Common Abbreviations Flashcards
A&P
Anatomy and physiology
ā
Before
AAA
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
abd
Abdomen
ABC, ABCs
Airway, breathing, circulation
ac
Before meals
ACLS
Advanced cardiac life support
ADL, ADLs
Activity/activities of daily living
ad lib
As desired
AED
Automated external defibrillator
AF, A-fib
Atrial fibrillation
AICD
Automated implantable cardioverter defibrillator
AIDS
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
AK
Above the knee
AKA
Above-the-knee amputation
ALTE
Apparent life-threatening event
AMA
Against medical advice
amb
Ambulatory
AMI
Acute myocardial infarction
ant
Anterior
AO X 4, A/O X 4
Alert and oriented to person, place, time, and self
AP
Anteroposterior, front-to-back, action potential, angina pectoris, anterior pituitary, arterial pressure
ARDS
Adult respiratory distress syndrome
ASA
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
ASHD
Arteriosclerotic or atherosclerotic heart disease
BGL
Blood glucose level
bid/b.i.d./BID
Twice daily
BKA
Below-the-knee amputation
BLS
Basic life support
BM
Bowel movement
BP, B/P
Blood pressure
BPM
Beats per minute
BRUE
Brief resolved unexplained event
BS
Blood sugar, breath sounds, bowel sounds, bachelor of science (degree)
BSA
Body surface area
BVM
Bag-valve mask
bx
Biopsy
c̅
With
ºC
Degrees Celsius
CA
Cancer, cardiac arrest, chronologic age, coronary artery, cold agglutinin
CABG
Coronary artery bypass graft
CAD
Coronary artery disease
CBC
Complete blood cell count
CC or C/C
Chief complaint
CCU
Coronary care unit
C diff
Clostridium difficile
CHF
Congestive heart failure
cm
Centimeter
CN
Cyanide
CNS
Central nervous
c/o
Complaining of
CO
Cardiac output, carbon monoxide
CO₂
Carbon dioxide
COLD
Chronic obstructive lung disease
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CP
Chest pain, chemically pure, cerebral palsy
CPAP
Continuous positive airway pressure
CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CRNA
Certified registered nurse anesthetist
CRT
Capillary refill time, cathode ray tube
CSF
Cerebrospinal fluid
CT
Computed tomography
CVA
Cerebrovascular accident
DM
Diabetes mellitus
DNR
Do not resuscitate
DOA
Dead on arrival
Doe
Dyspnea on exertion
DON
Director of nursing
DPT
Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine, doctor of physical therapy
DSD
Dry sterile dressing
DtaP
Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine
DTP
Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine
DTs
Delirium tremens
DVT
Deep vein thrombosis
Dx
Diagnosis
ECG
Electrocardiogram
ED
Emergency department, erectile dysfunction
EDC
Estimated date of confinement
EEG
Electroencephalogram
EKG
Electrogardiogram
ENT
Ears, nose, and throat
EOC
Emergency Operations Center
ER
Emergency room
ET, ETT
Endotracheal, endotracheal tube
ETA
Estimated time of arrival
ETCO₂
End-tidal carbon dioxide
ETOH
Ethyl alcohol
ºF
Degrees Fahrenheit
FIO₂
Fraction of inspired oxygen
FBS
Fasting blood sugar
Fe
Iron
FHR
Fetal heart rate
FHx
Family history
fl. fld
Fluid
fx
Fracture
GB
Gallbladder
GCS
Glasgow Coma Scale
GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
GI
Gastrointestinal
GSW
Gunshot wound
gtt
Drops(s)
GTT
Glucose tolerance test
GU
Genitourinary
gyn
Gynecology