

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CP

chest pain

CVA

cerebrovascular accident aka stroke

also stands for costovertebral angle

CXR

chest x-ray

c/o

complains of

DM

diabetes mellitus

DOE

dyspnea on exertion

DVT

deep vein thrombosis

Dx

diagnosis

Dz

disease

FHx

family history

Fx

fracture

HA

headache

HEENT

head, eyes, ears, nose, throat

HPI

history of present illness

HTN

hypertension

Hx

history

SH/ SocHx

social history

IDDM

insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

JVD

jugular vein distension

LOC

loss of consciousness

MI

myocardial infarction

MVA/MVC

motor vehicle accident/collision

NAD

no acute distress/disease

NIDDM

non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

NKDA

no known drug allergies

nml or nl

normal

NSR

normal sinus rhythm

NTG

nitroglycerin

N/V/D

nausea/vomiting/diarrhea

O2 Sat

oxygen saturation aka SaO2

OD

overdose

PCP

primary care physician

PE

pulmonary embolism or physical exam

PERRL

pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light

PO

by mouth

prn

as needed

pt

pateint

PTA

prior to arrival

qd

every day

qh

every hour

qhs

at every bedtime

q2h

every 2 hours

QID

four times a day

ROM

range of motion

RUQ

right upper quadrant

RLQ

right lower quadrant

Rx

prescription

r/o

rule out

SOB

shortness of breath

s/p

status post

means after

ex: after myomectomy, status post myomectomy

Sx

symptoms

TIA

transient ischemic attack

TID

three times a day

Tx

treatment

UA

urinalysis

URI

upper respiratory infection

US

ultrasound

UTP

up to date

UTI

urinary tract infection

WNL

within normal limits