Common Medical Abbreviations

ABG

arterial blood gas

AC, a.c., & ac

before meals

Abd

abdomen

ADA

American diabetes association

ADHD

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ADR

adverse drug reaction

AIDS

acquired immune deficiency syndrome

a.m.a

against medical advice

amp

ampule - sealed glass for injecting

Anuric

not producing urine - dialysis

ADH

antidiuretic hormone

A&O

alert and oriented

ARDS

acute respiratory distress syndrome

ARF

acute renal failure

BE

barium enema

BKA

below knee amputation

BID

twice daily

BMP

basic metabolic panel

electrolytes (potassium, sodium, carbon dichloride) creatinine, and glucose

BPH

benign prostatic hypertrophy

non cancerous affects size prostate gland

BRP

bathroom privileges

BS

blood sugar

BUN

blood urea nitrogen

BW

body weight

BX

biopsy

CAD

coronary artery disease

reduced blood flow to the heart in the coronary arteries

cap

capsule

CA, ca, Ca

Cancer; carcinoma

CABG

coronary artery bypass graft

a surgical procedure used to treat coronary heart disease. It diverts blood around narrowed or clogged parts of the major arteries to improve blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart.

CAT

computerized axial tomography

Cath

catheter, catheterize

CBC

complete blood count

CBI

continuous bladder irrigation

CC

chief complaint. patients main concern

cc

cubic centimeters

CCU or CCU

clean catch urine, OR cardiac care unit

CCMS

clean catch midstream

CDB

cough, deep breathe

CDC

center of disease control

CHF

congestive heart failure

Chem panel

chemistry panel - liver, kidney, electrolytes

A basic metabolic panel (BMP) includes an electrolyte panel and kidney function tests and also measures glucose and calcium. A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) includes an electrolyte panel, kidney function tests and liver function tests and also measures glucose and calcium.

cl liquid

clear liquid

CNS

central nervous system

CPAP

continuous positive airway pressure

treatment for sleep apnea - stop breathing while asleep

C/O

complaint of

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

a common lung disease causing restricted airflow and breathing problems.

C&S

culture and sensitivity

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid

CT

chemotherapy

CVA

cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

CVC

central venous catheter

CXR

chest x-ray

DAT

diet as tolerated

D/C or DC

discontinue or discharge

D&I

dry and intact

D5W

dextrose 5% in water

diff

differential blood count

dil

dilute

DM

diabetes mellitus

DNC, D&C, D and C

dilation and curettage

widening cervix and scrapping the curette for purpose of removing tissue lining the inner surface of the womb (uterus)

DNR

do not resuscitate

DOE

dyspnea or exertion

a person feels short of breath during exercise.

DTR

deep tendon reflexes

DVT

deep venous thrombosis

DX, dx

diagnosis

ECG, EKG

electrocardiogram

EEG

electroencephalogram

Eli

elixir

ETOH

alcohol

ECT

electroconvulsive therapy

ESR

erythrocyte sedimentation rate

The distance red blood cells travel in one hour in a sample of blood as they settle to the bottom of a test tube. The sedimentation rate is increased in inflammation, infection, cancer, rheumatic diseases, and diseases of the blood and bone marrow.

ET

endotracheal

placed within trachea

ETS

endotracheal suction

he process of applying a negative pressure to the distal ETT or trachea by introducing a suction catheter to clear excess, or abnormal, secretions.

ext

extract

FBS

fasting blood sugar

The fasting plasma glucose (or fastingblood sugar) test is used to measure plasma glucose levels after a fast of at least 8 hours. This test is commonly used to screen fordiabetes mellitus and prediabetes, in which absence of deficiency of insulin allows persistently high glucose levels.

Fe

iron

fl

fluid

FS

finger stick OR full strength

FUO

fever of unknown origin

Fx

fracture

g, gm

gram

GD

gravity drain

Passive drains allow use gravity to help remove excess fluid, without needing additional pressure

GFR

glomerular filtration rate

a test used to check how well the kidneys are working.

GI

gastrointestinal

G-tube

gastronomy tube

gr

grain

gt, gtt

drop

drip rate

GU

genitourinary

The parts of the body that play a role in reproduction, getting rid of waste products in the form of urine, or both.

H/A, HA

headache

HAL

hyperalimentation

A form of nutritional support that is given directly into the bloodstream through a catheter placed into a vein.

H&H

hemoglobin (Hgb) the protein contained in red blood cells that is responsible for delivery of oxygen to the tissues

and

hematocrit (HCT) the percentage by volume of red cells in your blood.

Hct

hematocrit

the percentage by volume of red cells in your blood.

Hgb

hemoglobin (Hgb) the protein contained in red blood cells that is responsible for delivery of oxygen to the tissues

HIPPA

health insurance portability and accountability act

HL

heparin lock

A heparin lock is similar to a saline lock, but a concentrated heparin solution is injected to prevent the clotting of blood within the line. Heparin is an anticoagulant that keeps the blood thin and lowers the risk of the IV becoming closed up

H/O, h/o

history of

HOB

head of bed

H&P

history and physical examination

H2O2

hydrogen peroxide

hs, h.s

at bedtime (take at bedtime), dangerous

HS

half strength