Medical abbreviations are commonly used in the medical field to concisely represent longer medical terms. They help decrease confusion and improve patient care by providing a shorthand way to write terms that are long or similarly spelled. Some common medical abbreviations explained in the document are CATH for catheter, UTI for urinary tract infection, H2O for water, BUN for blood urea nitrogen, UC for urine culture.

1. By Chris Oswalt

2. Medical abbreviations are
used as a short hand writing
technique that condenses
longer terms to just a few
letters. This is very helpful in
the medical field where there
are many similarly spelled
words. Overall it helps
decrease confusion resulting
in better patient care.

3. CATH
Cath is an
abbreviation
for Catheter

4. Catheter is a tube
that can be inserted
into the body to
facilitate urination in
patients with a
urinary disorder or
patients that are bed
ridden.

5. UTI

6. UTI is an abbreviation for Urinary Tract
Infection. It is an infection that can
happen anywhere along the urinary tract.
Caused by germs, usually bacteria that
enters the urethra. Women are more
likely than men to get a UTI. A burning
sensation is the most common symptom
when urinating and also frequent urge to
urinate.

7. H2O

8. H2O is an abbreviation for water. It is the
chemical composition for the molecules
and states that there are two hydrogen
ions and one oxygen ion that are bonded
together. Water is such an abundant
source of matter within the body and is
very common that using this abbreviation
is extremely helpful when writing or
charting.

9. BUN
BUN is an abbreviation
for blood urea nitrogen.
It is a blood test utilized
to evaluate kidney
function. Normal result
is generally 6 - 20
mg/dL.

10. UC
UC is an
abbreviation
for Urine
Culture. This is
when urine is
collected and
evaluated for
bacteria or
infection

11. Urine culture is a test that is usually
ordered to detect the presence of a urinary
tract infection. Presence of a single type of
bacteria growing at high colony counts is
considered a positive urine culture.
Cultures with greater than 100,000 colony
forming units (CFU)/mL of one type of
bacteria usually indicate infection.

12. Medical abbreviations are helpful
in many ways throughout medicine.
Their importance beneficial
because they are time saving. Even
verbal communication uses
abbreviations.