Common Medical Abbreviations

AAF

African-American Female

abd

abdomen; abdominal

ER, ED

Emergency room, emergency department

NPO

nothing by mouth (from latin nil per os)

a.c., ac

before meals (from the latin ante cibum)

AB

abortion

ABGs

arterial blood gases

ACTH

adrenocorticotropic hormone

AD

Alzheimer’s disease; right ear (latin auris dextra)

ADH

antidiuretic hormone

ADHD

attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

AIDS

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

ALS

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

amb

ambulate (walk)

ANS

autonomic nervous system

ARF

acute renal failure

ARMD

age-related macular degeneration

AS

left ear (Latin auris sinistra)

As.

astigmatism

ASD

autism spectrum disorder

ATT PHYS

attending physician

AU

each ear (Latin auris uterque)

AV

atrioventricular

b.i.d.

twice per day (latin bis in die)

bands

immature white blood cells (granulocytes)

baso

basophils

BP

blood pressure

BPH

benign prostatic hyperplasia

bpm

beats per minute

BR

bedrest

BSE

breast self-examination

BUN

blood urea nitrogen

Bx, bx

biopsy

C&S

culture and sensitivity

c/o

complains of; complaining of

CABG

coronary artery bypass graft

CAD

coronary artery disease

CAT

computerized axial tomography

CATH

catheter

CBC

complete blood count

CBT

cognitive-behavioral therapy

CC

chief complaint

cc

cubic centimeters

CDE

certified diabetes educator

CF

cystic fibrosis

CFT

certified fitness trainer

CHF

congestive heart failure

cm

centimeter(s)

CNM

certified nurse-midwife

CNS

certified nervous system

consult

consultation

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CP

cerebral palsy

CPAP

continuous positive airway pressure

CPOA

certified paraoptometric assistant

CPR

cardiopulmonary

CRF

chronic renal failure

CRH

corticotropin-releasing hormone

CRIF

closed reduction and internal fixation

CS, C-section

cesarean section

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid

CT

computerized tomography; computerized tomography

CTS

carpal tunnel syndrome

cu mm

cubic millimeters

CV

cardiovascular

CVA

cerebrovascular accident

CVS

chorionic villus sampling

CXR

chest x-ray

CYSTO

cytoscopy; cytoscopic examination

D&C

dilation and curettage

DI

diabetes insipidus

diff

differential

DJD

dejenerative joint disease

DM

diabetes mellitus

DMD

duchenne muscular dystrophy

DRE

digital rectal examination

DTR

deep tendon reflex

Dx

diagnosis

ECG, EKG

electrocardiogram

ECT

electroconvulsive therapy

ED

erectile dysfunction

EDH

epidural hematoma

EEG

electroencephalogram

EGD

esophagogastroduodenoscopy

EMG

electromyogram

END

electroneurodiagnostic

eos

eosinophils

ET

endotracheal

FBS

fasting blood sugar

FH

family history

FHR

fetal heart rate

FHT

fetal heart tones

FSH

follicle-stimulating hormone

FTA-ABS

fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption

g/dL

grams per deciliter

GAD

generalized anxiety disorder

GB

Guillain-Barre

GERD

gastroesophageal reflux disease

GFR

glomerular filtration rate

GH

growth hormone