Respiratory System - Abbreviation

ABGs—arterial blood gases

AFB—acid-fast bacillus; the type of organism that causes tuberculosis

ARDS—acute (formerly adult) respiratory distress syndrome; a group of signs and symptoms including tachypnea, dyspnea, tachycardia, hypoxemia, and cyanosis associated with acute respiratory failure

BAL—bronchioalveolar lavage

Bronch—bronchoscopy

CF—cystic fibrosis

CO2—carbon dioxide

COPD—chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; airway obstruction associated with emphysema and chronic bronchitis

CPAP—continuous positive airway pressure

CPR—cardiopulmonary resuscitation; three basic steps (ABC); Airway, Breathing, Circulation

C&S—culture and sensitivity testing (of sputum)

CTPA—computed tomography pulmonary angiography

CXR—chest x-ray [film]

DLCO—diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide

DOE—dyspnea on exertion

DPT—diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus; toxoids for vaccination of infants, to provide immunity to these diseases

FEV1—forced expiratory volume in 1 second

FVC—forced vital capacity; amount of gas that can be forcibly and rapidly exhaled after a full inspiration

HCO3—bicarbonate; measured in blood to determine acidity or alkalinity

ICU—intensive care unit

LLL—left lower lobe (of lung)

LUL—left upper lobe (of lung)

MDI—metered-dose inhaler - used to deliver aerosolized medications to patients

NSCLC—non-small cell lung cancer

O2—oxygen

OSA—obstructive sleep apnea

PaCO2—carbon dioxide partial pressure; measure of the amount of carbon dioxide in arterial blood

PaO2—oxygen partial pressure; a measure of the amount of oxygen in arterial blood

PCP—Pneumocystis pneumonia; a type of pneumonia seen in patients with AIDs or other immunosuppression

PE—pulmonary embolism

PEP—positive expiratory pressure; mechanical ventilator strategy in which patient takes a deep breath and then exhales through a device that resists air flow (helps refill under ventilated areas of the lung)

PEEP—positive end-expiratory pressure; common mechanical ventilator setting in which airway pressure is maintained above atmospheric pressure

PFTs—pulmonary function tests

PND—paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

PPD—purified protein derivative; substance used in a tuberculosis test

RDS—respiratory distress syndrome; in the newborn infant, condition marked by dyspnea and cyanosis and related to absence of surfactant, a substance that permits normal expansion of lungs; also called hyalin membrane disease

RLL—right lower lobe (of lung)

RSV—respiratory syncytial virus - common cause of bronchiolitis, bronchopneumonia, and the common cold, especially in children (in tissue culture, forms syncytia or giant cells, so that cytoplasm flows together)

RUL—right upper lobe (of lung)

RV—residual volume; amount of air remaining in lungs at the end of maximal experimentation

SCLC—small cell lung cancer

SOB—shortness of breath

TB—tuberculosis

TLC—total lung capacity; volume of gas in the lungs at the end of maximal inspiration; equals VC + RV

URI—upper respiratory infection

VT—tidal volume; amount of air inhaled and exhaled during a normal ventilation

VATS—video-assisted thoracic surgery (thoracoscopy)

VC--vital capacity; equals inspiratory reserve volume plus expiratory reserve volume plus tidal volume

V/Q scan—ventilation-perfusion scan - radioactive test of lung ventilation and blood perfusion throughout the lung capillaries (lung scan)