A

• A-a - Arterial-alveolar
• AAA - Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• ABC - Airway, breathing, circulation
• ABG - Arterial blood gas
• ABX - Antibiotics
• AC - Assist-control ventilation
• ACA - Anterior cerebral artery
• ACC - American College of Cardiology
• ACE - Angiotensin converting enzyme
• ACE-I -Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor
• ACLS - Advanced cardiac life support
• ACS - Acute coronary syndrome
• ACTH - Adrenocorticotropic hormone
• ACV - Assist-control ventilation
• ADC - AIDS dementia complex
• ADH - Anti-diuretic hormone
• AF - Atrial fibrillation
• AFB - Acid-fast bacilli
• A-fib - Atrial fibrillation
• AG - Anion gap
• AHA - American Heart Association
• AI - Aortic insufficiency
• AI - Adrenal insufficiency
• AICD - Automated implantable cardiac defibrillator
• AIDS - Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
• AIN - Acute interstitial nephritis
• ALL - Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• ALS - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• ALT - Alanine aminotransferase
• AML - Acute myeloblastic leukemia
• AMS - Altered mental status
• ANA - Anti-nuclear antibody
• ANCA - Anti-nuclear cytoplasmic antibody
• APACHE - Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation
• APC - Activated protein C
• ARB - Angiotensin receptor blocker
• ARDS - Acute respiratory distress syndrome
• ARF - Acute renal failure
• ARRD - Acute reversible renal dysfunction
• AS - Aortic stenosis
• ASA - American Society of Anesthesiologists
• ASA - Aspirin
• AST - Aspartate aminotransferase
• AT - Atrial tachycardia
• A-thal - Alpha thalassemia
• ATN - Acute tubular necrosis
• ATP - Adenosine triphosphate
• AV - Atrioventricular
• AV - Arteriovenous
• AVM - Arteriovenous malformation
• AVNRT - AV nodal reentrant tachycardia
• AVRT - AV reentrant tachycardia

B

• BAL - Bronchoalveolar lavage
• BCx - Blood culture
• BG - Blood glucose
• BID - Twice a day
• BiPAP - Bi-level positive airway pressure
• BMI - Body mass index
• BMJ - British Medical Journal
• BMT - Bone marrow transplant
• BNP - B-natriuretic peptide
• BP - Blood pressure
• BPM - Beats per minute
• BRBPR - Bright red blood per rectum
• BSA - Body surface area
• BUN - Blood urea nitrogen
• BZD - Benzodiazepine

C

• C&S - Culture and specificity
• Ca - Calcium
• CA - Cancer
• CABG - Coronary artery bypass grafting
• CaCl2 - Calcium chloride
• CaCO3 - Calcium carbonate
• CAD - Coronary artery disease
• CaO2 - Oxygen content
• CAPD - Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
• CCB - Calcium-channel blocker
• CCPD - Continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis
• CCU - Coronary care unit
• CFU - Colony-forming unit
• CHF - Congestive heart failure
• CI - Cardiac index
• CIWA - Clinical institute withdrawal assessment
• CK - Creatine kinase
• CKD - Chronic kidney disease
• CK-MB - Creatine kinase (myocardial fraction)
• CLL - Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• CML - Chronic myelocytic leukemia
• CMV - Cytomegalovirus
• CN - Contrast nephropathy
• CNS - Central nervous system
• CO - Carbon monoxide
• CO - Cardiac output
• CO2 - Carbon dioxide
• Cocci - Coccidioidomycosis
• COPD - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• CP - Chest pain
• CPAP - Continuous positive airway pressure
• CPK - Creatine kinase
• CPP - Cerebral perfusion pressure
• CPPD - Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate
• CPR - Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Cr - Creatinine
• CrAg - Cryptococcal antigen
• CrCl - Creatinine clearance
• CRRT - Continuous renal replacement therapy
• Crypto - Cryptococcosis
• CSF - Cerebrospinal fluid
• CT - Computed tomography
• CVA - Cerebrovascular accident
• CVP - Central venous pressure
• CVVH - Continuous venovenous hemofiltration
• CVVHD - Continuous venovenous hemodialysis
• CVVHDF - Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration
• Cx - Culture
• CXR - Chest x-ray

D

• DBP - Diastolic blood pressure
• DDAVP - Vasopressin
• DDx - Differential diagnosis
• DI - Diabetes insipidus
• DIC - Disseminated intravascular coagulation
• Diff - Differential
• DKA - Diabetic ketoacidosis
• DLCO - Diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide
• DM - Diabetes mellitus
• DM - Dermatomyositis
• DMV - Department of motor vehicles
• DOT - Directly observed therapy
• DS - Double strength
• DT - Delirium tremens
• DTR - Deep tendon reflex
• DVT - Deep venous thrombosis
• Dz - Disease

E

• EBV - Epstein-Barr virus
• ECASA - Enteric-coated aspirin
• ECG - Electrocardiogram
• ED - Emergency department
• EEG - Electroencephalogram
• EGD - Esophogastroduodenoscopy
• EKG - Electrocardiogram
• ELISA - Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
• EMG - Electromyogram
• ER - Emergency room
• ERCP - Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
• ESR - Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
• ESRD - End-stage renal disease
• ESWL - Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy
• EtOH - Alcohol
• ETT - Exercise treadmill test

F

• FENa - Fractional excretion of sodium
• FEV1 - Forced expiratory capacity in one second
• FFP - Fresh frozen plasma
• FH - Family history
• FIO2 - Fractional inspired oxygen
• FNA - Fine needle biopsy
• FQ - Fluoroquinolone
• FRC - Functional residual capacity
• FSGS - Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
• FUO - Fever of unknown origin
• FVC - Forced vital capacity

G

• GBM - Glomerular basement membrane
• GCA - Giant cell arteritis
• GCS - Glasgow coma scale
• GERD - Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• GFR - Glomerular filtration rate
• GI - Gastrointestinal
• GIB - Gastrointestinal bleed
• GN - Glomerulonephritis
• GSH - Glutathione
• GU - Genitourinary
• GVHD - Graft versus host disease

H

• H&P - History and physical
• HA - Headache
• HAART - Highly active antiretroviral therapy
• HAV - Hepatitis A virus
• HBV - Hepatitis B virus
• HCG - Human chorionic gonadotropin
• HCO3 - Bicarbonate
• Hct - Hematocrit
• HCTZ - Hydrochlorothiazide
• HCV - Hepatitis C virus
• HD - Hemodialysis
• HDL - High-density lipoprotein
• He - Helium
• Hgb - Hemoglobin
• HgbA1c - Hemoglobin A1c
• Histo - Histoplasmosis
• HIT - Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
• HIV - Human immunodeficiency virus
• HME - Heat moisture exchanger
• HOB - Head of bed
• HOCM - Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
• HONKC - Hyperosmolar non-ketotic coma
• HPF - High powered field
• HR - Heart rate
• HSP - Henoch-Schonlein purpura
• HSV - Herpes simplex virus
• HTN - Hypertension
• HUS - Hemolytic-uremic syndrome

I

• IBD - Inflammatory bowel disease
• IBW - Ideal body weight
• ICP - Intracranial pressure
• ICU - Intensive care unit
• IE - Infective endocarditis
• IJ - Internal jugular
• IM - Intramuscular
• IMI - Inferior myocardial infraction
• INH - Isoniazid
• INR - International normalized ratio
• IPAP - Inspiratory positive airway pressure
• IR - Interventional radiology
• IV - Intravenous
• IVC - Inferior vena cava
• IVDU - Intravenous drug use
• IVF - Intravenous fluids
• IVP - Intravenous push

J

• JAMA - Journal of the American Medical Association
• JVP - Jugular venous pulsation

K

• K - Potassium
• KCl - Potassium chloride
• KI - Potassium iodide
• KS - Kaposi sarcoma
• KUB - Kidneys ureters bladder (abdominal film)

L

• LAD - Left anterior descending artery
• LBBB - Left bundle branch block
• LCx - Left circumflex artery
• LDH - Lactate dehydrogenase
• LDL - Low-density lipoprotein
• LDUH - Low-dose unfractionated heparin
• LFTs - Liver function tests
• LGIB - Lower gastrointestinal bleed
• LLQ - Left lower quadrant
• LMWH - Low molecular weight heparin
• LP - Lumbar puncture
• LR - Lactated Ringer’s
• LR - Likelihood ratio
• LTRA - Leukotriene receptor antagonist
• LUQ - Left upper quadrant
• LV - Left ventricle
• LVEDP - Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure
• LVEF - Left ventricular ejection fraction
• LVH - Left ventricular hypertrophy

M

• MAC - Mycobacterium avium complex
• Mag - Magnesium
• MAHA - Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia
• MAO - Monoamine oxidase
• MAP - Mean arterial pressure
• MAR - Medication administration record
• MCA - Middle cerebral artery
• MCP - Metacarpophalangeal
• MCV - Mean corpuscular volume
• MDI - Metered dose inhaler
• MELD - Model for End-stage Liver Disease
• Mg - Magnesium
• MgSO4 - Magnesium sulfate
• MI - Myocardial infarction
• MIF - Maximal inspiratory force
• MOM - Milk of magnesia
• MPO - Myeloperoxidase
• MR - Mitral regurgitation
• MRA - Magnetic resonance angiography
• MRI - Magnetic resonance imaging
• MRSA - Methicillin-resistant staph aureus
• MRSE - Methicillin-resistant staph epidermis
• MS - Mental status
• MS - Mitral stenosis
• MS - Multiple sclerosis MSH - Melanocyte stimulating hormone
• MSSA - Methicillin-sensitive staph aureus
• MSSE - Methicillin-sensitive staph epidermis MTHFR - Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase
• MTP - Metatarsophalangeal
• MTX - Methotrexate
• MUGA - Multiple gated acquisition
• MVI - Multivitamin
• MVP - Mitral valve prolapse

N

• N/V - Nausea/vomiting
• N/V/D - Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
• Na - Sodium
• NaHCO3 - Sodium bicarbonate
• Nebs - Nebulizers
• NEJM - New England Journal of Medicine
• NG - Nasogastric
• NH4+ - Ammonium
• NIPPV - Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation
• Nl - Normal
• NNT - Number needed to treat
• NPO - Nothing per mouth
• NQWMI - Non-Q-wave myocardial infarction
• NRB - Non-rebreather
• NS - Normal saline
• NSAIDs - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• NSTEMI - Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction
• NTE - Not to exceed
• NTG - Nitroglycerin

O

• OA - Osteoarthritis
• OR - Operating room
• Osm - Osmolality
• OTC - Over the counter

P

• PA line - Pulmonary artery catheter
• PAN - Polyarteritis nodosa
• PAP - Pulmonary artery pressure
• PBS - Peripheral blood smear
• PCI - Percutaneous coronary intervention
• PCKD - Polycystic kidney disease
• pCO2 - Partial pressure of carbon dioxide
• PCP - Pneumocystis pneumonia
• PCR - Polymerase chain reaction
• PCV - Pressure control ventilation PCW - Pulmonary capillary wedge
• PCWP - Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
• PD - Peritoneal dialysis
• PE - Pulmonary embolism
• PEA - Pulseless electrical activity
• PEEP - Positive end-expiratory pressure
• PEG tube - Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube
• PEX - Physical exam
• PF - Peak flow
• PICC - Peripherally inserted central catheter
• PID - Pelvic inflammatory disease
• PIP joint - Proximal interphalangeal joint
• PLT - Platelets
• PM - Polymyositis
• PMH - Past medical history
• P-MIBI - Persantine-MIBI
• PML - Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
• PMNs - Neutrophils
• PMR - Polymyalgia rheumatica
• PNA - Pneumonia
• PNH - Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
• PO - By mouth
• pO2 - Partial pressure of oxygen
• PO4 - Phosphorous
• PPL - Plateau pressure
• PR - Per rectum
• PRBC - Packed red blood cells
• PRN - As needed
• PRSP - Penicillin-resistant streptococcus pneumoniae
• PS - Pressure support
• PSVT -Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
• PT - Physical therapy
• PT - Prothrombin time
• Pt. - Patient
• PTCA -Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
• PTH - Parathyroid hormone
• P-Thal - Persantine thallium
• PTHrP -Parathyroid related protein
• PTT - Partial thromboplastin time
• PTX - Pneumothorax
• PUD - Peptic ulcer disease
• PVR - Post-void residual

Q

• QD - Once a day
• QHS - Once a night
• QID - Four times a day
• QOD - Once every other day
• QTc - Corrected QT interval

R

• R/O MI- Rule out myocardial infarction
• RA - Rheumatoid arthritis
• RA - Right atrium
• RBBB - Right bundle branch block
• RBC - Red blood cell
• RCA - Right coronary artery
• RCT - Randomized controlled trial
• RDW - Red cell distribution width
• RF - Risk factor
• RI - Reticulocyte index
• RLQ - Right lower quadrant ROS - Review of systems
• RPGN - Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis
• RR - Respiratory rate
• RSI - Rapid sequence intubation
• RT - Respiratory therapy
• RTA - Renal tubular acidosis
• RUQ - Right upper quadrant
• RV - Right ventricle
• RVH - Right ventricular hypertrophy
• RVMI - Right ventricular myocardial infarction

S

• S/P - Status-post
• SAH - Subarachnoid hemorrhage
• SaO2 - Oxygen saturation
• SBE - Subacute bacterial endocarditis
• SBP - Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
• SBP - Systolic blood pressure
• SC - Subcutaneous
• SCD - Sequential compression devices
• ScvO2 - Central venous oxygen saturation
• SES - Sick euthyroid syndrome
• SFGH - San Francisco General Hospital
• SH - Social history
• SIMV - Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation
• SIRS - Systemic inflammatory response syndrome
• SL - Sublingual
• SLE - Systemic lupus erythematosus
• SOB - Shortness of breath
• Sosm - Serum osmolality
• SPEP - Serum protein electrophoresis
• SQ - Subcutaneous
• SSRI - Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
• STEMI - ST segment elevation myocardial infarction
• SV - Stroke volume
• SVC - Superior vena cava
• SVR - Systemic vascular resistance
• SVT - Supraventricular tachycardia

T

• T.bili - Total bilirubin
• TB - Tuberculosis
• TBW - Total body water
• TCA - Tricyclic antidepressant
• TEE - Transesophageal echocardiogram
• TFT - Thyroid function tests
• TIA - Transient ischemic attack
• TIBC - Total iron binding capacity
• TID - Three times a day
• TLC - Triple lumen catheter
• TLSO - Thoracolumbosacral orthotic
• TM - Tympanic membrane
• TMP/SMX - Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
• Toxo - Toxoplasmosis
• t-PA - Tissue plasminogen activator
• TPN - Total parenteral nutrition
• TRALI - Transfusion related acute lung injury
• TSH - Thyroid stimulating hormone
• TSI - Thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin
• TTE - Transthoracic echocardiogram
• TTP - Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
• TV - Tidal volume

U

• UA - Urinalysis
• UAG - Urine anion gap
• UCl - Urine chloride
• UGIB - Upper gastrointestinal bleed
• UK - Urine potassium
• UNa - Urine sodium
• UO - Urine output
• UOP - Urine output
• UPEP - Urine protein electrophoresis
• UTI - Urinary tract infection
• Utox - Urine toxicology screen

V

• V/Q - Ventilation/perfusion scan
• VC - Vital capacity
• VDRL - Venereal disease research laboratory
• VF - Ventricular fibrillation
• VRE - Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus
• VT - Ventricular tachycardia
• VZV - Varicella zoster virus

W

• WBC - White blood cells
• WPW - Wolff-Parkinson-Whitesyndrome