Basic Medical Abbreviations Flashcards
AAA
Abdominal aortic aneurysm;
Ballooning and weakened area in artery
A Fib
Atrial fibrillation;
Irregular often rapid heartbeat
Abd
Abdomen; abdominal
Abx
Antibiotics
AMA
Against medical advice;
Example: patient leaves hospital against doctor’s advice
AMS
Altered mental status;
Confusion, amnesia, disorientation
ASA
Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
Blood thinner and NSAID
BID
Twice daily
Bilat LE
Bilateral lower extremities (hip to toes)
BM
Bowel movement
BP
Blood pressure
CA
Cancer / carcinoma
CABG
Coronary artery bypass graft (open heart surgery)
CAD
Coronary artery disease/ heart disease
CT or CAT
Computerized assisted tomography
CHF
Congestive heart failure
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (includes bronchitis and emphysema)
CP
Chest pain
CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
C-section
Caesarean section
C-spine
Cervical spine (neck)
CSF
Cerebral spinal fluid
CVA
Cerebrovascular accident (stroke) / Costovertebral angle (between 12th rib and vertebral column) Tenderness sign of kidney stones
CXR
Chest X-Ray
c/o
Complains of
DKA
Diabetic ketoacidosis (body produces excess blood acids / ketones)
DM
Diabetes Mellitus (high blood glucose)
DNR
Do not resuscitate (allow for natural death)
DOE
Dyspnea on exertion
Difficulty breathing when engaged in simple activity
DVT
Deep venous thrombosis (blood clot in deep vein)
DX
Diagnosis
Dz
Disease
EKG/ECG
Electrocardiogram
EtOH
Alcohol
FHx
Family history
Fx
Fracture
GI
Gastrointestinal
G / P / Ab
Gravida: pregnant
Para: live births (greater than 29 weeks) twins and triplets count as one birth each
Abortion
GSW
Gun shot wound
GU
Genitourinary (related to genital and urinary organs)
HA
Headache
HEENT
Head, eyes, ears, nose, throat