Table 5-12 Common Abbreviations

Table 5-12 Common Abbreviations




A&P anatomy and physiology

ā before

AAA abdominal aortic aneurysm

abd abdomen

ABC, ABCs airway, breathing, circulation

ac before meals

ACLS advanced cardiac life support

ADL, ADLs activities of daily living

ad lib as desired

AED automated external defibrillator

AF, A-fib atrial fibrillation

AICD automated implantable cardioverter defibrillator

AIDS acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome

AK above the knee

AKA above the knee amputation

AMA against medical advice

amb ambulatory

, AMI acute myocardial infarction

ant anterior

AO X 4, A/O X 4 alert and oriented to person, place, time, and self

AP anteroposterior, front-to-back, action potential, angina pectoris, anterior pituitary, arterial
pressure

ARDS adult respiratory distress syndrome

ASA aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)

ASHD arteriosclerotic or atherosclerotic heart disease

BGL blood glucose level

bid/b.i.d./BID twice daily

BKA below the knee amputation

BM bowel movement

BP, B/P blood preassure

BPM beats per minute

BS blood sugar, breath sounds, bowel sounds, bachelor of science (degree)

BSA body surface area

BVM bag-valve mask

bx biopsy

c̅ with

°C degrees Celsius (centigrade)

CA cancer, cardiac arrest, chronologic age, coronary artery, cold agglutinin

CABG coronary artery bypass graft

CAD coronary artery disease

CBC complete blood cell count