Abbreviations in Medicine: Key Terms and Definitions

ABGs

arterial blood gases

abn

abnormal

ABO

blood groups

ADL

activities of daily living

a-fib

atrial fibrillation

AIDS

acquired immune deficiency syndrome

AMA

American Medical Association

AMA

against medical advice

AP

anteroposterior (x-ray)

AP

apical pulse

AV

atrioventricular

ax, AX

axillary

BID

two times per day

BM

bowel movement

BMI

body mass index

BMP

basic metabolic panel

BP

blood pressure

BPH

benign prostatic hypertrophy

BUN

blood urea nitrogen

Bx

biopsy

c

with

C&S

culture and sensitivity (what bacteria grows and what antibiotic destroys it)

c/o

complains of/ complaints of

C1, C2

cervical vertebra

CA

cancer

CABG

coronary artery bypass graft

CAD

coronary artery disease

CBC

complete blood count

CC

chief complaint

CDC

Centers for Disease Control

CF

cystic fibrosis

CHF

congestive heart failure

CNS

central nervous system

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CP

cerebral palsy

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid

CT

computerized tomography

CVA

cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

CXR

chest x-ray

D & C

dilation and curettage

d/c, DC

discontinue (discharge)

diff

differential count (WBCs)

DM

diabetes mellitus

DNR

do not resuscitate

DOB

date of birth

DVT

deep vein thrombosis

DX

diagnosis

ECG

electrocardiogram

ECHO

echocardiogram

ED

erectile dysfunction

EDC

due date (estimated date of confinement)

EEG

electroencephalogram

EGD

esophagogastroduodenoscopy

EKG

electrocardiogram

ENT

ear, nose, throat otorhinolaryngologist

ESR

sed rate (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)

FBS

fasting blood sugar

FU or F/U

follow-up

FUO

fever of undetermined origin

Fx

fracture

G/P

gravida/para

GAD

generalized anxiety disorder

GERD

gastroesophageal reflux disease

GFR

glomerular filtration rate (most common number used to DX renal failure)

GI

gastrointestinal

Gm, gm, g

gram

GTT

glucose tolerance test

GU

genitourinary

GYN

gynecology or gynecologist

H&H

hemoglobin and hematocrit (rbc test)

H&P

History and Physical

HA

headache

HbA1C

hemoglobin A1C test (used by diabetes patients to monitor blood sugar levels)

HCG/hCG

pregnancy test (human chorionic gonadotropin)

Hct

hematocrit (rbc test)

Hgb

hemoglobin (rbc test)

HIV

human immune deficiency virus

HPI

history of present illness

HPV

human papillomavirus - causes genital warts

HR

heart rate

HRT

hormone replacement therapy

Ht, HT

height

HTN

hypertension

HX

history

I & D

incision and drainage

ICP

intracranial pressure

ICU

intensive care unit

ID

intradermal

IM

intramuscular

IOP

intraocular pressure

IV

intravenous

KUB

kidneys, ureters, bladder

L1, L2

lumbar vertebra

LLQ

left lower quadrant

LMP

last menstrual period

LS

lumbosacral

LUQ

left upper quadrant

mets

metastasis

MI

myocardial infarction