Medical and Pharmacy Abbreviations

Vocabulary practice flashcards defining common medical, clinical, and pharmacy abbreviations from letters A through L.

A/O x3

alert and oriented to person, place, and time

AAA

abdominal aortic aneurysm

AAC

average acquisition cost

AB

abortion

Abd

abdomen

Afib

atrial fibrillation

AKA

above-knee amputation

AMA

against medical advice

APhA

American Pharmacists Association

ASA

acetylsalicylic acid

ASHP

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

AWP

average wholesale price

a.c.

before meals

bid

twice a day

BLE

bilateral lower extremities

BMR

basal metabolic rate

BNP

brain natriuretic peptide

BOP

Board of Pharmacy

BP

blood pressure

BTL

bilateral tubal ligation

BUE

bilateral upper extremities

BM

bowel movement

BUN

blood urea nitrogen

bpm

beats per minute

CaCO₃

calcium carbonate

CAD

coronary artery disease

CA

cancer

CBC

complete blood count

CF

cystic fibrosis

CHF

congestive heart failure

CHD

coronary heart disease

CKD

chronic kidney disease

CMP

comprehensive metabolic panel

CPOE

computerized provider order entry

CPK

creatine phosphokinase

CXR

chest X-ray

c/o

complains of / complaint of

c

with

CTA

clear to auscultation

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

DAW

dispense as written

DDx

differential diagnosis

DEA

Drug Enforcement Administration

D&C

dilation and curettage

D5NS

5% dextrose in normal saline

D5/0.9% NaCl

5% dextrose in 0.9% sodium chloride

DM

diabetes mellitus

DNR

do not resuscitate

DOE

dyspnea on exertion

DPT

diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus

DUB

dysfunctional uterine bleeding

DVT

deep vein thrombosis

EC

enteric-coated

ECG/EKG

electrocardiogram

EEG

electroencephalogram

EOMI

extraocular movements intact

EMG

electromyogram/electromyography

ER

emergency room / extended-release, depending on context

ETOH

alcohol

ETA

estimated time of arrival

FAERS

FDA Adverse Event Reporting System

FHx

family history

FDA

Food and Drug Administration

f/u

follow-up

Fx

fracture

GCS

Glasgow Coma Scale

GI

gastrointestinal

GERD

gastroesophageal reflux disease

g/p/a

gravida/para/abortions

gtt

drop

GU

genitourinary

GWS

generalized weakness

HA

headache

HCG/hCG

human chorionic gonadotropin

HDL

high-density lipoprotein

HEENT

head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat

HLD

hyperlipidemia

HPI

history of present illness

HR

heart rate

HSV

herpes simplex virus

HTN

hypertension

Hx

history

HVD

hypertensive vascular disease

hs

at bedtime / hour of sleep

IBS

irritable bowel syndrome

ICU

intensive care unit

ICP

intracranial pressure

I&D

incision and drainage

IDDM

insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

IM

intramuscular

IP

intraperitoneal

IR

immediate-release

ISMP

Institute for Safe Medication Practices

IUP

intrauterine pregnancy

IV

intravenous

IVPB

intravenous piggyback

JVD

jugular venous distention

K

potassium

KOH

potassium hydroxide