Medical Abbreviations Flashcards

Medical Abbreviations

• CCU: Stands for Coronary Care Unit or Critical Care Unit, a specialized area for monitoring patients with heart conditions.
• CDC: Refers to the Center for Disease Control, a federal agency focused on public health and disease prevention.
• CEU: Represents Continuing Education Unit, a measure used for non-academic education aimed at professionals.
• CHO: An abbreviation for Carbohydrate, an essential macronutrient for energy.
• Chol: Stands for Cholesterol, a waxy substance found in blood, important for various bodily functions.
• CK: Indicates "check," commonly used in medical documentation.
• Cl: Represents Chloride or Chlorine, an essential electrolyte.
• Cl Liq: Refers to Clear Liquid, often part of dietary guidelines for patients.
• CM: Abbreviation for Centimeter, a unit of length in the metric system.
• CNS: Stands for Central Nervous System, which includes the brain and spinal cord.
• Co, C/O: Stands for Complaints Of, used to note patient symptoms.
• CO: Represents Carbon Monoxide, a harmful gas when inhaled.
• CO2: Refers to Carbon Dioxide, a byproduct of metabolism and important for respiration.
• Comp: Denotes "Complete," used in medical documentation for thorough assessments.
• Cont: Indicates "continued," often used in progress notes.
• CPAP: Stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, a treatment for sleep apnea.
• CPR: Abbreviation for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, a life-saving procedure in emergencies.
• C&S: Refers to Culture and Sensitivity, a lab test to identify infections and effective treatments.
• CSF: Represents Cerebrospinal Fluid, which cushions and protects the brain and spinal cord.
• Cu: Stands for Copper, a trace mineral important for bodily functions.
• Comp: Abbreviation for Complication or Complaint, used to note issues in patient care.
• CXR: Abbreviation for Chest X-ray, an imaging technique to examine lung conditions.
• D: Represents Day, a unit of time.
• DAT: Stands for Diet As Tolerated, indicating dietary restrictions based on patient’s condition.
• D/C, dc, disc: Term for Discontinue or Discharge, used in patient treatment plans.
• DEA: Refers to the Drug Enforcement Agency, the agency regulating controlled substances.
• Del: Abbreviation for Delivery, often related to childbirth or transferring medical supplies.
• Dept: Stands for Department, used to specify units in healthcare settings.
• DHHS: Represents the Department of Health and Human Services, overseeing public health.
• Dil: Indicates "dilute," often used in medication preparation.
• DNA: Stands for Deoxyribonucleic Acid, the molecule carrying genetic information.
• DNR: Represents Do Not Resuscitate, a medical order to withhold resuscitation.
• DOA: Stands for Dead On Arrival, a term used when a patient arrives without signs of life.
• DOB: Indicates Date Of Birth, crucial for patient identification.
• DOD: Represents Date Of Death, used in medical records for accuracy.
• Dr: Abbreviation for Dram or Drainage, relevant in measuring or assessing wounds.
• Drg, drsg, dsg: Refers to Dressing, used in wound care documentation.
• DSD: Stands for Dry Sterile Dressing, a method of wound coverage.
• DW: Represents Distilled Water, commonly used in medical procedures.
• Dx, dx: Abbreviates Diagnosis, indicating a patient’s identified medical condition.
• Ea: Denotes Each, often used in medication prescriptions.
• EBL: Stands for Estimated Blood Loss, crucial in surgical notes.
• ECG, EKG: Refers to Electrocardiogram, a test to measure heart electrical activity.
• ED: Abbreviation for Emergency Department, a critical care unit in hospitals.
• EENT: Stands for Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat, referring to areas of medical examination.
• Elix: Abbreviation for Elixir, a medicinal solution often with alcohol.
• EMS: Stands for Emergency Medical Services, key responders in medical emergencies.
• ENT: Represents Ear, Nose, Throat, specializing in these areas of medicine.
• EPA: Refers to the Environmental Protection Agency, regulating environmental health.
• ER: Stands for Emergency Room, where urgent medical care is provided.
• Et: Means "and," commonly used in medical documentation.
• Ex, Exam: Abbreviation for Examination, pertaining to patient assessments.
• Exc: Stands for Excision, the surgical removal of tissue.
• Exp: Represents Exploratory or Expiration, used in surgical and medical contexts.
• Ext: Abbreviation for Extract, Extraction, or External, indicating various medical procedures or locations.