| A | B |
|---|
| ā | before |
| C | Celsius |
| 2 hr pp | 2 hours after meal |
| A&O | alert and oriented |
| a.c. | before meals |
| a.m., A.M. | morning |
| abd | abdomen |
| ABGs | arterial blood gases |
| abn | abnormal |
| ABO | blood groups |
| ad lib | as desired |
| ADD | attention deficit disorder |
| ADHD | attention deficit hyperactivity disorder |
| ADL | activities of daily living |
| a-fib | atrial fibrillation |
| AIDS | acquired immune deficiency syndrome |
| AKA | above knee amputation |
| AMA | American Medical Association, against medical advice |
| amb | ambulate, ambulatory |
| AP | apical pulse |
| AP | anteroposterior |
| ARF | acute renal failure |
| ASA | aspirin |
| ASHD | arteriosclerotic heart disease |
| AV | atrioventricular |
| ax, AX | axillary |
| b.i.d., BID | 2 times a day |
| BA | blood alcohol |
| BE | barium enema |
| BKA | below knee amputation |
| BM | bowel movement |
| BMI | body mass index |
| BMP | basic metabolic panel |
| BMT | bone marrow transplant |
| BOW | bag of waters |
| BP | blood pressure |
| BPH | benign prostatic hyperplasia |
| BR | bedrest |
| BRP | bathroom privileges |
| BS | breath sounds, bowel sounds, blood sugar |
| BSO | bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy |
| BUN | blood urea nitrogen |
| Bx | biopsy |
| č | with |
| C&S | culture and sensitivity |
| C.N.A. | certified nursing assistant |
| c/o | complains of |
| C/S, C-section | cesarean section |
| C1, C2 | cervical vertebrae |
| CA | cancer |
| Ca | calcium |
| CABG | coronary artery bypass graft |
| CAD | coronary artery disease |
| cap(s) | capsule(s) |
| cath | catheter |
| CBC | complete blood count |
| CC | chief complaint |
| CCU | cardiac care unit |
| CDC | Centers for Disease Control |
| CF | cystic fibrosis |
| chemo | chemotherapy |
| CHF | congestive heart failure |
| CNS | central nervous system |
| CO₂ | carbon dioxide |
| COPD | chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| CP | cerebral palsy |
| CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
| CR | closed reduction |
| CRF | chronic renal failure |
| CRIF | closed reduction internal fixation |
| CS | central supply |
| CSF | cerebrospinal fluid |
| CT | computed tomography |
| CVA | cerebrovascular accident |
| CXR | chest x-ray |
| cysto | cystoscopy |
| D & C | dilation and curettage |
| D.O. | doctor of osteopathy |
| d/c, DC | discontinue, discharge |
| D5W | dextrose 5% in water |
| DAT | diet as tolerated |
| diff | differential count |
| disl | dislocation |
| DM | diabetes mellitus |
| DNR | do not resuscitate |
| DOA | dead on arrival |
| DOB | date of birth |
| DRG | diagnosis related group |
| DTaP | diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis |
| DVT | deep vein thrombosis |
| DX | diagnosis |
| ECG, EKG | electrocardiogram |
| ECHO | echocardiogram |
| EDC | estimated date of confinement (due date) |
| EEG | electroencephalogram |
| EGD | esophagogastroduodenoscopy |
| ELISA | AIDS test |
| EMG | electromyogram |
| ENT | ear, nose, throat |
| ER, ED | emergency room/department |
| ERCP | endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography |
| ERT | estrogen replacement therapy |
| ESR | erythrocyte sedimentation rate |
| ETOH | ethyl alcohol |
