C/O Medical Abbreviation: Meaning and Examples

H2: What Does C/O Mean in Medical Terms?

C/O is a common medical abbreviation that means “complains of.” Doctors and nurses use it when recording a patient’s symptoms. For example, instead of writing a full sentence like “The patient complains of chest pain,” they simply note “C/O chest pain.”

This makes records shorter and easier to read while keeping the focus on the main problem the patient describes.

Doctors and nurses often have to write many notes each day. Using abbreviations like C/O helps them:

• Save time by writing less.
• Keep records clear so all healthcare staff understand the patient’s issue.
• Follow a standard format that is recognized in many clinics and hospitals.

In some cases, doctors also use the abbreviation CC (Chief Complaint). It serves a similar purpose as C/O, pointing to the main reason why the patient came for medical care.

How Is C/O Used in Healthcare?

In Patient Records

The most common place to see C/O is in medical records. A doctor or nurse might write:

• “C/O chest pain.”
• “C/O dizziness.”
• “C/O abdominal cramps.”

These short notes point directly to what the patient is feeling.

In Prescriptions and Notes

C/O usually appears in documentation, not on medication labels. It is part of the patient’s history or clinical notes rather than instructions for treatment. This means you’re more likely to see it in a doctor’s report than on anything you take home.

While these notes are quick for medical staff, they can be unclear for patients. A JAMA Network Open clinical trial showed that expanding abbreviations increased patient comprehension dramatically, from 62% to 95%.

In Communication Between Healthcare Professionals

When doctors or nurses hand over care to another professional, abbreviations keep the conversation quick and clear. Saying “The patient C/O headaches” immediately tells the next person what the main complaint is without needing long explanations.

Examples of C/O in Medical Notes

Here are some simple examples you may come across:

• C/O shortness of breath (SOB) - The patient says they feel breathless.
• C/O nausea and headache - The patient reports feeling sick and having a headache.
• C/O lower back pain - The patient complains of pain in their lower back.

Common Related Medical Abbreviations

C/O is often used alongside other abbreviations in medical records, such as:

• Hx = History (for example, “Hx of asthma”).
• Dx = Diagnosis (for example, “Dx: migraine”).
• Tx = Treatment (for example, “Tx: rest and fluids”).
• Sx = Symptoms (for example, “Sx: fever and cough”).