Respiratory System Abbreviations

ABG

arterial blood gas

ARDS

acute respiratory distress syndrome

Bx

biopsy

CF

cystic fibrosis

COPS

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CPAP

continuous positive airway pressure (treatment for apnea involving keeping a patient’s airways open using air pressure delivered via a face mask)

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CT

computed tomography

CTA

clear to auscultation (when an examination reveals nothing abnormal about a patient’s lung)

CXR

chest x-ray

DOE

dyspnea on exertion

ETT

endotracheal tube

LRTI

lower respiratory tract infection

LTB

laryngotracheobronchitis

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging

OSA

obstructive sleep apnea

PE

pulmonary embolism

PET

positron emission tomography

PFT

pulmonary function test

PSG

polysomnography

SOB

shortness of breath

T&A

tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy

TB

tuberculosis

URI/URTI

upper respiratory infection, upper respiratory tract infection

V/Q

ventilation-perfusion scan