Lab
K medical abbreviation
K means "potassium", from the Latin "kalium".
Each meaning matched at least two public references (3 in all for K), checked October 23, 2026. The table lists them.
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What K means
| Meaning | Latin origin | Where used | Checked against |
|---|---|---|---|
| potassium | kalium | Lab orders, Charting |
Example
Sample lab panel row: "K."
A made-up line that shows the abbreviation in place. It is not about any patient and is not an instruction.
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Questions
What does K mean in medical terms?
K means "potassium", from the Latin "kalium".
What does K stand for in Latin?
K comes from "kalium", meaning "potassium".
Where is K used?
K shows up in lab orders and charting. Its category here is lab.
Is K on the Joint Commission Do Not Use list?
No. K is not on the Joint Commission Do Not Use list or the ISMP error-prone list as checked on October 23, 2026.