Medical Terminologies | Table A-4 Common Abbreviations

A&P

anatomy and physiology

ā

before

āā

of each (used in writing presciptions)

abd

abdomen

ABG

arterial blood gas

ac

before meals

ACLS

advance cardiac life support

ad lib

as much as desired

ADL

activity of daily living

AED

automated external defibrillator

AF

atrial fibrillation

AIDS

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

AK

above the knee

AKA

above the knee amputation

A-line

arterial line

AMA

against medical advice

amb

ambulatory

AMI

acute myocardial infarction

AMS

altered mental status

ant

anterior

AP

anteroposterior, front-to-back, action potential, angina pectoris, anterior pituitary, arterial pressure

APC

atrial premature complex, activated protein C, aspirin-phenacetin-caffeine

Aq

water

ARDS

adult respiratory distress syndrome

ASA

aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)

ASAP

as soon as possible

ASHD

arteriosclerotic or atherosclerotic heart disease

AV. A-V

atrioventricular, arteriovenous

BBB

bundle branch block

bid

twice daily

BKA

below the knee amputation

BM

bowel movement

BP

blood pressure

BS

blood sugar, breath sounds, bowel sounds

BSA

body surface area

bx

biopsy

c̄

with

°C

degree Celsius (centrigrade)

Ca

calcium

CA

cancer, cardiac arrest, chronologic age, coronary artery, cold agglutinin

CABG

coronary artery bypass graft

CAD

coronary artery disease

CBC

complete blood count

cc

cubic centimeter

CC or C/C

chief complaint

CCU

coronary care unit

CHF

congestive heart failure

Cl¯

chloride

cm

centimeter

cm³

cubic centimeter

CNS

central nervous system

c/o

complaining of

CO

cardiac output, carbon monoxide

CO₂

carbon dioxide

COLD

chronic obstructive lung disease

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CP

chest pain, chemically pure, cerebral palsy

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CRNA

certified registered nurse anesthetist

CRT

capillary refill time, cathode-ray tube

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid

CSM

carotid sinus massage, cerebrospinal meningitis

CVA

cerebrovascular accident

CVP

central venous pressure

CXR

chest x-ray

D&C

dilation and curettage

D/C

discontinue

diff

differential

dig

digoxin

DM

diabetes mellitus

DOA

dead on arrival

DOE

dyspnea on exertion

DON

director of nursing

DOS

dead on scene

DPT

diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus toxoids vaccine

DSD

dry sterile dressing

DtaP

diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, and acellular pertussis vaccine

DTP

diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, and pertussis vaccine

DTs

delirium tremens

DVT

deep venous thrombosis

D₅W

dextrose 5% in water

Dx

diagnosis

ECG

electrocardiogram

ED

emergency department

EDC

estimated date of confinement

EEG

electroencephalogram

eg

for example

EKG

electrocardiogram

ENT

ears, nose, and throat

ER

emergency room

ET

endotracheal tube, endotracheal

ETA

estimated time of arrival

ETOH

ethyl alcohol

ETT

endotracheal tube

°F

degrees Fahrenheit

Fio₂

fraction of inspired oxygen

FBS

fasting blood sugar

Fe

iron

FHR

fetal heart rate

FHT

fetal heart tones