ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED IN
ABBREVIATIONSANDACRONYMSUSED INMEDICINEAssoc. Prof. Warwick CarterMB.BS., FRACGP, FAMA
Abbreviations, acronyms, symbols and postnominalsthat may be encountered in medical books,magazines, letters, research articles andadvertisements,or patient records, prescriptions and reports.The interpretation of an abbreviationmay vary in different contexts.The use of medical acronyms and abbreviationsshould be discouraged.
PREFACEAbbreviations and acronyms seem to be multiplying exponentially in modernmedicine. Some are just a passing fad, or have only local significance; others,though, become widely used and recognised. Unfortunately, remembering thedetails about the alphabet soup that may appear in medical records or reportshas become an impossible task for the busy clinician.This book is aimed to assist doctors, medical students, nurses and othersinvolved in reading medical notes and reports in interpreting the abbreviationsand acronyms used by others. It is NOT designed to encourage their use in anyway. The use of abbreviations and acronyms in medical records and reports maylead to errors in patient care as they may be misunderstood or misinterpreted.When acronyms and abbreviations are used, they should always be definedwithin the records, report etc. in which they appear, thus:“Mr. Jones has suffered a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). His CVA has left himwith a left hemiplegia.”Not every abbreviation and acronym used in every clinical and geographical areaof medicine can possibly be described in a book of this size, but it should includethe majority of those encountered by most physicians.I trust that you will find this book useful in your practice.Warwick CarterBrisbane2009
SYMBOLSΔψΣ#†Θdiagnosis / changepsychiatry / psychiatristsum / syphilisfracture / numberdeathbirth15/603/245/730/4010/524/125 HIAA7vPCV14C23vPPVfifteen minutesthree hoursfive daysthirty weeks pregnantten weeksfour months5-hydroxyindole acetic acidseven valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccineCarbon-1423 valent pneumococcal polysaccharide PAALAAOAAPMAATAAVABAbABDABGABNABVDAedes / argon / artery / Ancyclostoma / Ascarisangiotensin 2 / aortic second soundangiotensin 2 receptor blockeraccident and emergencyalert and orientatedalpha-1-antitrypsinAlcoholics Anonymous / amino acid / affected areaequal quantities of each ingredientabdominal aortic aneurysmAustralian Association of Academic General Practitionersantibiotic associated diarrhoeaAustralian Association of General Practitionersanterior axillary linealert awake orientedAustralian Association of Practice Managersalpha1-antitrypsinadenovirus-associated virusabortion / abnormalantibodyabdomenarterial blood gasabnormaladriamycin, bleomycin, vinblatine and dacarbazine
ACacAcACEACERAChAChEACLACLEACPACRRMACSACTHADad libADDADECADGPADHADHDADISADLad AHDAHFAHIAAIAIDacromioclavicular / acute / anterior chamber (eye)ante cibum (before food) / acetylactiniumangiotensin converting enzymeAustralian Council for Educational Researchacetylcholineacetylcholinesteraseanterior cruciate ligamentacute cutaneous lupus erythematosusacid phosphatase; acetyl carrier proteinAustralian College of Rural and Remote Medicineacute coronary syndrome / American College of Surgeonsadrenocorticotrophic hormoneAlzheimer disease / auris dextra (right ear)ad libitum (at freedom, as desired)attention deficit disorderAustralian Drug Evaluation CommissionAustralian Divisions of General Practiceantidiuretic hormoneattention deficit hyperactivity disorderAustralasian Drug Information Serviceactivities of daily livingas much as is necessary / liberallyadmission / admittedadenosine diphosphateadverse drug reactionadult diphtheria and tetanus (vaccine) / any damn thingabove elbowanti-epilepsy drugatrial fibrillationacid fast bacillusalpha-fetoprotein / Australian Family Physicianantigensilveralbumin-globulin ratioAustralian Gynaecological Endoscopic SocietyAustralian General Practice Accreditation Limitedalbumin-globulin ratioafter hours / Accuhaler / antihistamine / Allen & Hanburysadvance health directive / after hours doctoranti-haemolytic factorAustralian Health Insurance Associationaortic incompetence / artificial intelligenceartificial insemination by donor
uired immune deficiency disorderartificial insemination by husbandangiotensin two reuptake inhibitorsankle jerkabove kneeabove knee amputation / alcoholic ketoacidosisaluminiumalbuminalcoholalkaline phosphataseacute lymphatic leukaemiaalkaline phosphatasealanine amino transferasealternate / alternativeAustralian Medical Association / American Medical Association /antimitochondrial antibody / against medical adviceambulatoryAustralian Medical Councilage-related macular degenerationanterior myocardial infarctacute myeloid leukaemiaamniocentesis / amniotic fluidattending medical officeradenosine monophosphateampoule / amputationantinuclear antibodyanti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodiesantinuclear autoantibodies, fluorescent / antinuclear factorautonomic nervous systemanterioranti-acetylcholine receptor antibodybeforeanti-factor XaAustralian and New Zealand Food Authorityalert and orientatedalcohol on breatharea of needanteroposterior / abdomino-perineal / antepartumAustralian Physiotherapy Associationactivated protein Cante-partum haemorrhageactivated partial prothrombin timeactivated partial thromboplastin timeaqua (water)
ASOTASTAtAT neal resectionargonangiotensin receptor blockerAIDS related complexacute respiratory distressAustralian Rural Divisions of General Practiceacute/adult respiratory distress syndromeacute renal failure / acute respiratory failureartificial rupture of membranesartificial rupture of membranesassisted reproductive technologies / arteryaortic stenosis; auris sinistra (left ear)arsenicacetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)as soon as possibleatrial septal defectantistreptolysin O titreaspartate aminotransferaseastatineantithrombin IIIanterior tibio-fibula ligamentadenosine triphosphateAboriginal and Torres Strait Islandergoldauditoryatrioventricular / arteriovenousarteriovenous fistulaatrioventricular nodeatomic weightanxiety / axillaabdominal acillus / bath / blood / boronbeta-2 MicroglobulinBachelor of ArtsbariumBritish Anti-LewesiteBachelor of Applied Scienceblood-brain barrier / bundle branch blockbasal cell carcinomaBacille Calmette-Guérin (TB)Bachelor of Surgery
BChirbdBDScBEBeBeta ABSLBSPBSpThyBTBTUBTZBachelor of Surgery (UK)bis die (twice a day)Bachelor of Dental Surgerybarium enema / below elbowberylliumbeta human chorionic gonadotrophinBachelor of Health Administrationbismuthbis in die (twice in a day)bilateral inguinal herniasbilirubinbelow kneebelow knee amputationBachelor of Medicine / bowel movement / bone marrowBritish Medical Associationbone mineral densityBachelor of Medical Sciencebody mass indexBritish Medical Journalbasal metabolic ratebone marrow transplantBritish National Formularybowels not openedBlue Nursing ServiceBachelor of Occupational Therapybilateral otitis mediabladder outlet obstructionbismuth oxide and zinc creamblood pressure / British Pharmacopoeiabenign prostatic hypertrophyBachelor of Physiotherapybeats per minutebenzyl peroxideBetter Practice Program / brand price premiumbreech (pregnancy) / Brucella / brominebed restBachelor of Surgery / bowel sounds / breath sounds / blood sugarbody surface areablood sugar levelbromsulfophthaleinBachelor of Speech Therapybleeding timeBritish thermal unitbutazolidin
BUNBWBxBzblood urea nitrogenbirth weight / body weight / CBTCCccCCACCBCCFCCPCCUCDCdCDCcarbon / calorie / capsule / Celcius / cephalic (pregnancy) / cervical /cervix / Clostridium / complementcum (with)cervical vertebrae one to sevenculture and sensitivitycare of / complains ofcycles per second / culture and sensitivitycalciumcarbohydrate (cancer) antigen / cancer / cardiac arrest / communityacquiredcirca (approximately)coronary artery bypass graftcoreoathetoid cerebral palsycoronary artery calcification scorecoronary artery diseasecarbonic anhydrase inhibitorscaloriecomplementary and alternate medicinecyclic adenosine monophosphatecapsulecontinual ambulatory peritoneal dialysiscancer associated serum antigencomputerised axial tomographycathetercaesarean birthcomplete blood countcapillary blood gascognitive behaviour therapychief complaintcubic centimetrecalcium channel antagonistcalcium channel blockercongestive cardiac failurecyclic citrulinated peptidecoronary care unit / catch clean urinecardiac disease / contagious diseasecadmiumCentre for Disease Control (USA)
COCoCO2CoACOADCOCComm.Comp.COPDchild diphtheria and tetanus vaccinecontinuing educationcarcinoembryonic antigenchief executive officercephalic (pregnancy)cardiac failure / complement fixation / cystic fibrosischlorofluorocarbonCertificate in Family Planning.chronic fatigue syndromecomplement fixation testchorionic gonadotrophinCertificate of Health Administration.Bachelor of Surgery (British University)congenital heart disease / coronary heart diseasecongestive heart failure / chronic heart failurecarbohydratecholesterolchroniccardiac index / cardiac insufficiency / colour indexCreutzfeldt-Jakob diseasecreatine kinasechronic kidney diseasechloride / chlorine / Clostridiumcutaneous lupus erythematosuschronic lymphatic leukaemiaCampylobacter like organismcentimetreCanadian Medical Association / certified medical assistant (USA)carpo-metacarpal jointcontinuing medical educationconsumer medical informationchromic myeloid leukaemiacytomegaloviruscranial nerve(s)central nervous systemcarbon monoxide / cardiac output / complains ofcobaltcarbon dioxidecoenzyme Achronic obstructive airways diseasecombined oral contraceptivecommentcompound / compensationchronic obstructive pulmonary disease
cyclooxygenasecerebral palsy / chest paincontinuous positive airways pressurecephalopelvic disproportion / continuing professional developmentCertificate in Public Health.creatine phospho kinasecardio-pulmonary resuscitationcycles per secondcontrolled release / computed radiographycreatinine / chromiumchronic renal failurecross reactive proteincaesarean sectioncaesiumcerebrospinal fluidCommonwealth Scientific Institute and Research OrganisationCommonwealth Serum Laboratoriescomputerised tomography / coronary thrombosis / cerebral tumourcardiotocographcardio-thoracic ratio / carpal tunnel repaircarpal tunnel syndromecoppercubiccardiovascular / curriculum vitaecerebrovascular accident / costovertebral anglecardiovascular diseasecentral venous linecentral venous pressurecardiovascular system /chorionic villus samplingcervix / culture / cancelchest x-raycytochrome P-450DDdD5WD&CDAdBDCDCBEDCHdaughter / decreased / dioptre / dorsaldaydextrose 5% in waterdilation and curettageDiploma in Anaesthetics / developmental agedecibeldirect current / discharge / discontinuedouble contrast barium enemaDiploma in Child Health
DChDoctor of SurgeryDCISductal carcinoma in situDCPDiploma in Clinical Pathology.DDdifferential diagnosis / discharge diagnosisDDScDoctor of Dental Science.DDUDiploma of Diagnostic Ultrasound.DESdescription / diethylstilboestrolDEXAdual-energy x-ray absorptiometryDFPDiploma in Family te dyhdrogenaseDIdiabetes insipidus / diagnostic imagingDICdisseminated intravascular coagulationDIPJdistal interphalangeal jointDipMedSurg Diploma in Medical Surgery (Papua New-Guinea)DIUdeath in uteroDJDdegenerative joint diseaseDKAdiabetic ketoacidosisDLEdisseminated lupus erythematosusDMDoctor of Medicine / diabetes mellitus / diastolic murmurDMARDdisease modifying anti-rheumatic drugDMSOdimethyl sulfoxideDNAdid not attend/deoxyribonucleic acidDNRdo not resuscitateDODiploma in OphthalmologyDOAdead on arrivalDOBdate of birthDObstRACOGDiploma in Obstetrics from the Royal Aust. College ofObstetricians and GynaecologistsDOEdyspnoea on exertionDPHDiploma in Public HealthDPIdry powder inhalerDPMDiploma in Psychological MedicineDPTdiphtheria, pertussis, tetanusDPyddeoxypyridinolineDRdelivery roomDRACOGDiploma of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Royal Australian College ofObstetricians and GynaecologistsDREdigital rectal examinationDRGdiagnosis related groupDSDoctor of Surgery / double strength / discharge summaryDSAdigital subtraction angiographyDSAPdisseminated superficial actinic porokeratosisDSMDiagnostic and Statistical Manual (of Mental Disorders)
DTDTHDTMDTPDTPaDTRDTsDUDUIDVADVTDWDxdelirium tremensDiploma in Tropical Health.Diploma in Tropical Medicinediphtheria tetanus pertussis (vaccine)diphtheria tetanus pertussis adsorbed (vaccine)deep tendon reflexdelirium tremensduodenal ulcerdriving under influenceDepartment of Veteran Affairsdeep venous thrombosisdextrose gENTelectrolytes / engaged (pregnancy) / Escherichiaex (without)essential amino acidsestimated average glucoseevidence based medicine / expressed breast milkEpstein-Barr virusenteric coatedextracellular fluidelectrocardiographelectroconvulsive therapyeffective dose / emergency department / eating and drinkingestimated date of confinementexpected date of deliveryend diastolic pressureethylenediaminete- traacetic acidelectroencephalogramears eyes nose throatestimated glomerular filtration rateepidermal growth factor receptorEnterohaemorrhagic E. coli Infectionelectrokardiogramme (German - ECG)enzyme linked immunosorbent assayelectromyogramemergency medical serviceearly morning wakingextractable nuclear antigenelectronystagmogramengaged (pregnancy)ear, nose & throat
WTEt.ETOHETRETTEUAEUCExex aqex lacexpextexcision ofexpiratory positive airways pressureenhanced primary careepisiotomyevening primrose oilelectrophoretic pattern of plasmaelectrophysiological studiesextended release / emergency roomendoscopic retrograde ory reserve volumeextrasensory perceptionerythrocyte sedimentation rateexercise stress testextracorporeal shock wave lithotripsyextracorporeal shock wave therapyetiologyethanoleffective thyroxine ratioendotracheal tubeexamination under anaesthesiaelectrolytes urea creatinineexercise / exampleex aqua (with water)ex lactis (with PFACRFACRRMFACSFAMAFAMASFANAFBFahrenheit / father / female / femoral / finger / fluorinefluorescent antibody / first aidFellow American Academy of DermatologyFellow American Academy of Ophthalmology and OtolaryngologyFellow American Academy of PaediatricsFellow American College of AnaesthetistsFellow Australian College of DermatologyFellow American College of PhysiciansFellow American College of RadiologistsFellow Australian College of Rural and Remote MedicineFellow American College of SurgeonsFellow of the Australian Medical AssociationFellow Australian Medical Acupuncture Societyfluorescent antinuclear antibodiesforeign body
SHFTftFTAfull blood countfasting blood glucosefasting blood sugar (level)film coatedFellow College of American PathologistsFood and Drug Administration (USA)fibrin degradation products / flexor digitorum profundusiron / ferrousforced expiratory flowfunctional endoscopic sinus surgeryforced expiratory volume in one secondfresh frozen plasmafoetal heart / family historyfoetal heart ratefemtolitrefluidflaccidfamily medicinefoetal movements feltfoetomaternal haemorrhagefoetal movements not feltFamily Medicine Programfine needle aspiration cytologyfaecal occult blood testFellow Royal Australian College of Dental SurgeonsFellow Royal Australian College of General PractitionerFellow Royal Australian College of Obstetricians andGynaecologistsFellow Royal Australian College of PhysiciansFellow Royal Australian College of RadiologistsFellow Royal Australian College of Surgeons.Fellow Royal Australian and New Zealand College of PsychiatristsFellow Royal College of General Practitioners (UK)Fellow Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (UnitedKingdom)Fellow Royal College of Physicians (UK)Fellow Royal College of Pathologists (UK)Fellow Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK)Fellow Royal College of Surgeons (UK)flexible sigmoidoscopyfollicle stimulating hormonefalling titre / full term (pregnancy)footfluorescent treponema antibody
FTEFTIFTTFUFUOFVCFxfull time equivalentfree thyroxine indexfailure to thrivefluorouracil / follow upfever of unknown originforced vital HGORDGPGPCGGPEAGPETGPIGiardia / gravida (pregnancies)gram / guttae (drops)glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenasegeneral anaestheticgamma-amino butyric acidgeneralised anxiety disorderGraduate Australian Medical Schools Admission Testgall bladderGroup B StreptococcusgonococcalGlasgow Coma Scalegastroenterology / gastroenteritisgastroesophageal reflux diseasegeneral by endotracheal tubeglomerular filtration rategamma glutamyl transferase / transpeptidasegrowth hormonegamma-hydroxybutyrateglycosylated haemoglobingrowth hormone releasing factorgastrointestinalgammete intrafallopian transfergastrointestinal tractglucagon-like peptidegramgrand malGeneral Medical Council (UK)general nursing caregonadotrophin releasing hormonegastro-oesophageal reflux diseasegeneral practitioner / general paralysisGeneral Practice Computer GroupGeneral Practice Education AustraliaGeneral Practice Education and Traininggeneral paralysis of insaneG
eralised pustular psoriasis of pregnancyGeneral Practice Registrars Associationgrain (1 grain 65mg).gravida (pregnancy no.)generalised social anxiety disordergunshot woundglyceryl trinitrateguanosine triphosphateglucose tolerance testguttae (drops)gastric ulcer / genitourinarygenitourinary systemgraft versus host diseaseglucose hilus / Helicobacter / history / husband / hydrogenhourheadachehepatitis A virus / hepatitis A vaccineheart blockhaemoglobinhaemoglobin A1 (Glycated Haemoglobin)haemoglobin A1 (Glycosylated Haemoglobin)carboxyhaemoglobinfoetal haemoglobinhaemoglobin Hhepatitis b immune globulinhaemoglobin Moxygenated haemoglobinhigh blood pressurehaemoglobin Shepatitis B vaccine / hepatitis B virushead circumferencehuman chorionic gonadotrophinhydrochloric acidbicarbonatehaematocrit / hydrochlorthiazidehepatitis C virusheadHodgkinʼs diseasehigh density lipoproteinhaemolytic disease of newbornH
HVHVAHxHzHZheliumhead, eyes, ears, nose, throathepatitishuman epidermal receptormercuryhuman growth hormonehydroxyindole acetic acidHaemophilus influenzae BHealth Insurance Commissionhypoxic ischaemic encephalopathyhuman immunodeficiency virushuman leucocyte associated antigen / histocompatability locusantigenhyaline membrane diseasehuman menopausal gonadotrophinhydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme
The use of abbreviations and acronyms in medical records and reports may lead to errors in patient care as they may be misunderstood or misinterpreted. When acronyms and abbreviations are used, they should always be defined within the records, report etc. in which they appear, thus: “Mr. Jones has suffered a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). .
Acronyms & Abbreviations 1 page . Acronyms and Abbreviations. List of Acronyms and Abbreviations % percent %g Percent acceleration of gravity C degrees Celsius . NCDC NOAA's National Climatic Data Center NEHRP . National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program . NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NESEC .
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word (or most words) in a phrase and put them together to make an abbreviation (e.g. TGIF is an acronym for Thank God It’s Friday). Why do people use Abbreviations and Acronyms? Abbreviations and acronyms are used a lot in chat conversations
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82nd ABN Div Pam 600-2 5 1. PURPOSE: The purpose of this publication is to inform 82nd Airborne Division Paratroopers of basic standards of appearance, conduct, military courtesy, and need to know information. 2. RESPONSIBILITIES: Commanders are responsible to ensure Troopers under their command present a neat and soldierly appearance.
