Medical Abbreviations

abd

abdomen

ABGs

arterial blood gasses

ac

before meals

ACLS

advanced cardiac life support

ad lib

as desired

ADHD

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

AKA

above-the-knee amputation

AMA

against medical advice

ASA

aspirin

ASAP

as soon as possible

BE

barium enema

BKA

below-the-knee amputation

BM

bowel movement

BMI

body mass index

BP

blood pressure

**BPH**

benign prostatic hypertrophy

BPM

beats per minute

BRP

bathroom privileges

BSA

body surface area

BUN

blood urea nitrogen

bx

biopsy

c̅

with

C

Celsius

C&S

culture and sensitivity

ca

calcium, cancer

CABG

coronary artery bypass graft

CAD

coronary artery disease

CBC

complete blood (cell) count

CC

chief complaint

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

cm

centimeter

CNS

central nervous system

CP

chest pain

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

c/o

complains of

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

csf

cerebrospinal fluid

CT

computed tomography

cv

cardiovascular

CVA

cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

CXR

chest x-ray

d

day

D&C

dilation and curettage

D/C, dc

discharge, discontinue

DM

diabetes mellitus

DNR

do not resuscitate

DOB

date of birth

DTap

diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine

dx

diagnosis

ECG, EKG

electrocardiogram

ED

emergency department

EEG

electroencephalogram

ENT

ear, nose, and throat

F

Fahrenheit

FBS, FBG

fasting blood sugar/glucose

f/u

follow up

FUO

fever of unknown origin

fx

fracture

GI

gastrointestinal

GTT

glucose tolerance test

GU

genitourinary

GYN

gynecology, gynecologist

h, hr

hour

H2O

water

Hct

hematocrit

HEENT

head, ears, eyes, nose, throat

HF

heart failure

Hgb

hemoglobin

HIV

human immunodeficiency virus

HPV

human papillomavirus

Htn, HTN

hypertension

hx

history

I&D

incision and drainage

I&O

intake and output

ICU

intensive care unit

IUD

intrauterine device

K

potassium

KUB

kidneys, ureters, bladder

L

liter

lb

pound

LLE

left lower extremity (left leg)

LLL

left lower lobe

LLQ

left lower quadrant

mg/dL

milligrams per deciliter

MI

myocardial infarction

ML

millileters

MM

mucous membrane

mm Hg

millimeters of mercury

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging

N/V

nausea/vomiting

NB

newborn

NG

nasogastric

NKA

no known allergies

NPO

nothing by mouth (nil per os)

NS

normal saline

NSAID

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

O2

oxygen

OB

obstetrics

OC

oral contraceptive

OOB

out of bed