ā
before
A&P
Anterior and posterior or anatomy and physiology
Ab
abortion
abd
abdomen, abdominal
ABG
arterial blood gas
ac
before meals
AD
right ear (auris dexter)
ad lib
as desired
ADL
activities of daily living
adm
admission
AIDS
acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AMA
against medical advice or American Medical Association
amb
ambulate, walk
amt
amount
ant
anterior
AP
apical pulse
approx
approximately
AS
left ear (auris sinister)
as tol
as tolerated
ASA
aspirin
ASAP
as soon as possible
ASHD
arteriosclerotic heart disease
AU
both ears
A&W
alive and well
Ax
axillary
bid
twice daily
BM
bowel movement
BMI
body mass index
BMR
basal metabolic rate
BP
blood pressure
BR
bed rest
BRP
bathroom privileges
BS
blood sugar
BUN
blood urea nitrogen (kidney test)
BSE
breast self exam
bx
biopsy
c (line over top), w/
with
Ca
calcium
CA
cancer
CAT, CT
computerized axial tomography
Cath
catheter
CBC
complete blood count
CHO
carbohydrate
CC
chief complaint
CCU
critical care unit, coronary care unit
CPR
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
*cc
cubic centimeter
CDC
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CEO
chief executive officer
CAD
coronary artery disease
CHF
congestive heart failure
ck
check
cl liq
clear liquid
cm
centimeter
CNS
central nervous system
c/o
complains of
CO
carbon monoxide
CO2
carbon dioxide
COPD
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CP
cerebral palsy
C&S
culture and sensitivity
CSF
cerebrospinal fluid
CSR
central supply room
CVA
cerebral vascular accident
d
day
DAT
diet as tolerated
D&C
dilation and curettage
D/C, dc
discontinue or discharge
dept
department
DNR
do not resuscitate
DO
doctor of osteopathy
DOA
dead on arrival
DOB
date of birth
DON
director of nursing
DDS
Doctor of Dental Surgery
DEA
Drug Enforcement Agency
Diff
differential white blood cell count
dil
dilute, dissolve
DPM
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
DPT
diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus
Dr
doctor
DRG
diagnostic related group
drsg
dressing
DSD
dry sterile dressing
DT
delirium tremors
DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
D/W
dextrose in water
Dx, dx
diagnosis
ea
each
EEG
electroencephalogram
ENT/EENT
Ears, nose, throat/ eyes, ears, nose, throat
EKG/ECG
electrocardiogram
elix
elixir
EMG
electromyogram
EMS
emergency medical service
ED
emergency department, erectile dysfunction
EMT
emergency medical technician
et, etiol
etiology (cause of disease)
FBS
fasting blood sugar
FBAO
foreign body airway obstruction