A
ABG arterial blood gases
ac before meals
ACE angiotensin converting enzyme
ACL anterior cruciate ligament
ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone
ADA American Diabetes Association
ADH antidiuretic hormone
ADL activities of daily living
AFB acid-fast bacilli
AFP alpha-fetoprotein
AGA appropriate for gestational age
AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AKA above knee amputation
ALP alkaline phosphatase
ALT alanine transaminase, alanine aminotransferase
AMA against medical advice
AMI acute myocardial infarction
AODM adult onset diabetes mellitus
AP apical pulse
APSGN acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis
ARF acute renal failure
ASD atrial septal defect
AST aspartate aminotransferase
ATN acute tubular necrosis
AU both ears
AVB atrio-ventricular block

B
BBS bilateral breath sounds
BE barium enema
BG blood glucose
BI brain injury
BID twice a day
bilat bilateral
B/K below knee
BM bowel movement or breast milk
BP blood pressure
BPH benign prostatic hypertrophy
BRM biologic response modifiers
BRP bathroom privileges
BS bowel sounds
BSA body surface area
BSE breast self examination
BT bowel tones
BUN blood urea nitrogen

C
C&S culture and sensitivity
Ca calcium, cancer, carcinoma
CABG coronary artery bypass graft
CAD coronary artery disease
CAPD continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
CAT computerized tomography scan
CBC complete blood count
CBD common bile duct
CBE clinical breast examination
CBG capillary blood glucose
CBI continuous bladder irrigation
CBS capillary blood sugar
CC chief complaint
CCK cholecystokinin
CCPD continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis
CEA cultured epithelial autograft
CFT complement-fixation test
CIN cervical intraepithelial neoplasm
CL cleft lip
CMS circulation, motion, sensation
CO cardiac output
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CP chest pain, cleft palate
CPAP continuous positive airway pressure
CPD cephalo-pelvic disproportion
CPP cerebral perfusion pressure
CPPD chest percussion and post drainage
CRF chronic renal failure
CRRT continuous renal replacement therapy
CRT capillary refill time
CSF cerebrospinal fluid, colony stimulating factors
CT chest tube, computed tomography
CVA cerebral vascular accident, costovertebral angle
CVP central venous pressure
Cx cervix
CXR chest x-ray

D
DAT diet as tolerated
DC (dc) discontinue
DCCT Diabetes Control and Complication Trials
DEX (DXT) blood sugar
DIC disseminated intravascular coagulation
DKA diabetic ketoacidosis
DNA deoxyribonucleic acid
DNR do not resuscitate
DTR deep tendon reflex
DVT deep vein thrombosis
Dx diagnosis

E
EBV Epstein-Barr Virus
ECF extracellular fluid, extended care facility
EENT eye, ear, nose and throat
EMC ensephalomyocarditis
EMG electromyogram
ERCP endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ESRD end stage renal disease
ET endotracheal tube

F
F & R force and rhythm
FA fatty acid
FBS fasting blood sugar
FD fatal dose, focal distance
FDA Food & Drug Administration
Fx fracture
FUO fever of unknown origin
FVD fluid volume deficit

G
GB gallbladder
GERD gastroesophageal reflux disease
GFR glomerular filtration rate
GGT gamma-glutamyl transferase
GI gastrointestinal
GOT glutamic oxalic transaminase
GU genitourinary
GVHD graft-versus-host-disease

H
HA headache
Hb hemoglobin
HCG human chorionic gonadotropin
HCO3 bicarbonate
HCT hematocrit
HD hemodialysis
HDL high density lipoprotein
HEENT head, eye, ear, nose and throat
Hgb hemoglobin
HIV human immunodeficiency virus
HRT hormone replacement therapy
HS bedtime
Hx history

I
IBC iron binding capacity
IBD inflammatory bowel disease
IBS irritable bowel syndrome
IBW ideal body weight
ICCE intracapsular cataract extraction
ICF imtermediate care facility
ICP intracranial pressure
ICS intercostal space
ICT inflammation of connective tissue
ICU intensive care unit
IDM infant of diabetic mother
IDDM insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
IE inspiratory exerciser
IH infectious hepatitis
IHD ischemic heart disease
IIP implantable insulin pump
IM intramuscular
IMV intermittent mandatory ventilation
INR international normalization ratio
IPD intermittent peritoneal dialysis
IPPB intermittent positive pressure breathing
ITP immune thrombocytopenic purpura
IV intravenous
IVF in vitro fertilization
IVP intravenous pyelography

J
JAMA Journal of the American Medical Association
JVP jugular venous pressure

K
K potassium