1. Medical Abbreviations: An introduction

2. Shortened forms for convenience Medical Abbreviations Usually just letters; they are part of a physician’s orders, a medication prescription, or a client’s chart Health care workers are expected to recognize most common abbreviations Some abbreviations are no longer approved — if it is on the “undesirable” or “do not use” list, then DO NOT USE !!!

3. Remember, medical terminology was derived primarily from Greek & Latin --these were the languages of scholarly people in ancient times

4. Because of the use of two languages, Example: EKGEKG ECGECG you might see different abbreviations that mean the same thing. “ K ” (kardia) = heart --Greek - “ K ” (kardia) = heart --Greek - “ C ” (cardia) = heart -- Latin electro/kardio/gram electro/cardio/gram

5. SPELLING COUNTS A medication is to be taken once every day (q.d.), but a health care provider mistakenly writes q.i.d on the prescription. What will be the result of writing the incorrect abbreviation? (check your handout !!) WHY??

7. Decode this! Use your handout or section 5-5 in the textbook to write out the full forms for these medical short forms. 1. NPO for a BE in the am. 2. Dx UTI; give inj. q.i.d 3. FBS q.am. and h.s. 4. BR c BRP, maintain I and O 5. Perform ROM for RA TID

8. The Answers! 1. Nothing by mouth for a barium enema in the morning 2. Diagnosis Urinary Tract infection; give injection 4 times a day 3. Fasting blood sugar every morning and at bedtime 4. bed rest with bathroom privileges, maintain intake and output 5. Perform range of motion for rheumatoid arthritis 3 times a day