Q Shorthand

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  1. Q Am Medical Abbreviation
  2. Q In Gregg Shorthand
  3. Every Other Day Medical Abbreviation
  4. Q Quiere Decir Shorthand
From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Medical abbreviations are a shorthand way of writing and talking by medical professionals (people who work to help sick people) to hurry explanation of diseases (sickness), patients, or medicines (drugs).

This shorthand can include shortening (making less lengthy) of longer disease names, by cutting the word down to its base (the Latin or Greek part that makes it). Medical professionals also create (make) words that mean something. An example of this is 'stat', used to indicate (show) that something needs to be hurried (done faster). It is from the Latin 'base word' statim, meaning quick. A very commonly (often) used shorthand is shortening things on order forms for patients. An example is, 'pre-op' meaning |pre-operation| (patient who is being prepared for surgery). These can be very complicated and extensive (meaning there is a lot of them).

Today, text and chat abbreviations are used in many online communications including Twitter, instant messaging, email, Discord, and in online games to name a few places. Many of the following abbreviations and emoticons are also frequently used when people send text messages on their phones. Q is listed in the World's largest and most authoritative dictionary database of abbreviations and acronyms. Q - What does Q stand for? (stock abbreviation, AMEX.

Despite the fact that this shorthand might make it difficult for new Interns (new doctors) or recently trained nurses to get used to this unofficial language, it has been shown to improve (make better) the speed of treatment in hospitals.

Medical authorities in the United Kingdom and elsewhere have questioned the use of medical shorthand; believing that it can lead to mistakes being made due to less clear communication and have advised doctors to avoid its use.[1]

Medications[change | change source]

How to take medications[change | change source]

Medications can be given in different ways (routes). Abbreviations for the most common routes are:[2]

Abbreviation:Means the medication is taken:
POBy mouth (swallowed)
IMIntramuscularly (injected into a muscle)
INHInhaled (breathed in)
IVIntravenously (injected into a vein)
PR'Per rectum' (placed into the rectum)
SC, SQ, Sub-q'Subcutaneous' (injected under the skin)

When to take medications[change | change source]

Doctors use many different abbreviations to say when to take a medication. It is helpful to remember that doctors use the letter 'q' to stand for 'every. For example, 'qAM' stands for 'every AM' (morning).[2]

Here are some of the most common:[2]

Abbreviation:This Means the Medicine Should Be Taken:
qAMEvery morning
qPMEvery evening
qHSAt bedtime
prnAs needed (the person should take the medication only when they need it)
qdOnce a day
bidTwice a day
tidThree times a day
qidFour times a day
qodEvery other day
qwkEvery week
qmoEvery month


Q Am Medical Abbreviation

Drugs & medications[change | change source]

Some drugs and medications have common abbreviations. Here are some examples:[3]

Abbreviation:Stands For:Notes
APAPAcetaminophenCommon brand name: Tylenol
ASAAspirin'ASA' is short for Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin's original name)
ETOHAlcoholStands for ethanol (drinking alcohol)
MVIMultivitaminA set of vitamins in one pill
NSAIDNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugPronounced 'en-sed'; examples are ibuprofen and aspirin
NTGNitroglycerinUsed for heart attacks and other problems; also called 'nitro'
OBCOral birth controlBirth control taken as a pill (also called OC: oral contraceptive)
OTCAn over-the-counter drugCan be bought without a doctor'sprescription
PCPPhencyclidineAn illegal drug that causes hallucinations
SSRISelective serotonin reuptake inhibitorA type of antidepressant; examples are Prozac and Paxil

About the body[change | change source]

Q Shorthand

Common abbreviations that have to do with the human body include:[4]

Q In Gregg Shorthand

Abbreviation:Stands For:Meaning
BPBlood pressureA measure of how hard the heart is working
HRHeart rateHow many times the heart beats in one minute
O2OxygenPronounced 'oh-too'
O2 satsOxygen saturationA measure of how much oxygen a person is getting
RBCRed blood cellsThe cells in the blood that carry oxygen
RRRespiratory rateHow many times a person breathes in one minute
VSVital signsA patient's blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature
WBCWhite blood cellsThe cells in the blood that fight infection
WNLWithin Normal LimitsNormal for the patient's age and gender
(Example: 'VS WNL' means 'vital signs are normal for this patient')

Medical specialties[change | change source]

There are many different kinds of medical specialties. These are kinds of doctors that treat people with certain kinds of problems. Abbreviations for medical specialties include:[4]

Abbreviation:Stands For:Meaning
ENTEars, Nose, and ThroatTreats problems with the ears, nose, and throat
EREmergency roomTreats medical emergencies
GIGastrointestinalTreats problems with the gastrointestinal tract
GUGenitourinaryTreats problems with the genitals or the urinary system
GYNGynecologyTreats and prevents problems with a woman's reproductive system
Hem/OncHematology/OncologyTreats blood disorders and cancer (pronounced 'HEEM-onk')
ICUIntensive Care UnitA special hospital unit for very sick people
NeuroNeurologyInvolves the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and nerves) (pronounced 'NURR-oh')
OBObstetricsThe medical specialty that treats women while they are pregnant and giving birth
OROperating roomPart of the hospital where surgery is done
OrthoOrthopedicsTreats problems with the bones, like broken bones
PediPediatricsPediatric doctors (pediatricians) treat children (pronounced 'PEE-dee')


Health problems[change | change source]

Shorthand

Many health problems have common abbreviations. For example:[5][4]

Abbreviation:Stands For:A Problem With:Meaning/Notes
A-fibAtrial fibrillationHeartA type of abnormal heartbeat where the heart beats quickly and irregularly
CACancerA group of diseases caused by abnormal cells growing out of control
CADCoronary artery diseaseHeartThe arteries that bring blood to the heart get blocked off and cannot bring enough blood to the heart
CHFCongestive heart failureHeartThe heart cannot pump enough blood to the body
COPDChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseLungsA group of chronic diseases that make it hard to breathe
CVACerebrovascular accidentBrainStroke
DMDiabetes mellitusMetabolismSee also diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1) and diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2)
DJDDegenerative Joint DiseaseJointsArthritis
DVTDeep vein thrombosisBlood clottingA blood clot, usually in a big vein in the leg
HTNHypertensionCirculatory systemHigh blood pressure
IDDMInsulin-Dependent DiabetesMetabolismDiabetes that needs to be treated with insulin (usually type 1 diabetes)
MetsMetastasisCancerThe original cancer has spread to another place in the body
MIMyocardial infarctionHeartHeart attack (also called AMI, for 'acute myocardial infarction')
NIDDMNon-Insulin Dependent DiabetesMetabolismDiabetes that does not need to be treated with insulin (usually type 2 diabetes)
ODOverdoseTaking too much medication or drugs, either accidentally or on purpose
SOBShortness of BreathBreathingHaving trouble breathing
TIATransient ischemic attackBrainA small stroke that does not leave any permanentbrain damage
V-fibVentricular fibrillationHeartThe heart quivers and twitches, and cannot pump blood to the body
V-tachVentricular tachycardiaHeartThe heart beats too fast to pump blood to the body; pronounced 'V-tack'
Q Shorthand

Common abbreviations that have to do with the human body include:[4]

Q In Gregg Shorthand

Abbreviation:Stands For:Meaning
BPBlood pressureA measure of how hard the heart is working
HRHeart rateHow many times the heart beats in one minute
O2OxygenPronounced 'oh-too'
O2 satsOxygen saturationA measure of how much oxygen a person is getting
RBCRed blood cellsThe cells in the blood that carry oxygen
RRRespiratory rateHow many times a person breathes in one minute
VSVital signsA patient's blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature
WBCWhite blood cellsThe cells in the blood that fight infection
WNLWithin Normal LimitsNormal for the patient's age and gender
(Example: 'VS WNL' means 'vital signs are normal for this patient')

Medical specialties[change | change source]

There are many different kinds of medical specialties. These are kinds of doctors that treat people with certain kinds of problems. Abbreviations for medical specialties include:[4]

Abbreviation:Stands For:Meaning
ENTEars, Nose, and ThroatTreats problems with the ears, nose, and throat
EREmergency roomTreats medical emergencies
GIGastrointestinalTreats problems with the gastrointestinal tract
GUGenitourinaryTreats problems with the genitals or the urinary system
GYNGynecologyTreats and prevents problems with a woman's reproductive system
Hem/OncHematology/OncologyTreats blood disorders and cancer (pronounced 'HEEM-onk')
ICUIntensive Care UnitA special hospital unit for very sick people
NeuroNeurologyInvolves the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and nerves) (pronounced 'NURR-oh')
OBObstetricsThe medical specialty that treats women while they are pregnant and giving birth
OROperating roomPart of the hospital where surgery is done
OrthoOrthopedicsTreats problems with the bones, like broken bones
PediPediatricsPediatric doctors (pediatricians) treat children (pronounced 'PEE-dee')


Health problems[change | change source]

Many health problems have common abbreviations. For example:[5][4]

Abbreviation:Stands For:A Problem With:Meaning/Notes
A-fibAtrial fibrillationHeartA type of abnormal heartbeat where the heart beats quickly and irregularly
CACancerA group of diseases caused by abnormal cells growing out of control
CADCoronary artery diseaseHeartThe arteries that bring blood to the heart get blocked off and cannot bring enough blood to the heart
CHFCongestive heart failureHeartThe heart cannot pump enough blood to the body
COPDChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseLungsA group of chronic diseases that make it hard to breathe
CVACerebrovascular accidentBrainStroke
DMDiabetes mellitusMetabolismSee also diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1) and diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2)
DJDDegenerative Joint DiseaseJointsArthritis
DVTDeep vein thrombosisBlood clottingA blood clot, usually in a big vein in the leg
HTNHypertensionCirculatory systemHigh blood pressure
IDDMInsulin-Dependent DiabetesMetabolismDiabetes that needs to be treated with insulin (usually type 1 diabetes)
MetsMetastasisCancerThe original cancer has spread to another place in the body
MIMyocardial infarctionHeartHeart attack (also called AMI, for 'acute myocardial infarction')
NIDDMNon-Insulin Dependent DiabetesMetabolismDiabetes that does not need to be treated with insulin (usually type 2 diabetes)
ODOverdoseTaking too much medication or drugs, either accidentally or on purpose
SOBShortness of BreathBreathingHaving trouble breathing
TIATransient ischemic attackBrainA small stroke that does not leave any permanentbrain damage
V-fibVentricular fibrillationHeartThe heart quivers and twitches, and cannot pump blood to the body
V-tachVentricular tachycardiaHeartThe heart beats too fast to pump blood to the body; pronounced 'V-tack'

Infections[change | change source]

Common abbreviations for infections include:[5][4]

Abbreviation:Stands For:Meaning/Notes
C. diffClostridium difficile infectionBacteria attack the intestines; many antibioticswill not kill C. diff (pronounced 'SEE-diff')
HCVHepatitis C virusA chronicinfection of the liver
HIVHuman immunodeficiency virusThe virus that causes AIDS
HPVHuman papillomavirusA virus that can cause cancer
MRSAMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureusA bacterial infection that many antibiotics will not kill (pronounced 'MURR-suh')
PIDPelvic inflammatory diseaseAn infection of a woman's reproductive system
STISexually transmitted infectionUsed to be called 'STD' (sexually transmitted disease)
TBTuberculosisAn infection of the lungs
URIUpper respiratory infectionAn infection of the upper respiratory tract; examples are the common cold and sinus infections
UTIUrinary tract infectionAn infection of the bladder or kidneys

Every Other Day Medical Abbreviation

Mental health problems[change | change source]

Common abbreviations for mental health problems include:[4]

Abbreviation:Stands For:Meaning/Notes
ADHDAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorderUsed to be called ADD (Attention-deficit disorder)
ASDAutism spectrum disorderA group of disorders, including autism and Asperger syndrome
GADGeneralized anxiety disorderCauses a person to feel very anxious and worried, most of the time
OCDObsessive-compulsive disorderAn anxiety disorder that causes unwanted thoughts and actions
ODDOppositional defiant disorderA pattern of angry behavior, arguing, and causing trouble
PTSDPost-traumatic stress disorderCaused by psychological trauma
SISuicidal ideationWhen a person thinks about killing themselves

Tests & treatments[change | change source]

Doctors often talk about common medical tests and treatments by using abbreviations. Examples of these abbreviations include:[4][2]

Q Quiere Decir Shorthand

Abbreviation:Stands For:Meaning
CABGCoronary artery bypass graftSurgery to treat blocked arteries that bring blood to the heart; pronounced 'cabbage'
CBCComplete Blood CountA basic blood test that counts the number of blood cells in a person's blood
CPRCardiopulmonary resuscitationEmergency treatment done when a person's heart or breathing stops
CTComputed tomography scanUses X-rays to make a 3-D picture of the inside of the body; also called a 'CAT scan'
ECG; EKGElectrocardiogramTest of the heart's electrical activity
EchoEchocardiogramTest that uses sound waves to make a picture of the heart and whether it is working normally
EEGElectroencephalogramTest of the brain's electrical activity
LFTsLiver function testsTests of how well the liver is working (usually blood tests)
MRIMagnetic resonance imagingUses a very strong magnet to make a 3-D picture of the inside of the body
XRTX-ray TherapyUsually means radiation therapy for cancer

Other abbreviations[change | change source]

Other abbreviations used in medicine include:[4]

Abbreviation:Stands For:Meaning
HxHistoryExample: 'Patient has a family Hx of diabetes' means 'Patient has a family history of diabetes'
aBeforeExample: 'Take a 8:00' means 'Take (this medication) before 8:00'
AMAAgainst Medical AdviceThe patient has chosen to not comply with a treatment plan (example: 'patient left the hospital AMA')
BMIBody Mass IndexA measure of how much a person weighs based on their height
cWithExample: 'Take c food' means 'Take (this medication) with food'
DNRDo Not ResuscitateThe patient has a Do Not Resuscitate order saying they do not want to be resuscitated if their heart stops
DxDiagnosisThe medical problem a person has
NKDANo known drugallergiesIf the person has a drug allergy, we don't know about it. The person has no drug allergies we know about.
NPONothing by mouthThe patient should not swallow anything (no food, liquids, or medications)
pAfterExample: 'Patient had pain p eating' means 'Patient had pain after eating'
WithoutExample: 'Nausea s̅ vomiting' means' 'Patient was nauseous but did not vomit'

References[change | change source]

  1. 'Are TLAs more trouble than they're worth?'. StudentBMJ. 2006. Retrieved 07-03-2009.Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. 2.02.12.22.3'Alphabetical Listing of Medical Abbreviations'. Spinal Cord Resource Center. United Spinal Association. 2015. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  3. 'Prescriptions and Medication Orders'. The Pharmaceutics and Compounding Laboratory. University of North Carolina – Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  4. 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.6'Appendix B: Some Common Abbreviations'. MedlinePlus. United States National Library of Medicine. April 18, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  5. 5.05.1'Medical Abbreviations'. The Pharmaceutics and Compounding Laboratory. University of North Carolina – Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
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