Medical Abbreviations

ā

before

A

anterior; assessment

A&P

auscultation and percussion

A&W

alive and well

AB

abortion

ABG

arterial blood gas

a.c.

before meals

ACE

angiotensin-converting enzyme

ACS

acute coronary syndrome

ACTH

adrenocorticotropic hormone

AD

right ear

ad lib.

as desired

ADH

antidiuretic hormone

ADHD

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

AIDS

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

AKA

above-knee amputation

alb

albumin

ALS

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

ALT

alanine aminotransferase (enzyme)

a.m.

morning

amt

amount

ANS

autonomic nervous system

AP

anterior-posterior

APKD

adult polycystic kidney disease

aq

water

AS

left ear

ASD

atrial septal defect

AST

aspartate aminotransferase (enzyme)

AU

both ears

AV

atrioventricular

◯B

bilateral

BAEP

brainstem auditory evoked potential

BAER

brainstem auditory evoked response

BCC

basal cell carcinoma

BD

bipolar disorder

b.i.d.

twice a day

BKA

below-knee amputation

BM

bowel movement

BMP

basic metabolic panel

BP

blood pressure

BPH

benign prostatic hypertrophy; benign prostatic hyperplasia

BRP

bathroom privileges

BS

blood sugar

BUN

blood urea nitrogen

Bx

biopsy

C-

with

C

Celsius; centigrade

C&S

culture and sensitivity

CABG

coronary artery bypass graft

CAD

coronary artery disease

cap

capsule

CAT

computed axial tomography

CBC

complete blood count

cc

cubic centimeter

CC

chief complaint

CCU

coronary (cardiac) care unit

CF

cystic fibrosis

CHF

congestive heart failure

CIN

cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

CIS

carcinoma in situ

cm

centimeter

CMP

comprehensive metabolic panel

CNS

central nervous system

c/o

complains of

CO

cardiac output

CO2

carbon dioxide

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CP

cerebral palsy; chest pain

CPAP

continuous positive airway pressure

CPD

cephalopelvic disproportion

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid

CSII

continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion

CT

computed tomography

CTA

computed tomographic angiography

cu mm or mm3

cubic millimeter

CVA

cerebrovascular accident

CVS

chorionic villus sampling

CXR

chest x-ray

d

day

D&C

dilation and curettage

D&E

dilation and evacuation

DC

discharge; discontinue; doctor of chiropractic

DDS

doctor of dental surgery

DJD

degenerative joint disease

DKA

diabetic ketoacidosis

DO

doctor of osteopathy

DPM

doctor of podiatric medicine

dr

dram

DRE

digital rectal exam

DTR

deep tendon reflex

DVT

deep vein thrombosis

Dx

diagnosis

ECG

electrocardiogram

echo

echocardiogram

ECT

electroconvulsive therapy

ECU

emergency care unit

ED

erectile dysfunction

EDC

estimated date of confinement

EDD

estimated date of delivery