Combined Chapter 6 Abbreviations

A

before

A&D

admission and discharge

abd

abdomen, abdominal

ABG

arterial blood gas

ac

before meals

ACLS

advanced cardiac life support

ADHD

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ad lib

as desired

ADL

activities of daily living

adm

admission

AED

automated external defibrillation

AHA

American Hospital Association

AIDS

acquired immune deficiency syndrome

AL

assisted living

am, AM

morning, before noon

AMA

American Medical Association, against medical advice

Amb

ambulate, walk

amt

amount

ANA

American Nurses’ Association

ANP

advanced nurse practitioner

ANS

autonomic nervous system

ant

anterior

AP

apical pulse

approx

approximately

aq, aqua

aqueous (water base)

ARF

acute renal failure

AROM

active range of motion

as tol

as tolerated

ASA

aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)

ASAP

as soon as possible

Ax

axilla, axillary, armpit

B&B

bowel and bladder training

BBS

bilateral breath sounds

BE

barium enema

bid

twice a day

bil

bilateral

BM

bowel movement, bone marrow

BMI

body mass index

BP

blood pressure

BR

bed rest

BRP

bathroom privileges

BS

blood sugar

BSC,bsc

bedside commode

BSE

breast self-examination

Bx,bx

biopsy

°C

degrees Celsius (Centigrade)

c, W/

with

Ca

calcium

CA

cancer

cal

calorie

Cap

capsule

Cath

catheter, catheterize

CBC

complete blood count

CC

chief complaint

CCU

coronary care unit, critical care unit

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CEU

continuing education unit

CHF

congestive heart failure

chol

cholesterol

CICU

cardiac/coronary intensive care unit

ck

check

cl liq

clear liquids

cm

centimeter

CMA

certified medical assistant

CNP

certified nurse practitioner

CNS

central nervous system

co, c/o

complains of

cont

continued

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

C&S

culture and sensitivity

CVA

cerebral vascular accident (stroke)

CVD

cardiovascular disease

CXR

chest X-ray or radiograph

DAT

diet as tolerated

D/C, dc, disc

discontinue, discharge

DEA

Drug Enforcement Agency

Dept

department

DHHS

Department of Health and Human Services

DNR

do not resuscitate

DOA

dead on arrival

DOB

date of birth

DOD

date of death

DON

director of nursing

Dr

doctor

DSD

dry sterile dressing

Dx, dx

diagnosis

ECG, EKG

electrocardiogram

ED

emergency department

EMS

emergency medical services

EMT

emergency medical technician

ENT

ear, nose, throat

ER

emergency room

ETT

endotracheal tube

Ex, exam

examination

°F

degrees Fahrenheit

FBS

fasting blood sugar

FBW

fasting blood work

FDA

Food and Drug Administration

Fl, fl

fluid

ft

foot