Medical Abbreviations

A

Assessment

ABI

Acquired brain injury

afib

Atrial fibrillation

A-line

arterial line

A-V

arteriovenous

AAA

abdominal aortic range of motion

AAROM

active assistive range of motion

Abd or abd

abduction

ABG

arterial blood gases

ac

before meals

AC joint

acromioclavicular joint

ACL

anterior cruciate ligament

ACTH

adrenocorticotrophic hormone

Add or add

adduction

ADL

activities of daily living

ad lib

at discretion

adm

admission, admitted

AE

above elbow

AFO

ankle foot orthosis

AIDS

acquired immune deficiency syndrome

AIIS

anterior inferior iliac spine

AJ

ankle jerk

AK

above knee

ALS

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

a.m.

morning

AMA

against medical advice

amb

ambulation, ambulating, ambulated, abulate, ambulates

ANS

autonomic nervous system

ant

anterior

AP

anterior-posterior

ARDS

adult respiratory distress syndrome

ARF

acute renal failure

AROM

active range of motion

ASA

aspirin

ASAP or asap

as soon as possible

ASCVD

arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease

ASHD

arteriosclerotic heart disease

ASIS

anterior superior iliac spine

assist.

assistance, assistive

AVM

arteriovenous malformation

B/S

bedside

BBB

bundle branch block

BE

below elbow

BID or bid

twice a day

bilat. or B

bilateral, bilaterally

BK

below knee

BM

bowel movement

BOS

base of support

BP

blood pressure

bpm

beats per minute

BR

bedrest

BRP

bathroom privileges

BS

breath sounds or bowel sounds

BUN

blood urea nitrogen (blood test)

C

centigrade

C&S

culture and sensitivity

℅

complains of

CA

cancer, carcinoma

CABG

coronary artery bypass graft

CAD

coronary artery disease

cal

calories

CAT

computerized axial tomography

CBC

complete blood cell (count)

CC, C/C

chief complaint

CF

cystic fibrosis

CHS

congestive heart failure

cm

centimeter

CMW

cytomegalovirus

CNS

central nervous system

CO

cardiac output

CO2

carbon dioxide

cont.

continue

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

COTA

certified occupational therapy assistant

CP

cerebral palsy

CPAP

continuous positive airway pressure

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CRF

chronic renal failure

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid

CV

cardiovascular

CWI

crutch walking instructions

CXR

chest x-ray

Cysto

cystoscopic examination

D/C

discontinued or discharged

dept.

department

DIP

distal interphalangeal (joint)

DJD

degenerative joint disease

Dm

diabetes mellitus

DNR

do not resuscitate

DO

doctor of osteopathy

DOB

date of birth

DOE

dyspnea on exertion

DTR

deep tendon reflex

DVT

deep vein thrombosis

Dx

Diagnosis

ECF

extended care facility

ECG, EKG

electrocardiogram

ED

emergency department

EEG

electroencephalogram

EENT

ears, eyes, nose, throat