Term Definition
transdermal Pertaining to across or through the skin; drug delivery form through
prophylaxis Guarding skin
unbroken against infection before it occurs
CCU coronary cardiac unit
ECU emergency care unit
ER emergency room
ICU intensive care unit
IP Inpatient; a registered bed patient
OP outpatient
OR operating room
PACU postanesthetic care unit
PAR postanesthetic recovery
postoperative (post-op, postop) After surgery
preoperative (pre-op, preop) Before surgery
RTC return to clinic
RTO return to office
BRP bathroom privileges
CP chest pain
DC, D/C discharge
ETOH ethyl alcohol
Ⓛ Left
Ⓡ Right
pt patient
RRR regular rate and rhythm
SOB shortness of breath
Tr, Tx treatment
traction (Tx) Application of a pulling force to a fractured or dislocated joint to maintain
proper position during healing
VS vital signs
T temperature
P pulse
R respiration
BP blood pressure
Ht height
Wt Weight
WDWN well-developed and well-nourished
y.o. year old
# pound or quantity
♂ male
♀ female
° degree or hour
↑
⊖ increased
↓ decreased
none or negative
○─ lying
acute Sharp, having intense often sever symptoms and short course
chronic A condition developing slowly and persisting over time
benign Mild or noncancerous
malignant Harmful or cancerous
degeneration Gradual deterioration of normal cells and body functions
degenerative disease Any disease in which there is deterioration of structure or function of
tissue
diagnosis (Dx) Determination of the presence of a disease based on an evaluation of
symptoms, signs, and test findings
etiology Cause of a disease
exacerbation Increase in severity of a disease with aggravation of symptoms
remission A period in which symptoms and signs stop or abate
febrile Relating to a fever
gross Large; visible to the naked eye
idiopathic A condition occurring without a clearly identified cause
localized Limited to a definite area or part
systemic Relating to the whole body rather than only a part
malaise A feeling of unwellness, often the first indication of illness
equivical Vague; questionable
morbidity Sick; a state of disease
morbidity rate The number of cases of a disease in a given year
mortality The state of being subject to death
mortality rate Death rate; ratio of total number of deaths to total number in a given
population
prognosis Foreknowledge; prediction of the likely outcome of a disease based on
the health status of the patient
progressive The advance of a condition as signs and symptoms increase in severity
recurrent To occur again; the return of symptoms after a period of quiescence
sequela A disorder or condition after, and usually resulting from, a previous
disease
sign A mark; objective evidence of disease that can be seen or verified by an
examiner
symptom Occurrence; subjective evidence of disease that is perceived by the
patient and often noted in his or her own words
syndrome A running together; combination of symptoms and signs that give a
distinct clinical picture indicating a particular condition or disease
noncontributory Not involved in bringing on the condition or result
unremarkable Not significant or worthy of noting
cubic centimeter (cc) A unit of measurement. 1 cc is equivalent to 1 mL
centimeter (cm) A unit of measurement. One hundredth of a meter
gram (g or gm) A unit of measurement for weight
kilogram (kg) A unit of measurement for weight. 1000 grams
liter (L) A unit of measurement for volume
milligram (mg) A unit of measurement for weight. One thousandth of a gram
milliliter (ml, mL) A unit of measurement for volume. One thousandth of a liter
millimeter (mm) A unit of measurement for length. One thousandth of a meter
cubic millimeter (cu mm) A unit of measurement for volume. One thousandth of a milliliter
fluid ounce (fl oz) A unit of measurement for volume
grain (gr) A unit of measurement for weight
drop (gtt) A unit of measurement for volume
dram (dr) A unit of measurement for weight. One eighth of an ounce
ounce (oz) A unit of measurement for weight
pound (lb or #) A unit of measurement for weight. 16 ounces
quart (qt) A unit of measurement for volume. 32 fluid ounces
tablet (tab) Oral, sublingual, or buccal drug form
capsule (cap) Oral drug form
suppository (suppos) Vaginal or rectal drug form
parenteral Injection drug form. e.g. Intramuscular (IM), intradermal (ID), intravenous
(IV), or subcutaneous (SC, SQ, Sub-Q)
topical Drug delivery form; cream, lotion or ointment applied to the surface of the
skin