The abbreviation Dx stands for which medical term?

• A. Dysfunction
• B. Dose
• C. Dilation
• D. Diagnosis

Answer: (D)

This item tests understanding of common medical shorthand in patient records. Dx is used to indicate the diagnosis—the specific disease or condition that has been identified after evaluating the patient. So, Dx stands for diagnosis, the conclusion of the diagnostic process based on history, examination, and tests. It’s the label placed on the patient’s condition, e.g., Dx: hypertension, to show what the clinician has determined. This is distinct from terms like dysfunction, dose, or dilation, which would be written or abbreviated differently.