Medical Abbreviations & Acronyms

abbreviation

a shortened form of a medical term or phrase

a.c.

before meals

AAF

African American female

AB

abortion

abd

abdomen

ABGs

arterial blood gases

ac

before meals

ACTH

adrenocorticotropic hormone

AD

Alzheimer's disease; right ear

ADH

antidiuretic hormone

ADHD

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

AIDS

acquired immuneodeficiency syndrome

ALS

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

amb

ambulate (walk)

ANS

autonomic nervous system

ARF

acute renal failure

ARMD

age-related macular degeneration

AS

left ear

As.

astigmatism

ASD

autism spectrum disorder

ATT PHYS

attending physician

AU

each ear

AV

atrioventricular

b.i.d.

twice per day

bands

immature white blood cells (granulocytes)

BP

blood pressure

BPH

benign prostatic hyperplasia

bpm

beats per minute

BR

bedrest

BSE

breast self-examination

BUN

blood urea nitrogen

Bx

biopsy

bx

biopsy

C&S

culture and sensitivity

c/o

complains of

CABG

coronary artery bypass graft

CAD

coronary artery disease

CAT

computerized axial tomography

CATH

catheter

CBC

complete blood (cell) count

CBT

cognitive-behavioral therapy

CC

chief complaint

cc

cubic centimeter

CDE

certified diabetes educator

CF

cystic fibrosis

CFT

certified fitness trainer

CHF

congestive heart failure

cm

centimeter(s)

CNM

certified nurse-midwife

CNS

central nervous system

consult

consultation

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CP

cerebral palsy

CPAP

continuous positive airway pressure

CPOA

certified paraoptometric assistant

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CRF

chronic renal failure

CRH

corticotropin-releasing hormone

CRIF

closed reduction and internal fixation

CS

cesarean section

C-section

cesarean section

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid

CT

computerized tomography; computed tomography

CTS

carpal tunnel syndrome

cu mm

cubic millimeter

CV

cardiovascular

CVA

cerebrovascular accident

CVS

chorionic villus sampling

CXR

chest X-ray

CYSTO

cystoscopy; cystoscopic examination

D&C

dilation and curettage

DI

diabetes insipidus

diff

differential

DJD

degenerative joint disease

DM

diabetes mellitus

DMD

Duchenne muscular dystrophy

DRE

digital rectal examination

DTR

deep tendon reflex

Dx

diagnosis

ECG

electrocardiogram

ECT

electroconvulsive therapy

ED

erectile dysfunction

EDH

epidural hematoma

EEG

electroencephalogram

EGD

esophagogastroduodenoscopy

EKG

EMG

electromyogram

END

electroneurodiagnostic

eos

eosinophils

ER

emergency room

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-Barrè