Medical Abbreviations and Meanings

A comprehensive set of flashcards based on medical abbreviations and their meanings, perfect for studying terminology used in healthcare.

ABGs

Arterial blood gases

ABO

Blood group system

a.c.

Before meals

ACTH

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

ADH

Antidiuretic hormone

ad lib

As desired

AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

alb

Albumin

ALL

Acute lymphocytic leukemia

ALT

Alanine transaminase (see SGPT)

AMI

Acute myocardial infarction

AML

Acute myelocytic leukemia

aPTT

Activated partial thromboplastin time

Aq

Water (aqua)

AST

Aspartate aminotransferase (see SGOT)

ASO

Antistreptolysin O

AV

Arteriovenous; atrioventricular

b.i.d.

Twice a day (bis in die)

bili

Bilirubin

BMP

Basic metabolic profile

BMR

Basal metabolic rate

BP

Blood pressure

bpm

Beats per minute

BS

Blood sugar

BUN

Blood urea nitrogen

Bx

Biopsy

c−

With (cum)

C

Celsius; centigrade

C & S

Culture & sensitivity

Ca

Calcium

CABG

Coronary artery bypass graft

CAD

Coronary artery disease

CAT

Computed axial tomography

CBC; cbc

Complete blood count

cc

Cubic centimeter

CCU

Coronary (cardiac) care unit; critical care unit

CF

Cystic fibrosis

Chem

Chemistry

Chemo

Chemotherapy

CHF

Congestive heart failure

Chol

Cholesterol

CK

Creatine kinase

cm

Centimeter

CML

Chronic myelogenous leukemia

CMV

Cytomegalovirus

CNS

Central nervous system

c/o

Complaints of

CO

Carbon monoxide; cardiac output

CO2

Carbon dioxide

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CP

Cerebral palsy; cleft palate

CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Crit

Hematocrit (see HCT)

C-section

Cesarean section

CSF

Cerebrospinal fluid

CT scan

Computed tomography scan

CVA

Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

CVC

Central venous catheter

CVAD

Central venous access device

CXR

Chest x-ray

D

Day

DIC

Disseminated intravascular coagulation

Diff

Differential count of white blood cells

Dil

Dilute

DKA

Diabetic acidosis (ketoacidosis)

DM

Diabetes mellitus; diastolic murmur

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid

DNAR

Do not attempt resuscitation

DNR

Do not resuscitate

DOB

Date of birth

DPT

Diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus

DRG

Diagnosis-related group

DVT

Deep vein thrombosis

Dx

Diagnosis

EBV

Epstein–Barr virus

ECG

Electrocardiogram

ECHO

Echocardiography; echocardiogram

ECU

Emergency care unit

ED

Emergency department

EEG

Electroencephalogram

EKG

Electrocardiogram

ELISA

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

EMG

Electromyogram

EMS

Emergency medical service

ENT

Ear, nose, and throat

Eos

Eosinophils

ER

Emergency room

ESR/sed rate

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

ESRD

End-stage renal disease

ETOH

Ethyl alcohol

exc

Excision

F

Fahrenheit

FBS

Fasting blood sugar

Fe

Iron

FH, Fhx

Family history

FS

Frozen section

FSH

Follicle-stimulating hormone

FUO

Fever of unknown origin

Fx

Fracture

GB

Gallbladder