medical abbreviations + conversions

NURS 206

ā

Before.

ABG

Arterial blood gas.

AC, a.c., ac

Before meals.

Abd

Abdomen.

ADA

American Diabetes Association.

ADL

Activities of daily living.

Ad lib

At liberty or as desired.

ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

ADR

Adverse drug reaction.

AIDS

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

AKA

Above the knee amputation.

a.m.a

Against medical advice.

amp

Ampule.

Anuric

Not producing urine; may require dialysis.

ADH

Antidiuretic hormone.

A&O

Alert and oriented.

ARDS

Acute respiratory distress syndrome.

ARF

Acute renal (kidney) failure.

BE

Barium enema.

BID (bid, b.i.d.)

Twice daily.

BKA

Below the knee amputation.

BM

Bowel movement.

BMP

Basic metabolic panel.

BP

Blood pressure.

BPH

Benign prostatic hypertrophy.

BR

Bed rest.

BRP

Bathroom privileges.

BS

Blood sugar.

BUN

Blood urea nitrogen.

BW

Body weight.

BX, bx

Biopsy.

c̄

With.

CAD

Coronary artery disease.

cap

Capsule.

Ca++

Calcium.

CA, ca, Ca

Cancer; carcinoma.

CABG

Coronary artery bypass graft.

CAT

Computerized axial tomography.

Cath

Catheter or to catheterize.

CBC

Complete blood count.

CBI

Continuous bladder irrigation.

CBR

Complete bed rest.

CC

Chief complaint (patient’s main concern).

cc

Cubic centimeters.

CCU

Clean catch urine OR cardiac care unit.

CCMS

Clean catch midstream.

CDB

Cough, deep breathe.

CDC

Center for Disease Control.

CHF

Congestive heart failure.

Chem panel

Chemistry panel.

cl liq

Clear liquid.

cm

Centimeter.

CNS

Central Nervous System.

CPAP

Continuous positive airway pressure.

C/O, c/o

Complaint of.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

C&S

Culture and sensitivity.

CSF

Cerebrospinal fluid.

CT

Computerized tomography OR chemotherapy

CVA

Cerebrovascular accident (Stroke).

CVC

Central venous catheter.

CXR

Chest X-ray.

DAT

Diet as tolerated.

D/C or DC

Discontinue or discharge.

D&I

Dry and intact.

D5W

Dextrose 5% in water.

diff

Differential blood count.

dil

Dilute.

DM

Diabetes mellitus.

DNC, D&C, or D and C

Dilation and curettage.

DNR

Do not resuscitate.

DOE

Dyspnea on exertion.

DTR

Deep tendon reflexes.

DVT

Deep venous thrombosis.

DX, dx

Diagnosis.

ECG, EKG

Electrocardiogram.

EEG

Electroencephalogram.

elix

Elixir.

ETOH

Alcohol.

ECT

Electroconvulsive Therapy.

ESR

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

ET

Endotracheal.

ETS

Endotracheal suction.

ext

Extract.

FBS

Fasting blood sugar.

Fe

Iron.

fl

Fluid.

FS

Finger stick or full strength.

FUO

Fever of unknown origin.

Fx

Fracture.

g, gm

Gram.

GD

Gravity drain.

GFR

Glomerular filtration rate.

GI

Gastrointestinal.

G-tube

Gastrostomy tube.

gr

Grain.

gt, gtt

Drop.

GU

Genitourinary.

H/A, HA

Headache.

HAL

Hyperalimentation.