Medical Abbreviations

Pharmacology

Abd

abdominal

@

at

ABG

arterial blood gas

ABP

arterial blood pressure

AC

acromioclavicular joint, relating to the joint connecting the shoulder blade to the collarbone.

a.c.

before meals

ACL

anterior cruciate ligament

ACLS

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support

AD

right ear

ADE

adverse drug event

ADL

activities of Daily Living

ad lib

as desired

AED

automated external defibrillator

A Fib

atrial fibrillation

AIDS

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

AKA

above the knee amputation

am

morning

AMA

against medical advice

amb

ambulate; walk

amt

amount

AOD

adult onset syndrome

ARD

acute respiratory distress

AS

left ear

ASA

aspirin

ASAP

as soon as possible

as tol

as tolerated

AU

both ears

Ax

axillary

BAC

blood alcohol concentration

BED

binge eating disorder

bid

twice a day

bil

bilateral

BKA

below knee amputation

BM

bowel movement

BMI

body mass index

BNR

basal metabolic rate

BMT

bone marrow transplant

B/P

blood pressure

BPM

beats per minute; breaths per minute

BR

bed rest

BRP

bathroom privileges

BS

blood sugar; bowel sounds; breath sounds

BSE

breast self-examination

BUN

blood urea nitrogen

bx

biopsy

c

with

CA

cancer

CAB

coronary artery bypass

CAD

coronary artery disease

Cal

calorie

CAT

computerized axial tomography

cath

catheter

CBC

complete blood count

CBR

complete bed rest

cc

cubic centimeters

CC

chief complain

CCU

coronary care unit

CDC

centers for disease control and prevention

CHD

coronary heart failure

CHF

congestive heart failure

chol

cholesterol

CF

cystic fibrosis

CFS

chronic fatigue syndrome

CHO

carbohydrate

Cl liq

clear liquid

CNS

central nervous system

c/o

complains of

CO2

Carbon dioxide

COD

cause of death

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CRD

chronic respiratory disease

CS

central supply

CSF

cerebral spinal fluid

CTS

carpal tunnel syndrome

CV

cardiovascular disease

CT

computer tomography

CVA

cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

CXR

chest x-ray

d/c

discontinue

DAT

diet as tolerated

Ddx

differential diagnosis

DNR

do not resuscitate

DNS

deviated nasal septum

DOA

dead on arrival

DOB

date of birth

DOC

date of conception

DOE

dyspnea on exertion

DOMS

delayed onset muscle soreness

DT’s

delirium tremen

Dx

diagnosis

EBL

estimated blood loss

ECG

electrocardiogram

ECHO

echocardiogram

EEG

electroencephalogram

ENT

ears, noses and throat

EENT

eye, ear, nose and throat

EIB

exercise-induced bronchospasm

EKG

electrocardiogram

EP

ectopic pregnancy