What does the abbreviation DX stand for in medical records?

• A. Diagnosis
• B. Prescription
• C. Treatment
• D. Condition

Answer: (A)

DX is the shorthand for diagnosis in medical records. It denotes the clinician's conclusion about the specific illness or condition that explains the patient's symptoms after evaluation. This labeling helps the care team communicate clearly and guides which tests and treatments are appropriate. It’s different from a prescription or from the act of treatment, which are documented separately. A diagnosis can be provisional or final and may be updated as more information becomes available, but the term itself points to the identified condition, not to what is planned to be done. For example, Dx: glaucoma indicates the identified condition affecting the eye.