Medical Abbreviations Flashcards

Medical Abbreviations Overview

• A&O x 3: Indicates a patient is awake, alert, and oriented to person, place, and time.
• AAT: Activity as tolerated, suggesting patients can engage in activities based on their comfort level.
• ABD: Refers to the abdomen, a key area in physical examinations.
• ABG: Measures arterial blood gas to assess respiratory function and metabolic state.
• ABW: Represents actual body weight, important for medication dosages and health assessments.
• ACLS: Stands for advanced cardiac life support, critical in emergency cardiac situations.
• ACS: Describes acute coronary syndrome, a spectrum of conditions associated with sudden reduced blood flow to the heart.
• ADH: Identifies anti-diuretic hormone, related to water retention and blood pressure regulation.
• AF: Abbreviation for atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder, or afebrile, indicating no fever.
• AFB: Refers to acid-fast bacilli, relevant in the diagnosis of tuberculosis.
• AKI: Stands for acute kidney injury, a sudden decline in kidney function.
• AR: Indicates aortic regurgitation, a condition affecting heart valves.
• ARDS: Acute respiratory distress syndrome; a severe lung condition requiring immediate care.
• ARF: Acute renal failure, indicating a rapid loss of kidney function.
• AS: Aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve impacting blood flow.
• ASAP: As soon as possible, a common directive in medical communication.
• AV: Atrioventricular, referring to the anatomical region in the heart.
• BG: Blood glucose measurement, critical for diabetes management.
• BM: Can denote bone marrow or bowel movement, depending on context.
• BP: Medical shorthand for blood pressure, a vital sign in patient assessment.
• BPH: Benign prostatic hypertrophy, a common condition in aging men resulting in prostate enlargement.
• BPM: Beats per minute, often used to measure heart rate.
• BS: Can mean bowel sounds, breath sounds, or blood sugars, depending on context.
• BUN: Refers to blood urea nitrogen, a test for kidney function.
• BW: Body weight or blood work, important metrics for medical evaluations.
• BX: Stands for biopsy, a procedure to extract tissue for diagnostic purposes.
• C&S: Culture and sensitivity, tests used to identify pathogens and effective antibiotics.
• C/O: Complaining of, a phrase used to document patient symptoms.
• CA: Common abbreviation for cancer, a broad range of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth.
• Ca: Represents calcium, essential for bone health and various physiological functions.
• CABG: Coronary artery bypass graft, a surgical procedure to treat coronary artery disease.
• CAD: Coronary artery disease, the narrowing of coronary arteries leading to heart issues.
• CBC: Complete blood count, a key blood test providing information about overall health.
• CC: Chief complaint, the primary reason a patient seeks medical attention.
• CF: Cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder affecting the lungs and digestive system.
• CHF: Congestive heart failure, a condition where the heart struggles to pump blood effectively.
• CN: Refers to cranial nerves, critical for sensory and motor functions.
• CNII-XII: Specifically indicates cranial nerves II through XII.
• CNS: Central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord.
• CO: Cardiac output, the volume of blood the heart pumps in a minute.
• COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a group of lung diseases that block airflow.
• CP: Abbreviation for chest pain or cerebral palsy, both significant in clinical settings.
• CK: Creatinine kinase, an enzyme indicative of muscle damage.
• CKD: Chronic kidney disease, a long-term condition affecting kidney function.
• CPR: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a lifesaving technique in emergencies.
• CrCL: Creatinine clearance, a measurement of kidney function.
• CRF: Chronic renal failure, progressively worsening kidney function.
• CRP: C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation in the body.
• CSF: Cerebrospinal fluid, essential for cushioning the brain and spinal cord.
• CV: Cardiovascular, relating to the heart and blood vessels.
• CVA: Refers to cerebrovascular accident (stroke) or costovertebral angle, a region evaluated during examinations.
• CXR: Chest X-ray, a diagnostic imaging tool used to assess the lungs and heart.
• D5W: 5% dextrose in water, a type of intravenous fluid.
• DAT: Diet as tolerated, indicating flexibility in a patient's dietary intake.
• DBP: Diastolic blood pressure, the pressure in blood vessels during heart relaxation.
• DDx: Differential diagnosis, the process of distinguishing between illnesses that share similar signs or symptoms.
• DM: Diabetes mellitus, a group of diseases affecting insulin production or function.
• DNR: Do not resuscitate, a medical order indicating that a patient should not receive CPR.
• DNS: Do not substitute, typically in the context of medical prescriptions to ensure specific medications are used.
• DOB: Date of birth, necessary for patient identification and records.
• DVT: Deep venous thrombosis, a condition involving blood clots in deep veins.
• DX: Diagnosis, the identification of a disease or condition.
• ECG/EKG: Electrocardiogram, a test recording the electrical activity of the heart.
• EF: Ejection fraction, measuring the percentage of blood pumped out of the heart with each contraction.
• ENT: Ears, nose, and throat, referring to a specialized area of medicine.
• FBS: Fasting blood sugar, a key test for diagnosing diabetes.
• FEV1: Forced expiratory volume in one second, a measure in spirometry.
• FTT: Failure to thrive, often used to describe inadequate growth in children.
• FU or F/U: Follow-up, typically used in patient care to indicate necessary subsequent evaluations.
• FVC: Forced vital capacity, another measurement from spirometry.
• GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease, a chronic digestive condition.
• GFR: Glomerular filtration rate, used to assess kidney function.
• GI: Gastrointestinal, involving the digestive tract.
• GTT: Glucose tolerance test, used to diagnose diabetes and insulin sensitivity.

Test your knowledge of important medical abbreviations with this flashcard quiz. Each flashcard presents a term along with its definition, helping you to familiarize yourself with common abbreviations used in healthcare. Perfect for students and professionals alike!