Abbreviations and Acronyms of the Respiratory System

The following list contains abbreviations and acronyms you will often encounter for diagnoses, tests, and respiratory system anatomy

ARDS

Acute respiratory distress syndrome

CAP

Community acquired pneumonia

CF

Cystic fibrosis

CO₂

Carbon dioxide

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CPAP

Continuous positive airway pressure

CXR

Chest x-ray

LLL

Left lower lobe (of lung)

LUL

Left upper lobe (of lung)

NG tube

Nasogastric tube

O₂

Oxygen

OSA

Obstructive sleep apnea

PE

Pulmonary embolism

PFT

Pulmonary function test

PNA

Pneumonia

PPD

Tuberculin skin test (stands for purified protein derivative)

RLL

Right lower lobe (of lung)

RUL

Right upper lobe (of lung)

SOB

Shortness of breath

TB

Tuberculosis

URI

Upper respiratory infection