Common Medical Abbreviations Every Medical Administrative and Staff Should Know

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering the importance of medical abbreviations, usage nuances like case sensitivity, and a comprehensive list of standard clinical abbreviations.

ABG

arterial blood gas

ACL

anterior cruciate ligament

AD

pertaining to the right ear

ADHD

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

A.Fib

atrial fibrillation

ALS

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

AMA

against medical advice

A/P

anterior-posterior

AROM

active range of motion

AS

pertaining to the left ear

AU

pertaining to both ears

A&O

alert and oriented

BID

twice a day

BLBS

bilateral breath sounds

bm

bowel movement or bone marrow

BMR

basal metabolism rate

BP

blood pressure

BR

bed rest

bs

bowel sounds or breath sounds

B/S

bedside

bx

biopsy

C

Celsius

$C1, C2,$ etc.

first cervical vertebrae, second, etc.

CA

cardiac arrest

CABG

coronary artery bypass graft

CAD

coronary artery disease

cal

calorie

cath

catheter

CBC

complete blood count

cc

cubic centimeter

CCU

coronary care unit

CHF

congestive heart failure

CHI

closed head injury

CNA

certified nursing assistant

CNS

central nervous system

c/o

complains of

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CP

chest pain

CPAP

continuous positive airway pressure

CPE

complete physical exam

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CRF

chronic renal failure

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid

CT

computerized tomography

CV

cardiovascular

CXR

chest X-ray

DC

discharge or discontinue

DNR

do not resuscitate

DOA

dead on arrival

DOB

date of birth

d/t

due to

Dx

diagnosis

ECC/EKG

electrocardiogram

ED

emergency department

EEG

electroencephalogram

EENT

eye, ear, nose, throat

EMG

electromyogram

ENT

ear, nose, throat

ER

emergency room

F

Fahrenheit

FH

family history

fib

fibrillation

fl/fld

fluid

f/u

follow-up

FWB

full weight bearing

Fx

fracture

GB

gallbladder

GCS

Glasgow Coma Scale

GERD

gastroesophageal reflux disease

gen

general

gest

gestation

GI

gastrointestinal

gluc

glucose

GP

general practitioner

GSW

gunshot wound

GTT

glucose tolerance test

GYN

gynecology

Hb.

hemoglobin

HB

heart block

HBP

high blood pressure

h.d.

at bedtime

$$H_2O$$

water

H&H

hemoglobin and hematocrit

h/o

history of

H&P

history and physical

HR

heart rate

HTN

hypertension

HVD

hypertensive vascular disease

Hx

history

ICCU

intensive coronary care unit

ICP

intracranial pressure

ICU

intensive care unit

Int

internal

IM

intramuscular

I&O

intake and output

IV

intravenous

JP

Jackson-Pratt drain

jt

joint

K

potassium

KUB

kidney, ureters, bladder