List of Medical Slang Terms for Medical Transcriptionists

accels = accelerations

afib = atrial fibrillation

alk phos = alkaline phosphatase

amox = amoxicillin

angio = angiography

appy = appendectomy

bicarb = bicarbonate

bili = bilirubin

brady = bradycardia

cabbage (sounds like) = CABG

C. diff = Clostridium difficile

cath = catheter / catheterization

cath’d = catheterized

circ = circumflex

coags = coagulation studies

crit = hematocrit

C-section = Cesarean section

C-spine = cervical spine

cysto = cystoscopy

dc’d = discontinued / discharged (as appropriate)

decels = decelerations

decubiti = decubitus ulcer or decubitus ulcers

detox = detoxification

dex = dexamethasone

dig = digoxin/digitalis

endo = endoscopy

eos = eosinophils

epi = epinephrine

epis = epithelial cells

exam = examination

fem-pop bypass = femoropopliteal bypass

flex sig = flexible sigmoidoscopy

fluoro = fluoroscopy

gastroc = gastrocnemius

gent = gentamicin

H. flu = Haemophilus influenzae

heme/onc = hematology/oncology

hep A = hepatitis A

hep B = hepatitis B

hep C = hepatitis C

high rez = high resolution (CT scan)

I’s & O’s (I&O’s) = inputs and outputs

IVDA = intravenous drug abuse

labs = laboratory

lami = laminectomy

lap = laparotomy

lap chole = laparoscopic cholecystectomy

L-spine = lumbar spine

lymphs / lymphos = lymphocytes

lytes = electrolytes

med onc = medical oncology

meds = medications

met = metastasis

mets = metastases

mics (or “mikes”) = micrograms

mucusy = mucus-like

MVI = multivitamin

nebs = nebulizers

neuro = neurologic / neurological / neurology

nitro = nitroglycerin

OD’d = overdosed

ox= oximetry

osteo = osteoporosis

pacer = pacemaker

ped/peds = pediatrics

pen = penicillin

pen vee kay = penicillin V potassium

phaco = phacoemulsification

polys = polymorphonuclear cells

preemie = premature infant

prepped = prepared

pussy = pus-like

pyelo = pyelogram

quads = quadriceps

rad onc = radiation oncology

regurg = regurgitation

rehabbing = rehabilitating

retic count = reticulocyte count

sat = saturation (O2 sat O2 saturation)

sats = saturations

satting = saturating

schizo = schizophrenia

script = prescription

sed rate = sedimentation rate

sono = sonogram

terb = terbutaline

theo = theophylline

tib-fib = tibia-fibula

T-max = temperature maximum

tox = toxicology

trach = tracheostomy

T-spine = thoracic spine

v fib = ventricular fibrillation

v tach = ventricular tachycardia

vanc = vancomycin

vee-back = vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC)