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Abbrev.

Meaning

(a with a bar over it) before (from Latin ante)


ā before
artery

adenosine
A
apical

a.a. of each (from Latin ana ana)


amino acids:

 A or Ala -- alanine
 C or Cys -- cysteine
 D or Asp -- aspartic acid
 E or Glu -- glutamic acid
 F or Phe -- phenylalanine
 H or His -- histidine
 I or Ile -- isoleucine
 K or Lys -- lysine
 L or Leu -- leucine
 M or Met -- methionine
 N or Asn -- asparagine
 O or Pyl -- pyrrolysine
 P or Pro -- proline
 Q or Gln -- glutamine
 R or Arg -- arginine
 S or Ser -- serine
 T or Thr -- threonine
 U or Sec -- selenocysteine
 V or Val -- valine
 W or Trp -- tryptophan
 Y or Tyr -- tyrosine
A1C glycosylated hemoglobin (hemoglobin A1c)
AAA abdominal aortic aneurysm (pronounced "triple-A")
AAPMC antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis
AAT activity as tolerated
AAL anterior axillary line
AAOx3 awake, alert, and oriented, times 3 (i.e., to person, place, and time)
A/B acid-base ratio
abdomen
ab
abdominal
Ab antibody
AB abortion
airway, breathing, circulation
ABC
aspiration biopsy cytology
airway, breathing, circulation, disability
ABCD asymmetry, borders, color, diameter (features on considering "Is it a malignant melanoma?")
ABCD rating (a staging system for prostate cancer)
ABCs
airway, breathing, circulation, etc. Refers to priority of needs in emergency situations. Exact spell-
ABCDs
out and details after "C" vary by institution, but the "ABCs" theme is recurrent.
ABCDEs
abdomen
Abd
abdominal
ABE acute bacterial endocarditis
ABG arterial blood gas
acquired brain injury
ABI
ankle brachial pressure index
ABMT autologous bone marrow transplantation
Abn abnormal
ABO Landsteiner's blood grouping system
ABPA allergic broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis
ABPI ankle brachial pressure index
Doxorubicin (adriamycin), bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine (first-line treatment for Hodgkin's
ABVD
lymphoma)
ABX antibiotics
a.c.
before a meal (from Latin ante cibum)
AC
abdominal circumference
AC
assisted controlled ventilation
ACB aortocoronary bypass
AC&BC air conduction and bone conduction, as in Weber test
Acc accommodation (eye)
ACCU acute coronary care unit
ACD anemia of chronic disease
ACDF anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
Ace acetone
ACE angiotensin-converting enzyme
ACEI angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor(s)
ACh acetylcholine
AChE acetylcholine esterase
ACL anterior cruciate ligament
ACLS advanced cardiac life support
altered conscious state
ACS
acute coronary syndrome
ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone
ACU ambulatory care unit
ad. right ear (from Latin auris dexter)
Alzheimer's disease
AD acute distress
right ear (from Latin auris dexter)
ADA adenosine deaminase
ADC AIDS dementia complex
ADCC antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity
ADD attention deficit disorder
ADH antidiuretic hormone
ADHD attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
ADHR autosomal-dominant hypophosphatemic rickets
ADLs activities of daily living
ad lib as desired (from Latin ad libitum)
adm admission
Adn adnexae (for example, adnexae of the uterus)
ADP adenosine diphosphate
ad part. dolent to the painful parts (from Latin ad partes dolentes)
ADR adverse drug reaction
automated external defibrillator
AED
antiepileptic drug(s)
AEM ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring
atrial fibrillation
AF atrial flutter
amniotic fluid
AFB acid-fast bacilli
AFI amniotic fluid index
AFib atrial fibrillation
AFO ankle-foot orthosis
AFP alpha-fetoprotein
Ag antigen
anti-gliadin antibodies
AGA
appropriate gestational age (see birth weight)
AGC atypical glandular cells
AGES criteria age, grade, extent, size (for tumors)
AGN acute glomerulonephritis
a.h. every other hour (from Latin alternis horis)
AHF antihemophilic factor
AHG antihemophilic globulin
AHH aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase
AHR airway hyper-reactivity
artificial insemination
AI
aortic insufficiency
AICD automated implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
AID artificial insemination by donor
AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AIH artificial insemination by husband
AIHD artificial insemination by pooled husband and donor semen
acute infectious and parasitical diseases
AIPD autoimmune progesterone dermatitis
acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
AIIRB angiotensin II receptor antagonist
AIN acute interstitial nephritis
AIR Anterior interval release
AIS adenocarcinoma in situ
aka also known as
above-knee amputation
AKA
also known as
ALA aminolevulinic acid
Alc alcohol
ALF assisted living facility
ALG antilymphocytic globulin
ALI acute lung injury
Alk phos alkaline phosphatase (sometimes abbreviated as ALP)
acute lymphoblastic leukemia
ALL
allergies
ALP alkaline phosphatase (sometimes abbreviated as Alk phos)
ALPS autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
ALS
advanced life support
ALT alanine transaminase
altern. d. every other day (from Latin alterno die)
advanced maternal age (35 years or greater)
against medical advice
AMA
antimitochondrial antibody
American Medical Association
Amb ambulate
AMC arthrogryposis multiplex congenita
AMI acute myocardial infarction
AML acute myeloid leukemia
AMP adenosine monophosphate
ampule
Amp
ampere
AMPArecepto
alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor of the brain
r
acute mountain sickness
AMS
atypical measles syndrome
Amt amount
ANA antinuclear antibody
ANCA antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
ANDI aberrations of normal development and involution (of breast)
ANF atrial natriuretic factor
ANP atrial natriuretic peptide
ANS autonomic nervous system
Ant anterior
Anti- refers to an antibody to the suffixed antigen
ANTR asymmetrical tonic neck reflex
ANUG acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
A&O aware and oriented
A&Ox3 alert and oriented, times 3 (to person, place, and time)
alert and oriented, times 4 (to person, place, time, and circumstances) (often used interchangeably
A&Ox4
with A&Ox3)
AODM adult-onset diabetes mellitus (now called diabetes mellitus type 2)
AOM acute otitis media
a.p. before a meal (from Latin ante prandium)
alkaline phosphatase
AP anteroposterior
angina pectoris
A&P auscultation and percussion
APACHE II Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II
paracetamol (aka acetaminophen) (from its chemical name, N-acetyl-para-aminophenol)
APAP
automatic positive airway pressure
atrial premature contraction
APC antigen-presenting cell
activated protein C
adult polycystic disease
APD
automated peritoneal dialysis
APKD adult polycystic kidney disease
APECED autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy
APGAR appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, respiration - used to assess newborns
APH antepartum haemorrhage
APLS antiphospholipid syndrome
APMPPE acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy
applic. applicandus (Latin meaning "to be applied")
APR abdominoperineal resection
APS autoimmune polyendocrine/polyglandular syndrome
APSAC anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex
aPTT activated partial thromboplastin time
aq. water (from Latin aqua)
aq. bull. boiling water (from Latin aqua bulliens)
aq. calid. warm or hot water (from Latin aqua calida)
aq. dist. distilled water (from Latin aqua distillata)
aq. gel. cold water (from Latin aqua gelida)
AR aortic regurgitation
ARB angiotensin II receptor antagonist
ARC AIDS-related complex
acute respiratory distress syndrome
ARDS
adult respiratory distress syndrome
ARF acute renal failure
Arg arginine
ARM artificial rupture of membranes (also abbreviated as AROM)
active range of motion
AROM
artificial rupture of membranes
antiretroviral therapy
ART
assuming room temperature (that is, the patient has died)
ARVC arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
ARVD arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia
aortic stenosis
AS
atherosclerosis
ASA acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
ASAP as soon as possible
ASC ambulatory surgery center
ASC-H atypical squamous cells - cannot exclude HSIL
ASCAD arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease
ASCUS atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance
ASCVD arteriosclerotic vascular disease (arteriosclerosis)
ASD atrial septal defect
ASGUS atypical squamous glandular cells of undetermined significance
ASH
arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary heart disease)
ASHD
ASIS anterior superior iliac spine
ASO antistreptolysin-O
ASOT antistreptolysin-O titre
ASPECTS Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score
Ass assessment
AST aspartate transaminase
ASX asymptomatic
antithrombin
AT
angiotensin
ATA antitransglutaminase antibodies
ATB antibiotic
ATCC American Type Culture Collection
ATG antithymic globulin
AT-III antithrombin III
ATN acute tubular necrosis
ATNR asymmetrical tonic neck reflex
acute thrombocytopenic purpura
ATP adenosine triphosphate
antitachycardia pacing
Atp atapical
ATRA all-trans retinoic acid
ATS antitetanus serum, that is, antitetanus immunoglobulins
AUC area under the curve (pharmacology)
aur. ear (from Latin auris)
aur. dextro. to right ear (from Latin auris dextrae)
aur. laev to left ear (from Latin auris laevae)
aurist. ear drops (from Latin auristillae)
AV arteriovenous
atrioventricular
AVM arteriovenous malformation
AVN avascular necrosis
AVR aortic valve replacement
A&W
alive and well
A/W
Ax axillary
AXR abdominal x-ray
AZT azidothymidine

Abbrev. Meaning

Bx biopsy

Ba barium

BAC blood alcohol content

bronchoalveolar lavage
BAL British anti-Lewisite
blood alcohol level

BAO basic acid output

BAT brown adipose tissue

BBA bilateral breast augmentation

BBB blood–brain barrier

BBB L left bundle branch block

BBB R right bundle branch block


bone conduction
BC
blood culture

basal cell carcinoma


BCC
blind carbon copy

BCG bacille Calmette-Guerin (a tuberculosis vaccination)

BCP birth control pill

BCX
blood culture
BCx

BBMF "bone break, me fix" (orthopedic consent form)

bipolar disorder
BD
twice a day (from Latin bis in die)

BDD body dysmorphic disorder

BDI Beck Depression Inventory

barium enema
BE
base excess

BFP bundle forming pilus

BGAT blood glucose awareness training (to help patients with diabetic hypoglycemia)

BGL blood glucose level


BIB brought in by

BIBA brought in by ambulance

BID
bid twice a day (from Latin bis in die)
b.i.d.

Bilat eq bilaterally equal

BiPAP bilevel positive airway pressure

BiVAD bilateral ventricular assist device (left and right)

BK bradykinin

BKA below-the-knee amputation

bl.cult blood culture

bld blood

BLS basic life support

BM bowel movement

BMC bone mineral content

BMD bone mineral density (also termed bone mass measurement)

BMI body mass index


BMP blood metabolic profile

BMR basal metabolic rate

BMT bone marrow transplantation

BNO bowel not open

BNP brain natriuretic peptide

BO bowel open

B/O because of

BOA born out of asepsis

BOI born on island (i.e., a local patient)

BOM bilateral otitis media

BOOP bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia

blood pressure
BP bipolar disorder
British Pharmacopoeia

BPAD bipolar affective disorder

biparietal diameter
BPD borderline personality disorder
bronchopulmonary dysplasia
BPH benign prostatic hyperplasia aka benign prostatic hypertrophy

BPM beats per minute

BPPV benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

bedrest
BR
bathroom

BRA bilateral renal agenesis

BRAT The BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, (dry) toast (helps digestion in some GI disorders)

another version of the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, (dry) toast, yogurt (helps digestion in
BRATY
some GI disorders)

bright red blood (color is important as an indicator of source, for example in gastrointestinal
BRB
bleeding)

BRBPR bright red blood per rectum

BRCA1 (gene)
BRCA1 breast cancer 1 (a human gene and its protein)
(protein)

BRCA2 (gene)
BRCA2 breast cancer 2 (a human gene and its protein)
(protein)

BRP bathroom privileges

BS breath
breath sound
bowel sounds on auscultation with stethoscope
blood sugar

BSA body surface area

BSC bedside commode

bovine spongiform encephalopathy


BSE
breast self-examination

BSL blood sugar level

BSP bromsulphthalein

BT bleeding time

BTL bilateral tubal ligation

BTP breakthrough pain

BUN blood urea nitrogen

BV bacterial vaginosis

BVP biventricular pacing (see artificial pacemaker)

BW blood work (blood tests)

Bx biopsy

BZDs benzodiazepines
Abbrev. Meaning

c (c with a bar over it) with (from Latin cum)

cytosine
C
cervical vertebrae

C1 atlas - first cervical vertebra of the spine

C2 axis - second cervical vertebra of the spine

C-section cesarean section

carcinoma
CA
cancer

calcium
Ca carcinoma
cancer

CABG coronary artery bypass graft surgery (pronounced "cabbage")

CABP coronary artery bypass procedure

CAD coronary artery disease

CADASI
cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy
L

coronary artery graft


CAG
coronary angiography

CAGS coronary artery graft surgery


cAMP cyclic adenosine monophosphate

chronic active hepatitis


CAH
congenital adrenal hyperplasia

CAPD continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Caps capsule

CAT computed axial tomography

Cath catheter

CBC complete blood count

CBC/DIF
complete blood count/differential
F

CBD common bile duct

CBS chronic brain syndrome

cubic centimeter (use mL instead—see the do-not-use list)


CC chief complaint
cc cardiac catheter
carbon copy

CCCU critical coronary care unit

CCE
clubbing, cyanosis, and edema (general signs of cardiovascular disease)
C/C/E

CCF congestive cardiac failure


CCK cholecystokinin

CCK-PZ cholecystokinin-pancreozymin

CCR cardiocerebral resuscitation

coronary care unit


CCU
critical care unit

CD Crohn's disease

CDH congenital dislocated hip

CDP cytosine diphosphate

carcinoembryonic antigen
CEA carotid endarterectomy
cost-effectiveness analysis

CF cystic fibrosis

CFA colonization factor antigen

CFIDS chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome

CFS chronic fatigue syndrome

CFTR cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator

cGMP cyclic guanosine monophosphate

CGN chronic glomerulonephritis
CH congenital hypothyroidism

CHD chronic heart disease

ChE cholinesterase

a group of blood tests, commonly called a basic metabolic panel (blood urea nitrogen, carbon
CHEM-7
dioxide, creatinine, glucose, serum chloride, serum potassium, serum sodium)

a group of blood tests (albumin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, aspartate


CHEM- aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen,calcium - serum, serum chloride, carbon dioxide, creatinine, direct
20 bilirubin, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, glucose test,lactate dehydrogenase, phosphorus -
serum, potassium test, serum sodium, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, total protein, uric acid)

CHD coronary heart disease

CHE cholinesterase

CHF congestive heart failure

CHO carbohydrate

cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin (a.k.a. hydroxydaunorubicin), vincristine(a.k.a. Oncovin), prednisone (c
CHOP
hemotherapy regimen)

Chol cholesterol

CHS cannulated hip screw

CHT congenital hypothyroidism


confidence interval
CI
cardiac index

CIB cibus (food)

CICU cardiac intensive care unit

CIDP chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

CIN cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

circumcision
Circ
circulation

CIS carcinoma in situ

CJD Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

creatine kinase
CK
creatinine phosphokinase (formerly CPK)

CKD chronic kidney disease

CKMB MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase

CLL chronic lymphocytic leukemia

CM Chirurgiae Magister, Master of Surgery (British and Commonwealth countries medical degree)

CMD cystic medial degeneration

CME continuing medical education


CML chronic myelogenous leukemia, also called chronic myeloid leukaemia

CMML chronic myelomonocytic leukemia

complete metabolic profile


CMP
cytosine monophosphate

CMS chronic mountain sickness

CMT cervical motion tenderness

CMV cytomegalovirus

CN cranial nerves

central nervous system


CNS
Crigler-Najjar syndrome

C/O complains of...

cardiac output
CO carbon monoxide
complains of...

COAD chronic obstructive airways disease

COCP combined oral contraceptive pill

COLD chronic obstructive lung disease


Comp compound

Conj conjunctiva

COP cryptogenic organizing pneumonitis

COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CO2 carbon dioxide

COX-1 cyclooxygenase 1

COX-2 cyclooxygenase 2

COX-3 cyclooxygenase 3

cerebral palsy
CP
chest pain

CPAP continuous positive airway pressure

CPC clinical pathological conference

CPE Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin

CPK creatine phosphokinase

CPKMB creatine phosphokinase heart

CPP cerebral perfusion pressure


CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CPT Current Procedural Terminology

CR complete remission

Cr creatinine

creatinine clearance
CrCl
(Note: Looks similar to, but does not mean, the chromium chlorides—CrCl2, CrCl3, CrCl4)

Creat creatinine

CREST calcinosis, Raynaud esophagus, sclerosis, teleangiectasiae

chronic renal failure


CRF
corticotropin-releasing factor

CrGN crescentic glomerulonephritis

CRH corticotropin-releasing hormone

CRI chronic renal insufficiency

Crit hematocrit

CRP C-reactive protein

CRT cardiac resynchronization therapy (artificial pacemaker)


CS
Caesarean section
C/S

C&S culture and sensitivity (antibiogram)

C-spine cervical spine

CsA ciclosporin A

cerebrospinal fluid
CSF
colony stimulating factor

CT computed tomography

clear to auscultation
CTA
computed tomography angiography

cytosine triphosphate
CTP cytidine triphosphate
Child-Turcotte-Pugh score

CTS computed tomography scan

CTU cancer treatment unit

ceftriaxone (a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic)
CTX
contractions

CV cardiovascular

cerebrovascular accident
CVA
costovertebral angle

CVAT costovertebral angle tenderness


central venous catheter
CVC
chronic venous congestion

CVD cardiovascular disease

CVI cerebrovascular incident

CVP central venous pressure

chorionic villus sampling


CVS
cardiovascular system

CVID common variable immunodeficiency

c/w consistent with

CWP coal worker's pneumoconiosis

Cx microbiological culture

CXR chest x-ray

Abbrev. Meaning

DS diagnosis

D5 5% dextrose
D25 25% dextrose injections

D5W 5% dextrose in water - IV fluids for intravenous therapy

d day(s)

DA dopamine

DAEC diffusely adherent Escherichia coli

DALY disability-adjusted life year

DBP diastolic blood pressure

DBS deep brain stimulation

D&C dilatation and curettage

discharge
D/C
discontinue

DCBE double contrast barium enema

DCD donation after cardiac death

DCIS ductal carcinoma in situ

DCM dilated cardiomyopathy

DD differential diagnosis
DDD daily defined doses

DDx differential diagnosis

D&E dilatation and evacuation

DES diethylstilbestrol

DEXA Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry

DH developmental history

DHE dihydroergotamine

DHEA-S dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate

DHF decompensated heart failure

DI diabetes insipidus

DIB dead in bed

DIC disseminated intravascular coagulation

DILI drug-induced liver injury

DIP distal interphalangeal joint

DiPerTe diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (combined vaccination)

Dis dislocation
Disch discharge

DiTe diphtheria-tetanus (combined vaccination)

DIU death in utero (stillbirth)

DJD degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis)

DKA diabetic ketoacidosis

dl deciliter

dL deciliter

DLE disseminated lupus erythematosus (systemic lupus erythematosus)

DM diabetes mellitus

DMAR
disease-modifying antirheumatic drug
D

Duchenne muscular dystrophy;


DMD
Dentariae Medicinae Doctor, that is, Doctor of Dental Medicine

DNA deoxyribonucleic acid

DNI do not intubate

DNR do not resuscitate


DNAR do not attempt resuscitation

dead on arrival
DOA
drugs of abuse

DOB date of birth

DOE dyspnea on exertion

DOSS docusate sodium; from the chemical name dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate

DP dorsalis pedis

DPH diphenylhydantoin

DPL diagnostic peritoneal lavage

DPT diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT vaccine)

DRT dead right there

DS disease

DS Down syndrome (trisomy 21)

DSA digital subtraction angiography

DSD dry sterile dressing

Dsg dressing
DSM Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

dsRNA double-stranded RNA

diphtheria-tetanus (combined vaccination)
DT
delirium tremens

DTA descending thoracic aorta

DTaP diphtheria–tetanus–acellular pertussis (combined vaccination)

DTP diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (combined vaccination)

DTR deep tendon reflex

DTs delirium tremens

DU duodenal ulcer (see peptic ulcer)

DUB dysfunctional uterine bleeding

DVT deep vein thrombosis

DW dextrose in water

D5W 5% dextrose in water

DX
Dx diagnosis
dx

DZ disease
Abbrev. Meaning

ecstasy
electrolytes
E
Enterococcus
epinephrine

EAC external acoustic meatus

EACA epsilon-aminocaproic acid

EAEC enteroadhesive Escherichia coli

EAF enteric adherence factor

EBL estimated blood loss (see bleeding)

evidence-based medicine
EBM
expressed breast milk

EBT electron beam tomography

EBV Epstein-Barr virus

EC enteric coating

extracellular fluid
ECF
enteric cytopathic human orphan
ECG electrocardiogram

ECM extracellular matrix

ECHO enteric cytopathic human orphan virus

febris e causa ignota (normally written as febris E.C.I.)


ECI
fever of unknown origin

ECLS extracorporeal life support

ECMO extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

ECP emergency care practitioner

ECT electroconvulsive therapy

emergency department
ED erectile dysfunction
ectodermal dysplasia

EDC estimated date of confinement (at 40/40 weeks of pregnancy)

estimated date of delivery (at 40/40 weeks of pregnancy); expected date of delivery
EDD
estimated date of discharge

EDF end diastolic flow (describing the flow of blood through the umbilical artery)

EDH epidural hematoma

EDM esophageal Doppler monitor


EDRF endothelium-derived relaxing factor aka nitric oxide

EDTA ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid

EDV end-diastolic volume

EEE eastern equine encephalitis

EEG electroencephalogram

EENT ears, eyes, nose, throat (see otolaryngology)

EEX electrodiagnosis

EF ejection fraction

EFM electronic fetal monitoring, aka external fetal monitoring (cardiotocograph)

EFW estimated fetal weight

EGBUS external genitalia, Bartholin's glands, urethra & Skene's glands

EGD esophagogastroduodenoscopy

EGF epidermal growth factor

EHEC enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli

EIEC enteroinvasive Escherichia coli

EJ elbow jerk (triceps reflex)


EKG electrocardiogram

ELLSCS elective lower segment caesarean section

ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

EMB ethambutol

EmBx endometrial biopsy

EMC encephalomyocarditis

early morning discovery


EMD
electromechanical dissociation

EMF endomyocardial fibrosis

EMG electromyography

EMLSCS emergency lower segment Caesarean section

EMU early morning urine sample (being the most concentrated, generally used for pregnancy testing)

Emul emulsion

ENT ear, nose, and throat (see otolaryngology)

EOM extraocular muscles


EOMI extraocular movements intact (see eye movement)

EPEC enteropathogenic Escherichia coli

EPH edema, proteinuria, hypertension

EPO erythropoietin

EPS electrophysiology

ER emergency room

ERCP endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

etoposide, cisplatin, cytarabine, methylprednisolone (chemotherapy regimen for relapsed Non-Hodgkin


ESHAP
lymphoma)

extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (also ESWL) (see lithotriptor);


ESL
English as a second language (affects provider-patient communication)

ESBL extended spectrum beta-lactamase (see also gram-negative bacteria)

ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate

ESRD end-stage renal disease

ESV end-systolic volume

ESWL extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (also ESL) (see lithotriptor)

ET endothelin
endotracheal

ETEC enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Etiol etiology

ETOH ethanol (ethyl alcohol)

ETS endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy

ETT endotracheal tube

EUA examination under anesthesia

EUP extrauterine pregnancy

EUS endoscopic ultrasonography

EVAR endovascular aneurysm repair

EVF erythrocyte volume fraction (see hematocrit)

Exam examination (for example, physical examination)

Exp Lap exploratory laparotomy

Ext extremities

Abbrev. Meaning
Fx fracture

FAMMM
familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome
syndrome

FAP familial adenomatous polyposis

FAST focused assessment with sonography for trauma

FB foreign body

FBC full blood count

FBE full blood exam

FBG fasting blood glucose

FBS fasting blood sugar

F/C fevers and/or chills

FDC follicular dendritic cells

FDIU fetal demise in utero

FDP fibrin degradation product

Fe iron

female
fem
femoral
FEP free erythrocyte protoporphyrin

FESS functional endoscopic sinus surgery

FEV1 forced expiratory volume in 1 second

FF free fluids (non-thickened fluids)

FFA free fatty acids

FFP fresh frozen plasma

FHR fetal heart rate

FHS fetal heart sound

FHT fetal heart tones

family history (in medicine, meaning specifically the medical histories of family members and
FHx
ancestors)

FIBD found in bed dead

FISH fluorescence in situ hybridization

FLK funny-looking kid (slang reference to dysmorphic features)

fluid ounce (1 Imperial fluid ounce ≈ 28.4 mL; 1 U.S. fluid ounce ≈ 29.6 mL) (use of these units is
fl.oz.
generally deprecated in modern medicine in favor of mL)

FMF fetal movements felt


FMP first menstrual period (that is, menarche)

fMRI functional magnetic resonance imaging

F→N finger-to-nose test (one simple clinical test of motor coordination)

FNA fine-needle aspiration

FNAB fine-needle aspiration biopsy

FNAC fine-needle aspiration cytology

FNC full nursing care

FNH focal nodular hyperplasia

FOBT fecal occult blood test

FOF found on floor (patient fell out of bed)

FOS full of stool

FOOSH fall on outstretched hand

FPG fasting plasma glucose

FRDA Friedreich's ataxia

FROM full range of motion

FSBS finger-stick blood sugar (one method of blood glucose monitoring)


FSE fetal scalp electrode

FSGS focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis

FSH follicle-stimulating hormone

FTA fluorescent treponemal antibody (see syphilis)

FTA-ABS fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (see syphilis)

FTT failure to thrive

F/U follow-up

FUO fever of unknown origin

forced vital capacity (spirometry test value used in assessment of chronic obstructive pulmonary


FVC
disease)

FWB full weight bearing

full ward diet;


FWD
forward

Fx fracture of a bone

Abbrev. Meaning
gravidity (total number of pregnancies, successful or not)
G
guanosine

G6PD glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase

general anaesthesia
GA
gestational age

GABA gamma-aminobutyric acid

GB gallbladder

group B Strep.
GBS
Guillain-Barré syndrome

glioblastoma multiforme
GBM
glomerular basement membrane

general condition
GC
gonococcus

GCA giant cell arteritis

GCS Glasgow Coma Scale

GCT glucose challenge test

G-CSF granulocyte colony-stimulating factor

GDA gastroduodenal artery

GDLH glutamate dehydrogenase


GDP guanosine diphosphate

GERD gastroesophageal reflux disease

GFR glomerular filtration rate

GGT gamma glutamyl transferase

GGTP gamma glutamyl transpeptidase

GH growth hormone

GHRF growth hormone releasing factor

gastrointestinal;
GI
gastrointestinal tract

GIFT gamete intrafallopian transfer

GIST gastrointestinal stromal tumor

GIT gastrointestinal tract

GITS gastrointestinal therapeutic system

GMC general medical condition (e.g., 0 GMC)

GM-
granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor
CSF

GMP guanosine monophosphate


GN glomerulonephritis

GNRH gonadotropin-releasing hormone

GOAT Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test

GOD glucose oxidase

GOK God only knows

get outta my ER (i.e., a patient who frequently presents at the ER near death but
GOMER
manages to pull through each and every time)

GORD gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

GOT glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase

GP general practitioner

GPT glutamic-pyruvic transaminase

Gr grain

GRAV I gravidity = 1 (indicating a woman during her first pregnancy)

glyceryl
GSW gunshot wound GTN
trinitrate

GTT glucose tolerance test

Gtts guttae (drops)
genitourinary
GU
gastric ulcer

genitourinary medicine (often used more restrictively as alternative to sexually


GUM
transmitted disease clinic)

GvH graft-versus-host

GvHD,
graft-versus-host disease
GVHD

GXT graded exercise test

GYN gynecology

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