The Ultimate OET Writing Guide for Abbreviations, Acronyms & Symbols.

Abbreviations Guide

The Ultimate Guide to Abbreviations, Acronyms & Symbols for OET Writing

—This page is a comprehensive guide to all the abbreviations, acronyms and symbols you may encounter throughout your OET journey. It is highly recommended to read it before beginning your letter writing practice.

—It includes examples that may not be directly related to the main content of the letters, but understanding all components of a case note makes it much easier to handle during the exam.

—Many abbreviations are clarified in the exam paper; however, some may not be explained — it will be your responsibility to interpret them correctly.

—Reading this document at least once will provide you with prior awareness of everything you might come across.

Important Guidelines for Using Abbreviations in OET Writing

⚠️ Before progressing with OET letter writing, it is essential to understand how to correctly use or expand abbreviations. Misuse—whether through oversimplification or inappropriate expansion—can lead to penalties under the "Genre and Style" criterion. The following rules should be carefully reviewed.

Rule 1 — Avoid Oversimplifying Abbreviations

Expanding an abbreviation that is already well known to the intended reader may lead to a genre/style mismatch.

✅ Correct: COPD → Acceptable when writing to a pulmonologist, as the term is familiar.

❌ Incorrect: Expanding to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease disrupts professional register and can be penalised.

📝 Rule: Do not expand abbreviations that are well known to specialists or consultants.

Rule 2 — Do Not Expand Universally Recognised Abbreviations

Some abbreviations are globally accepted in both medical and general contexts. Expanding them adds no value and may be considered inappropriate.

❌ Computed tomography (instead of CT)

❌ Body mass index (instead of BMI)

❌ Magnetic resonance imaging (instead of MRI)

📝 Rule: If an abbreviation is universally understood, keep it abbreviated.

Rule 3 — Abbreviations Must Match Reader Type

Understanding your recipients is critical in abbreviation usage:

❌ Carer / non-medical recipient: Limited abbreviation usage is preferred — use full terms.

⚠️ Nurse / GP: Use only commonly known abbreviations (e.g., CT, BMI). Avoid field-specific ones.

✅ Consultant / specialist: Abbreviations relevant to their specialty are generally acceptable.

📝 Rule: Always consider the reader's level of expertise when deciding whether to abbreviate or expand.

Rule 4 — Avoid Ambiguous or Conflicting Abbreviations

When a single abbreviation has multiple meanings, or multiple abbreviations exist for the same term, prefer the full form.

❌ BM → Could mean bone marrow or bowel movement

❌ AF vs AFib → Both can stand for atrial fibrillation

📌 Important note: OET states that ECG is the preferred abbreviation, while EKG is also an equivalent form. Therefore, we can exclude universally well-known abbreviations from this rule.

📝 Rule: In cases of ambiguity or variation, use the full term to maintain clarity.

Rule 5 — Use Both the Abbreviation and Its Expansion Together

If you are not sure the recipient will 100% understand the abbreviation, use both forms together.

✅ Write out the full term on first mention, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses — e.g., "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)". You can then use "COPD" for the rest of the letter.

Rule 6 — When in Doubt, Use the Full Form

If you're unsure whether the abbreviation will be understood by the recipient, always use the full term. This prioritises clarity and reader safety.

❓ Is "DVT" appropriate here?
→ If unsure, write deep vein thrombosis.

⭐ Rule: When uncertain, it is safer and more appropriate to use the full form.

Read this to understand how this page works

MRI This means that MRI is preferable in the abbreviated form.	magnetic resonance imaging
o/e	On examination This means that o/e is preferable in the full form.
COPD This means that both can be used depending on the recipient. e.g, COPD for a pulmonologist is acceptable, but it’s not acceptable for a nurse.	chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
i.e. Just to be aware about. These abbreviations are not used in the body of the letter directly, but they are added to enhance readability.	in other words
Na This means using either won’t be penalised as both are acceptable.	Sodium

1-Symbols

?	Doubtful,possible: used before diagnoses or investigations e.g: "?UTI": Possible urinary tract infection. "?CT head": Suggesting a computed tomography scan of the head might be needed for diagnosis.	&	and
+/-	"with or without," or "with the possibility of." e.g: "Gastro-oesophageal reflux +/- stricture": indicates reflux may or may not have an associated stricture.	+	Positive
+	Slight trace or increased symptom	16+	More than 16
++	Trace or mild symptoms	½	Half
+++	Moderate trace or moderate symptoms	4/24	four doses in a 24 hour period or every 6 hours
+++++	Large trace or severe symptoms	3/7	3 days
↑	Increase	2/52	2 weeks
↓	Decrease	+ve	Positive
#	Fracture	-ve	Negative
→	caused/ led to/ resulted in	2⁰	Secondary to
X	“time” or “per”, but keep it as symbol when referring to size: 2x2 tumour	< normal	Less than normal
/	per	i.e.	in other words
&/or	And/or Both or either	≈	Approximately
/‌wk	Per week	w/ or w.	With

2-Clinical Findings and Symptoms

o/e	On examination	soboe	Shortness of breath on exertion
NAD	no abnormalities detected	SOB	shortness of breath
ROM	range of motion	C/O	Complains of
nl	Normal	O/A	On assessment
Palp	Palpation	QoL	Quality of life
Mgt	Management	Appt	Appointment

3-Patient Information and History

pt	Patient	R/V	Review
Wt.	Weight	Ht.	Height
Chol.	Cholesterol	cigs	Cigarettes
BMI	body mass index	ADL	activities of daily living
F/Hx F/H	family history	Hx	history
DDx D/D	differential diagnosis	Dx	diagnosis
NKA	no known allergies	PMH	Past medical history
BIBA	Brought in by ambulance	Ms	Female title (not married or any adult)
Mrs	Female title (married or widow)	Mr	Male title
HPI	History of present illness	2 ppd	Two packs per day (smoking history)
RFP	Reason for presenting	Ref	Referral

4-Observations, Vital Signs and Physical Examination

vitals	Vital signs	✓	within normal limits
Obs	Observations	Circ	Circulatory
Path	Pathology	Bloods	Blood tests
BP	Blood pressure	P/PR	Pulse / Pulse Rate
Abdo	Abdomen	Dx	diagnosis
BSL	Blood sugar level	Wks	Weeks
BPM	Beats per minute	ICS	Intercostal space
SpO₂	Peripheral oxygen saturation	UA	Urinalysis
/‌hpf	Per high power field	WB	Weight bear

5- Anatomical Locations and medical/surgical Terms

PR	Per rectum	Post-op	Post-operative
Pre-op	Pre-operative	THR	total hip replacement
Intra-op	During the operation	R TKR	total right knee replacement
L	Left	R	Right
L/K	Left knee	B/L	Bilateral
L.N.	Lymph node	LLQ	Left lower quadrant
RUQ	Right upper quadrant	Ant	Anterior
ACL	Anterior cruciate ligament	PCL	Posterior cruciate ligament
LCL	Lateral collateral ligament	MCL	Medial collateral ligament
Ext	Extension (like arm extension)	s/c subcut	subcutaneous

6- Frequency, Time, and Duration Instructions

min	Minute	mth	Month
Pre-op	Pre-operative	THR	total hip replacement
b.d. bid BD	Twice a day	Mane	In the morning
Nocte	At night	prn PRN p.r.n	“as needed” or “when required”
QID	4 times a day	rpt	repeat
stat	immediately and once only	LLQ	Left lower quadrant
t.d.s / TDS / tid	3 times a day	w/o	Without
Sid qd, OD	once a day	AC ac	before meals
h	hour	6/h	every 6 hours
3/12	3 months	y/yrs	year(s)
cap	Capsule	tab	Tablet
ASAP	As soon as possible	Am	Morning
Pm	Evening/night	q.a.m. / qAM / qam	Every morning
QHS	Every night at bedtime	HS	At bedtime
q. 4 weeks	Every 4 weeks	4hrly	Every 4 hours
q8h	Every 8 hours	4x/day	Four times a day
/‌wk	Per week	Mths	Months
b/fast	Breakfast	b/w	Between

7- Medications and Administration Routes

NBM	Nil by mouth -No food or drink-	OD	Overdose Can also mean “once daily”
Pre-op	Pre-operative	THR	total hip replacement
cap	Capsule	PC	After meals
Inj	Injection	IV	Intravenous
PPI	proton pump inhibitors	OTC	Over the counter
nil	No or none	PCA	Patient-controlled analgesia
tab	tablet	Rx	prescription
F/-	Fluoride application	NSAIDs	Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
SSRI	Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor	2–5u	2 to 5 units (u = units)
IM	Intramuscular	Sl	Sublingual
T	Tablets	TT	Two tablets
OCP	Oral contraceptive pill	POP	progesterone only pills also means “plaster of paris”
IVF	Intravenous fluids	GTN	Glyceryl trinitrate
XL XR ER	Extended-release	MR	Modified-release
STAT	Immediately	MDI	Metered dose inhaler
ASA	Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)	INR	International normalised ratio
CMP	Calcium, magnesium, and phosphate	Po Per os	By mouth (orally)
SA	sustained action	CR	controlled release
AC	before meals	LMWH	Low molecular weight heparin

8- Laboratory Tests and Investigations

lab	Laboratory	bloods	Blood investigations or blood test results
Ix	investigation	MSU	mid-stream urine
FBE	full blood examination	MRI	magnetic resonance imaging
ESR	erythrocyte sedimentation rate	LDL	low-density lipoproteins
HDL	high-density lipoproteins	PSA	prostate-specific antigen
FBC	Full Blood Count	ECG	Electrocardiograph
BPM	Beats per minute	GFR	glomerular filtration rate
PA radiograph	Posteroanterior radiograph	CXR	Chest X-ray
CT	Computed tomography	LFTs	Liver function tests
U&Es	Urea and electrolytes	HbA1c	Glycated haemoglobin test
ALT	Alanine transaminase	LDLC	Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
Trig TG/TRI	Triglycerides	Hct	Haematocrit
Hb	Haemoglobin	Plts	Platelets
WBC	White blood cells /count	BUN	Blood Urea Nitrogen
Cr	Creatinine	Na	Sodium
K	Potassium	Cl	Chloride
HCO3	Bicarbonate	Glu	Glucose
UFR	Urine flow rate Urine Full Report Ultrafiltration Rate	IVP report	Intravenous pyelogram report
CT	Computed tomography	ASOT	Antistreptolysin O titre
RBC	Red blood cells	ALP	Alkaline phosphatase
TSH	Thyroid-stimulating hormone	CBC	Complete blood count
TFTs	Thyroid function tests	U+E	Urea and electrolytes
M&C	Microscopy and culture	HBsAg	Hepatitis B surface antigen
O2 Sats	oxygen saturation	CRP	C-reactive protein

9- Conditions and Diseases

UTI	urinary tract infection	CAD	coronary artery disease
DM	diabetes mellitus	HTN HT	hypertension
IBS	irritable bowel syndrome	MI	myocardial infarction
OA	osteoarthritis	RA	rheumatoid arthritis
TB	tuberculosis	COPD	chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
GERD / GORD	gastro-oesophageal reflux disease	RF	Rheumatic fever
NIDDM	Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, also known as Type 2 Diabetes	URTI	Upper respiratory tract infection
LRTI	Lower respiratory tract infection	CCF	Congestive cardiac failure
IHD	Ischaemic heart disease	AMI	Acute myocardial infarction
APO	Acute pulmonary oedema	BPAD	Bipolar affective disorder
CVA	Cerebrovascular accident	DVT	Deep vein thrombosis
TIA	Transient ischaemic attack	PCOD	Polycystic ovarian disease
CA	Cancer	RSV	Respiratory syncytial virus
PTSD	Post-traumatic stress disorder	SLE	Systemic lupus erythematosus
CES	Cauda equina syndrome	GI	Glycaemic (may relate to diabetes or diet)

10- Units of Measurement

cm	Centimetre	ml	Millilitre
g	Gram	mg	Milligram
kg	Kilogram	mmHg	Millimetre of mercury
mcg	Microgram	YO	Years old
mEq	Milliequivalent	Pkt	Packet (e.g., cigarettes)
Lb	Pound	m	metre

11- Healthcare Roles, Departments & Medical Terms

ICU	intensive care unit	Ax	assessment
Tx	Treatment Or theraby	GP	General Practitioner
OR	Occupational Role	OT	Occupational Therapist
PT	physiotherapist	SECC	Psychiatric Emergency Care Centre
DSP	Disability Support Pension	Reg	Registrar
A&E	Accident and Emergency	ED	Emergency Department
ENT	Ear, nose, and throat	Psych	Psychiatric
Dx	Diagnosis	MAU	Medical Assessment Unit
ORIF	Open reduction and internal fixation	GA	General anaesthesia
reg	Regular/regularly	F/T	Full time

12- Miscellaneous

incl	Including	cigs	Cigarettes
NBM	Nil by mouth	ROM	range of motion
AC	before meals	C/O	Complains of
DOB	Date of Birth	FTA	Failed to attend
YO	Years old	re	Redo or to assess/evaluate again (meaning may vary by context) can also mean regarding
OK	Normal	DKA	Diabetic ketoacidosis
L/K	Left knee	St	Street
PC	Presenting Complaint	O/E	On examination
DRE	digital rectal examination	JVP	Jugular venous pressure
CVS	Cardiovascular system	RS	Respiratory system
CNS	Central nervous system	nl	Normal
MSU	Mid-stream urine	Neg	Negative
MH	Mental health	cig	Cigarette
2 ppd	Two packs per day (smoking history)	Pkt	Packet (of cigarettes)
ETOH	Alcohol (ethanol consumption)	etc	Et cetera "and the other things"
Approx	Approximately	Ltd	Limited
V.	Very	Esp	Especially
Appt	Appointment	P	Pain
vit	vitamin	b/fast	Breakfast
FEV1%	forced expiratory volume in one second percentage	PEFR	Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
CVD	cardiovascular disease	ECG/ EKG	electrocardiogram, electrocardiograph
PCP	Primary Care Provider	N/A	not applicable
n.b.	note well	N&V/ N/V	nausea and vomiting
NG	naso-gastric		caused by/ resulted from
+/++	present/ increased presence	-	absent
Approx.	Approximately	R/O	Rule out
Sx	Symptoms	T	Temperature
ABD	Abdomen	PE	Pulmonary embolism or pulmonary edema
CHF	Congestive heart failure	SH	Social history
NKDA	No known drug allergies	MS	Multiple sclerosis
IDDM	Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus	NIDDM	Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
AC	Before meals	PC	After meals
NBM	Nil by mouth	NPO	Nothing by mouth
UA	Urinalysis	ABG	Arterial blood gas
PT	Prothrombin time	PTT	Partial thromboplastin time
GI	Gastrointestinal	D/C	Discharge
BNO	bowels not open	BO	bowels open
c/c	chief complaint	CVP	central venous pressure
DNACPR		DNAR	do not attempt resuscitation
DNR	do not resuscitate	EMU	early morning urine sample
EUA	examination under anaesthetic	FOBT	faecal occult blood test
h/o	history of	HRT
i	1 tablet	ii	2 tablets
iii	3 tablets	LA
LMP	last menstrual period	OD	once a day
POD	podiatrist	p/c	presenting complaint
POP	plaster of paris also means “progesterone only pills”	q.	every
q.1.d. q1d q.d. qd	every day	q.1.h. q1h q.h. qh	every hour
q.d.s, qds, QDS q.i.d qid	4 times a day	QQH q4h q.4.h	Every 4 hours
QOD q.o.d.	Every Other Day A medication or treatment marked as QOD is administered every second day—for example, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, etc.	q.s., qs	a sufficient quantity (enough)
RTA	road traffic accident	TPR	temperature, pulse and respiration