Medical Terminology: Abbreviation

c̄

With

A

Assessment

ā

Before

ac

Before meals

ADL

Activities of daily living

AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

am/AM

Between midnight and noon

amb

Ambulate, ambulatory

Amt

Amount

AP

Anterior posterior

ASA

Aspirin

ASAP

As soon as possible

av/AV/A-V

Atrioventricular

ax

Axillary

B with a circle around it

Bilateral

bid

Twice a day

BM

Bowel movement

BP

Blood pressure

BS

Blood sugar or bowel sounds or breath sounds

Bx

Biopsy

C

Celsius

CA

Cancer

CBC

Complete blood count

CC

Chief complaint

cc

Cubic centimeter

CHF

Congestive heart failure

Cm

Centimeter

CNS

Central nervous system

c/o

Complains of

CO₂

Carbon dioxide

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CSF

Cerebrospinal fluid

CT

Computed tomography

CVA

Cerebrovascular accident

CXR

Chest x-ray

d

Day

dc/DC or D/C

Discontinue

DM

Diabetes mellitus

DNR

Do not resuscitate

DOA

Dead on arrival

DOB

Date of birth

DRG

Diagnosis-related groups

DVT

Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot)

Dx

Diagnosis

ECG/EKG

Electrocardiograph

EEG

Electroencephalogram

EMG

Electromyogram

ENT

Ear, nose, and throat

ER

Emergency room

ETA

Estimated time of arrival

ETOH

Alcohol

F

Fahrenheit

FBS

Fasting blood sugar

FUO

Fever of undetermined origin

Fx

Fracture

g or gm

Gram

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

GI

Gastrointestinal

gtt or gtts

Drop or drops

GTT

Glucose tolerance test

GU

Genitourinary

GYN/gyn

Gynecology

h

Hour

HA

Headache

HBV

Hepatitis B virus

Hct

Hematocrit

HEENT

Head, ear, eyes, nose, throat

Hg

Mercury

Hgb/hb

Hemoglobin

H₂O

Water

H₂O₂

Hydrogen peroxide

HIB

Haemophilus influenzae type B

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus

H&P or HxPx

History and physical

HR

Heart rate

hs

Hour of sleep (bedtime)

Ht

Height

Hx

History

ICU

Intensive care unit

IDDM

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

I&D

Incision and drainage

I&O

Intake and output

IP

Inpatient

IV

Intravenous

K/K+

Potassium

Kg

Kilogram

L with a circle around it

Left

L/l

Liter

lb/#

Pound

L&D

Labor and delivery

LLQ

Left lower quadrant

LMP

Last menstrual period

LOC

Levels of consciousness or loss of consciousness

LUQ

Left upper quadrant

mg(m)

Milligram

MI

Myocardial infarction

ml

Milliliter

mm

Millimeter

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging