Health Science Abbreviations

@

at

AB

Abortion

abd

abdomen, abdominal

abn

abnormal

ac

before meals

AD

right ear

adeq

adequate

ADH

antidiuretic hormone

ADL

activities of daily living

ad lib

as desired or as discretion

adm

admission or admitted

AFB

acid fast bacilli

AFIB

atrial fibrillation

AIDS

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome

AK

Above knee

aka

also known as

am

morning, before noon

AMA

Against medical advice

amb

ambulate or walk

amt

amount

ant

anterior

A & O

Alert and oriented

A-P

anterioposterior

A-P Lat

anterioposterior and lateral

appt

appointment

A&P

Anatomy and physiology

ARC

AIDS related complex

ASAP

As soon as possible

ASCVD

arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease

ASHD

arteriosclerotic heart disease

as tol

as tolerated

Au

both ears

AV

arteriovenous or arterioventricular

ax

axilla, armpit

AKA

Above knee amputation

AP

apical pulse or appendix