Common Medical Abbreviations List (Acronyms and Definitions) PART-1 Acronyms and Definitions A-E Medical Abbreviation F-J Medical Abbreviation K-O Medical Abbreviation P-T Medical Abbreviation U-Z Medical Abbreviation ALL: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia. AMI: Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) B-ALL: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia FSH: Follicle stimulating hormone. A blood test for follicle stimulating hormone which is used to evaluate fertility in women. HAPE: High altitude pulmonary edema HPS: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. A type of contagious, infectious disease transmitted by rats infected with the virus. IBS: Irritable bowel syndrome (A medical disease that involves the gastrointestinal tract.) IDDM: Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Type 1 diabetes. MDS: Myelo dysplastic syndrome NBCCS: Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome PE: Pulmonary embolism. A type of blood clot in the lungs. SIDS: Sudden infant death syndrome TSH: Thyroid stimulating hormone. A blood test for TSH is used to diagnose thyroid disease. a.c.: Before meals. As in taking a medicine before meals. a/g ratio: Albumin to globulin ratio. ACL: Anterior cruciate ligament. ACL injuries are one of the most common ligament injuries to the knee. The ACL can be sprained or completely torn from trauma and/or degeneration. Ad lib: At liberty. For example, a patient may be permitted to move out of bed freely and orders would, therefore, be for activities to be ad lib. AFR: Acute renal failure ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADR: Adverse drug reaction. If a patient is taking a prescription drug to treat high blood pressure disease AIDS: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome AKA: Above the knee amputation. Anuric: Not producing urine. A person who is anuric is often critical and may require dialysis. ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease. ADH: Antidiuretic hormone ARDS: Acute respiratory distress syndrome. ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure ASCVD: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. A form of heart disease. b.i.d.: Twice daily. As in taking a medicine twice daily. bld: Blood. Blood was visible on the patient’s scalp. Bandemia: Slang for elevated level of band forms of white blood cells. Bibasilar: At the bases of both lungs. For example, someone with a pneumonia in both lungs might have abnormal bibasilar breath sounds. BKA: Below the knee amputation. BMP: Basic metabolic panel. Electrolytes (potassium, sodium, carbon dioxide, and chloride) and creatinine and glucose. BP: Blood pressure. Blood pressure is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs." BPD: Borderline personality disorder. A personality disorder. BSO: Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. A BSO is the removal of both of the ovaries and adjacent Fallopian tubes and often is performed as part of a total abdominal hysterectomy. C&S: Culture and sensitivity, performed to detect infection. C/O: Complaint of. The patient's expressed concern. cap: Capsule. Ca: Cancer; carcinoma. For example, a patient who undergoing treatment for cancer should assure that they are eating and drinking enough fluids daily, both during and after treatment. CABG. Coronary artery bypass graft. A surgery involving the heart. CBC: Complete blood count. CC: Chief complaint. The patient's main concern. CDE: Complete dental (oral) evaluation. cc: Cubic centimeters. For example, the amount of fluid removed from the body is recorded in ccs. Chem panel: Chemistry panel. A comprehensive screening blood test that indicates the status of the liver, kidneys, and electrolytes. CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea. COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. CT: Chemotherapy. A type of treatment therapy for cancer. CVA: Cerebrovascular accident (Stroke). D/C or DC: Discontinue or discharge. For example, a doctor will D/C a drug. Alternatively, the doctor might DC a patient from the hospital. DCIS: Ductal Carcinoma In Situ. A type of breast cancer. The patient is receiving treatment for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ. DDX: Differential diagnosis. A variety diagnostic possibilities are being considered to diagnose the type of cancer present in the patient. DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis. DM: Diabetes mellitus. DNC, D&C, or D and C: Dilation and curettage. Widening the cervix and scrapping with a curette for the purpose of removing tissue lining the inner surface of the womb (uterus). DNR: Do not resuscitate. This is a specific order not to revive a patient artificially if they succumb to illness. If a patient is given a DNR order, they are not resuscitated if they are near death and no code blue is called. DOE: Dyspnea on exertion. Shortness of breath with activity. DTR: Deep tendon reflexes. These are reflexes that the doctor tests by banging on the tendons with a rubber hammer. DVT: Deep venous thrombosis (blood clot in large vein). ETOH: Alcohol. ETOH intake history is often recorded as part of a patient history. ECT: Electroconclusive therapy. A procedure used to control seizures (convulsions). FX: Fracture. g: gram, a unit of weight. The cream is available in both 30 and 60 gram tubes. GOMER: Slang for "get out of my emergency room." GvHD: Graft vs. host disease. It is complicated by the syndromes of acute and chronic graft-vs-host disease (GVHD). gtt: Drops. H&H: Hemoglobin and hematocrit. When the H & H is low, anemia is present. The H&H can be elevated in persons who have lung disease from long term smoking or from disease, such as polycythemia rubra vera. H&P: History and physical examination. h.s.: At bedtime. As in taking a medicine at bedtime. H/O or h/o: History of. A past event that occurred. HA: Headache. HRT: Hormone replacement or hormone replacement therapy. HTN: Hypertension. I&D: Incision and drainage. IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis ICD: Implantable cardioverter defibrillator ICU: Intensive care unit. The patient was moved to the intensive care unit. IM: Intramuscular. This is a typical notation when noting or ordering an injection (shot) given into muscle, such as with B12 for pernicious anemia. IMP: Impression. This is the summary conclusion of the patient's condition by the healthcare professional at that particular date and time. ITU: Intensive therapy unit in vitro: In the laboratory in vivo: In the body IPF: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. A type of lung disease. IU: International units.