ā
before
abd
abdominal
ac
before meals
AD
right ear
AED
Automated External Defibrillation
AIDS
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
AP
apical pulse
AU
both ears
AV
arteriovenous/atrioventricular
Ax
axilla, axillary, armpit
bid
twice a day
bil
bilateral (both sides)
BP
blood pressure
BUN
blood urea nitrogen
CA
cancer
Cath
catheter
CBC
complete blood count
CC
cheif complaint
CDC
Center for Disease Control
CF
Cystic Fibrosis
CHF
congestive heart failure
chol
cholesterol
CNS
Central Nervous System
co, c/o
complains of
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CPR
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Cx
cervix, complication, complaint
D/C
discontinue, discharge
DDS
Doctor of Dental Surgery
dil
dilute, dissolve
DNA
deoxyribonucleic acid
DNR
do not resuscitate
DO
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
DOA
dead on arrival
DOB
date of birth
DPT
diphtheria, pertussis,(whooping cough) tetanus
DVT
deep vein thrombosis
Dx, dx
diagnosis
EGG, EKG
electrocardiogram
EEG
electroencephalogram
EENT
ear, eye, nose, throat
et, etiol
etiology (cause of disease)
Ex, exam
examination
ext
extract, extraction, external
FBS
fasting blood sugar
FDA
Food and Drug Administration
FSH
follicle-stimulating hormone
FUO
fever of unknown origin
Fr, Fx
fracture
GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
GI
gastrointestinal
Gyn
gynecology
HBP
high blood pressure
HBV
hepatitis B virus
HCG
human chorionic gonadotrophin hormone
hct
hematocrit
Hgb, Hb
hemoglobin
HIPPA
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
Set of federal regulations adopted to protect the confidentiality of patient information and the ability to retain health insurance coverage.
HIV
human immunodeficiency virus
The HIV virus causes AIDS
HMO
health maintenance organization
HOSA
Health Occupations Students of America
national organization for health science students
Hx, hx
history
Example: (Hx: heart disease)
ICU
intensive care unit
ID
intradermal, infectious disease
IM
intramuscular
inf
infusion, inferior, infection
inj
injection
IV
intravenous
"within vein"
jt
joint
K
potassium
Potassium is needed for many body processes
L, l
liter - 1000 cc = 1000ml lumbar - spine anatomy
LDL
low-density lipoprotein
liq
liquid
LLQ
lower left quadrant
LMP
last menstrual period
LPN
licensed practical nurse
graduate of a certificate nursing program requiring about 18 months to complete
LTC
long-term care
type of health care system
mEq
milliequivalent: a unit of the amount of substance
Mg
magnesium
MI
myocardial infraction
mL, ml
milliliter
MN
midnight
MRI
magnetic resonance imaging
MS
Multiple Sclerosis