Medical Abbreviations A-M

a

before

aa

of each; arteries

AAA

abdominal aortic aneurysm

abd

abdomen; abdominal

ABG

arterial blood gas

ABI

ankle brachial index

ABO

three basic blood groups

a.c., ac

before a meal

acc.

accommodation

ACE

angiotensin-converting enzyme

ACh

acetylcholine

ACLS

advanced cardiac life support

ACTH

adrenocorticotropic hormone

AD

advance directive

ad

to; up to

ADH

antidiuretic hormone

ADHD

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ADL, ADLs

activities of daily living

ad lib.

freely; as desired

AED

antiepileptic drug, automated external defibrillator

AF

atrial fibrillation

AFB

acid-fast bacillus

AFP

alpha-fetoprotein

A/G, A-G ratio

albumin/globulin ratio

Ag

Silver; antigen

AGC

atypical glandular cells

AgNO3

silver nitrate

AICD

automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator

AIDS

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

AK

above the knee

Al

Aluminum

Alb

albumin

ALL

acute lymphocytic leukemia

ALP

alkaline phosphatase

ALS

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

AM

morning

a.m.a, AMA

against medical advice

AMI

acute myocardial infarction

AML

acute myelogenous (myeloblastic) leukemia

amp

ampule; amputation

ANP

atrial natriuretic peptide

ant.

anterior

Ao.

aorta

A-P

anterior-posterior

A&P

auscultation and percussion

ap

before dinner

APAP

acetaminophen

aPTT

activated partial thromboplastin

ARC

AIDS-related complex

ARDS

acute respiratory distress syndrome

ARMD

age-related macular degeneration

AS

ankylosing spondylitis; aortic stenosis; auris sinistra (left ear)

ASA

acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)

ASCVD

atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

ASD

atrial septal defect

A-V, AV, A/V

arteriovenous, atrioventricular

Ba

Barium

BAC

blood alcohol concentration

BBB

blood-brain barrier; bundle branch block

BBT

basal body temperature

BCP

birth control pill

BE

barium enema

b.i.d, bid

twice a day

bipap

bilevel positive airway pressure

BK

below the knee

BLS

basic life support

BM

bowel movement

BMI

body mass index

BMR

basal metabolic rate

BNP

brain natriuretic peptide

BP

blood pressure

BPH

benign prostatic hyperplasia

bpm

beats per minute

BSA

body surface area

BSE

breast self-examination

BUN

blood urea nitrogen

BW

birth weight; body weight

Bx

biopsy

C

Calorie (kilocalorie); Celsius

CA

coronary artery; cancer

CABG

coronary artery bypass graft

CAD

coronary artery disease

cap.

capsule

C&S

culture and sensitivity

cath

catheter

CBC

complete blood count

CC

chief complaint

cc

cubic centimeter

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CF

cystic fibrosis; Christmas factor

CHD

congenital heart disease; coronary heart disease

CHF

congestive heart failure

CK

creatine kinase

CK-MB

serum creatine kinase; myocardial bound

Cl

chlorine

CLL

chronic lymphocytic leukemia

cm

centimeter

CMA

certified medication assistant

CMV

cytomegalovirus

CNA

certified nursing assistant