Medical Abbreviations – Common Healthcare
Terminology, Definitions & Practice Questions
with Verified Answers | Comprehensive Medical
Terminology Review | 2026–2027
,A assessment
a (with a line on top) before
ac before meals
ADL (Activities of Daily Living) Activities that are necessary for daily care of oneself. It
includes using the toilet, grooming, dressing, and feeding oneself.
ad lib as desired
AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome
am/AM between midnight and noon
amb ambulate, walk
amt amount
AP anteroposterior
ASA aspirin
ASAP as soon as possible
av/AV/A-V atrioventricular
, ax axillary
B with a circle around it bilateral (both sides)
bid twice a day
BM bowel movement
BP blood pressure
BS blood sugar, bowel sounds, breath sounds
Bx biopsy
c (with line above) with
C Celsius
CA cancer, carcinoma
CBC Complete Blood Count (bloodwork to look for infection or anemia)
CC chief complaint (the main reason for the visit)
cc cubic centimeter
Terminology, Definitions & Practice Questions
with Verified Answers | Comprehensive Medical
Terminology Review | 2026–2027
,A assessment
a (with a line on top) before
ac before meals
ADL (Activities of Daily Living) Activities that are necessary for daily care of oneself. It
includes using the toilet, grooming, dressing, and feeding oneself.
ad lib as desired
AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome
am/AM between midnight and noon
amb ambulate, walk
amt amount
AP anteroposterior
ASA aspirin
ASAP as soon as possible
av/AV/A-V atrioventricular
, ax axillary
B with a circle around it bilateral (both sides)
bid twice a day
BM bowel movement
BP blood pressure
BS blood sugar, bowel sounds, breath sounds
Bx biopsy
c (with line above) with
C Celsius
CA cancer, carcinoma
CBC Complete Blood Count (bloodwork to look for infection or anemia)
CC chief complaint (the main reason for the visit)
cc cubic centimeter
