| ABGs |
arterial blood gases |
| AIDS |
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome |
| ALT |
alanine aminotransferase (previously SGPT) |
| APTT |
activated partial thromboplastin time |
| ARDS |
adult respiratory distress syndrome |
| AST |
aspartate aminotransferase (previously SGOT) |
| AV |
atrioventricular |
| bid |
twice daily |
| bpm |
beats per minute |
| BP |
blood pressure |
| BSA |
body surface area |
| BUN |
blood urea nitrogen |
| °C |
degrees Celsius |
| Cal |
Calorie (kilocalorie) |
| CBC |
complete blood count |
| cc |
cubic centimeter |
| CDC |
Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention |
| CHF |
congestive heart failure |
| CN |
cranial nerve |
| CNS |
central nervous system |
| COPD |
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| CPK |
creatine phosphokinase |
| CSF |
cerebrospinal fluid |
| CT |
computed tomography |
| cu |
cubic |
| Cu |
copper |
| CV |
cardiovascular |
| CVP |
central venous pressure |
| D5W |
5\% Dextrose in Water |
| D10W |
10\% Dextrose in Water |
| DERM |
dermatologic |
| DIC |
disseminated intravascular coagulation |
| dl |
deciliter (100 ml) |
| DNA |
deoxyribonucleic acid |
| ECG |
electrocardiogram |
| EDTA |
ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid |
| EEG |
electroencephalogram |
| EENT |
eye, ear, nose, throat |
| ELISA |
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay |
| EMIT |
enzyme-multiplied immunoassay test |
| °F |
degrees Fahrenheit |
| FDA |
Food and DrugAdministration |
| G-6-PD |
glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase |
| GABA |
gamma-aminobutyric acid |
| GI |
gastrointestinal |
| gtt |
drops |
| GU |
genitourinary |
| Hct |
hematocrit |
| HDL |
high-density lipoprotein |
| HEMA |
hematologic |
| HEPA |
hepatic |
| Hgb |
hemoglobin |
| HIV |
human immunodeficiency virus |
| hr |
hour |
| I&O |
intake and output |
| IM |
intramuscular |
| IND |
investigational new drug |
| IOP |
intraocular pressure |
| IU |
international units |
| IV |
intravenous |
| kg |
kilogram |
| L |
liter |
| LDH |
lactate dehydrogenase |
| LDL |
low-density lipoprotein |
| LOC |
level of consciousness |
| m |
meter |
| m2 |
square meter |
| MAO |
monoamine oxidase |
| mcg |
microgram |
| mEq |
milliequivalent |
| META |
metabolic |
| mg |
milligram |
| MI |
myocardial infarction |
| min |
minute |
| ml |
milliliter |
| mm |
millimeter |
| mm3 |
cubic millimeter |
| mm Hg |
millimeters of mercury |
| mo |
month |
| mOsm |
milliosmole |
| MRI |
magnetic resonance imaging |
| npo |
nothing by mouth |
| NSAID |
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug |
| ng |
nanogram |
| NK |
natural killer (cells) |
| otc |
over-the-counter (nonprescription) |
| oz |
ounce |
| PABA |
para-aminobenzoic acid |
| PAC |
premature atrial contraction |
| pH |
negative log of hydrogen ion concentration |
| PMS |
premenstrual syndrome |
| pCO2 |
carbon dioxide pressure (tension) |
| pO2 |
oxygen pressure (tension) |
| PO |
by mouth |
| ppm |
parts per million |
| prn |
as needed |
| PR |
per rectum |
| pt |
pint |
| PT |
prothrombin time |
| PTT |
partial thromboplastin time |
| PVC |
premature ventricular contraction |
| q |
every |
| qd |
every day |
| q hr |
every hour |
| qid |
four times daily |
| qod |
every other day |
| q 2 hr |
every 2 hours |
| qt |
quart |
| RBC |
red blood cell count |
| RDA |
Recommended Dietary Allowance |
| RDS |
respiratory distress syndrome |
| RNA |
ribonucleic acid |
| SC |
subcutaneous |
| sec |
second |
| SIADH |
syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone |
| SL |
sublingual |
| SLE |
systemic lupus erythematosus |
| SPF |
sun protection factor |
| STD |
sexually transmitted disease |
| tid |
three times daily |
| Tbsp |
tablespoon |
| TPN |
total parenteral nutrition |
| TSH |
thyroid-stimulating hormone |
| tsp |
teaspoon |
| U |
unit |
| UTI |
urinary tract infection |
| VHDL |
very high density lipoprotein |
| VLDL |
very low density lipoprotein |
| WBC |
white blood cell count |
| WHO |
World Health Organization |
| wk |
week |
| yr |
year |