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~ or ≈ approximately
Δ change
down, downward, decreased, diminished
female
male
# number (#5) or pounds (5# wt.)
× number of times (×5, 5×) or minutes (×5 min)
primary
secondary, secondary to
to and from
to, progressing toward, approaching
up, upward, increased
ā before
with
after
without

A

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A&O alert and oriented
AAROM active assistive range of motion
AB antibody, abortion
abd abdomen, abduction
ABGs arterial blood gases
AC axillary crutches
a.c. before meals
ACL anterior cruciate ligament
add adduction
ad lib. as desired, at discretion
ADH antidiuretic hormone
ADHD attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
ADLs activities of daily living
AE above the elbow
AED automated external defibrillator
AF, A-fib atrial fibrillation
AFB acid-fast bacillus
AG, Ag antigen
AGN acute glomerulonephritis
AICD automatic implanted cardioverter defibrillator
AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AK above the knee
AKA above-the-knee amputation
ALS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
a.m.a. against medical advice
ANS autonomic nervous system
ant anterior
AOM acute otitis media
AP anteroposterior
ARDS acute respiratory distress syndrome
ARF acute renal failure
AROM active range of motion
AS ankylosing spondylitis, astigmatism
ASHD arteriosclerotic heart disease
ATN acute tubular necrosis
AV, A-V atrioventricular

B

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BCC basal cell carcinoma
BE below the elbow
BG, BS blood glucose, blood sugar
bid, b.i.d. twice a day
BK below the knee
BKA below-the-knee amputation
BM bowel movement
BMD bone mineral density
BMI body mass index
BMR basal metabolic rate
BNO bladder neck obstruction
BOTOX botulinum toxin
BP blood pressure
BPH benign prostatic hypertrophy (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
bpm beats per minute
BRP bathroom privileges
B/S bedside
BSE breast self-examination
BUN blood urea nitrogen
Bx, bx biopsy

C

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C&S culture and sensitivity
C1–C7 first cervical vertebra, second cervical vertebra, etc.
Ca calcium
CA cancer, carcinoma
CABG coronary artery bypass graft
CAD coronary artery disease
CAT cataract
cath catheterization, catheter
CC or c/c chief complaint
CCU coronary care unit
CF cystic fibrosis
CFS chronic fatigue syndrome
CHF congestive heart failure
CIRC circumcision
CK creatine kinase
CMC chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis
CNS central nervous system
c/o complain (ed/ing/s/t) of
CO2 carbon dioxide
cont. continue
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CP cerebral palsy, chest pain
CPAP continuous positive airway pressure
CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CPT chest physiotherapy
CRF chronic renal failure
C-section cesarean section
CSF cerebrospinal fluid
CT computed tomography
CTS carpal tunnel syndrome
CV cardiovascular
CVA cerebrovascular accident
CWP coal worker’s pneumoconiosis
CXR chest x-ray
cysto cystoscopy

D

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...
D&C dilation and curettage
decub decubitus ulcer
derm

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