top of page
Website Header copy.png
White Glossary.png

Glossary and Abbreviations

Gastrointestinal, Transplant, and Related Medical Terms 

Please Click on Each Letter to View the Terms for More Information

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Medical Abbreviations

Here is a list of some medical abbreviations you might encounter throughout your transplant journey or time in the medical community. It is a useful reference. 

ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 or American Diabetes Association

AIDS: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

bid: Two times per day

BM: bowel movement

BP: blood pressure

BUN: blood urea nitrogen

CBC: complete blood count

CMS: Centers for Medicate and Medicaid Services

COBRA: Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985

CPR: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Cr: Creatinine

CT: Computed tomography (CAT scan)

DC, D/C: Discharge, discontinue

ECG, EKG: Electrocardiogram

ED: Emergency Department

EEG: Electroencephalogram

ENT: Ears, nose, throat

ER: Emergency Room

ESRD: End-stage renal disease

GFR: Glomerular filtration rate

Hct: Hematocrit

Hgb: Hemoglobin

HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

HIV: human immunodeficiency virus

HLA: human leukocyte antigens

HMO: health maintenance organization

HPN: Home parenteral nutrition

ICU: Intensive Care Unit

IM: intramuscular (injection)

IV: intravenous

kg:  kilogram (1 kg = 2.2 lbs)

L:  liter

lb:  pound

mcg:  microgram

MD: medical doctor

Mg: magnesium

mg: milligram

MI: myocardial infarction (heart attack)

min: minute

MRI: magnetic resonance imaging

Na: sodium

NG: nasogastric

NOTA: National Organ Transplant Act

NPO: nothing by mouth (no food or fluids)

NSAID: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

O2: oxygen

OPO: organ procurement organization

OPTN:  Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network

OR: Operating Room

OTC: over the counter (medications)

oz:  ounce

PCA:  patient controlled analgesia

PharmD: doctor of pharmacy

PN: Parenteral nutrition

po:  orally, by mouth

PPO: preferred provider organization

PRA: panel reactive antibody

prn: as needed

PT:  physical therapy

q:  every

qd:  every day

qid:  four times per day

qod:  every other day

RBC:  red blood cell

RN:  registered nurse

ROM: range of motion (as in exercise)

Rx:  prescription

SC, sc:  subcutaneous (injection)

soln:  solution

SSA:  Social Security Administration

SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance

SSI:  Social Security Income

tid:  three times per day

TPN: Total parenteral nutrition

UNOS:  United Network for Organ Sharing

URI:  upper respiratory infection

VS:  vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration)

WBC:  white blood cell

wk:  week

wt:  weight

yr:  year

bottom of page