Abbreviations

Question 1

What does ABG stand for?

Answer 1

Arterial Blood Gas

Measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

Question 2

What does ACLS stand for?

Answer 2

Advanced Cardiac Life Support

Emergency procedures for managing severe heart conditions.

Question 3

What does AD refer to?

Answer 3

Right ear (Auris Dexter)

Example: Medication prescribed for AD.

Question 4

What is AF?

Answer 4

Atrial Fibrillation

Irregular heartbeat.

Question 5

What does AIDS stand for?

Answer 5

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Disease caused by HIV.

Question 6

What does AK mean?

Answer 6

Above the Knee

Example: AK amputation (surgical removal of a leg above the knee).

Question 7

What does A/P stand for?

Answer 7

Anterior-Posterior

Directional term or imaging view.

Question 8

What is ARDS?

Answer 8

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Severe lung condition.

Question 9

What does AS refer to?

Answer 9

Left ear (Auris Sinister)

Example: Medication prescribed for AS.

Question 10

What is ASD?

Answer 10

Atrial Septal Defect

Hole in the wall between the heart’s atria.

Question 11

What does A/V stand for?

Answer 11

Atrioventricular

Relating to the atria and ventricles of the heart.

Question 12

What does BCLS stand for?

Answer 12

Basic Cardiac Life Support

Basic life-saving techniques.

Question 13

What does b.i.d. mean?

Answer 13

Twice a day (bis in die)

Example: Medication taken b.i.d.

Question 14

What does BK refer to?

Answer 14

Below the Knee

Example: BK amputation.

Question 15

What is BP?

Answer 15

Blood Pressure

Example: Normal BP is 120/80 mmHg.

Question 16

What does BPH stand for?

Answer 16

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

Example: A patient with BPH may have trouble urinating.

Question 17

What is BSA?

Answer 17

Body Surface Area

Example: Used to calculate chemotherapy dosages.

Question 18

What does BUN stand for?

Answer 18

Blood Urea Nitrogen

Example: Elevated BUN may indicate kidney disease.

Question 19

What does Bx refer to?

Answer 19

Biopsy

Example: Skin Bx performed to check for melanoma.

Question 20

What does Ca stand for?

Answer 20

Cancer

Example: Lung Ca is a common cancer type.

Question 21

What does CABG mean?

Answer 21

Cardiac Artery Bypass Graft

Example: Performed for severe CAD.

Question 22

What does CAD refer to?

Answer 22

Coronary Artery Disease

Example: Symptoms include chest pain (angina).

Question 23

What is CAT?

Answer 23

Computed Axial Tomography

Example: Used to diagnose tumors.

Question 24

What does CBC stand for?

Answer 24

Complete Blood Count

Example: Abnormal CBC may indicate anemia.

Question 25

What is CHF?

Answer 25

Congestive Heart Failure ## Footnote Example: Symptoms include edema and shortness of breath.

Question 26

What does CNS stand for?

Answer 26

Central Nervous System ## Footnote Example: CNS infections like meningitis.

Question 27

What does COPD mean?

Answer 27

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ## Footnote Example: Emphysema is a form of COPD.

Question 28

What is CPR?

Answer 28

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ## Footnote Example: CPR performed during cardiac arrest.

Question 29

What does CSF stand for?

Answer 29

Cerebrospinal Fluid ## Footnote Example: Lumbar puncture collects CSF for testing.

Question 30

What is CVA?

Answer 30

Cerebrovascular Accident ## Footnote Example: Symptoms include paralysis and slurred speech.

Question 31

What does CVP stand for?

Answer 31

Central Venous Pressure ## Footnote Example: Measured in ICU patients.

Question 32

What does D & C mean?

Answer 32

Dilation and Curettage ## Footnote Example: Performed after a miscarriage.

Question 33

What does D/C stand for?

Answer 33

Discontinue ## Footnote Example: D/C antibiotics after 10 days.

Question 34

What is DIC?

Answer 34

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation ## Footnote Example: Occurs in sepsis or trauma.

Question 35

What does DJD stand for?

Answer 35

Degenerative Joint Disease ## Footnote Example: Common in older adults.