A-Z Medical Abbreviations

A&D

admission and discharge

A&P

anatomy & physiology

anterior and posterior

abd

abdomen

ABG

arterial blood gas

ac

before meals

AD

right ear

ad lib

as desired

ADL

activities of daily living

AIDS

acquired immune deficiency syndrome

AMA

against medical advice

american medical association

amb

ambulate

AP

apical pulse

AS

left ear

ASA

acetylsalicylic acid

ASAP

as soon as possible

AU

both ears

AV

arteriovenous

atrioventricular

Ax

axillary

Ba

barium

B&B

bowel and bladder training

BBB

bundle branch block

B&C

boipsy and conization

BE

barieum enema

bid

twice a day

BM

bowel movement

BP

blood pressure

BRP

bathroom privileges

BS

blood sugar

BSA

body surface area

BSC

bedside commode

BUN

blood urea nitrogen

Bx or bx

biopsy

c (line over it)

with

Ca

calcium

CA

cancer

CAT

computerized axial tomography

Cath

catheter

CBC

complete blood count

CBR

complete bedrest

CCU

coronary care unit

critical care unit

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CF

cystic fibrosis

CHD

coronary heart disease

cl liq

clear liquid

CNS

central nervous system

c/o

complains of

CO

coronary occlusion

carbon monoxide

CO2

carbon dioxide

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

COTA

certified occupational therapy assistant

CP

cerebral palsy

chest pain

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CPK

creatine phosphokinase

C&S

culture and sensitivity

CSF

cerbral spinal fluid

Cu

copper

CVA

cerebrovascular accident

Cx

cervix

d

day

D&C

dilatation and curettage

DAT

diet as tolerated

D/C

discontinue

discharge

Diff

differentiated white blood cell count

DM

diabetes mellitus

DNA

deoxyribonucleic acid

DNR

do not resuscitate

DOA

dead on arrival

DOB

date of birth

DOD

date of death

DON

director of nursing

DPM

doctor of podiatric medicine

Dr

doctor

dr

dram

DRG

diagnostic related groups

drg

dressing

D/S

dextrose in saline

DSD

dry sterile dressing

DT

delerium tremors

DW

distilled water

D/W

dextrose in water

Dx or dx

diagnosis

EBL

estimated blood loss

EKG

electrocardiogram

EEG

electroencephalogram

EENT

eye, ears, nose, throat

EMG

electromyogram

ESR

erythrocyte sedimentation rate

etiol

etiology

FBS

fasting blood sugar

FC

foley catheter

FDA

Food and Drug Administration

Fe

iron

FF

force fluids

Fx

fracture

FUO

fever unknown origin

GA

gastric analysis

GB

gallbladder

GI

gastrointestinal

g

gram

gtt

drop