abbreviation and terminology for A and B

A-Fib or AF

atrial fibrillation

A&P

anatomy and physiology

Ab

Antibody

abd

Abdomen or abdominal

ABG

Arterial Blood Gases

abx

Antibiotics

ac

ante cibum (Before meals)

ACL

Anterior cruciate ligament

ACTH

adrenocorticotrophic hormone

AD

Alzheimer’s disease

ad lib

as libitum (as desired)

ADH

Antidiuretic hormone

ADL

Activities of daily living

AED

Automated external defibrillator

AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

ama

Against medical advice

AMA

American medical association

amt

Amount

Ant

Anterior

aq

Water

ARDS

Acute respiratory distress syndrome

ARF

Acute renal failure

ASA

Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic acid)

a-, an-

Without

abdomin/o

Abdomen

aden/o

Gland

adip/o

Fat

agglutin/o

Clumping/ sticking together

alges/o, -algesia

Sense of pain

andr/o

Man, Male

angi/o

Vessel

anter/o

Front

anti

against, opposite

append/o, appendic/o

Appendix

-ase

Enzyme

arter/o, arteri/o

Artery

arthr/o, articul/o

Joint

ather/o

Fatty

aur/i, aur/o

Ear

Auto

Self

Axill/o

Armpit/underarm

Ba

Barium

BAC

Blood alcohol concentration

BCC

Basal cell carcinoma

BE

Barium enema

bid

Twice a day

bil

Bilateral

bl wk

Blood work

bl, bld

Blood

BM

Bowel movement

BMI

Body mass index

BMR

Basal metabolic rate

BMT

Bone marrow transplant

BP

Blood pressure

BP&P

Blood pressure and pulse

BPH

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

BPM

Beats per minute

BRCA

Breast cancer gene

BRP

Bathroom privileges

BS

Blood sugar

BSE

Breast self exam

BUN

Blood urea nitrogen

bx

Biopsy

bacill/o

Rod shaped bacteria

bacteri/o

Bacteria

bi-, bin-

Two, twice/ double

bi/o

Life/living

Blast/o, -blast

Immature cell

blephar/o

Eyelid

brachi/o

Arm

brady

Slow

broch/i, bronchi/o, bronch/o

Bronchial tube