Medical Abbreviations and Clinical Interview Techniques
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Essential Medical Terminology and Patient Interview Phrases
Common Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms
- Abdo.
- Abdomen
- a.c.
- Before meals
- AJ
- Ankle Jerk
- a.m.
- Morning
- AP
- Antero-Posterior
- AS
- Alimentary System
- A&W
- Alive and Well
- BB
- Bed Bath
- b.d./b.i.d.
- Twice a day
- BI
- Bone Injury
- BID
- Brought In Dead
- BM
- Bowel Movement
- BP
- Blood Pressure
- BS
- Bowel Sounds
- CAD
- Coronary Artery Disease
- CCF
- Congestive Cardiac Failure
- Chr. CF
- Chronic Cardiac Failure
- CNS
- Central Nervous System
- C/o
- Complains of
- Creps
- Crepitations
- CT
- Cerebral Tumor; Coronary Thrombosis
- CV
- Cardiovascular
- CVS
- Cardiovascular System; Cerebrovascular System
- D
- Divorced
- ECG/EKG
- Electrocardiogram
- EEG
- Electroencephalogram
- ENT
- Ear, Nose, Throat
- F
- Female
- FUO
- Fever of Unknown Origin
- GC
- General Condition
- GIS
- Gastro-Intestinal System
- GP
- General Practitioner
- GUS
- Genito-Urinary System
- Gyn.
- Gynaecology
- HS
- Heart Sounds
- HBP
- High Blood Pressure
- HR
- Heart Rate
- ID
- Infectious Disease
- IV
- Intravenous
- L
- Left
- LBP
- Low Back Pain; Low Blood Pressure
- M
- Male
- Mane
- In the morning
- MSSU
- Mid-Stream Specimen of Urine
- NAD
- No Abnormality Detected
- Nocte
- At night
- NS
- Nervous System
- O/E
- On Examination
- Oed.
- Oedema
- p.m.
- Afternoon
- RS
- Respiratory System
- S
- Single; Sugar
- T
- Temperature
- TB
- Tuberculosis
- UGS
- Urogenital System
- VD
- Venereal Disease
- W
- Widow
- #
- Fracture
Effective Patient Interview Techniques
Initiating the Consultation
Use these phrases to start the interview and understand the patient's primary concern:
- What has brought you along today?
- What can I do for you?
- What seems to be the problem?
Determining Duration of Symptoms
Ask about the timeline and persistence of the issue:
- How long have they been bothering you?
- How long have you had them?
- How long does the pain last?
Localizing the Problem
Pinpoint the exact location of discomfort or symptoms:
- Which part of your head is affected?
- Where does it hurt?
- Where is it sore?
Characterizing the Pain
Encourage the patient to describe the nature of the pain:
- Can you describe the pain?
- What is the pain like?
- What kind of pain is it?
Identifying Modifying Factors
Inquire about factors that alleviate or exacerbate the symptoms (e.g., headaches):
- Is there anything that makes them better?
- Does anything make them worse?
Assessing Related Factors
Determine if external factors influence the problem:
- What effect does food have?
- Does lying down help the pain?
System Review Questions
Perform a brief review of major body systems:
- Have you any trouble with your stomach or bowels?
- What is your appetite like?
- Any problems with your waterworks?
- What about coughs or wheezing or shortness of breath?
- Have you noticed any weakness or tingling in your limbs?
- Have you any pain in passing water?