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Medical Abbreviation Dictionary

Discharge summaries and prescriptions are written in shorthand for people who already know it. This decodes the abbreviations you are most likely to meet on your own paperwork.

Reviewed by Dr. Mohan Gayenlast reviewed

56 entries

Prescriptions

  • ODOmni dieOnce a day.
  • BD / BIDBis in dieTwice a day.
  • TDS / TIDTer die sumendumThree times a day.
  • QID / QDSQuater in dieFour times a day.
  • HSHora somniAt bedtime.
  • SOSSi opus sitIf needed — take only when required, not on a schedule.
  • PRNPro re nataAs required.
  • POPer osBy mouth.

Routes

  • IVIntravenousInto a vein.
  • IMIntramuscularInto a muscle.
  • SC / SQSubcutaneousUnder the skin — how insulin is usually given.

Instructions

  • NPO / NBMNil per os / nil by mouthNothing to eat or drink — usually before surgery or a procedure.
  • STATStatimImmediately.
  • F/UFollow-upCome back for review.
  • D/CDischarge or discontinueContext decides which — leaving hospital, or stopping a medicine.

Notes

  • HxHistory.
  • DxDiagnosis.
  • RxTreatment or prescription.
  • TxTreatment.
  • IxInvestigations.
  • O/EOn examinationWhat the doctor found when examining you.
  • C/OComplains ofThe symptom you reported.
  • K/C/OKnown case ofA condition you are already known to have.
  • NADNo abnormality detectedNothing abnormal found.

Symptoms

  • SOBShortness of breathBreathlessness.
  • SOBOEShortness of breath on exertionBreathless on effort.
  • LOCLoss of consciousnessBlacked out.
  • N/VNausea and vomiting.

Observations

  • BPBlood pressureBlood pressure.
  • HR / PRHeart rate / pulse rateBeats per minute.
  • RRRespiratory rateBreaths per minute.
  • SpO₂Peripheral oxygen saturationThe oxygen level measured by the finger probe, as a percentage.
  • GCSGlasgow Coma ScaleA 3–15 score of consciousness. 15 is fully alert.

Tests

  • CBC / CBPComplete blood countThe basic blood count.
  • LFTLiver function testThe liver blood panel.
  • RFT / KFTRenal / kidney function testThe kidney blood panel.
  • TFTThyroid function testTSH and thyroid hormones.
  • FBS / PPBSFasting / post-prandial blood sugarBlood sugar before and after a meal.
  • ECG / EKGElectrocardiogramA tracing of the heart’s electrical activity.
  • ECHOEchocardiogramAn ultrasound scan of the heart.
  • USGUltrasonographyAn ultrasound scan.
  • CTComputed tomographyA cross-sectional X-ray scan.
  • MRIMagnetic resonance imagingA scan using magnets rather than X-rays.
  • CXRChest X-rayAn X-ray of the chest.

Conditions

  • HTNHypertensionHigh blood pressure.
  • DM / T2DMDiabetes mellitus / type 2Diabetes.
  • IHD / CADIschaemic / coronary artery diseaseNarrowed heart arteries.
  • MIMyocardial infarctionHeart attack.
  • CVACerebrovascular accidentStroke.
  • COPDChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseLong-term smoking-related lung disease.
  • CKDChronic kidney diseaseLong-term reduced kidney function.
  • UTIUrinary tract infectionAn infection of the bladder or kidneys.
  • URTIUpper respiratory tract infectionA cold or similar.
  • DVTDeep vein thrombosisA clot in a deep vein, usually the leg.
  • PEPulmonary embolismA clot that has travelled to the lungs.
  • AFAtrial fibrillationAn irregular heart rhythm.

In an emergency, call now. India: 112 · ambulance 108

Numbers are listed for 55 countries and can change — if your country is not here, or you are not sure, 112 reaches emergency services across the European Union and works from a mobile in much of the world. Do not drive yourself.

This is general health information for education, not medical advice, and not a diagnosis. It cannot see you, your history, your allergies or your medicines. Never use it to start, stop or change a treatment, and never let it delay you seeking care. If you are worried about symptoms, speak to a qualified doctor; if they are severe or sudden, seek emergency help.

Where this comes from: Standard clinical abbreviations in common use. Latin dosing abbreviations are given as written.

Where this is written from: This site is written from Indian clinical practice. Drug availability and brand names, vaccination schedules, national health programmes and some reference cut-offs differ between countries — a schedule or a threshold that is standard here may not be standard where you are. If you are reading outside India, check anything on this page against your own country’s guidance before you act on it.

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The shorthand on your prescription and discharge summary, decoded.

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