Common Medical Abbreviations

ā

ā

Before

ABG

Arterial Blood Gas

AC, a.c., ac

Before Meals

Abd

Abdomen

ADA

American Diabetes Association

ADL

Activities of Daily Living

Ad lib

At Liberty or As Desired

ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADR

Adverse Drug Reaction

AIDS

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

AKA

Above the Knee Amputation

a.m.a

Against Medical Advice

amp

Ampule

Anuric

Not Producing Urine

Requires dialysis.

ADH

Antidiuretic Hormone

A&O

Alert and Oriented

ARDS

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

ARF

Acute Renal (Kidney) Failure

BE

Barium Enema

BID, bid, b.i.d.

Twice Daily

BKA

Below the Knee Amputation

BM

Bowel Movement

BMP

Basic Metabolic Panel

Electrolytes (Potassium, Sodium, Carbon Dichloride) and Creatinine and Glucose

BP

Blood Pressure

BPH

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

BR

Bed Rest

BRP

Bathroom Priveledges

BS

Blood Sugar

BUN

Blood Urea Nitrogen

BW

Body Weight

BX, bx

Biopsy

c̄

With

CAD

Coronary Artery Disease

cap

Capsule

Ca++

Calcium

CA, ca, Ca

Cancer, Carcinoma

CABG

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

CAT

Computerized Axial Tomography

Cath

Catheter, Catherize

CBC

Complete Blood Count

CBI

Continuous Bladder Irrigation

CBR

Complete Bed Rest

CC

Chief Complaint, Patient’s Main Concern

cc

Cubic Centimeters

Dangerous abbreviation mistaken for 00.

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

A comprehensive screening blood test that indicated the status of the liver, kidneys, and electrolytes.

cl liq

Clear Liquid

cm

Centimeter

CNS

Central Nervous System

CPAP

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

A treatment for sleep apnea.

C/O, c/o

Complaint Of

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

C&S

Culture and Sensitivity

CSF

Cerebrospinal Fluid

CT

Chemotherapy OR Computerized Tomography

CVA

Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)

CVC

Central Venous Catheter

CXR

Chest X-Ray

DAT

Diet As Tolerated

D/C, 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 the cervix and scrapping with a curette for the purpose of removing tissue lining the inner surface of the womb (uterus).

DNR

Do Not Resuscitate

DOE

Dyspnea On Exertion

DTR

Deep Tendon Reflexes

DVT

Deep Venous Thrombosis

A blood clot in a large vein.

DX, dx

Diagnosis

ECG, EKG

Electrocardiogram

EEG

Electroencephalogram

elix

Elixir

ETOH

Alcohol

ECT

Electroconvulsive Therapy

ESR

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

ET

Endotracheal

ETS

Endotracheal Suction

ext

Extract

FBS

Fasting Blood Sugar

Fe

Iron

fl

Fluid

FS

Finger Stick OR Full Strength

FUO

Fever of Unknown Origin

Fx

Fracture

g, gm

Gram

GD

Gravity Drain

GFR

Glomerular Filtration Rate

GI

Gastrointestinal

G-Tube

Gastrostomy Tube

gr

Grain

gt, gtt

Drop

GU

Genitourinary

H/A, HA

Headache

HAL

Hyperalimentation