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Abbreviations (Medical)
 A/a alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient
ABCs airway, breathing, circulation
ABG arterial blood gas
AC before meals (ante cibum)
AC acromioclavicular
ACE angiotensin-converting enzyme
aCL anticardiolipin (antibody)
ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support
ACOG American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone
AD Alzheimer’s dementia or disease
A Fib atrial fibrillation
AFB acid-fast bacilli
AFP alpha-fetoprotein
AFV amniotic fluid volume
AGCUS atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance
AI amnioinfusion
AIDS acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
ALT alanine aminotransferase
ANA antinuclear antibody
ANCA antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
AP anteroposterior
APS antiphospholipid syndrome
APSAC anistreplase, anisoylated plasminogen-streptokinase activator complex
APTT activated partial thromboplastin
ARC AIDS-related complex
ARDS adult respiratory distress syndrome
ARF acute renal failure
ASA acetylsalicylic acid
ASAP as soon as possible
ASCUS atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance
ASO antistreptolysin O antibody
AST aspartate aminotransferase
Atg anti-human thymocyte globulin
ATN acute tubular necrosis
AV arteriovenous; atrioventricular
AZT zidovudine (Azidothymidine)
B12 vitamin B12
BAER brainstem auditory evoked responses
BBT basal body temperature
BCG bacille Calmette-Guérin
BCP birth control pill
BHCG beta human chorionic gonadotropin
BID twice a day (bis in die)
BiPAP bilevel positive airway pressure
BOOP bronchiolitis obliterans-organizing pneumonia
BP blood pressure
BPAD bipolar affective disorder
bpm beats per minute
BPP biophysical profile
BPPV benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
BSA body surface area
BUN blood urea nitrogen
BV bacterial vaginosis
BVM bag valve mask
C&S culture and sensitivity
C-peptide insulin chain C-peptide
C-section cesarean section
C-spine cervical spine
CABG coronary artery bypass graft
CACl2 calcium chloride
CAD coronary artery disease
cap capsule
c-ANCA central antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
CBC complete blood cell count
cc cubic centimeter (for solids and gases but ml for liquids)
CD41 helper T cell (cluster of differentiation no. 41)
CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga.
CEA carcinoembryonic antigen
CFU colony-forming unit
CHF congestive heart failure
Chol cholesterol
CIN cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (1 to 3: mild to severe)
CK creatine kinase
CLL chronic lymphocytic leukemia
cm centimeter
CMV cytomegalovirus
CNS central nervous system
CO2 carbon dioxide
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CPAP continuous positive airway pressure
CPD cephalopelvic disproportion
CPK creatine phosphokinase
CPPD calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (crystals) (pseudogout)
CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Cr creatinine
CRF chronic renal failure
CRP C-reactive protein
CSF cerebrospinal fluid
CST contraction stress fluid
CT computerized tomography
CVA cerebrovascular accident
CVAT costovertebral-angle tenderness
CVD cerebrovascular disease
CVN central venous nutrition
CVP central venous pressure
CVS cardiovascular system
c/w consistent with
CXR chest x-ray film or radiograph
D&C dilatation and curettage
DBP diastolic blood pressure
DDAVP 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin
DDC, ddC dideoxycytidine, zalcitabine, Hivid
DDI, ddI dideoxyinosine, didanosine
D5W 5% dextrose in water
D4T stavudine
DHE dihydroergotamine
DHT dihydrotestosterone
DIC disseminated intravascular coagulation
DIP distal interphalangeal joint
DKA diabetic ketoacidosis
dl deciliter
DM diabetes mellitus
DPL diagnostic peritoneal lavage
DPT diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (vaccine)
DS double strength
DSM Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (of Mental Disorders)
dsDNA double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid
DTR deep tendon reflexes
DTs delirium tremens
DVT deep venous thrombosis
D/W dextrose in water
EBV Epstein-Barr virus
ECF extracellular fluid
ECG electrocardiogram
ECMO extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
ED emergency department
EDC estimated date of confinement
EEG electroencephalogram
EES erythromycin ethylsuccinate
EGD esophagogastroduodenoscopy
EIA enzyme immunoassay
ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
EM erythema multiforme
EMG electromyogram
ENG electronystagmography
ENT ear, nose, throat
ER emergency room
ERCP endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate
ET endotracheal tube
FB foreign body
FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Fe iron
FENa fractional excretion of sodium
FEF forced expiratory flow
FEV1 forced expiratory volume at 1 second
FFP fresh frozen plasma
FH family history
FHR fetal heart rate
FSH follicle-stimulating hormone
FTA fluorescent treponemal antibody
FTA-ABS fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (test)
5-FU 5-fluorouracil
F/U follow-up (study, exam, test, care)
FUO fever of unknown origin
G gauge
G6PD glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
GBS group B Streptococcus bacteria, or group B streptococcal infection
GC gonococcus
GCS Glasgow Coma Scale
GCT glucose challenge test
GDM gestational diabetes mellitus
GE gastroesophageal
GFR glomerular filtration rate
GI gastrointestinal
g gram
GM-CSF granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor
GN glomerulonephritis
GnRH gonadotropin-releasing hormone
GODM gestational onset diabetes mellitus
gtt drops (guttae)
GTT glucose tolerance test
GU genitourinary
GXT graded exercise stress test
GYN gynecologic
h, hr hour
H&P history and physical examination
HA headache
Hb hemoglobin
HC/AC head circumference-to-abdominal circumference (ratio)
HCG human chorionic gonadotropin
HCT hematocrit
HCTZ hydrochlorothiazide
HDL high-density lipoprotein
HELLP hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (syndrome)
HepBsAg hepatitis B surface antigen
HGE human granulocytic ehrlichiosis
HIV human immunodeficiency virus
HME human monocytic erlichiosis
HMG human menopausal gonadotropin
h/o history of
HPF high-power field
HRT hormone replacement therapy
HS at bedtime (hora somni)
HSV herpes simplex virus
ht, Ht height
HTN hypertension
HUS hemolytic uremic syndrome
HZV herpes zoster virus
I&D incision and drainage
I&O intake and output
ICF intracellular fluid
ICP intracranial pressure
ICU intensive care unit
ID infectious disease
IDDM insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
IFA immunofluorescence assay
IgG immunoglobulin G
IHSS idiopathic hypertrophic aortic stenosis
IM intramuscular
IMV intermittent mandatory ventilation
IN intranasally
INH isoniazid, isonicotinc acid hydrazide
INR International Normalized Ratio
IO intraosseous
IPPV intermittent positive-pressure ventilation
ISA intrinsic stimulating activity
ITP idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura
IU International Unit
IUD intrauterine device
IUFD intrauterine fetal demise
IUGR intrauterine growth retardation
IUP intrauterine pregnancy
IV intravenous
IVDA intravenous drug abuser
IVP intravenous pyelogram
JRA juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
JVD jugular venous distension
kg kilogram
K, K1 potassium
KOH potassium hydroxide
KS Kaposi’s sarcoma
LA lupus anticoagulant
LAT preparation of lidocaine, epinephrine (adrenaline), tetracaine
LBBB left bundle branch block
LDH lactate dehydrogenase
LDL low-density lipoprotein
LE lupus erythematosus
LES lower esophageal sphincter
LFT liver function tests
LGI lower GI (gastrointestinal)
LH luteinizing hormone
LLQ left lower quadrant
LMP last menstrual period
LMW low molecular weight
LOC loss of consciousness
LP lumbar puncture
LR lactated Ringer’s solution
L/S lecithin-to-sphingomyelin (ratio)
LSIL low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
LUQ left upper quadrant
LV left ventricular
MAI/MAC Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare/M. avium complex
MAO monoamine oxidase
MAOI monoamine oxidase inhibitors
MAST military antishock trousers
MCP metacarpophalangeal joint
MCV mean corpuscular volume
MDD major depressive disorder
MDI metered dose inhaler
MEE middle ear effusion
mEq milliequivalent
mg milligram
mg microgram
MI myocardial infarction
min minute
mm Hg millimeters of mercury
mmol millimole
MMPI Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
MMR measles-mumps-rubella (vaccine)
MMSE Mini-Mental State examination
mOsm milliosmole
MR measles and rubella (vaccine)
MRI magnetic resonance imaging
MS multiple sclerosis
MTP metatarsophalangeal joint
MVP mitral valve prolaspe
N&V nausea and vomiting
NCV nerve conduction velocity
NG nasogastric
NHL non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
NIDDM non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
NPH neutral protamine Hagedorn
NPO nothing by mouth (nulla per os)
NS normal saline solution
NSAID nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NST nonstress test
NSVD normal spontaneous vaginal delivery
NTD neural tube defect
NTG nitroglycerin
O&P ova and parasites
OA osteoarthritis
OCD obsessive-compulsive disorder
OCP oral contraceptive pill
17-OHS 17-hydroxysteroid (that is, 17-hydroxycorticosteroid)
OM otitis media
OPV oral poliovirus
ORS WHO oral rehydration solution
osm, Osm osmole; osmolality
OTC over the counter
PA posteroanterior
PAC premature atrial contraction
PALS Pediatric Advanced Life Support
Pap Papanicolaou test or smear
PAS para-aminosalicylic acid
PCA patient-controlled analgesia
PCN penicillin
PCOD polycystic ovarian disease
PCP Pneumocystis pneumonia
PCR polymerase chain reaction
PCWP pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
PD Parkinson’s disease
PDA patent ductus arteriosus
PE physical examination
PE pulmonary embolism
PEEP positive end-expiratory pressure
PEFR peak expiratory flow rate
PET positron emission tomography
PFTs pulmonary function tests
PG phosphatidylglycerol
pH hydrogen-ion concentration; pH 7, normal; less is acidic; more is alkaline (or basic)
PID pelvic inflammatory disease
PIH pregnancy-induced hypertension
PIP proximal interphalangeal joint
plt platelet
PMNs polymorphonuclear lymphocytes
PMR polymyalgia rheumatica
PMS premenstrual syndrome
PO per mouth (per os)
POD postoperative day
PPD protein purified derivative
PR per rectum
PRN as needed (pro re nata)
PROM premature rupture of membranes
PSA prostate specific antigen
PSVT paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
PT prothrombin time
PTCA percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
PTL premature labor
PTSD post-traumatic stress disorder
PTT partial thromboplastin time
PTU propylthiouracil
PUD peptic ulcer disease
PVC premature ventricular contraction
QD every day (quaque die)
QHS properly "every hour of sleep," but usually "at every bedtime" (quaque hora somni)
QID four times per day (quater in die)
QOD every other day (tertio quoque die)
RA rheumatoid arthritis
RBC red blood cell
RCA right coronary artery
REM rapid eye movement
RF renal failure
RFI renal failure index
RIA radioimmunoassay
RIND reversible ischemic neurologic deficit
RLQ right lower quadrant
RMSF Rocky Mountain spotted fever
R/O, r/o rule out
ROM rupture of membranes; range-of-motion (exercise)
RPR rapid plasma reagin
RSI rapid-sequence intubation
RSV respiratory syncytial virus
rt-PA tissue-type plasminogen activator (recombinant) (Alteplase, Recombinant)
RUQ right upper quadrant
RVMI right ventricular myocardial infarction
SAARD slow-acting antirheumatic drug(s)
SAH subarachnoid hemorrhage
SBP systolic blood pressure
SCIWORA spinal cord injury without radiologic abnormality
SGA small for gestational age
SGOT See AST
SGPT See ALT
SIL squamous intraepithelial lesions
SK streptokinase
SL sublingual
SLE systemic lupus erythematosus
SLR straight-leg raising (test)
SOB shortness of breath
sp. gr. specific gravity
SPECT single-photon emission computerized tomography
SQ subcutaneous
SR slow release
SROM spontaneous rupture of membrane
SS single strength
SSKI saturated solution of potassium iodide
SSRI selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
STD sexually transmitted disease
T3 triiodothyronine
T4 thyroxine
TAC preparation of tetracycline, epinephrine (adrenaline), cocaine
Tb, TB tuberculosis
TBG thyroxine-binding globulin
TBSA total body surface area
TBW total body water
3TC lamivudine
TCA tricyclic antidepressant
TEDS thromboembolic disease support (stockings, hose)
TEE transesophageal echocardiography
TENS transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
TFT thyroid function test
TG triglycerides
TIA transient ischemic attack
TIBC total iron-binding capacity
TM tympanic membrane
TMJ temporomandibular joint
TMP/SMX trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (complex)
TORCHS toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, syphilis (infection)
TPA tissue plasminogen activator
TPN total parenteral nutrition
TRH thyrotropin-releasing hormone
TSH thyroid-stimulating hormone
TTP thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
TURP transurethral prostatectomy
TWAR Taiwan acute respiratory disease
U unit
UA urinalysis
UC ulcerative colitis
UGI upper gastrointestinal (tract)
U/P urine-to-plasma ratio
URI upper respiratory infection
U/S ultrasound, ultrasonogram, ultrasonography
UTI urinary tract infection
UV ultraviolet (radiation); B refers to the shorter-wave, more damaging range
V Fib ventricular fibrillation
V Tach ventricular tachycardia
VBAC vaginal birth after cesarean section
VCUG voiding cystourethrogram
VDRL Venereal Disease Research Laboratories (test)
V/Q ventilation-perfusion ratio
VSD ventricular septal defect
Vt tidal volume
VT vestibular training
vWF von Willebrand’s factor
WBC white blood cell (count)
wt, Wt weight
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