| ABGs: |
arterial blood gases |
| a.c.: |
before meals (ante cibum) |
| ACD: |
acid-citrate-dextrose |
| ACE: |
angiotensin-converting enzyme |
| ACh: |
acetylcholine |
| ACIP: |
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices |
| ACLS: |
advanced cardiac life support |
| ACS: |
acute coronary syndrome |
| ACT: |
activated clotting time |
| ACTH: |
adrenocorticotropic hormone |
| ADD: |
attention deficit disorder |
| ADH: |
antidiuretic hormone |
| ADLs: |
activities of daily living |
| ad lib: |
as desired (ad libitum) |
| ADP: |
adenosine diphosphate |
| ADT: |
alternate-day drug (administration) |
| AIDS: |
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome |
| ALT: |
alanine aminotransferase (formerly SGPT) |
| AML: |
acute myelogenous leukemia |
| AMP: |
adenosine monophosphate |
| ANA: |
antinuclear antibody(ies) |
| ANC: |
acid neutralizing capacity |
| aPTT: |
activated partial thromboplastin time |
| ARC: |
AIDS related complex |
| ARDS: |
adult respiratory distress syndrome |
| ASHD: |
arteriosclerotic heart disease |
| AST: |
aspartate aminotransferase (formerly SGOT) |
| AT1: |
angiotensin II receptor subtype I |
| AT2: |
angiotensin II receptor subtype II |
| ATP: |
adenosine triphosphate |
| AV: |
atrioventricular |
| b.i.d.: |
two times a day (bis in die) |
| BM: |
bowel movement |
| BMD: |
bone mineral density |
| BMR: |
basal metabolic rate |
| BP: |
blood pressure |
| bpm: |
beats per minute |
| BSA: |
body surface area |
| BSE: |
breast self-exam |
| BSP: |
bromsulphalein |
| BT: |
bleeding time |
| BUN: |
blood urea nitrogen |
| C: |
centigrade, Celsius |
| CAD: |
coronary artery disease |
| cAMP: |
cyclic adenosine monophosphate |
| CBC: |
complete blood count |
| cc: |
cubic centimeter |
| CDC: |
Centers for Disease Control |
| CF: |
cystic fibrosis |
| CHF: |
congestive heart failure |
| Clcr: |
creatinine clearance |
| cm: |
centimeter |
| CMV: |
cytomegalovirus-I |
| CNS: |
central nervous system |
| Coll: |
collyrium (eye wash) |
| COMT: |
catecholamine-o-methyl transferase |
| COPD: |
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| COX-2: |
cyclooxygenase-2 |
| CPK: |
creatinine phosphokinase |
| CPR: |
cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
| CRF: |
chronic renal failure |
| C&S: |
culture and sensitivity |
| CSF: |
cerebrospinal fluid |
| CSP: |
cellulose sodium phosphate |
| CT: |
clotting time |
| CTZ: |
chemoreceptor trigger zone |
| CV: |
cardiovascular |
| CVA: |
cerebrovascular accident |
| CVP: |
central venous pressure |
| d: |
day |
| D5W: |
5% dextrose in water |
| D&C: |
dilation and curettage |
| DIC: |
disseminated intravascular coagulation |
| DKA: |
diabetic keto-acidosis |
| dl: |
deciliter (100 ml or 0.1 liter) |
| DM: |
diabetes mellitus |
| DNA: |
deoxyribonucleic acid |
| DTRs: |
deep tendon reflexes |
| DVT: |
deep venous thrombosis |
| ECG,EKG: |
electrocardiogram |
| ECT: |
electroconvulsive therapy |
| EEG: |
electroencephalogram |
| EENT: |
eye, ear, nose, throat |
| e.g.: |
for example (exempli gratia) |
| ENT: |
ear, nose, throat |
| EPS: |
extrapyramidal symptoms (or syndrome) |
| ER: |
estrogen receptor |
| F: |
Fahrenheit |
| FBS: |
fasting blood sugar |
| FDA: |
Food and Drug Administration |
| FSH: |
follicle-stimulating hormone |
| FTI: |
free thyroxine index |
| 5-FU: |
5-fluorouracil |
| FUO: |
fever of unknown origin |
| g: |
gram |
| G6PD: |
glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase |
| GABA: |
gamma-aminobutyric acid |
| G-CSF: |
granulocyte colony-stimulating factor |
| GFR: |
glomerular filtration rate |
| GH: |
growth hormone |
| GI: |
gastrointestinal |
| GPIIb/IIIa: |
glycoprotein IIb/IIIa |
| GU: |
genitourinary |
| h: |
hour |
| HbA1c: |
glycosylated hemoglobin |
| HCG: |
human chorionic gonadotropin |
| Hct: |
hematocrit |
| HDL: |
high density lipoprotein |
| HDL-C: |
high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol |
| HER: |
human epidermal growth factor |
| Hgb: |
hemoglobin |
| 5-HIAA: |
5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid |
| HIT: |
heparin-induced thrombocytopenia |
| HIV: |
human immunodeficiency virus |
| HMG-CoA: |
3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A |
| HPA: |
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (axis) |
| HPV: |
human papillomavirus |
| HR: |
heart rate |
| h.s.: |
nightly or at bedtime (hora somni) |
| HSV-1: |
herpes simplex virus type 1 |
| HSV-2: |
herpes simplex virus type 2 |
| 5-HT: |
5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin receptor) |
| IBW: |
ideal body weight |
| IC: |
intracoronary |
| ICP: |
intracranial pressure |
| ICU: |
intensive care unit |
| ID: |
intradermal |
| IDDM: |
insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (Type I diabetes) |
| IFN: |
interferon |
| Ig: |
immunoglobulin |
| IL: |
interleukin |
| IM: |
intramuscular |
| INR: |
international normalizing ratio |
| IOP: |
intraocular pressure |
| IPPB: |
intermittent positive pressure breathing |
| IU: |
international unit |
| IV: |
intravenous |
| kg: |
kilogram |
| 17-KGS: |
17-ketogenic steroids |
| 17-KS: |
17-ketosteroids |
| KVO: |
keep vein open |
| L: |
liter |
| LDH: |
lactic dehydrogenase |
| LDL: |
low density lipoprotein |
| LDL-C: |
low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol |
| LE: |
lupus erythematosus |
| LFT: |
liver function test |
| LH: |
luteinizing hormone |
| LSD: |
lysergic acid diethylamide |
| LTRA: |
leukotriene receptor antagonist |
| M: |
molar (strength of a solution) |
| m2: |
square meter (of body surface area) |
| MAO: |
monoamine oxidase |
| MAOI: |
monoamine oxidase inhibitor |
| MBD: |
minimal brain dysfunction |
| MCH: |
mean corpuscular hemoglobin |
| MCHC: |
mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration |
| mCi: |
millicurie |
| ¼g, mcg: |
microgram (1/1000 of a milligram) |
| ¼m: |
micrometer |
| MDI: |
metered dose inhaler |
| MDR: |
minimum daily requirements |
| mEq: |
milliequivalent |
| mg: |
milligram |
| min: |
minute |
| MI: |
myocardial infarction |
| MIC: |
minimum inhibitory concentration |
| ml: |
milliliter (0.001 liter) |
| mm: |
millimeter |
| mo: |
month |
| MRSA: |
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus |
| MS: |
multiple sclerosis |
| N: |
normal (strength of a solution) |
| NADH: |
reduced form of nicotine adenine dinucleotide |
| NAPA: |
N-acetyl procainamide |
| nb: |
note well (nota bene) |
| ng: |
nanogram (1/1000 of a microgram) |
| NIDDM: |
non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (Type II diabetes) |
| NMS: |
neuroleptic malignant syndrome |
| NNRTI: |
nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor |
| NPN: |
nonprotein nitrogen |
| NPO: |
nothing by mouth |
| NS: |
normal saline |
| NSAID: |
nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug |
| NSR: |
normal sinus rhythm |
| OC: |
oral contraceptive |
| 17-OHCS: |
17-hydroxycorticosteroids |
| OTC: |
over the counter (nonprescription) |
| PABA: |
para-aminobenzoic acid |
| PAS: |
para-aminosalicylic acid |
| PAWP: |
pulmonary artery wedge pressure |
| PBI: |
protein-bound iodine |
| PBP: |
penicillin-binding protein |
| p.c.: |
after meals (post cibum) |
| PCI: |
percutaneous coronary intervention |
| PERLA: |
pupils equal, react to light and accommodation |
| PG: |
prostaglandin |
| pH: |
hydrogen ion concentration |
| PID: |
pelvic inflammatory disease |
| PKU: |
phenylketonuria |
| PND: |
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea |
| PO: |
by mouth or orally (per os) |
| PPM: |
parts per million |
| PR: |
rectally (per rectum) |
| prn: |
when required (pro re nata) |
| PSA: |
prostate-specific antigen |
| PSP: |
phenolsulfonphthalein |
| PSVT: |
paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia |
| PT: |
prothrombin time |
| PTH: |
parathyroid hormone |
| PTT: |
partial thromboplastin time |
| PUD: |
peptic ulcer disease |
| PVC: |
premature ventricular contraction |
| PVD: |
peripheral vascular disease |
| PZI: |
protamine zinc insulin |
| q.d.: |
every day |
| q.i.d.: |
four times daily |
| q.o.d.: |
every other day |
| RA: |
rheumatoid arthritis |
| RAI: |
radioactive iodine |
| RAST: |
radioallergosorbent test |
| RBC: |
red blood (cell) count |
| RDA: |
recommended (daily) dietary allowance |
| RDS: |
respiratory distress syndrome |
| REM: |
rapid eye movement |
| rem: |
radiation equivalent man |
| RIA: |
radioimmunoassay |
| RNA: |
ribonucleic acid |
| ROM: |
range of motion |
| RSV: |
respiratory syncytial virus |
| RT3U: |
total serum thyroxine concentration |
| s: |
second |
| S&S: |
signs and symptoms |
| SA: |
sinoatrial |
| SBE: |
subacute bacterial endocarditis |
| SC: |
subcutaneous |
| Scr: |
serum creatinine |
| SGGT: |
serum gamma-glutamyl transferase |
| SGOT: |
serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (see AST) |
| SGPT: |
serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (see ALT) |
| SIADH: |
syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone |
| SI Units: |
International System of Units |
| SK: |
streptokinase |
| SL: |
sublingual |
| SLE: |
systemic lupus erythematosus |
| SMA: |
sequential multiple analysis |
| SOS: |
if necessary (si opus cit) |
| sp: |
species |
| SPF: |
sun protection factor |
| sq: |
square |
| SR: |
sedimentation rate |
| SRS-A: |
slow-reactive substance of anaphylaxis |
| SSRI: |
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor |
| stat: |
immediately |
| STD: |
sexually transmitted disease |
| t½: |
half-life |
| T3: |
triiodothyronine |
| T4: |
thyroxine |
| TCA: |
tricyclic antidepressant |
| TG: |
total triglycerides |
| TIA: |
transient ischemic attack |
| t.i.d.: |
three times a day (ter in die) |
| TNF: |
tumor necrosis factor |
| tPA: |
tissue plasminogen activator |
| TPN: |
total parenteral nutrition |
| TPR: |
temperature, pulse, respirations |
| TSH: |
thyroid-stimulating hormone |
| TT: |
thrombin time |
| URI: |
upper respiratory infection |
| USP: |
United States Pharmacopeia |
| USPHS: |
United States Public Health Service |
| UTI: |
urinary tract infection |
| UV-A,UVA: |
ultraviolet A wave |
| VDRL: |
venereal disease research laboratory |
| VLDL: |
very low density lipoprotein |
| VMA: |
vanillylmandelic acid |
| VS: |
vital signs |
| wk: |
week |
| WBC: |
white blood (cell) count |
| WBCT: |
whole blood clotting time |
| y: |
year |
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